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I Am Number Four

  • Description:
    The Lorien Legacies series must be read in order, starting with I Am Number Four, as the story follows a continuous narrative across the books. Nine Loric teenagers with developing superhuman Legacies hide on Earth from the invading Mogadorians, who hunt them in numerical order while the Garde work to unite, survive, and save their people and the planet.
  • # of Titles:
    7 main books + 15 short stories
  • First Book:
    I Am Number Four (August 2010)
  • Latest Book:
    United as One (Book 7) (July 2016)
  • Genres:
    Science Fiction
  • Age Level:
    Young Adult (12-17)
  • Series Rating:
  • Reading Order:

    🔴 Must Read in Order · Start with Book 1: I Am Number Four

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The Lorien Legacies Books in Order (22 Books)

Order Book Date Rating
1 5
1.5 5
2 5
2.1 5
2.2 5
3 5
3.1 5
3.2 5
3.3 5


4 5
4.1 5
4.2 5
4.3 5
5 5
5.1 5
5.2 5
5.3 5
6 5
6.1 5
6.2 5
6.3 4.5
7 5

Series Premise

The Lorien Legacies follows the surviving Loric children sent to Earth as infants after their planet’s destruction. Each book advances the escalating war against the Mogadorians, with the Garde discovering and mastering their unique powers while facing betrayals, losses, and large-scale battles that determine the fate of two worlds.

The Lorien Legacies Series Reading Order

🔴 Must Read in Order · Start with Book 1: I Am Number Four

Read in order—each book builds directly on the previous one.

The Lorien Legacies series must be read in order. The story follows a continuous narrative across all books, with major events, character deaths, power developments, and revelations carrying directly from one volume to the next as the Garde’s fight intensifies. Reading out of order causes confusion and major spoilers because later books assume knowledge of prior alliances, tragedies, and the evolving status of the ongoing war.

Explanation of reading order types



The Lorien Legacies Series Characters

John Smith (Number Four) serves as the primary protagonist, a Garde teen learning to control fire and telekinesis while becoming a leader. Other key Garde include Six (invisibility and weather control), Nine (super strength and animal communication), and additional members who join the core group as the story progresses.

Setting of the The Lorien Legacies Series

The series is set on modern-day Earth, primarily in small American towns, high schools, and hidden safe houses, later expanding to global locations and the ruined planet of Lorien. The contrast between everyday teen life and interstellar war creates a constant backdrop of pursuit and secrecy.

Tone & Themes of the The Lorien Legacies Series

The tone is action-packed young adult science fiction with suspense and emotional weight. Central themes include found family among the Garde, destiny versus choice, sacrifice for the greater good, and resilience in the face of genocide and overwhelming odds.

Is the The Lorien Legacies Series Worth Reading?

This series appeals to teens and young adults who enjoy sci-fi action, stories of hidden powers, and ensemble casts fighting against extinction. It suits readers who like fast-paced plots with strong character bonds and high-stakes battles.

Content Warnings and Heat Level

Moderate to strong fantasy violence, death of characters, and war themes; mild romantic elements; suitable for mature young adult readers.

The Lorien Legacies series delivers one continuous story of alien survival and resistance on Earth. Its sequential structure builds tension and investment across the full arc of the Garde’s journey. The combination of superhuman abilities, friendship, and epic conflict makes it a compelling YA science fiction saga.



Books in this series fall into the following genres

Click on any of the links above to see more series and books in these genres.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

There are 22 books in The Lorien Legacies series. The series includes 7 novels and 15 short stories/novellas.

The Lorien Legacies series does not have a new book coming out soon. The latest book, United as One (Book 7), was published in July 2016.

The first book in The Lorien Legacies series, I Am Number Four, was published in August 2010.

The Lorien Legacies series primarily falls into the Science Fiction genre. This young adult series was written for ages 12-17, but can be enjoyed by adults too.

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