Cosmere Reading Order: Four Approaches to Reading Brandon Sanderson’s Books

Book Writing

Brandon Sanderson stands as a major figure in contemporary fantasy literature. Not only is he celebrated as one of the genre’s luminaries, but he’s also known for his prolific output as an author. His most famous works are found within the expansive realm of the Cosmere, and if you’re new to his writings, you might be wondering about the most optimal way to dive into this intricate literary universe.

In this guide, the Ghostwriting Founder will help you tackle where to start reading Brandon Sanderson’s book, Cosmere.

What exactly is the Cosmere?

The Cosmere is a vast and intricately crafted fantasy universe conceived by the author extraordinaire, Brandon Sanderson. Picture it as a literary counterpart to the Marvel Cinematic Universe but in the form of books.

Within the Cosmere, Sanderson has artfully interwoven multiple book series, including Mistborn, the Stormlight Archives, Warbreaker, and Elantris. Each series can be enjoyed independently, but the experience gains depth when you discern the subtle connections linking these diverse worlds.

It is like watching the Iron Man movies without delving into the broader MCU. It’s doable, but it’s not the recommended path. The one exception within the Cosmere is the Stormlight Archives. This series is particularly rich in references, making it a treasure trove for those who have explored the entire Cosmere.

A brief history of Brandon Sanderson:

Before achieving widespread recognition in the contemporary fiction and fantasy genre, Brandon Sanderson penned a dozen full-length novels that initially faced rejection from publishers.

Fast forward to today, his books have collectively found a home on the shelves of 30 million readers worldwide. Sanderson was also entrusted with completing Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series following Jordan’s passing.

In 2022, he etched his name in Kickstarter history by raising an astounding $41.7 million to put his books directly into the hands of eager readers.

Sanderson is an exceptionally prolific author. What sets Sanderson apart is his deep connection with his fans. He surprises them with delightful projects that don’t disrupt his already hectic publication schedule, demonstrating his transparency in sharing his writing process.

Four Reading Paths

Now that we’ve unveiled the essence of the Cosmere let’s delve into the various recommended reading paths.

There’s no wrong way to embark on this literary journey; it’s all about reading in a manner that resonates with you. Nevertheless, we’ll explore four primary recommended reading orders, providing you with the choice to approach this fantastic world in a way that suits your preferences.

· Order by publication:

The first approach, the Cosmere Reading Order by Publication, offers a straightforward path to exploring Brandon Sanderson’s literary universe. This method follows the order in which Sanderson penned his Cosmere books. It’s how millions of fans initially encountered his works and is a choice worth considering.

For those who seek the full experience and wish to witness the evolution of Sanderson’s career as an author of revelation this reading order is a prime selection. Beginning Sanderson’s debut publication provides a unique opportunity to observe his writing growth.

However, it’s important to note that this reading order may appear a bit disjointed. This is because the Cosmere Reading Order by Publication will take you on a journey that jumps between different series and, consequently, between various fantastical worlds.

1. Elantris (2005)
2. The Hope of Elantris (Short Story) (2006)

Mistborn: First Era

3. The Final Empire (2006)
4. The Well of Ascension (2007)
5. Hero of Ages (2008)
6. Warbreaker (2009)

The Stormlight Archive

7. The Way of Kings (2010)

Mistborn: Second Era

8. The Alloy of Law (2011)
9. The Eleventh Metal (Short Story) (2012)
10. The Emperor’s Soul (Novella) (2012)

The Stormlight Archive Cont.

11. Words of Radiance (2014)
12. Sixth of the Dusk (Novella) (2014)
13. Shadows For Silence in the Forests of Hell (Novella) (2015)

Mistborn: Second Era Cont.

14. Shadows of Self (2015)
15. The Bands of Mourning (2016)
16. Mistborn: Secret History (Novella) (2016)
17. Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania (Short Story) (2016)
18. White Sand, Vol. 1 (Graphic Novel) (2016)

The Stormlight Archive Cont.

19. Edgedancer (Novella) (2016)
20. Oathbringer (2017)
21. White Sand, Vol. 2 (Graphic Novel) (2017)
22. White Sand, Vol. 3 (Graphic Novel) (2019)

The Stormlight Archive Cont.

23. Dawnshard (Novella) (2020)
24. Rhythm of War (2020)

Mistborn: Second Era Cont.

25. The Lost Metal (2022)

Sanderson Kickstarter Secret Projects

26. Tress of the Emerald Sea (2023)
27. Yumi and the Nightmare Painter (2023)
28. The Sunlit Man (Expected: October 10, 2023)
29. White Sand Omnibus (Expected: November 8, 2023)

The Stormlight Archive Cont.

30. Horneater (Novella) (Expected: 2024)
31. Knights of Wind and Truth (Expected: Fall 2024)

· Order by Series:

The second approach is referred to as the Cosmere Reading Order by Series. This aims to bring some order to the seemingly chaotic array of publications in the Cosmere.

This reading order organizes the books and novellas within their respective series, maintaining the order of publication. It’s a more structured way to dive into the Cosmere, and it’s designed for readers who prefer a cohesive experience, following one group of characters throughout their journey within a particular world.

Nevertheless, a few useful pointers are to consider when navigating this path. As previously mentioned, the Mistborn series has two distinct eras.

The first three books follow a specific set of characters on Scadrial, while the Second Era introduces a new ensemble of characters. Not only does the character lineup change but there are also notable shifts in technology and society between these eras, making it a convenient place to pause and switch.

Furthermore, it’s worth noting that some readers tend to overlook Sanderson’s earlier works, like Elantris and Warbreaker. However, characters from Warbreaker make appearances in the Stormlight series.

Thus, reading Warbreaker first ensures you don’t miss the significance and delight of encountering these characters in the Stormlight series.

Elantris

1. Elantris

– The Hope of Elantris (Short Story)

– The Emperor’s Soul (Novella)

Mistborn

1. The Final Empire
2. The Well of Ascension
3. Hero of Ages
4. The Alloy of Law

– The Eleventh Metal (Short Story)

5. Shadows of Self
6. The Bands of Mourning

– Mistborn: Secret History (Novella)

7. The Lost Metal

Standalone

– Warbreaker

– Sixth of the Dusk (Novella)

– Shadows For Silence in the Forests of Hell (Novella)

– Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania (Short Story)

The Stormlight Archive

1. The Way of Kings
2. Words of Radiance

2.5 Edgedancer (Novella)

3. Oathbringer

3.5 Dawnshard (Novella)

4. Rhythm of War

4.5 Horneater (Novella) (Expected: 2024)

5. Knights of Wind and Truth (Expected: Fall 2024)

Taldain – Graphic Novels

1. White Sand, Vol. 1
2. White Sand, Vol. 2
3. White Sand, Vol. 3
4. White Sand Omnibus (Expected: November 8, 2023)

Sanderson Kickstarter Secret Projects

1. Tress of the Emerald Sea (2023)
2. Yumi and the Nightmare Painter (2023)
3. The Sunlit Man (Expected: October 10, 2023)

· Chronological order:

The next approach to exploring the Cosmere is its chronological order, but it might not be the best choice for newcomers. This reading order contains spoilers, which could impact the enjoyment of critical story moments.

For instance, reading “Mistborn: Secret History” in its chronological place, which happens before the second book in the original First Era trilogy, would reveal significant spoilers for the series.

This would take away the element of anticipation and intrigue that adds so much to the reading experience. Therefore, for newcomers, it’s advisable to stick with the publication order of the Mistborn series to preserve these moments and ensure the most satisfying reading journey.

As a result, a chronological Cosmere Reading order is better suited for a re-read of the books. During the first read-through, it’s most enjoyable to savor the unfolding of events and immerse oneself in the worlds and characters.

However, if one desires to delve deeper into the lore of the Cosmere, construct theories, or make predictions, a chronological reading can be invaluable.

It’s important to note that Sanderson has intentionally refrained from canonizing the exact timeline, so this list represents the best approximation available at the time of writing.

Taldain – Graphic Novels

1. White Sand, Vol. 1
2. White Sand, Vol. 2
3. White Sand, Vol. 3
4. White Sand Omnibus (Expected: November 8, 2023)

Elantris

1. Elantris

– The Hope of Elantris (Short Story)

– The Emperor’s Soul (Novella)

Mistborn: First Era

– The Eleventh Metal (Short Story)

1. The Final Empire

– Mistborn: Secret History (Novella)

2. The Well of Ascension
3. Hero of Ages

– Warbreaker

– Shadows For Silence in the Forests of Hell (Novella)

The Stormlight Archive

1. The Way of Kings
2. Words of Radiance

2.5 Edgedancer (Novella)

3. Oathbringer

3.5 Dawnshard (Novella)

4. Rhythm of War

4.5 Horneater (Novella) (Expected: 2024)

5. Knights of Wind and Truth (Expected: Fall 2024)

– Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania (Short Story)

Mistborn: Second Era

1. The Alloy of Law
2. Shadows of Self
3. The Bands of Mourning
4. The Lost Metal

– Sixth of the Dusk (Novella)

· Brandon Sanderson’s Recommendation Order:

The fourth recommendation for the Cosmere Reading order is a brief one, and it’s based on the order that Brandon Sanderson himself once suggested on his author website design.

Sanderson emphasizes that readers have the flexibility to start their Cosmere journey almost anywhere. This flexibility exists because the books in the Cosmere don’t overlap, and each tells a self-contained story.

Many fans have entered the Cosmere by selecting the series that initially captivated their interest, gradually committing to exploring the entire universe.

The lore of the Cosmere continues to expand and evolve with each new book that Sanderson creates. While this knowledge can enhance the experience of reading the Cosmere, it’s no longer a prerequisite for enjoying each series.

However, there is one book that Sanderson recommends readers avoid starting within their Cosmere Reading order. That book is “The Alloy of Law.” Although it can serve as a reasonable entry point for the Cosmere, it contains significant spoilers for the First Era of Mistborn within the original trilogy.

Despite being the first book in the Second Era, it is the fourth installment of the Mistborn series.

Mistborn

1. The Final Empire
2. The Well of Ascension
3. Hero of Ages
4. The Alloy of Law

– The Eleventh Metal (Short Story)

5. Shadows of Self
6. The Bands of Mourning

– Mistborn: Secret History (Novella)

7. The Lost Metal

– The Emperor’s Soul (Novella)

Elantris

– Elantris

– The Hope of Elantris (Short Story)

– Warbreaker

The Stormlight Archive

1. The Way of Kings
2. Words of Radiance

2.5 Edgedancer (Novella)

3. Oathbringer

3.5 Dawnshard (Novella)

4. Rhythm of War

4.5 Horneater (Novella) (Expected: 2024)

5. Knights of Wind and Truth (Expected: Fall 2024)

Brandon Sanderson’s list excludes the standalone novellas and graphic novels, except for “Emperor’s Soul,” which remains. The assumption here is that readers can explore these at their leisure.

Key Characteristics and Profound Details

Aspect	Description	Key Examples/Notes
Cosmere Universe	A vast, interconnected fantasy universe created by Brandon Sanderson.	Similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe but in book form.
Brandon Sanderson	Celebrated author known for his prolific writing and deep fan engagement.	Raised $41.7 million on Kickstarter in 2022.
Reading Paths	Four primary recommended reading orders for the Cosmere books.	Publication Order, Series Order, Chronological Order, Sanderson’s Recommendation.
Publication Order	Follows the order in which the books were published.	Begins with “Elantris” (2005), includes various series like Mistborn and Stormlight Archive.
Series Order	Organizes books within their respective series.	Starts with “Elantris”, followed by Mistborn (First and Second Era), Warbreaker, and the Stormlight Archive.
Chronological Order	Based on the in-universe timeline of events.	Begins with the “White Sand” graphic novels, followed by “Elantris”, Mistborn, and others.
Sanderson’s Recommendation	An order suggested by Sanderson himself.	Starts with the Mistborn series, followed by “The Emperor’s Soul”, “Elantris”, Warbreaker, and the Stormlight Archive.

Conclusion:

The various ways to delve into the Cosmere and the personally recommended Cosmere Reading order have been presented. There’s no definitive right or wrong approach to exploring this literary universe. It’s best, to begin with what piques one’s interest the most and proceed from there.

For instance, “Warbreaker,” “Elantris,” and “Tress of the Emerald Sea” are standalone novels, which might be less daunting for newcomers compared to larger series.

Although “Tress of the Emerald Sea” contains numerous cosmere references through its world-hopping, it’s perfectly acceptable to start with it. Doing so won’t spoil significant plot points in other books, allowing readers to revisit and discover the subtle easter eggs. While it may not be the first choice for many, some have found it a suitable starting point.

Then there’s “The Way of Kings,” a hefty 1,000-page tome and the initial installment of an unfinished series. While it offers a fantastic journey, it may not be the optimal starting point.

Next up is the Mistborn series. Era 1 has been wrapped up entirely, making it one of Sanderson’s few fully completed series. It’s an excellent choice for those new to the fantasy genre.

No matter where one begins their journey in the Cosmere, it’s almost guaranteed to be an incredible experience in this captivating fantasy universe.