The Best Reading Path: Recommended Narrative Order
For the ultimate experience of the Skyward series (also known as the Cytoverse), we strongly recommend following the narrative flow of the story. While you can stick strictly to the four primary novels, the companion novellas provide essential character development and bridge key gaps in the plot. Reading the novellas in sync with the novels ensures that you do not encounter spoilers or miss out on important galactic events occurring alongside the main timeline.
Here is the recommended narrative path for the series:
- Defending Elysium (Prequel Short Story) — Can be read at the very beginning to understand the foundation of the universe's FTL rules, or saved until right before Cytonic.
- Skyward (Novel #1) — The entry point for Spensa's journey and her flight training on Detritus.
- Starsight (Novel #2) — Spensa goes undercover in the alien coalition known as the Superiority.
- Sunreach (Skyward Flight Novella #1) — Focuses on FM and the crew back on Detritus immediately following Spensa's departure.
- ReDawn (Skyward Flight Novella #2) — Follows Alanik and the political struggle on her home planet.
- Cytonic (Novel #3) — Follows Spensa's journey into the Nowhere. (Note: Read this in tandem or right after ReDawn for the best experience).
- Evershore (Skyward Flight Novella #3) — Focuses on Jorgen and the kitsen as they launch a rescue mission.
- Defiant (Novel #4) — The grand finale of Spensa's story arc.
- Hyperthief (Short Story) — A fun, quick follow-up adventure centered around the character of Cogi.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
In most cases, the publication order matches the narrative path, but the late 2021 release window saw a unique publishing experiment. Brandon Sanderson and co-author Janci Patterson released the three Skyward Flight novellas in rapid succession to accompany the release of the third novel, Cytonic. Because these novellas run parallel to Spensa's experiences in Cytonic, their publication order differs slightly from chronological timelines.
The 2021 Publication Timeline
- Sunreach (Novella) — October 2021
- ReDawn (Novella) — October 2021
- Cytonic (Novel) — November 2021
- Evershore (Novella) — December 2021
If you read strictly by release date, you would read Sunreach and ReDawn, then Cytonic, and finally Evershore. This publication sequence works perfectly and is highly recommended by fans. It keeps the tension balanced without introducing major spoilers ahead of time.
The "Tandem Read" Caveat
Because the events of Cytonic and the three novellas happen simultaneously in different parts of the galaxy, the fandom has proposed a "tandem reading" alternative. In Cytonic, Spensa is isolated in the Nowhere, while her friends in the Skyward Flight are fighting on the physical plane. Reading the novellas alongside Cytonic helps keep you connected to the larger war effort.
A popular fan method is to read Cytonic up until the epilogue, stop to read all three novellas (Sunreach, ReDawn, and Evershore) to get caught up with the home front, and then read the epilogue of Cytonic. While this avoids minor spoilers regarding Spensa's status, it is not strictly necessary for casual readers. Reading them in standard narrative order (Novella 1, Novella 2, Novel 3, Novella 3) remains the most straightforward approach.
What to Know Before You Start: Lore and Setting
Before launching your starfighter, it helps to understand how the Cytoverse differs from Brandon Sanderson's other famous books. Unlike the vast majority of his adult fantasy works (such as Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive), the Skyward series is not part of the Cosmere. Because it is set in a separate universe, Sanderson is free to make references to Earth history, classic literature, and real-world technology.
The story begins on Detritus, a planet where the remnants of humanity are trapped under a layer of space debris. The population is forced to live in underground caverns to survive constant bombardment by the Krell, an alien force intent on keeping humans imprisoned. The story blends high-altitude space dogfights with cytonic teleportation, FTL mechanics, and the mystery of sentient AI, creating a fast-paced science fiction adventure tailored for both young adult and adult readers alike.
The Core Novels and Spensa's Journey
The mainline series consists of four novels that trace Spensa Nightshade's evolution from a disgraced cadet to a key player in a galactic conflict:
- Skyward (2018): Spensa fights against the stigma of her father's alleged cowardice to join the Defiant Defense Force. She discovers a ancient, broken starfighter named M-Bot, who possesses an unusually sassy artificial intelligence.
- Starsight (2019): Spensa infiltrates the Superiority space station, Starsight, posing as an alien pilot to learn the secrets of hyperdrives and cytonic navigation.
- Cytonic (2021): Trapped in the Nowhere—a strange dimension outside of space and time—Spensa must learn to master her cytonic abilities and discover the true nature of the Delvers.
- Defiant (2023): Spensa returns to the physical realm to lead her friends and allies in a final showdown against the Superiority's leadership.
The Skyward Flight Novellas and Co-Author Collaboration
While Brandon Sanderson plotted the overarching Cytoverse narrative, he collaborated closely with author Janci Patterson to write the Skyward Flight companion novellas: Sunreach, ReDawn, and Evershore. These stories are crucial because they shift the focus away from Spensa to highlight the secondary characters of Skyward Flight, showing how they cope with the war in her absence.
Sunreach follows FM and the pilot Cobb as they attempt to figure out how to utilize the alien slug creatures known as "taynix" for faster-than-light communication. ReDawn shifts to Alanik, a diplomat and pilot from a foreign world, who works with the Skyward crew to resist corporate oppression. Evershore focuses on Jorgen, Spensa's flight leader, as he struggles with leadership, grief, and coordinating a defense alongside the tiny, fox-like kitsen aliens. These novellas are collected together in a single print edition titled Skyward Flight: The Collection.
The Role of "Defending Elysium"
Originally published in 2008—ten years before the release of Skyward—the short story Defending Elysium was not initially known to be connected to Spensa's story. It is set centuries before the events of Skyward on an Earth that has recently joined the galactic stage. It introduces the FTL technology and cytonic abilities that govern the modern Cytoverse. Because it outlines the history of the FTL travel rules, it makes a great starting point for readers who enjoy deep lore, though it can also be read right before Cytonic to clarify FTL mechanics.
The Future: The Skyward Legacy Series
Though Spensa's primary character arc concluded in Defiant, the Cytoverse is set to expand. Brandon Sanderson and Janci Patterson are continuing their collaboration with a follow-up sequel trilogy titled Skyward Legacy. Janci Patterson serves as the lead writer for this new series, with Sanderson collaborating on the outline and worldbuilding.
The first book in this new trilogy is titled Blightfall and is scheduled for release on September 1, 2026. The sequel series will focus on characters such as Arturo and Sadie, exploring the political and physical rebuilding of the galaxy in the wake of the war with the Superiority. Fans can expect a three-book arc that carries the legacy of Skyward Flight into new horizons.