The Fantasy Review’s ultimate Cosmere reading order for all who want to know where to start reading Brandon Sanderson.
#1 – Warbreaker
Warbreaker is a standalone novel (with some links to other books that you will miss if this is not read first). There may be one or several planned sequels, but the book was initially published as a standalone and serves as the perfect first step when starting reading Brandon Sanderson’s work.
#2 – The Mistborn Trilogy
You can probably switch The Mistborn Trilogy with Warbreaker on this list if you want to dive into a series first. This is Brandon Sanderson’s first published series and it’s one that many begin with.
The trilogy is fantastic, giving you a twist on some classic fantasy tropes and archetypes, while keeping you comfortable in fantasy surroundings you know and love. The short story and novella are not essential reading, but could be enjoyable if you want to experience more of the world and story.
- The Final Empire
- The Well of Ascension
- The Hero of Ages
- The Eleventh Metal (short story)
- Secret History (novella)
#3 – Elantris
Elantris was Brandon Sanderson’s first published novel. If you skip it entirely, there are no links to the rest of the cosmere (except for a mischievous Easter Egg character). However, I suggest you read it at this point in the cosmere reading order.
Don’t miss out on this story of hope, love, and an enthralling mystery. For a fuller grasp of the cosmere, you need to take in everything, so please don’t skip it!
- The Hope of Elantris (short story)
- The Emperor’s Soul (short story)
#4 – The Stormlight Archive
The Stormlight Archive is Brandon Sanderson’s magnus opus. These five books are the first of 10 planned novels, but the first five complete a story arc! Book five, Wind and Truth will be released in December 2025, so not much waiting around to do!
Unlike with The Mistborn Trilogy, these novellas are essential reading. They expand upon the world and some characters you will meet, or have met, and will make the reading experience of the main novels feel even richer.
- The Way of Kings
- Words of Radiance
- Edgedancer (novella)
- Oathbringer
- Dawnshard (novella)
- Rhythm of War
- Wind and Truth (December 6, 2024)
#6 – Mistborn: Wax & Wayne
Otherwise known as Mistborn Era 2, the Wax & Wayne novels are set hundreds of years after the events of The Hero of Ages with new characters. This is a more steampunk setting, with the same magic system, which can be fun to explore.
The further you go into the series, the more it links to the wider cosmere, which is why I suggest reading it after getting to grips with Brandon Sanderson’s universe in other books first.
- The Alloy of Law
- Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania (short story)
- Shadows of Self
- The Bands of Mourning
- The Lost Metal
Continued Reading of the Cosmere
From here on, you can read the following books in any order you would like, this is just my suggested cosmere reading order for the remaining novellas, short stories, and the recent Secret Projects novels that all link into this universe.
