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Riftwake

by Brandon Sanderson

The Riftwake series by Brandon Sanderson has 1 known book (1 published) and is best read in publication order, starting with Blightfall (2026). The latest book with a fully recorded publication date is Blightfall. Brandon Sanderson wrote the series; book 1 were co-written with Janci Patterson.

Books
1 known book (1 novel)
Published
1
First published
2026
Status
ongoing
Shelved under
Science Fiction
Last checked

Start here: Blightfall (2026) — then read straight through in publication order.

Book one

Blightfall (2026)

Reading order

The date order of published books and any announced future entries — the default way to read the series.

  1. Blightfall

    Novel

    Blightfall opens the new Riftwake trilogy on 1 September 2026 from Delacorte Press, written by Brandon Sanderson with co-author Janci Patterson. Set after Sanderson's four-book Skyward saga in the same Cytoverse, it follows Defiant Defense Force flightleader Arturo Mendez as he leads Skyward Flight on a diplomatic escort mission to Blightfall, a hostile world hidden under invasive forest and mysterious debris. It runs 496 pages; the second book, working title Songrise, is expected roughly a year later.

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About the Riftwake series

Riftwake is a new young-adult science-fiction trilogy by Brandon Sanderson and Janci Patterson, set after the events of Sanderson's Skyward saga in the same Cytoverse. With the Superiority defeated, Defiant Defense Force flightleader Arturo Mendez expects peace -- instead he's sent to lead Skyward Flight on a diplomatic escort mission to Blightfall, a hostile world of mysterious debris and invasive forest that hides isolated human settlements. When the mission is attacked and the settlement proves to be hiding buried secrets, Arturo's team must decide who they can trust to get home alive.

The series opens with Blightfall and is designed as a new entry point into the Cytoverse -- publisher and author material both describe it as readable without having read Skyward first. Janci Patterson, who previously co-wrote three Skyward companion novellas and a short story with Sanderson, is credited as co-author rather than ghostwriter. Reporting at launch describes Riftwake as a trilogy releasing roughly one book per year, with the second book (working title Songrise) expected in 2027.

Frequently asked questions

Who writes the Riftwake series?

Brandon Sanderson wrote the series; book 1 were co-written with Janci Patterson.

Who writes the Riftwake series?

Brandon Sanderson and Janci Patterson. Patterson previously co-wrote three Skyward companion novellas and a short story with Sanderson; she is credited as co-author on Riftwake, not a ghostwriter.

Do I need to read Skyward before Riftwake?

No. Riftwake is set after the Skyward saga in the same Cytoverse, but publisher and author materials describe Blightfall as a new entry point that doesn't require having read the earlier books first.

When does Blightfall, the first Riftwake book, come out?

September 1, 2026, from Delacorte Press. It had not yet published as of this catalogue's most recent check (2026-08-31).

Reading order last verified .