Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere Reading Order

Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere is an expansive, interconnected universe that spans multiple series and standalone novels. Each story takes place on a different planet within the same universe, sharing a common underlying mythology and cosmology. For new readers, diving into the Cosmere can be both exciting and overwhelming due to its complexity and the sheer volume of content. This guide aims to provide a detailed reading order to enhance your experience, ensuring you grasp the intricate connections and avoid major spoilers.

Understanding the Cosmere

Before delving into the reading order, it’s essential to understand what the Cosmere is:

Shared Universe: The Cosmere is a single universe where many of Sanderson’s fantasy novels are set.
Shards of Adonalsium: Central to the Cosmere’s mythology are the Shards—fragments of a primordial power known as Adonalsium. Each Shard embodies a specific aspect (e.g., Preservation, Ruin, Honor).
Investiture: This is the term for the magical energy present in the Cosmere, manifesting differently on each planet.
Worldhoppers: Certain characters can travel between worlds, linking the stories together.

Understanding these concepts enriches the reading experience, revealing deeper layers of meaning and connection.

Detailed Explanation of the Reading Order

1. Mistborn Era 1

Books:

Mistborn: The Final Empire
The Well of Ascension
The Hero of Ages

Reasoning:

Ideal Introduction: Starts with a self-contained trilogy introducing key Cosmere concepts like Shards and Investiture without overwhelming depth.
Foundational Knowledge: Sets up understanding of themes like balance, power dynamics, and moral ambiguity.
Narrative Satisfaction: Provides a complete arc, ensuring readers are hooked by Sanderson’s storytelling prowess.

2. Warbreaker

Book: Warbreaker

Reasoning:

Character Introductions: Introduces characters who play significant roles in The Stormlight Archive.
Magic System: Explores BioChromatic Breath and Awakening, adding diversity to your understanding of Cosmere’s magic.
Chronological Placement: Events tie into later Stormlight Archive books, enhancing appreciation of crossovers.

3. The Stormlight Archive (Books 1-2)

Books:

The Way of Kings
Words of Radiance

Reasoning:

Epic Scale: Introduces Roshar, one of the most detailed worlds in the Cosmere.
Deep Lore: Expands on Cosmere-wide mythology.
Character Arcs: Key characters from Warbreaker reappear, enriching their development.

Note: After Words of Radiance, read the novella Edgedancer from Arcanum Unbounded for continuity.

4. Elantris

Book: Elantris

Reasoning:

Standalone Story: Offers a break from multi-book epics.
Worldbuilding: Adds another layer to the Cosmere by exploring the magic system of AonDor.
Foreshadowing: Introduces concepts and characters relevant in later books.

5. Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection

Contents:

The Hope of Elantris
The Emperor’s Soul
Edgedancer (if not read earlier)
Other short stories and novellas.

Reasoning:

Contextual Depth: Provides backstories and side tales that enhance understanding of main series.
Avoiding Spoilers: Reading these after the relevant novels prevents premature revelations.

6. The Stormlight Archive (Books 3-4)

Books:

Oathbringer
Dawnshard (Novella)
Rhythm of War

Reasoning:

Continuing the Saga: Builds upon the foundation laid in the first two books.
Interweaving Stories: More crossovers and references to other Cosmere works.
Dawnshard Importance: The novella Dawnshard contains events that are crucial for Rhythm of War.

7. Mistborn Era 2

Books:

The Alloy of Law
Shadows of Self
The Bands of Mourning
The Lost Metal

Reasoning:

Genre Shift: Moves to a fantasy meets steampunk setting, refreshing the reading experience.
Cosmere Expansion: Explores technological and societal advancements within the Cosmere.
Plot Continuity: Minimizes the gap between books in the series, maintaining narrative flow.

8. White Sand

Volumes:

Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3

Reasoning:

Different Medium: As graphic novels, they offer a visual narrative, appealing to different reader preferences.
Magic System: Introduces sand mastery, further showcasing the Cosmere’s diversity.
World Exploration: Adds to the geographical and cultural understanding of the universe.

9. Secret Projects

Books:

Tress of the Emerald Sea
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
The Sunlit Man

Reasoning:

Latest Additions: These recent releases expand the Cosmere with new characters and worlds.
Advanced Understanding: Best appreciated after familiarization with the Cosmere’s complexity.
Interconnectedness: Contain references and appearances from characters across the Cosmere.

Alternate Reading Order

For readers who prefer a slightly different approach, here’s an alternate order focusing on completing series back-to-back:

Mistborn Era 1
- Mistborn: The Final Empire
- The Well of Ascension
- The Hero of Ages
Mistborn Era 2
- The Alloy of Law
- Shadows of Self
- The Bands of Mourning
- The Lost Metal
The Stormlight Archive (Books 1-4)
- The Way of Kings
- Words of Radiance
- Oathbringer
- Rhythm of War
Warbreaker
Elantris
Arcanum Unbounded
White Sand
Secret Projects

Considerations:

Continuity: Completes the Mistborn series without interruption.
Potential Gaps: Longer wait between The Bands of Mourning and The Lost Metal if The Lost Metal hasn’t been read yet.
Spoiler Risks: Some crossovers in The Stormlight Archive may reference events from Warbreaker.

Additional Insights

The recommended reading order for Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere books is designed to gradually introduce readers to the universe’s core concepts and connections. Starting with the “Mistborn” series provides an accessible entry point into the Cosmere, allowing readers to become acquainted with key themes and ideas in a straightforward manner. This gradual introduction ensures that when characters or concepts reappear in later books, readers can recognize and appreciate them more fully.

An important aspect of the reading order is its attention to spoiler minimization. By following this sequence, readers can avoid prematurely encountering major plot points, especially those contained in “Arcanum Unbounded” and the later books of the Stormlight Archive series. For example, reading “Warbreaker” before “Words of Radiance” is crucial for understanding particular character relationships and plot developments that become significant in the latter book.

Additionally, placing “Arcanum Unbounded” after “Elantris” and the “Mistborn” trilogy helps preserve the mystery and discovery of key story elements that could otherwise be spoiled if read too soon. Similarly, the “Mistborn” Era 2 series is positioned after the Stormlight books in this sequence. This is because the cosmere-awareness and thematic complexities present in Mistborn Era 2 are better appreciated once readers have grasped the broader concepts introduced in the Stormlight Archive. This thoughtfully structured reading path ensures that the rich interconnectedness of Sanderson’s universe is unfolded in a rewarding and coherent manner.

Understanding the Cosmere’s Structure

Interconnectedness

Recurring Characters: Figures like Hoid (also known as Wit) appear across multiple series, acting as connective tissue.
Shared Myths and History: Legends and events on one planet may reference or impact those on another.
Thematic Continuity: Explores universal themes like the nature of divinity, power, and morality.

Implications of the Reading Order

Enhanced Experience: Recognizing connections enriches the narrative, offering ‘aha’ moments.
Building Complexity: Starts with simpler systems, progressing to more intricate ones.
Community Discussions: Aligning with common reading orders facilitates engagement with fan theories and analyses.

Conclusion

Embarking on the journey through Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere is a rewarding adventure filled with rich world-building, compelling characters, and thought-provoking themes. Following this recommended reading order will enhance your understanding and enjoyment, allowing you to fully appreciate the depth and intricacy of the universe.

Additional Resources

Official Brandon Sanderson Website: www.brandonsanderson.com
Coppermind Wiki: A fan-maintained encyclopedia of the Cosmere.
17th Shard Forums: Community discussions, theories, and analyses.