How To Read Brandon Sanderson Books In Order?

Brandon Sanderson is an American author known for his works in the fantasy, sci-fi, thriller, and YA genres. His fictional universe called Cosmere is widely recognized. Most of his books are set in this universe. However, he has written books outside of this fictional universe as well. If you are someone who doesn’t know who he is or where to start reading his books, then you may follow this list.

According to Brandon’s site, if you aren’t one of those regular fantasy readers/lovers, then you should start with Steelheart, but fantasy readers can start with the Mistborn series. On the other hand, if you are looking for romance, then you could pick Warbreaker. Young audiences who are eager to read his works can start from Steelheart, Mistborn, or The Rithmatist, which is suitable for them.

Moving on, you must be eager to learn about this fictional universe that Sanderson has created. So, let’s dive into that quickly. Cosmere, a fictional universe created by Brandon Sanderson, is a universe where in most of his fantasy novels take place. This universe includes books from Elantris, Mistborn, Warbreaker, The Stormlight Archive, White Sand, and anything from Arcanum Unbounded.

For these books, the author has a single creation myth, a single cosmology that gives an underlying theorem of magic for all these connected worlds. It’s advised that a reader can start with any book when it comes to this universe. But, if you want to have a better reading experience, then there are several ways for you to read it. You can either go by the publication date order or follow the chronological order. It’s up to you how you would like to enjoy this world.

Also Read: Vampire Academy Release Date: When Is The Fantasy Drama Releasing?

Let’s first see what books are included in Cosmere, and then we shall see the reading order of these books.

• Elantris

Elantris

The capital of Arelon, Elantris was once beautiful and gigantic filled with beings that possessed magical abilities. Now, the magic has failed and Elantris has become dark, filthy, and crumbling. Kae, Arelon’s new capital is struggling in Elantris’ shadow. Princess Sarene of Teod arrives for a marriage of state with Crown Prince Raoden hoping to find love but instead learns that Raoden is dead and she is considered his widow. However, she doesn’t suspect the truth that Raoden has been exiled secretly by his father to the dark city. A series of events will bring new hope to Arelon but it will also reveal a secret of Elantris itself.

The Hope Of Elantris

This is just a short story to fill in the holes of the first book and the events described in this book take place during the events of the climax.

The Emperor’s Soul

Shai, a Forger, is a foreigner who has the ability to copy and re-create any item by rewriting its history with magic. When she tried to steal the emperor’s scepter, she was condemned to death, but now she is given an opportunity to save herself. Although her ability is considered an abomination, she will attempt to create a new soul for the almost-dead emperor. But her forgery is as much artistry as it is deception, and everyone must acknowledge that.

• The Mistborn Saga 

The Eleventh Metal

This is a minor chapter from Kelsier’s training period as a new Mistborn with his teacher Gemmel.

The Final Empire

For over a thousand years, the Skaa slaved in misery living in fear while the invincible Lord Ruler, the “Sliver of Infinity” reigned, the ash fell, and no flowers bloomed in their world. Then, Kelsier “snapped”, finding in himself the strong powers of a Mistborn. He was a brilliant thief and a natural leader who turned his newfound talents to the Lord Ruler. He has a plan that’s not just the greatest heist in history, but the ultimate downfall of the divine despot.

The Well Of Ascension

The Lord Ruler has been vanquished and the hero who masterminded that triumph is now dead too. The challenging task of building a new world has been left to his young protégé, Vin. She is the former street urchin who has become the most powerful Mistborn in the land. Luthadel, the largest city of the former empire won’t run itself and Vin with the help of her crew will be forced to learn a whole new set of practical and political skills to help. An ancient legend hints at something that might be helpful but no one has got a clue as to where to find this Well Of Ascension.

The Hero Of Ages

Vin killed the Lord Ruler but the Deepness is back. The ashfalls have increased, the earthquakes are becoming more powerful and humanity appears to be doomed out of help. Emperor Elend Venture became a Mistborn and now he is looking for clues left behind by the Lord Ruler that might help him save the world. Meanwhile, Vin is consumed with her guilt. On the other hand, Ruin, the mystic force wants to end the world. Who will win this time?

Secret History

This book builds upon the characterization, events, and world-building of the original Mistborn trilogy and contains major spoilers for the trilogy as well.

The Alloy Of Law

Three hundred years have passed. Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity and Kelsier, Vin, Elend, Sazed, Spook and the rest of them are now part of the history and religion. Waxillium Ladrian is a rare Twinborn who can push on metals with his Allomancy as well as use Feruchemy to become lighter or heavier at his own will. Wax has spent twenty years in the Roughs but now he must put away his guns and return to the metropolis of Elendel. However, he will soon learn that these mansions can be as dangerous as Roughs, if not more.

Allomancer Jak And The Pits Of Eltania

This is a short story that begins with Jak waking up in a cave and then escaping by jumping into the river in the canyon below. He is recaptured by the Koloss who want to make him their leader and a Koloss but he doesn’t want to become one. Later, he manages to escape with Elizandra, his girlfriend.

Shadows Of Self

The Mistborn society will evolve as technology and magic mix but this still shaky society will also face a new challenge that is terrorism and crimes intended to stir up labor strife and religious conflict. Wax and Wayne must unravel the conspiracy before Scadrial’s progress is hindered.

The Bands Of Mourning

Owned by the Lord Ruler, The Bands of Mourning are the minds of the mythical metal said to grant anyone who wears them all the powers that Lord Ruler had at their command, but not everyone believes they exist. When a Kandra researcher arrives at Elendel with pictures that claim it depicts these Bands, Wax is tasked to travel south to investigate. But during his journey, he will learn of other mysteries as well.

• Standalones In Cosmere

Warbreaker

This standalone follows the tale of two sisters who are princesses from Idris. The sisters are Siri and Vivenna. Idris is on the brink of war so the king of Idris decides to send Vivenna to marry the God King. But, due to some reasons, he changes his plans and sends Siri in place of Vivenna. In their world, there’s a power known as BioChromatic magic based on an essence known as breath and it can only be collected one unit at a time from individual people. In this world, all kinds of miracles and mischief can be accomplished just by using breath and drawing upon the color in everyday objects.

Sixth Of The Dusk

The book is set in a never seen world and showcases a society on the brink of technological change. A solitary trapper begins to see his own corpse at every turn, and soon he will learn that the island is not the only thing out to kill him.

Shadows For Silence In The Forests Of Hell

There are three simple rules that must be followed by everybody. First is, don’t kindle a flame. Secondly, don’t shed the blood of another. And the third rule is to not run at night. These things will draw shades. Silence Montane has broken all of these rules and she will break them again to protect her loved ones, even if it means becoming a shade herself.

• The Stormlight Archive

The Way Of Kings

Roshar is a world of stones and storms and centuries have passed since the fall of the ten consecrated orders known as the Knights Radiant yet Shardblades and Shardplate remain. War rages in Shattered Plains for these mystical swords and suits of armor. Kaladin has been reduced to slavery after he traded his medical apprenticeship for a spear. Brightlord Dalinar Kholin is fascinated by an ancient text called The Way Of Kings. Shallan plans a daring theft and she finds things that hint at the secrets of the Knights Radiant and the true cause of the war. The Knights Radiant must stand again but how will it happen?

Words Of Radiance

Kaladin has been given command of the royal bodyguards which is a controversial first for a low-status “Darkeyes”. He must protect the king and Dalinar from every peril while struggling to master the remarkable new powers. Szeth, the assassin is active again; killing rulers all over the world of Roshar, and among his targets is Highprince Dalinar. Shallan strives, bearing a terrible burden that is to somehow prevent the legendary Voidbringers from returning. The possible consequences are dangerous and incalculable this time.

Edgedancer

Lift, a free-spirited girl asked a goddess to stop her from growing older. Now, the young Azish emperor might have granted her safe haven from an executioner she knows as Darkness, but the court life is suffocating Lift likewise. When she hears that the relentless Darkness is hunting people in Yeddaw who are just like her, she must seize this opportunity since it’s now her responsibility.

Oathbringer

All of humanity faces a new Desolation with the return of the Voidbringers. Dalinar’s armies won a fleeting victory at a terrible cost. The violent Everstorm sweeps the world with destruction. Shallan investigates the Knights Radiants and unearths some dark secrets. Dalinar also realizes that his mission to unite his homeland of Alethkar was too narrow in scope. Nothing will prevent the end of civilization this time if Dalinar’s past isn’t accepted.   

Dawnshard

This book follows the story of Rysn who is tasked to go to Akinah. With Lopen’s help, she must sail into the perilous storm from which no one has returned alive.

Rhythm Of War

Dalinar Kholin and his Knights Radiant have spent almost a year fighting a brutal war in which neither side has gained any advantage. New technological discoveries by Navani Kholin’s scholars begin to change the face of this war while the enemy prepares a dangerous operation that could destroy everything.

• White Sand

White Sand Volume 1

In Taldain, the legendary Sand Masters harness powers that allow them to manipulate sand in amazing ways. However, when they are slaughtered, Kenton believes himself to be the lone survivor. When enemies surround them, Kenton forges a partnership with Khriss who is hiding secrets of her own.

White Sand Volume 2

Kenton has now become the Lord Mastrell of the remaining Sand Masters. But, along with his role comes great responsibility and he must become a diplomat to prevent his people from eradicating forever.

White Sand Volume 3

Kenton struggles to hold the Sand Masters together as political and personal forces conspire against them. Now, at last, he will be forced to tap into the most dangerous depths of his own abilities and combat his enemies while learning what killed his father and the Sand Masters.

You can follow the chronological reading order for this universe which is usually the preferred way when it comes to long series set in a particular fictional universe. The reading order for these books set in Cosmere is given below-

1. White Sand [Volume 1, 2, 3]
2. Elantris
3. The Hope Of Elantris
4. The Emperor’s Soul
5. The Eleventh Metal
6. The Final Empire
7. The Well Of Ascension
8. The Hero Of Ages
9. Warbreaker
10. Shadows For Silence In The Forests Of Hell
11. The Way Of Kings
12. Words Of Radiance
13. Edgedancer
14. Oathbringer
15. Dawnshard
16. Rhythm Of War
17. Allomancer Jak And Pits Of Eltania
18. The Alloy Of Law
19. Shadows Of Self
20. The Bands Of Mourning
21. Secret History
22. The Lost Metal
23. Sixth Of The Dusk

Brandon Sanderson has also written books that aren’t set in Cosmere. There are several series that you can choose from outside of this universe. In case you aren’t sure what to read next, then you can start with these series and read them in the given order.

Cytoverse Books [Skyward]

• Defending Elysium
• Skyward
• Starsight
• Sunreach
• ReDawn
• Cytonic
• Evershore
• Defiant

The Reckoners

• Steelheart
• Mitosis
• Firefight
• Calamity
• Lux

Wheel Of Time

• What The Storm Means: Prologue To The Gathering Storm
• The Gathering Storm
• Towers Of Midnight
• By Grace And Banners Fallen: Prologue A Memory Of Light  
• A Memory Of Light

Alcatraz Vs. The Evil Librarians

• Alcatraz Versus The Evil Librarians
• Alcatraz Versus The Scrivener’s Bones
• Alcatraz Versus The Knights Of Crystallia
• Alcatraz Versus The Shattered Lens
• The Dark Talent
• Bastille vs. The Evil Librarians

Infinity Blade

• Awakening
• Redemption

Legion

• Legion
• Skin Deep
• Lies Of The Beholder

Also Read: ‌Percy Jackson Teaser: TV Adaptation Of The Fantasy Book Series