The Reckoners
Reading Order.
Start The Reckoners by Brandon Sanderson with "Steelheart", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.
A non-Cosmere dystopian trilogy where superpowered individuals, known as Epics, rule the world and must be taken down.
Short Answer:
Start with "Steelheart"
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.
Community Consensus
"The Reckoners is a young adult (YA) trilogy, often compared conceptually to series like *The Boys* or *My Hero Academia*. The series is generally well-regarded, particularly the first book, though some readers found the third installment less satisfying than the previous two."
Read the series sequentially: Start with Book 1 (often cited as having a strong prologue), proceed to Book 2, and conclude with Book 3, as it is consistently referred to as a trilogy.
At a Glance
- First Book:Steelheart
- Latest Book:Calamity
- Timeline:2020 - 2016
Why This Order Is Confusing
Many reading lists for The Reckoners 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 The Reckoners. 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 "Steelheart" 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.
Recommended Reading Order Strategy
The authoritative way to read the "The Reckoners" 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.
Complete Series Reading Order
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View on Amazon →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to skip books in the The Reckoners 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 The Reckoners?
The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Steelheart" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Brandon Sanderson intended.
Can I read The Reckoners 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 The Reckoners 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.