Blightfall by Sanderson, Brandon

From Brandon Sanderson, the #1 New York Times bestselling author who redefined modern epic fantasy, and acclaimed coauthor Janci Patterson comes the explosive first installment in a thrilling new Skyward Flight trilogy, as the legendary team embarks on a perilous mission to a mysterious alien world that could change the fate of the galaxy.

The special first edition of Blightfall will feature stunning sprayed edges and exclusive patterned endpapers!

After decades of war against alien oppressors, the humans of the Defiant Defense Force are finally free. Yet for Arturo Mendez, leader of Skyward Flight, freedom isn't what he thought it would be.

His first postwar assignment seems simple: The DDF has found evidence of other settlements of humans who were isolated during their long war against the aliens, and Arturo and his flight of pilots are to escort a team of diplomats as they attempt to make contact. It's an easy mission--get in, guard the diplomats, and get out.

But no element of this mission turns out to be simple. Blightfall is inhospitable, surrounded by mysterious debris and covered in giant, invasive forests that have swallowed most of the planet. Upon arrival, Arturo's team is attacked, and it quickly becomes clear that this human settlement isn't what it appears to be.

Now trapped in an unfamiliar world and unsure who to trust, Arturo and his team must find allies and uncover long-buried secrets if they hope to escape and return home.

Author: Brandon Sanderson,Janci Patterson
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Published: 09/01/2026
Pages: 496
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.42lbs
Size: 8.59h x 5.77w x 1.49d
ISBN: 9780593707050
Age Range: 12-UP

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 06/15/2026
School Library Journal 07/01/2026 pg. 101
Kirkus Reviews 07/15/2026
Booklist 09/01/2026

About the Author
Brandon Sanderson is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Reckoners series: Steelheart, Firefight, and Calamity, and the e-original Mitosis; the New York Times bestselling Skyward series: Skyward, Starsight, Cytonic, and Defiant; the internationally bestselling Mistborn trilogy; and the Stormlight Archive. He was chosen to complete Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series, an adaptation of which is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. His books have been published in more than thirty-five languages and have sold over fifty million copies worldwide. Brandon lives and writes in Utah.

Janci Patterson writes in a variety of genres. After publishing several contemporary YA novels and the YA paranormal A Thousand Faces trilogy, Janci discovered a love of collaboration and has written books with Megan Walker, Lauren Janes, James Goldberg, and Brandon Sanderson. Janci lives in Utah with her mini-painting husband, Drew Olds, and their two awesome kids. She enjoys turn-based RPGs, miniatures board games, Barbie repaints, and playing with her border collie.