Brandon Sanderson
Reading Order Guide.
Brandon Sanderson (born December 19, 1975) is an American author known for his intricate and imaginative works in the genres of fantasy and science fiction. Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, Sanderson developed a passion for writing at a young age. He attended Brigham Young University, where he studied English and later earned a master's degree in creative writing. Sanderson is best known for creating the Cosmere, a vast fictional universe that encompasses many of his fantasy novels, where they share subtle connections and a common mythology, including the *Mistborn* series and *The Stormlight Archive*. The *Mistborn* trilogy, starting with the novel [*Mistborn: The Final Empire*][3], is a thrilling fantasy heist story set in a dystopian world ruled by a tyrannical lord. *The Stormlight Archive*, starting with the novel [*The Way of Kings*][8], is an epic fantasy series that combines political intrigue, war, and extensive world-building. In addition to his work within the Cosmere, Sanderson completed [Robert Jordan's][4] epic fantasy series "The Wheel of Time" after Jordan's passing. He has also authored several young adult series, such as *The Reckoners* and the *Skyward* series. Sanderson's analytical approach to world-building includes his "Sanderson's Laws of Magic," which distinguish between "hard" and "soft" magic systems in fantasy literature. His ability to create immersive worlds and compelling characters has earned him a dedicated fan base and numerous accolades, including the Hugo Award in 2013 for his novella [*The Emperor's Soul*][5], the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award for his novels [*Elantris*][6] in 2005, and [The Hero of Ages][7] in 2008, as well as David Gemmell Legend Awards in 2011 for [*The Way of Kings*][8] and in 2015 for [*Words of Radiance*][9]. In 2022, Sanderson's Kickstarter campaign for four secret novels became the most successful in history, raising over $41 million. As of 2022, he is a co-creator and former host of the *Writing Excuses* podcast, an educational podcast for writers by writers that was started in 2008. (Sources: [1][1],[2][2]) [1]: https://www.brandonsanderson.com/pages/hello-my-names-brandon [2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandon_Sanderson [3]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL5738148W [4]: https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL233594A [5]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL19960448W [6]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL5738147W [7]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL5738154W [8]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL15358691W [9]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL16813053W
New to Brandon?
Start with "Legion (Stephen Leeds)"
The most popular entry point is Legion: The Lost City. It introduces the core world-building and key themes found in the author's most acclaimed works.
Legion (Stephen Leeds) Series
Recommended reading order for the Legion (Stephen Leeds) universe.
Mistborn Era 1 (The Final Empire) Series
Recommended reading order for the Mistborn Era 1 (The Final Empire) universe.
The Wheel of Time Series
Recommended reading order for the The Wheel of Time universe.
Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians Series
Recommended reading order for the Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians universe.
Warbreaker Series
Recommended reading order for the Warbreaker universe.
Mistborn Series
Recommended reading order for the Mistborn universe.
The Cosmere (Secret Projects) Series
Recommended reading order for the The Cosmere (Secret Projects) universe.
White Sand (Graphic Novel) Series
Recommended reading order for the White Sand (Graphic Novel) universe.
Mistborn Era 1 (The Original Trilogy) Series
Recommended reading order for the Mistborn Era 1 (The Original Trilogy) universe.
Elantris Series
Recommended reading order for the Elantris universe.
Standalone Novels and Non-Cosmere Short Fiction Series
Recommended reading order for the Standalone Novels and Non-Cosmere Short Fiction universe.
Mistborn Era 2 (Wax & Wayne) Series
Recommended reading order for the Mistborn Era 2 (Wax & Wayne) universe.
Cosmere Short Fiction Series
Recommended reading order for the Cosmere Short Fiction universe.
The Stormlight Archive Series
Recommended reading order for the The Stormlight Archive universe.
Infinity Blade Series
Recommended reading order for the Infinity Blade universe.
Legion Series
Recommended reading order for the Legion universe.
The Reckoners Series
Recommended reading order for the The Reckoners universe.
Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians Series
Recommended reading order for the Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians universe.
Skyward series Series
Recommended reading order for the Skyward series universe.
Skyward (The Cytoverse) Series
Recommended reading order for the Skyward (The Cytoverse) universe.
Dark One Series
Recommended reading order for the Dark One universe.
Secret Projects Series
Recommended reading order for the Secret Projects universe.
Hoid's Travails Series
Recommended reading order for the Hoid's Travails universe.
Standalone Books
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I start reading Brandon Sanderson?
For most new readers, the best place to start is the Legion (Stephen Leeds) series, beginning with the first book, "Legion: The Lost City".
How many series has Brandon Sanderson written?
Brandon Sanderson has written 23 book series, spanning a total of 178 individual works.
Are there standalone books by Brandon Sanderson?
Yes, Brandon Sanderson has written 93 standalone novels that can be read independently of any series.
What is the correct reading order for Brandon Sanderson books?
We recommend reading each specific series in its Publication Order to preserve character reveals and plot twists as the author intended.