If you’ve ever dreamed of superpowered teens battling ancient alien evils on Earth, then Pittacus Lore’s Lorien Legacies series is your next obsession. This thrilling young adult sci-fi saga blends heart-pounding action, forbidden romances, and epic world-building that keeps readers glued to the page. But with spin-offs, novellas, and sequels sprawling across the universe, diving in can feel overwhelming. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with a clear, chronological guide to reading Pittacus Lore books in order.
Whether you’re a newbie discovering I Am Number Four for the first time or a die-hard fan revisiting the Garde’s fight against the Mogadorians, this post breaks it all down. Stick around for spoiler-free summaries, insider tips, and why this series deserves a spot on your shelf. Let’s jump into the chaos!
Who Is Pittacus Lore? A Quick Intro to the Mastermind Behind the Magic
Pittacus Lore isn’t just a name—it’s a pseudonym for a powerhouse writing team. Led by New York Times bestselling author James Frey (of A Million Little Pieces fame) and co-author Jobie Hughes, with early contributions from Greg Boose, this collective crafts stories under the guise of Lorien’s ruling Elder. Why the secrecy? It ties straight into the lore: Pittacus is a legendary figure in the books, adding that meta layer of immersion.
The series kicked off in 2010 with I Am Number Four, which exploded onto bestseller lists and even spawned a 2011 movie starring Alex Pettyfer. Fast-forward to today, and the expanded Lorien Legacies universe boasts over 30 books, including main installments, Lost Files novellas, and a sequel series. Themes of identity, destiny, and rebellion resonate deeply, making it a must-read for fans of The Hunger Games or Divergent.
Pro tip: Start with the main series if you’re short on time—the core seven books deliver a complete arc. But if you’re all-in, weave in the extras for richer backstories.
List Of Pittacus Lore Books In Order
The List of Pittacus Lore Books in Order offers readers a complete guide to the thrilling Lorien Legacies series. Written under the collective pseudonym Pittacus Lore, these stories blend action, sci-fi, and adventure. Since Jobie Hughes Books are part of this legacy, fans can explore the origins and captivating journey of the series.
| # | Title | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I Am Number Four | February 28, 2010 |
| 2 | The Power of Six | August 23, 2011 |
| 3 | Six’s Legacy | July 26, 2011 |
| 4 | The Rise of Nine | August 21, 2012 |
| 5 | The Lost Files: The Legacies | July 24, 2012 |
| 6 | Nine’s Legacy | February 28, 2012 |
| 7 | The Lost Files: The Fallen Legacies | December 18, 2012 |
| 8 | The Lost Files: The Search for Sam | December 18, 2012 |
| 9 | The Fall of Five | August 27, 2013 |
| 10 | The Lost Files: Secret Histories | January 8, 2013 |
| 11 | The Lost Files: The Last Days of Lorien | April 16, 2013 |
| 12 | The Lost Files: The Forgotten Ones | July 23, 2013 |
| 13 | The Revenge of Seven | July 1, 2014 |
| 14 | The Lost Files: Hidden Enemy | January 6, 2014 |
| 15 | Five’s Legacy | July 22, 2014 |
| 16 | The Lost Files: Return to Paradise | January 13, 2014 |
| 17 | The Lost Files: Five’s Betrayal | November 11, 2014 |
| 18 | The Lost Files: The Fugitive | November 11, 2014 |
| 19 | The Fate of Ten | September 1, 2015 |
| 20 | The Lost Files: Rebel Allies | August 25, 2015 |
| 21 | The Lost Files: The Navigator | July 28, 2015 |
| 22 | The Lost Files: The Guard | July 28, 2015 |
| 23 | The Lost Files: Legacies Reborn | December 1, 2015 |
| 24 | United as One | June 28, 2016 |
| 25 | The Lost Files: Zero Hour | May 3, 2016 |
| 26 | The Lost Files: Last Defense | May 3, 2016 |
| 27 | Generation One | June 27, 2017 |
| 28 | The Legacy Chronicles: Out of the Ashes | July 25, 2017 |
| 29 | Fugitive Six | June 26, 2018 |
| 30 | The Legacy Chronicles: Into the Fire | September 25, 2018 |
| 31 | The Legacy Chronicles: Up in Smoke | September 25, 2018 |
| 32 | The Legacy Chronicles: Chasing Ghosts | September 25, 2018 |
| 33 | Return to Zero | June 25, 2019 |
| 34 | The Legacy Chronicles: Raising Monsters | July 23, 2019 |
| 35 | The Legacy Chronicles: Out of the Shadows | July 23, 2019 |
| 36 | Ashfall Legacy | October 12, 2021 |
| 37 | Ashfall Prophecy | August 16, 2022 |
Pittacus Lore Books In Order Of Release
The Lorien Legacies: Main Series Books in Order
The heart of Pittacus Lore’s world is the Lorien Legacies, following nine teenage aliens (the Garde) who crash-landed on Earth as kids, hiding from genocidal pursuers. Their powers develop as they hit 15, but they’re killed in numerical order—unless they fight back. Here’s the publication (and recommended reading) order for the seven main books:
| # | Title | Publication Year | Quick Teaser (Spoiler-Free) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I Am Number Four | 2010 | John Smith (Number Four) flees small-town America while unlocking telekinesis and deadly strength. High school drama meets interstellar war—pure adrenaline! |
| 2 | The Power of Six | 2011 | As alliances form, a new Garde emerges with mind-bending abilities. Romance sparks amid chases that will leave you breathless. |
| 3 | The Rise of Nine | 2012 | Number Nine crashes the party with brute force and sarcasm. Expect betrayals, brutal fights, and twists that upend everything. |
| 4 | The Fall of Five | 2013 | Secrets unravel as the team fractures. If you love emotional gut-punches wrapped in laser battles, this one’s for you. |
| 5 | The Revenge of Seven | 2014 | The Garde go on the offensive, unleashing powers like fire manipulation and invisibility. Stakes skyrocket—Earth’s fate hangs in the balance. |
| 6 | The Fate of Ten | 2015 | Global invasions hit hard. Prepare for sacrifices, epic showdowns, and questions about what it means to be human (or Loric). |
| 7 | United as One | 2016 | The explosive finale unites heroes and villains in a war for survival. Closure with a side of “what if?”—perfect binge material. |
These books are best read in sequence to track the growing powers (called Legacies) and escalating threats. Each installment ramps up the intensity, blending YA tropes with fresh sci-fi flair.
The Lost Files: Essential Novellas for Deeper Lore
Want the side stories that flesh out fan-favorite characters? The Lorien Legacies: The Lost Files is a novella collection revealing prequels, origins, and “what happened next” tales. They’re not mandatory, but they add emotional depth—like peeking behind the curtain of your favorite Marvel one-shots.
Recommended reading order (interspersed with mains for chronology, but standalone otherwise):
- #1: Six’s Legacy (2011) – Number Six’s brutal backstory. Read after Book 1.
- #2: Nine’s Legacy (2012) – Nine’s prison escape origins. Post-Book 2 vibes.
- #3: The Fallen Legacies (2012) – Adam, the Mogadorian defector, steals the show.
- #4: Five’s Legacy (2012) – The cocky Number Five’s hidden pains. Ties into Book 3.
- #5: The Search for Sam (2012) – Sam’s non-Garde perspective—grounded and gripping.
- #6: The Last Days of Lorien (2013) – Flashback to the planet’s fall. Anytime after Book 1.
- #7: The Forgotten Ones (2013) – Chimæra lore that expands the world-building.
- #8: Rebellion (2013) – Mogadorian uprising from the inside.
- #9: The Shock (prequel to The Fall of Five, 2013) – Shocking reveals.
- #10: The Legacy (2014) – Wraps up loose ends post-Book 4.
- Out of the Shadows (2015) – Adam’s full arc. Essential for Book 6 fans.
- The Fugitive (2015) – Ran from the charm? Her story’s here.
- The Navigator (2015) – Kellan’s pilot adventures.
- The Guard (2015) – A Cêpan’s untold heroism.
These pocket-sized gems (many under 150 pages) are perfect for quick reads between mains. They humanize the villains and heroes alike, making the big battles hit harder.
The Fate of Ten and Beyond: Sequel Series in Order
The story doesn’t end with United as One. The Lorien Legacies Reborn trilogy picks up post-war, introducing Generation 2 Garde with wild new powers. Then, The Lost Files: Legacies Reborn adds more novellas. Here’s the flow:
Lorien Legacies Reborn (Main Sequels)
| # | Title | Publication Year | Quick Teaser |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Generation One | 2017 | New kids inherit Legacies in a post-victory world. Fresh faces, fresh threats—feels like a reboot with heart. |
| 2 | Trial by Fire | 2018 | Alliances test limits as hidden enemies rise. Explosive action with moral gray areas. |
| 3 | Return to Zero | 2019 | The ultimate clash—legacy vs. future. A satisfying (if bittersweet) close to the era. |
The Lost Files: Legacies Reborn (Novellas)
- #1: Last Defense (2018) – Academy intrigue.
- #2: Hunter (2018) – A hunter’s deadly game.
- #3: Escape (2018) – High-stakes breakout.
- #4: Outrun the Dead (2018) – Zombie-like horrors? Twist city.
- #5: Trigger (2019) – Power awakenings gone wrong.
For the full immersion, read Reborn mains first, then slot novellas between for chronological beats.
Chronological vs. Publication Order: Which One Wins?
Publication order is king for first-timers—it mirrors the hype and avoids spoilers. But if you’re a lore junkie craving timeline perfection, go chronological:
- Start with The Last Days of Lorien (Lost Files #6).
- Jump to main Book 1.
- Weave in character-specific Lost Files after their intro (e.g., Six’s after Book 1).
- For Reborn, it’s mostly a self-contained post-main series.
Bonus: There’s also Pittacus Lore Transmissions—audio “letters” from the Elder himself. Transcripts are online; they’re like Easter eggs for superfans.
Why Binge Pittacus Lore Books Now? (And Where to Start)
In a world craving escapist reads, Lorien Legacies delivers empowerment anthems wrapped in alien invasions. It’s not just about powers—it’s about found family, defying fate, and owning your story. Plus, with a movie and fan theories still buzzing, it’s primed for a comeback.
New to the series? Grab I Am Number Four today—it’s the gateway drug. Veterans, revisit this order to catch details you missed.
What’s your favorite Garde power? Drop a comment below—Number Four’s telekinesis or Six’s invisibility? If this guide helped, share it with a fellow sci-fi lover. Happy reading, and may the Legacies be with you!
