This series has so many different books and novellas, you may be wondering what order you should read this series in!
This series was written by Pittacus Lore, which is the pseudonym for the authors James Frey and Jobie Hughes. It is a young adult science fiction novel.
This article will explore the best way to read the series, which is also known as the Lorien Legacies series.
Let’s have a look at the series, and learn more about the franchise!
About I Am Number Four Series
The Lorien Legacies series is made up of 7 main novels, and three sequels.
It is best to read the original series first, before moving on to the sequels and the novellas.
If you read the novels in this way, then you will be able to experience the world in the way that the authors intended.
This series was written under the pseudonym Pittacus Lore. This is a pseudonym for James Frey and Jobie Hughes.
The main series follows John Smith who lives in Paradise Ohio.
He is an alien who was brought to earth at a very young age in order to grow his power and later return to the planet to defeat the enemies, known as the Mogadorians.
There are 8 others like John, but now they are being hunted. There are only 6 remaining when these children turn 15. The rest must figure out how to survive.
The first novel in this series was adapted into a film in 2011. This film starred Alex Pettyfer as John Smith.
The film grossed $150 million, but it received bad reviews and wasn’t renewed for another movie.
I Am Number Four Series Books In Order (Novels Only)
This is the first novel in the series. This book is part of a Number 1 New York Times bestselling series! It has also been made into a fantastic Dreamworks movie.
This novel introduces John Smith. He seems like an ordinary teenager who is living in Paradise, Ohio.
However, he is not an ordinary teenager, so keeping a low profile is essential for him!
John Smith is an alien from the planet Lorien. He is running away from aliens from the planet Mogadore who are evil.
In order to help to save the planet, nine children were sent to Earth from the Lorien planet.
There, they lived a normal life in hiding until they had developed their powers enough to fight back and save the planet!
However, three of these children are now dead, and John knows that he is next.
This is a fantastic introduction to the series and it is a very addictive story! No doubt you’ll want to move on to the second book in the series.
Pros
This is a fantastic story for young adults who are interested in science fiction!
This is the second book in the fantastic I Am Number Four series!
It follows on from the story that sees 9 aliens leave their home planet Lorian when it was attacked by the Mogadorians.
These aliens came to live on Earth. Although they look like ordinary teenagers, they have very special powers.
The Mogs have already killed 3 of the Loriens, but when they tried to kill John Smith, they failed. In this book, John and number 6 have joined forces.
Soon after them comes number 7 who has been hiding in Spain. They all come together to use their powers.
This is a fantastic series that the whole family can enjoy. It is filled with action and adventure that both adults and children will be compelled by.
There are also some love interests running through the story, giving it extra depth and interest.
Pros
Something the whole family will enjoy
Cons
Lots of love scenes in the book which are not in the movie
This is the third book in the bestselling series! In this book, the Mogadorians continue to hunt for the Loriens who survive on Earth.
They have taken refuge on Earth and are trying to defeat the Mogadorians.
When John takes part in a dangerous mission at a Mog base in West Virginia, John finds and rescues number Nine.
The pair struggle to escape, only getting out by the skin of their teeth!
Their combined powers and special abilities mean that they do get out alive, but, in the process, Sam Goode – John’s best friend – is taken captive by the Mogs!
This book sees John, Nine, Six, and Seven working together to save him and our world!
They are also trying to find number Eight who has taken refuge in India. They must all work together to save the future of both Lorien and Earth!
This is the fourth book in the bestselling series. John Smith had thought that when he and Nine reunited with the rest of the group, things would get better.
However, this wasn’t the case. The group realizes after they are all nearly killed by the Mogadorian ruler that they are not prepared for what is to come, or to defeat the Mogs!
In this book we see them hiding out in Chicago trying to figure out what to do next.
When an old ally returns, things are looking up, but they are still not strong enough to take on the Mogodorian army.
They need to hone their superpower skills a lot more yet.
Then, the group receives a message from number Five. He is the last member of the group still missing.
However, the group is concerned that this message is a trap. They know that they need to find Number Five before the Mogs!
Pros
We understand the legacies a lot more in this book
This is the 5th book in the New York Times Bestselling book series. This book begins with the Garde – the group of Loriens – being separated.
Number Five has betrayed the group, Eight has gone and Ella has been kidnapped.
The rest of the group is scattered around the world, alone and defenseless yet again!
However, back in Chicago, John has made a very unlikely ally. He has befriended a Mogadorian who has switched to the other side.
His name is Adam. Adam is a great ally to have as he knows all of the secrets of the Mogs, and how to get to them.
The pair head to the command base in Washington.
When they arrive, however, they realize they may be too late. The Mogadorians have started to enforce their ultimate invasion plans.
Six and Nine are making their way across Florida, where they are chasing number Five who has betrayed them.
Marina is with them, and she finally has the strength to fight back and get her revenge.
Despite the Garde being split up, they are determined to win this fight. As long as there is at least one remaining, Earth still has a chance of survival!
This is the sixth book in the number 1 New York Times bestseller series. Over the course of the series, the Garde have been fighting the Mogadorians in secret.
However, now, the invasion has begun, and John is fighting in New York City.
The odds are against John, but, luckily for him, his best friend Sam has developed a Legacy.
Sam isn’t the only one who has developed a legacy, as they meet a few teens with powers as they try to track down Five and Nine.
They’re worried that one of the teens they meet may not be a friend.
Six, Marina and Adam are stuck in Mexico. They have no way to contact the rest of the group, and they know that the Mogs are heading for them.
In this story, the Garde are being tested. They know that the only way that they will be able to save the world is by destroying the Mogadorian leader.
However, they also know that they will have to destroy Ella in order to complete this mission.
If the group doesn’t figure out another way to stop the Mogs, humanity will be annihilated!
This is the final book in the series! In this book, you will find out what happens to the Garde!
Book Seven sees the Garde, who didn’t start the war, do anything in their power to end it! The Garde will need to build an army of their own to defeat the Mogadorians.
They’ve joined forces with the US military in order to complete their mission. As well as this, teenagers from all over the world have developed their own abilities!
John and the rest of the Garde will need to get to these teenagers before the Mogs do in order to have any chance of winning this war.
This is because the Mogs have a very sinister plan for how to use these teens.
John has lost a lot in this war, and he is reluctant to put any more lives on the line.
Personally, though, John has nothing left to lose, and when he discovers his new Legacy, he realizes that he has the power to save the world – but he will have to risk his own life to do so!
Pros
Great end to the series
Well-written
Cons
Difficult to tell who is speaking at times
Lorien Legacies Reborn Series In Order
This is a sequel series written in the same universe as the I Am Number Four series. This sequel contains three novels.
This first book in this new series is set in the same world as the series above!
This story starts at the end of the war. While the war is over, the battle on Earth is just beginning!
It has been over a year since the invasion of Earth was interrupted by Pittacus Lore’s United as One.
In order to win, the Garde allowed teenagers to develop incredible powers of their own.
In order to help these people who have developed new powers, the Garde have built an academy where they are able to help these people to control their powers so that one day they can help to save mankind!
There is some pushback as not everyone thinks that this is the best way for individuals to use their talents.
As well as this, they may have to use their own powers sooner than expected!
This is a book of short stories that follow from the I Am Number Four series. This is set in the aftermath of an alien invasion.
To help out the teenagers who have been gifted with great powers.
The Legacy Chronicles sees some of these people join together in a group that is tasked with investigating specific incidents.
These short stories were originally published as digital originals, and they are now placed together in one print volume.
In the first Legacy Chronicles, the team is looking for a string of disappearances. As they dig deeper, they find out about the underworld of the Human Garde.
In the second Legacy Chronicles, Six, Sam, and their allies all go up against a new enemy who is using the teens with new powers in a very negative way.
In Legacy Chronicles number 3, the couple is faced with dual threats. This is after they have been split apart previously.
This is a perfect companion to the series. It is the second collection of novellas that are set in the same world as I Am Number Four.
These novellas were originally published as digital originals, and three of these novellas have been grouped together in this book.
The Search for Sam is the first novella in this series. It follows the Mogadorian who switched sides on his journey.
Adam, who is looking for redemption, manages this by saving Malcolm and Sam Goode.
In the second novella in this series, named The Last Days Of Lorien, the reader finds out how the fight began.
This explores the way that Lorien, a perfectly peaceful planet, was attacked.
The last novella in this book is named The Forgotten Ones.
This is a continuation of Adam’s story. He uncovers a secret that changes everything for the Garde.
These stories will give you lots of the answers that you’re looking for.
You will learn the truth about the Mogadorians’ invasion of Earth and the Garde who will do anything in their power to defeat the Mogadorians. Still, only the Garden can save our planet.
Pros
Learn lots more about the world surrounding the series
Cons
Some of the stories can be complicated
Final Thoughts
This article has explored the I Am Number Four series in order. There are 7 books in this series, and 3 books in the sequel.
As well as this, there are lots of different short stories and novellas that are set in the same world.
This article has explored the order in which these books should be enjoyed, providing you with an ultimate guide to this work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Novels Are There In The I Am Number Four Series?
There are 7 novels in this series, and 3 in the sequel series. As well as this, there are a large number of different novellas and short stories that are also set in the same world.
Who Is The Author Of This Series?
This series is written by Pittacus Lore. This is the pseudonym of James Frey and Jobie Hughes. It is a young adult science fiction novel.
Is This Series Popular?
This series is very popular. It made number one on the New York Bestseller list, and it has been read by many people all over the world.
It has also been made into a film, however, this film did not get very good reviews, and it was not renewed for another film after the first one.
Is There A Film Adaptation?
There is a film adaptation of I Am Number Four. A film was made of the first book in the series. While it made quite a lot of money, it received very bad reviews and the series was canceled after the first book.
Noah Burton works as a Librarian full time, and is a blogger in his spare time. His goal is to write compelling recommendations for all of the most popular books he can find, from science fiction to romance.
With a passion for books, a drive to find new reads to get stuck into, and a love for sharing book recommendations with others, Noah can help you find the next novel for your bucket list.
