Twilight Books in Order
The Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer has four main books: Twilight (2005), New Moon (2006), Eclipse (2007), and Breaking Dawn (2008). Read in publication order. Midnight Sun (2020) is the same story as Twilight from Edward's perspective. Life and Death (2015) is a gender-swapped reimagining. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner (2010) is a side novella set during Eclipse.
Main series (publication order)
The core Twilight saga follows Bella Swan's romance with vampire Edward Cullen. Read these four books in publication order.
Twilight (2005)
Bella Swan moves to Forks, Washington and meets Edward Cullen, a vampire. The beginning of their love story.
New Moon (2006)
Edward leaves Bella to protect her. She forms a close friendship with Jacob Black, who is hiding his own supernatural secret.
Eclipse (2007)
Bella must choose between Edward and Jacob while Victoria builds a vampire army seeking revenge.
Breaking Dawn (2008)
Bella and Edward marry. Bella becomes pregnant and faces a life-threatening transformation into a vampire. The Volturi threaten their family.
Companion books
Stephenie Meyer published three companion books after the main series. Midnight Sun is the most popular, retelling Twilight from Edward's perspective. The other two are optional.
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner (2010)
A novella from the perspective of a newborn vampire in Victoria's army during Eclipse. Can be read after Eclipse.
Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined (2015)
A gender-swapped reimagining of Twilight with Beau and Edythe. Standalone alternate universe.
Midnight Sun (2020)
The same story as Twilight, told from Edward's perspective. Read after the main series for maximum impact.
Publication order vs chronological order
The main Twilight series has the same publication order and chronological order. The story follows a linear timeline across all four books.
Midnight Sun covers the same events as Twilight but from Edward's point of view. You can read it immediately after Twilight for a deeper understanding of Edward's perspective, or save it for after you finish the full series.
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner happens during Eclipse. It shows the newborn vampire army from Bree's perspective. Reading it between Eclipse and Breaking Dawn works well, but it is not required.
Twilight movies
The Twilight film series released between 2008 and 2012. The movies follow the same order as the books: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn Part 1, and Breaking Dawn Part 2.
The fourth book, Breaking Dawn, was split into two movies. Both parts were directed by Bill Condon and starred Kristen Stewart as Bella and Robert Pattinson as Edward. No Midnight Sun movie has been announced.
If you loved Twilight
Books like Twilight
Vampire romance, forbidden love, and paranormal young adult stories with similar emotional intensity.
Romance with vampires, werewolves, witches, and other supernatural beings.
Top-rated paranormal romance novels across all subgenres.
Want a romance novel where you are the main character?
Ember writes a full-length personalized romance novel about your relationship. You pick the trope, the heat level, and the setting. We write the book in a week.
Begin your storyFree 15-minute interview. Starting at $89.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Twilight series reading order?
The Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer has four main books: Twilight (2005), New Moon (2006), Eclipse (2007), and Breaking Dawn (2008). Read in publication order. Midnight Sun (2020) is the same story as Twilight from Edward's perspective. Life and Death (2015) is a gender-swapped reimagining. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner (2010) is a side novella set during Eclipse.
Should I read Twilight in publication order or chronological order?
Publication order is best for first-time readers. Read Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn in that order. Midnight Sun retells Twilight from Edward's perspective and works best after you have finished the main series. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner fits during Eclipse but is optional. Life and Death is a standalone reimagining.
When should I read Midnight Sun?
Read Midnight Sun after finishing the main four-book series. It retells the events of Twilight from Edward's perspective, so reading it first would spoil the mystery of Edward's character. Many fans recommend reading Twilight, then immediately reading Midnight Sun while the first book is still fresh.
Is Life and Death part of the Twilight series?
Life and Death is not part of the main series. It is a gender-swapped alternate universe where Bella becomes Beau and Edward becomes Edythe. The story follows similar beats but with a different ending. You can read it anytime after Twilight, or skip it entirely without missing core series events.
How many books are in the Twilight series?
The main Twilight series has four books: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. Stephenie Meyer also published three companion books: Midnight Sun (Edward's POV of Twilight), The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner (a novella set during Eclipse), and Life and Death (a gender-swapped reimagining).
Do I need to read The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner?
No. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner is a standalone novella that adds context to a minor character from Eclipse. It is not required to understand the main story. If you want to read it, do so after Eclipse or after finishing the main series.