BookBingeSkyward Books in Order
The short answer
Brandon Sanderson · 4 books
- How many books?
- There are 4 books in the Skyward series, published 2018–2023.
- Is it finished?
- Yes — the series is complete; it ends with Defiant (2023).
- Where to start
- Start with Skyward (2018).
About 1,900 pages — roughly 30 hours of reading
A YA science-fiction saga following Spensa Nightshade, a young pilot fighting to prove herself in a war against alien forces threatening the last remnants of humanity.
Here is the complete Skyward reading order — all 4 books by Brandon Sanderson, in the order you should read them:
Reading order
- SkywardA girl determined to become a pilot defies her world's ban on her family name to fight for a place among Detritus's few remaining defenders.2018528 pages
- StarsightSpensa infiltrates an alien starfighter academy to steal the secrets of hyperdrive technology that could save her people.2019480 pages
- CytonicSpensa ventures into the mysterious Nowhere to grapple with her own cytonic powers and origins.2021432 pages
- DefiantSpensa returns to a war-torn galaxy to confront the Superiority and the delegates who threaten everything she has fought for.2023432 pages
Good news: for this series, reading order and publication order are the same — just read straight down the list.
On our lists: Completed sci-fi book series
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Get BookBingeFrequently asked questions
How many Skyward books are there?
There are 4 books in the Skyward series by Brandon Sanderson, from Skyward (2018) to Defiant (2023). Together they run to about 1,900 pages.
Is the Skyward series finished?
Yes. Brandon Sanderson completed the series with Defiant in 2023; all 4 books are out now.
What is the first Skyward book?
Skyward (2018) is book one, at 528 pages. A girl determined to become a pilot defies her world's ban on her family name to fight for a place among Detritus's few remaining defenders.
Should I read the Skyward series in publication order?
Yes. For the Skyward series, reading order and publication order are the same — Skyward (2018) through Defiant (2023).
How long does it take to read all Skyward books?
About 1,900 pages across 4 books — roughly 30 hours at a page a minute. The longest is Skyward (528 pages); the shortest is Cytonic (432 pages).