Lorien Legacies Books in Order: I Am Number Four (Pittacus Lore)

If you’re trying to figure out Lorien Legacies books in order, you’re not alone—this series has enough “extra” material to make a simple read-through feel weirdly complicated.

Most people know it as I Am Number Four, but the main novels are only part of the package. Below you’ll find two ways to read the series: a straightforward publication order (with a quick “novels only” option if you want to skip the side material) and a chronological order that folds in every individual novella for the full timeline.

Jump to:

• Lorien Legacies Books in Publication Order
• Complete Chronological Order
• Screen Adaptations
• What is I Am Number Four?
• Lorien Legacies Books FAQ

Lorien Legacies Books in Publication Order

Core Novels

The Lorien Legacies universe includes seven main novels, followed by a three-book sequel series. If this is your first time through (and you want to avoid spoilers), start with the original run of novels from beginning to end before you jump into the sequels or dig into the novella material. That way you get the story the way it was originally revealed—and you won’t accidentally spoil big twists by reading the “extra” books too early.

The Original Lorien Legacies Series

1. I Am Number Four (2010)
2. The Power of Six (2011)
3. The Rise of Nine (2012)
4. The Fall of Five (2013)
5. The Revenge of Seven (2014)
6. The Fate of Ten (2015)
7. United as One (2016)

Lorien Legacies Reborn

1. Generation One (2017)
2. Fugitive Six (2018)
3. Return to Zero (2019)

Novella Collections

The Lost Files are companion stories that run alongside the original Lorien Legacies novels. They’re published as seven paperback collections, and each one bundles three shorter novellas—extra context, side missions, and backstory that deepen the main series without replacing it.

The Legacy Chronicles are a separate set of companion novellas tied to the Lorien Legacies Reborn era, focusing primarily on Sam and Six. Like the Lost Files, the stories were released as shorter novellas first, then later collected into print volumes such as Trial by Fire and Out of the Shadows.

The Lost Files

1. The Legacies (2012)
2. Secret Histories (2013)
3. Hidden Enemy (2014)
4. Rebel Allies (2015)
5. Zero Hour (2016)

The Legacy Chronicles

1. Trial by Fire (2018)
2. Out of the Shadows (2019)

Lorien Legacies Books in Chronological Order

If you want the full Lorien timeline—novels plus every novella in the order events actually happen—this is the version you’re looking for.

This chronological order merges the main books with The Lost Files and The Legacy Chronicles, so you’ll see where each side story fits between the big novels. Fair warning: this approach is not recommended for first time readers, only re-reads, because reading novellas “early” can reveal context the original books meant to unfold later.

1. The Last Days of Lorien – Secret Histories  
2. I Am Number Four
3. Six’s Legacy – The Legacies
4. The Power of Six
5. Nine’s Legacy – The Legacies
6. Return to Paradise – Hidden Enemy
7. The Fallen Legacies – The Legacies
8. The Rise of Nine
9. The Search for Sam – Secret Histories
10. The Fall of Five
11. The Forgotten Ones – Secret Histories (overlaps The Fall of Five)
12. Five’s Legacy – Hidden Enemy
13. Five’s Betrayal – Hidden Enemy
14. The Fugitive – Rebel Allies (runs parallel to The Fall of Five & The Revenge of Seven)
15. The Revenge of Seven
16. The Navigator – Rebel Allies
17. The Guard – Rebel Allies
18. The Fate of Ten
19. Legacies Reborn – Zero Hour
20. Last Defense – Zero Hour
21. Hunt for the Garde – Zero Hour
22. United as One
23. Generation One
24. Out of the Ashes – Trial by Fire
25. Into the Fire – Trial by Fire
26. Up in Smoke – Trial by Fire
27. Fugitive Six
28. Chasing Ghosts – Out of the Shadows
29. Raising Monsters – Out of the Shadows
30. Killing Giants – Out of the Shadows
31. Return to Zero

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Lorien Legacies Screen Adaptations

The first Lorien Legacies novel, I Am Number Four, was adapted into a feature film in 2011.

The movie stars Alex Pettyfer as John Smith, with Timothy Olyphant as Henri, Dianna Agron as Sarah, and Teresa Palmer as Number Six.

It earned about $150 million worldwide, but reviews were largely negative and it never launched the multi-film franchise that was clearly being set up. Plans for direct sequels were shelved, though over the years there have been periodic reports of a fresh adaptation—often framed as a reboot—being developed.

What is I Am Number Four?

I Am Number Four is the first book in the Lorien Legacies, a fast-paced YA sci-fi series built around a simple hook: a teenager who looks totally normal is actually one of Earth’s most wanted fugitives.

John Smith and his guardian, Henri, bounce from town to town trying to stay invisible. But John is one of nine Loric kids smuggled to Earth after their home planet was destroyed, and the Mogadorians—the invaders who wiped Lorien out—have followed them here to finish the job. John isn’t just hiding from bullies or bad grades. He’s hiding from an enemy that can track him, kill him, and has already taken out others like him.

What makes the series click is the mix of survival thriller and superhero story. As John hits his teens, his “Legacies” (powers) start to surface—strength, speed, strange new abilities he can’t fully control—right when staying hidden becomes impossible. And there’s one more twist: the Loric are tied to a protection charm that forces them to be hunted in a specific order.

John is Number Four.

Which means he’s next.

Lorien Legacies Books FAQ

How many Lorien Legacies books are there?

There are 10 main novels total: 7 in the original series and 3 in the Reborn sequel trilogy. On top of that, there are companion novella lines (published as individual novellas and/or bundled into paperback collections) if you want the extra backstory and side missions.

Do I need to read The Lost Files?

No. If you’re reading for the main story, you can stick to the novels and you won’t be lost. The Lost Files are optional add-ons—they’re great if you want more context for certain characters, but they’re not required for understanding the core plot.

What order should I read Lorien Legacies Reborn?

Read the original seven novels first, then do the Reborn trilogy in order: Generation One → Fugitive Six → Return to Zero. Reborn assumes you already know how the original war ends and who the returning characters are.

Is the Lorien Legacies series finished?

Yes—the main novel storyline has an ending (original series + Reborn). You’ll still see occasional companion releases, reprints, or “in development” adaptation news pop up, but as far as the novel continuity goes, it’s a complete arc.

Who is Pittacus Lore?

“Pittacus Lore” is a pen name used for the franchise rather than a single author. The original books were created by James Frey and Jobie Hughes under that shared name.

Looking for more books in order?

If you want more science fiction authors and reading-order guides like this one, start with my Science Fiction Books in Order index.

• Books in Order (Full Index)
• Shatter Me Books in Order
• Divergent Books in Order
• The Maze Runner Books in Order