Brandon Sanderson is one of the most prolific and beloved fantasy authors of our time. With over 30 published novels spanning multiple interconnected series, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks down every major reading path — whether you want to dive into the Cosmere, explore standalone works, or follow the optimal order for maximum enjoyment.
What Is the Cosmere?
The Cosmere is Sanderson's shared universe — a collection of planets within the same galaxy, each with its own unique magic system. While most books work as standalone stories, they share an underlying mythology, and characters occasionally cross between worlds. As the series progresses, these connections become increasingly important.
Think of it like the Marvel Cinematic Universe for fantasy novels: each series tells its own complete story, but together they form something greater.
Recommended Starting Points
There are three popular entry points depending on your reading preferences:
- Mistborn: The Final Empire — Best for most readers. A tightly plotted heist story with brilliant magic systems. Shorter and more accessible than Stormlight.
- The Way of Kings — Best for epic fantasy fans who love long, immersive series. The Stormlight Archive is Sanderson's magnum opus but demands commitment (1000+ pages per book).
- Warbreaker — A standalone Cosmere novel that's available free on Sanderson's website. Great for testing the waters.
The Cosmere Reading Order
Option A: Publication Order (Recommended for First-Timers)
Reading in publication order lets you experience Sanderson's growth as a writer and discover connections naturally:
- Elantris (2005) — Sanderson's debut. A standalone novel about a cursed city.
- Mistborn: The Final Empire (2006) — A thief with metal-based powers plots to overthrow a god-emperor.
- Mistborn: The Well of Ascension (2007) — Political intrigue and deepening mythology.
- Mistborn: The Hero of Ages (2008) — An epic conclusion with massive revelations.
- Warbreaker (2009) — Gods, magic breath, and sentient swords.
- The Way of Kings (2010) — The Stormlight Archive begins on war-torn Roshar.
- Words of Radiance (2014) — Stormlight Archive Book 2.
- Mistborn: The Alloy of Law (2015) — Era 2 begins: western-era Mistborn with guns and allomancy.
- Mistborn: Shadows of Self (2015)
- Mistborn: The Bands of Mourning (2016)
- Oathbringer (2017) — Stormlight Archive Book 3.
- Rhythm of War (2020) — Stormlight Archive Book 4.
- Mistborn: The Lost Metal (2022) — Era 2 finale.
- Tress of the Emerald Sea (2023) — A fairy-tale Cosmere adventure.
- Yumi and the Nightmare Painter (2023)
- The Sunlit Man (2023)
- Wind and Truth (2024) — Stormlight Archive Book 5.
Option B: Series-by-Series Order
If you prefer completing one series before starting another:
- Mistborn Era 1 — The Final Empire → Well of Ascension → Hero of Ages
- Mistborn Era 2 — Alloy of Law → Shadows of Self → Bands of Mourning → The Lost Metal
- Stormlight Archive — Way of Kings → Words of Radiance → Oathbringer → Rhythm of War → Wind and Truth
- Standalones — Elantris, Warbreaker, Tress, Yumi, The Sunlit Man
Non-Cosmere Books
Sanderson also writes excellent books outside the Cosmere:
The Reckoners (YA Superhero Trilogy)
- Steelheart (2013) — What if superheroes were all villains? A boy plots revenge against the super-powered tyrant who killed his father.
- Firefight (2015)
- Calamity (2016)
Skyward (YA Sci-Fi Series)
- Skyward (2018) — A girl dreams of becoming a fighter pilot to defend her planet from alien attacks.
- Starsight (2019)
- Cytonic (2021)
- Defiant (2023)
The Wheel of Time (Completion)
Sanderson was chosen to complete Robert Jordan's epic fantasy series The Wheel of Time after Jordan's passing, writing the final three books: The Gathering Storm, Towers of Midnight, and A Memory of Light.
Tips for New Readers
- Don't worry about reading everything "correctly" — There's no wrong order. Any Cosmere book works as a standalone on first read.
- Read Warbreaker before Words of Radiance — This is the one widely-agreed-upon recommendation for catching important crossovers.
- Mistborn Era 1 is the best litmus test — If you enjoy The Final Empire, you'll love the rest of the Cosmere.
- Use the Coppermind wiki carefully — It contains massive spoilers. Only look up things from books you've already finished.
- Audiobooks are excellent — The Graphic Audio editions and Michael Kramer/Kate Reading narrations are fan favorites.
Where to Start Today
Our recommendation for most readers: start with Mistborn: The Final Empire. It's fast-paced, has an incredible magic system, and gives you a complete, satisfying story even if you never read another Sanderson book. But once you finish it — and you will want to continue — you'll have an entire universe waiting for you.
Explore more of Brandon Sanderson's books on Bookble, or browse our Fantasy and Science Fiction categories for similar recommendations.