BookPath
Cytonic
Brandon Sanderson

Cytonic

Quick Answer

Read "Cytonic" as the 4th book in the Skyward (The Cytoverse) sequence. This follows the recommended publication order to preserve character development.

Sequence Warning

⚠️ Do NOT read before "Redawn" (Book 3)

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Verdict Insight: As the 4th installment, this volume is critical for following the central narrative progression and plot development.

Is this helpful?
2021432 ppWikidataSource
From the number one New York Times best-selling author of the Reckoners series, the Mistborn trilogy, and the Stormlight Archive comes the third book in an epic series about a girl who will travel beyond the stars to save the world she loves from destruction. Spensa’s life as a Defiant Defense Force pilot has been far from ordinary. She proved herself one of the best starfighters in the human enclave of Detritus, and she saved her people from extermination at the hands of the Krell - the enigmatic alien species that has been holding them captive for decades. What’s more, she traveled light-years from home as an undercover spy to infiltrate the Superiority, where she learned of the galaxy beyond her small, desolate planet home. Now, the Superiority - the governing galactic alliance bent on dominating all human life - has started a galaxy-wide war. And Spensa’s seen the weapons they plan to use to end it: the Delvers. Ancient, mysterious alien forces that can wipe out entire planetary systems in an instant. Spensa knows that no matter how many pilots the DDF has, there is no defeating this predator. Except that Spensa is Cytonic. She faced down a Delver and saw something eerily familiar about it. And maybe, if she’s able to figure out what she is, she could be more than just another pilot in this unfolding war. She could save the galaxy. The only way she can discover what she really is, though, is to leave behind all she knows and enter the Nowhere. A place from which few ever return. To have courage means facing fear. And this mission is terrifying. ©2021 Dragonsteel Entertainment LLC (P)2021 Audible, Inc.
Next Recommended Book

Evershore

Book #5 of 5 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

high Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Skyward (The Cytoverse) conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading Cytonic?

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Can I read Cytonic before Redawn?

No. We recommend reading Redawn first. Cytonic is the 4th book in the series and follows the core narrative established in earlier volumes.

Is Cytonic required reading for the Skyward (The Cytoverse)?

Yes, it is a core installment in the series reading order and contains critical character development and plot progression.

What comes after Cytonic in the reading order?

The next recommended book after Cytonic is Evershore (Book #5).