Books
Brandon Sanderson’s reading order: How to read the Cosmere, ‘Mistborn’ and ‘The Stormlight Archive’ chronologically
‘Elantris’, ‘The Final Empire’, ‘Tress of the Emerald Sea’... since 2005, the author of the Cosmere has created a universe that can be entered in several ways, some of which are more logical than others.
Brandon Sanderson has revolutionized the landscape of fantasy fiction, and for good reason. The Nebraska native is known for creating a unique universe governed by “hard” magical laws that have captivated readers of all ages.
This universe, called Cosmere, is home to a multitude of planets and solar systems where much of his literary work is set, and which serve as a gateway to Sanderson’s literature.
What is the Cosmere, ‘Mistborn’ or ‘The Stormlight Archive’?
Let’s start with the basics. The Cosmere is the universe in which Brandon Sanderson’s masterpiece is set. Within this universe, there are a multitude of planets inhabited by the characters who are the protagonists of his work. Although there is still a lot to discover about them, we are gradually discovering that they are connected and that characters from different novels (such as Ashyn, Braize, and Roshar, for example) share the same solar system.
‘Mistborn’ is one of the sagas that serves as a gateway to his universe. There are two trilogies, divided into two eras, to which a Secret History and a short story are added. It takes place before ‘The Stormlight Archive’.
‘The Stormlight Archive’ is Brandon Sanderson’s magnum opus, currently consisting of 4 main novels, 2 short stories, and 1 secret novel.
Recommended Brandon Sanderson’s reading order
There are several ways to start reading Brandon Sanderson, although at MeriStation we strongly recommend this one:
‘Mistborn’ Saga, Era 1
- ‘The Final Empire’
- ‘The Well of Ascension’
- ‘The Hero of Ages’
Once you get to this point, you will know if Brandon Sanderson will mark your life and you will start writing words in steel. After that, we recommend ‘Elantris’, which was the first book Brandon Sanderson published, so it will be a little harder to read, although it is worth it for all it has to contribute.
Elantris Saga
- ‘Elantris’
- ‘The Hope of Elantris’ (Included in ‘Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection’).
- ‘The Emperor’s Soul’ (Included in ‘Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection’).
- ‘The Eleventh Metal’ (Included in ‘Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection’).
After that, Brandon Sanderson left us ‘Warbreaker’ to pave the way for his masterpiece, so the real experience comes after that. It remains the only book in the saga, although the number of novels will increase in the future.
‘Warbreaker’ Saga
- ‘Warbreaker’
And here, dear readers, is where the Cosmere expands and the true reality of Brandon Sanderson begins with The Stormlight Archive.
‘The Stormlight Archive’ Saga
- ‘The Way of Kinigs’
- ‘Words of Radiance’
- ‘Edgedancer’ (short story between ‘Words of Radiance’ and ‘Oathbringer’ included in ‘Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection’)
- ‘Oathbringer’
- ‘Dawnshard’ (short story between ‘Oathbringer’ and ‘Rhythm of War’)
- ‘Rhythm of War’
- ‘The Sunlit Man’
Remember ‘Mistborn’? Well, if you haven’t, it’s time to return to its second era, which, although you can read it after the first era, we recommend that you start with ‘The Stormlight Archive’ as soon as possible.
‘Mistborn’ Saga Era 2
- ‘The Alloy of Law’
- ‘Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania’ (Short story included in ‘Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection’)
- ‘Shadows of Self’
- ‘The Bands of Mourning’
- ‘Secret History’ (Short story included in ‘Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection’)
- ‘The Lost Metal’
In addition, there are stand-alone novels that are part of the Cosmere and may be a good introduction for those who are hesitant to start Sanderson’s work. These are:
- ‘Tress of the Emerald Sea’
- ‘Sixth of the Dusk’ (Included in ‘Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection’).
- ‘Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell’ (Included in ‘Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection’).
- ‘Yumi and the Nightmare Painter’
- ‘White Sand’
All of Brandon Sanderson’s books in order of publication
If you’re a romantic who wants to experience the Cosmere as it was created, this is the Brandon Sanderson publication order:
- ‘Elantris’ (2005)
- ‘The Hope of Elantris’ (2006)
- ‘The Final Empire’ (2006)
- ‘The Well of Ascension’ (2007)
- ‘The Hero of Ages’ (2008)
- ‘Warbreaker’ (2009)
- ‘The Way of Kings’ (2010)
- ‘The Alloy of Law’ (2011)
- ‘The Emperor’s Soul’ (2012)
- ‘Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell’ (2013)
- ‘Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania’ (2014)
- ‘Sixth of the Dusk’ (2014)
- ‘Shadows of Self’ (2015)
- ‘Words of Radiance’ (2015)
- ‘Secret History’ (2016)
- ‘The Bands of Mourning’ (2016)
- ‘Edgedancer’ (2016)
- ‘Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection’ (2016)
- ‘Oathbringer’ (2017)
- ‘Dawnshard’ (2020)
- ‘Rhythm of War’ (2020)
- ‘White Sand’ (2022)
- ‘The Lost Metal’ (2022)
- ‘Tress of the Emerald Sea’ (2023)
- ‘Yumi and the Nightmare Painter’ (2023)
- ‘The Sunlit Man’ (2023)
What is the next book by Brandon Sanderson?
There is no time to lose in catching up on the Cosmere, and that means that next December 6th, 2024, ‘Wind and Truth’ will be released, the end of Era 1 of ‘The Stormlight Archive’, which will mark before and after in terms of the universe that Brandon Sanderson continues to nurture year after year.
