If you’re looking for The Maze Runner books in order, this guide has the complete reading order for James Dashner’s Maze Runner series in a clear, easy-to-follow list.
Whether you want to read the books in publication order or see how they fit in chronological order, you’ll find both here, along with a quick breakdown of where the prequels, sequels, and short stories fit. Before we get to the full list, here’s a quick look at the series.
Jump to:
- Maze Runner Books in Order of Publication
- Maze Runner Books in Chronological Order
- What About the Prequels and Extras?
- What is The Maze Runner About?
- Maze Runner Books FAQ
Maze Runner Books in Order of Publication
Publication order is the easiest way to read The Maze Runner books because it keeps the story clear and lets the major twists unfold in the order James Dashner originally revealed them. It’s also the best choice for first-time readers who want to avoid spoilers from the prequels and later books.
The Maze Runner Series
The main Maze Runner series follows Thomas as he wakes up in a deadly maze with no memory of his past and is forced to survive alongside other boys trapped there. What starts as a mystery quickly grows into a bigger story about WICKED, the Flare, and the fight to uncover what’s really happening.
- The Maze Runner (2009)
- The Scorch Trials (2010)
Thomas’s First Memory of the Flare (2011) — Short Story - The Death Cure (2011)
- The Kill Order (2012) — First Prequel
- The Fever Code (2016) — Second Prequel
Crank Palace (2020) — Novella
The Maze Cutter Series
The Maze Cutter series continues the story years after the original books, following a new group of characters in a world that’s still dealing with the aftermath of the Flare and WICKED’s experiments. It expands the Maze Runner universe with a fresh cast, new threats, and connections that longtime fans will recognize.
- The Maze Cutter (2022)
- The Godhead Complex (2023)
- The Infinite Glade (2025)
Maze Runner Books in Chronological Order
Though publication order is the best way to read The Maze Runner series, it’s up to you if you prefer reading it in chronological order. This version follows the story timeline instead of release dates, so you’ll start earlier in the world’s history and get a bigger-picture view of what’s happening before Thomas’s journey begins.
What’s interesting about reading it this way is that you’ll know things the characters don’t know yet, which gives you a different perspective on their decisions and the story’s developments. However, that also means a lot of the suspense and mystery are lost, so chronological order usually works best as a reread for someone who’s already familiar with the series.
- The Kill Order
- The Fever Code
- The Maze Runner
- The Scorch Trials
Thomas’s First Memory of the Flare — Short Story - The Death Cure
Crank Palace — Novella - The Maze Cutter
- The Godhead Complex
- The Infinite Glade
What About the Prequels and Extras?
Not every Maze Runner book is required reading, especially if you just want the core story. Here’s a quick breakdown of which prequels and extras are optional, and when they’re best read.
Do You Need to Read The Maze Runner Prequels?
No, you don’t need to read the prequels to enjoy the main Maze Runner story. The original trilogy works on its own.
That said, The Kill Order and The Fever Code are worth reading if you want more background on the world and how events lead into The Maze Runner. They’re best read after the main trilogy, since reading them too early can spoil reveals.
Do You Need to Read the Short Story and Novella?
No, the short story and novella are optional. You can stop after the main books and still get the core story.
However, they’re great extras for completionists who want more from Dashner’s world. Crank Palace adds Newt’s perspective during events around The Death Cure, and the short story is a very quick bonus read. I’d still treat them as add-ons after the main trilogy, with The Fever Code read before Crank Palace for stronger character context.
What is The Maze Runner About?
The Maze Runner is a dystopian YA sci-fi series by James Dashner. It follows Thomas, a teenage boy who wakes up in the Glade with no memory. He and the other boys must survive and find a way out of a deadly maze that changes constantly.
As the story unfolds, the series expands beyond the maze into a larger mystery involving WICKED, the Flare, and a ruined world. It’s fast-paced and full of action, but it also gets dark and includes violent deaths. As a result, it may be too intense for very young readers.
The series includes a main trilogy, prequels, and additional companion stories, which is why reading order can get confusing. That’s exactly why the guide below breaks down the best way to read The Maze Runner books in order.
Maze Runner Books FAQ
How many Maze Runner books are there?
That depends on what you’re counting. There are 10 entries if you include the main trilogy, prequels, Maze Cutter series, the short story, and Crank Palace. Some readers count fewer because they only mean the main novels.
Is The Maze Runner a trilogy?
Yes, the original Maze Runner story is a trilogy: The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials, and The Death Cure. However, the full book universe is larger and also includes prequels, a novella, a short story, and the Maze Cutter follow-up series.
What is the first Maze Runner book?
The first Maze Runner book to read is The Maze Runner. Even though some books take place earlier, it’s still the best starting point for most readers because avoids early spoilers.
What comes after The Death Cure in the books?
That depends on the order you’re using. In publication order, the next book released was The Kill Order (a prequel). In terms of the story, Crank Palace and then the Maze Cutter series.
Is The Maze Cutter series part of The Maze Runner series?
Yes, The Maze Cutter series is set in the same universe and continues the story world after the original books. It follows a new cast, but it’s connected to The Maze Runner and is best read after the original trilogy.
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.