How many books has Jay Kristoff written?

Jay Kristoff has published 18 novels that we list, as of September 2026.

What order should I read Jay Kristoff's books in?

Read each series in its own order: start The Lotus War with Stormdancer, The Illuminae Files with Illuminae and Nevernight Chronicle with Nevernight. The other books stand alone and can be read in any order.

What is Jay Kristoff's most famous book?

Illuminae (2015) is Jay Kristoff's most widely read book.

Are Jay Kristoff's books connected?

7 books belong to 3 series (The Lotus War, The Illuminae Files and Nevernight Chronicle); the other 11 books stand alone.

Jay Kristoff books in order

Australian science fiction and fantasy author

Born: 1973
Country: Australia
Books: 18
Series: 3

Jay Kristoff has published 18 novels, beginning with Stormdancer (2012). The 3 series include The Lotus War (3 books, starting with Stormdancer), The Illuminae Files (2 books, starting with Illuminae) and Nevernight Chronicle (2 books, starting with Nevernight). The best-known is Illuminae (2015). The latest is Empire of the Dawn (2025).

Updated September 2026

The Lotus War books in order (3)Series page

Reading order: 1 Stormdancer (2012) · 2 Kinslayer (2013) · 3 Endsinger (2014)

1.
Stormdancer (Sep 2012)
496 pages★ 4.1 (8 ratings)
Buy
2.
Kinslayer (2013)
632 pages
Buy
3.
Endsinger (2014)
680 pages
Buy

The Illuminae Files books in order (2)

Reading order: 1 Illuminae (2015) · 2 Gemina (2016)

1.
Illuminae (Oct 2015)
608 pages★ 3.7 (18 ratings)
Buy
2.
Gemina (Oct 2016)
672 pages★ 4.2 (11 ratings)
Buy

Nevernight Chronicle books in order (2)

Reading order: 1 Nevernight (2016) · 2 Godsgrave (2017)

1.
Nevernight (Aug 2016)
699 pages★ 4.2 (13 ratings)
Buy
2.
Godsgrave (Sep 2017)
560 pages★ 4.4 (9 ratings)
Buy

Where to start with Jay Kristoff

Start here
Illuminae
Jay Kristoff's most-read book and the first of the 2 The Illuminae Files books.
Shortest way in
Aurora Rising
One of the most-read, at about 480 pages.
Newest
Empire of the Dawn
Published 2025.

Standalone novels in order

Lifel1k3 (2018)
416 pages
Buy
Obsidio (2018)
622 pages★ 4.2 (6 ratings)
Buy
Aurora Rising (2019)
480 pages★ 3.8 (11 ratings)
Buy
Darkdawn (2019)
616 pages★ 4.4 (5 ratings)
Buy
Dev1at3 (2019)
435 pages
Buy
Aurora Burning (2020)
512 pages★ 4.0 (6 ratings)
Buy
Truel1f3 (2020)
480 pages
Buy
Aurora's End (2021)
496 pages
Buy
Empire of the Vampire (Sep 2021)
896 pages★ 4.7 (7 ratings)
Buy
Empire of the Damned (2024)
672 pages
Buy
Empire of the Dawn (2025)
778 pages
Buy

About Jay Kristoff

Jay Kristoff is an Australian author of fantasy and science fiction novels. As of 2025, he has published 18 novels, both for adult readers and young adults. He currently resides in Melbourne.

Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Jay Kristoff FAQ

How many books has Jay Kristoff written?: Jay Kristoff has published 18 novels that we list, as of September 2026.
What order should I read Jay Kristoff's books in?: Read each series in its own order: start The Lotus War with Stormdancer, The Illuminae Files with Illuminae and Nevernight Chronicle with Nevernight. The other books stand alone and can be read in any order.
What is Jay Kristoff's latest book?: Empire of the Dawn (2025).
What is Jay Kristoff's most famous book?: Illuminae (2015) is Jay Kristoff's most widely read book.
Are Jay Kristoff's books connected?: 7 books belong to 3 series (The Lotus War, The Illuminae Files and Nevernight Chronicle); the other 11 books stand alone.