Cosmere Reading Order

The Cosmere is Brandon Sanderson's interconnected universe spanning multiple series, planets, and magic systems. With 20+ books and counting, knowing where to start can be overwhelming. This guide breaks it down.

Our Recommendation: Start with Mistborn Era 1 Begin with Mistborn: The Final Empire. It's Sanderson's most accessible entry point, has a complete trilogy arc, and teaches you how his magic systems work. Then move to Stormlight Archive.

Recommended Reading Order for Beginners

Phase 1: Mistborn Era 1

  1. Mistborn: The Final EmpireBuy Now2006
  2. The Well of AscensionBuy Now2007
  3. The Hero of AgesBuy Now2008

Phase 2: Warbreaker (Standalone)

  1. WarbreakerBuy Now2009

Read this before Stormlight — characters from Warbreaker appear in the Stormlight Archive.

Phase 3: The Stormlight Archive

  1. The Way of KingsBuy Now2010
  2. Words of RadianceBuy Now2014
  3. EdgedancerBuy Now (novella)2016
  4. OathbringerBuy Now2017
  5. DawnshardBuy Now (novella)2020
  6. Rhythm of WarBuy Now2020
  7. Wind and TruthBuy Now2024

Phase 4: Mistborn Era 2

  1. The Alloy of LawBuy Now2011
  2. Shadows of SelfBuy Now2015
  3. The Bands of MourningBuy Now2016
  4. The Lost MetalBuy Now2022

Phase 5: Additional Cosmere Works

  1. ElantrisBuy Now2005
  2. Arcanum UnboundedBuy Now (short story collection)2016
  3. Tress of the Emerald SeaBuy Now2023
  4. Yumi and the Nightmare PainterBuy Now2023
  5. The Sunlit ManBuy Now2024

What is the Cosmere?

The Cosmere is a shared universe where all of Sanderson's adult epic fantasy novels take place. Different planets have different magic systems, but they're all connected by an underlying magical physics. Characters occasionally travel between worlds ("Worldhoppers"), and the connections become more apparent as you read more books.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I read Elantris first since it was published first?

No. Elantris was Sanderson's debut novel and is rougher than his later work. Starting with Mistborn gives you a better introduction to his style. Save Elantris for after you're already invested in the Cosmere.

Can I just read Stormlight Archive without the other Cosmere books?

Yes, but you'll miss some Easter eggs and crossover characters. The main plot is self-contained. That said, reading Warbreaker first enhances certain reveals, and Mistborn helps you understand the underlying magic theory.

How many Cosmere books are there?

As of 2025, there are about 20 Cosmere books (novels, novellas, and collections). Sanderson is extremely prolific and has announced plans for many more, including Mistborn Era 3 and additional Stormlight books.

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