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Hoid's Travails Reading Order.

Expert Guideby Brandon Sanderson
2 Entries
Ongoing
Quick Answer

Start Hoid's Travails by Brandon Sanderson with "Tress of the Emerald Sea", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

The complete reading order for the Hoid's Travails series by Brandon Sanderson. Below you'll find the authoritative guide on how to read the books in order, including publication dates and chronological timeline placements.

Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "Tress of the Emerald Sea"

To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.

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Community Consensus

Medium Debate

"The recommended reading order for 'Hoid's Travails' (The Stormlight Archive) is strictly chronological: Book 1 (The Way of Kings), Book 2 (Words of Radiance), and Book 3 (Oathbringer). The first two books are highly acclaimed and often 'devoured.' The third book, Oathbringer, is highly polarizing, frequently criticized for having too many tangents, overly long flashbacks, tedious interludes, and suffering from a 'middle-book syndrome' despite containing major impactful events."

Key Reddit Advice

Start with Book 1 and read sequentially. While the character development and worldbuilding are essential, readers frequently cite skipping or skimming the general interludes and many of the flashback chapters upon reread, indicating they can be ignored or accelerated if pacing becomes an issue in the later books.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Hoid's Travails conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Can I skip the short stories?

Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for Hoid's Travails. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.

I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?

Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "Tress of the Emerald Sea" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.

Why do people disagree on the order?

Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.

Curator's Strategy

Recommended Reading Order Strategy

The authoritative way to read the "Hoid's Travails" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Start with "Tress of the Emerald Sea"Explore all by Brandon Sanderson

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended. Compare →

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for fans. Compare →

Publication Reading Order2 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
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1

Tress of the Emerald Sea

Pub: 2023★ 4.32

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson comes a rollicking, riveting tale set in the Cosmere universe—a standalone adventure perfect for fans of The Princess Bride.The only life Tress has known on her island home in an emerald-green ocean has been a simple one, with the simple pleasures of collecting cups brought by sailors from faraway lands and listening to stories told by her friend Charlie. But when his father takes him on a voyage to find a bride and disaster strikes, Tress must stow away on a ship and seek the Sorceress of the deadly Midnight Sea. Amid the spore oceans where pirates abound, can Tress leave her simple life behind and make her own place sailing a sea where a single drop of water can mean instant death?Other Tor books by Brandon SandersonThe CosmereThe Stormlight Archive● The Way of Kings● Words of Radiance● Edgedancer (novella)● Oathbringer● Dawnshard (novella)● Rhythm of WarThe Mistborn SagaThe Original Trilogy● Mistborn● The Well of Ascension● The Hero of AgesWax and Wayne● The Alloy of Law● Shadows of Self● The Bands of Mourning● The Lost MetalOther Cosmere novels● Elantris● Warbreaker● Tress of the Emerald Sea● Yumi and the Nightmare Painter● The Sunlit ManCollection● Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere CollectionThe Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series● Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians● The Scrivener's Bones● The Knights of Crystallia● The Shattered Lens● The Dark Talent● Bastille vs. the Evil Librarians (with Janci Patterson)Other novels● The Rithmatist● Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds● The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval EnglandOther books by Brandon SandersonThe Reckoners● Steelheart● Firefight● CalamitySkyward● Skyward● Starsight● Cytonic● Skyward Flight (with Janci Patterson)● Defiant

2

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter

Pub: 2023★ 4.44

Plot details hidden until you finish "Tress of the Emerald Sea".

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson—creator of The Stormlight Archive, the Mistborn Saga, and countless bestselling works of science fiction and fantasy—comes this gripping story set in the Cosmere universe told by Hoid, where two people from incredibly different cultures must work together to save their worlds from certain disaster.Yumi has spent her entire life in strict obedience, granting her the power to summon the spirits that bestow vital aid upon her society—but she longs for even a single day as a normal person. Painter patrols the dark streets dreaming of being a hero—a goal that has led to nothing but heartache and isolation, leaving him always on the outside looking in. In their own ways, both of them face the world alone.Suddenly flung together, Yumi and Painter must strive to right the wrongs in both their lives, reconciling their past and present while maintaining the precarious balance of each of their worlds. If they cannot unravel the mystery of what brought them together before it’s too late, they risk forever losing not only the bond growing between them, but the very worlds they’ve always struggled to protect.Other Tor books by Brandon SandersonThe CosmereThe Stormlight ArchiveThe Way of KingsWords of RadianceEdgedancer (novella)OathbringerDawnshard (novella)Rhythm of WarThe Mistborn SagaThe Original TrilogyMistbornThe Well of AscensionThe Hero of AgesWax and WayneThe Alloy of LawShadows of SelfThe Bands of MourningThe Lost MetalOther Cosmere novelsElantrisWarbreakerTress of the Emerald SeaYumi and the Nightmare PainterThe Sunlit ManCollectionArcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere CollectionThe Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians seriesAlcatraz vs. the Evil LibrariansThe Scrivener's BonesThe Knights of CrystalliaThe Shattered LensThe Dark TalentBastille vs. the Evil Librarians (with Janci Patterson)Other novelsThe RithmatistLegion: The Many Lives of Stephen LeedsThe Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval EnglandOther books by Brandon SandersonThe ReckonersSteelheartFirefightCalamitySkywardSkywardStarsightCytonicSkyward Flight (with Janci Patterson)Defiant

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the Hoid's Travails series?

We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.

What is the best order to read Hoid's Travails?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Tress of the Emerald Sea" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Brandon Sanderson intended.

Can I read Hoid's Travails books in any order?

No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.

Are there spin-offs or companion books?

Yes, the Hoid's Travails universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.