Cosmere Reading Order: Every Brandon Sanderson Cosmere Book (21 Books)

Recommended reading order

This is our order, built from Sanderson's own advice (see the sources below). It is a suggestion, not the only way in. Optional novellas are marked.

1. 1.Mistborn Era 1

   Sanderson lists The Final Empire first among his suggested starting points. The trilogy is complete and its Era 2 sequels spoil it, so read all three first.

   • The Final Empire (2006)
   • The Well of Ascension (2007)
   • The Hero of Ages (2008)

2. 2.Elantris and Warbreaker

   Two standalone novels. Our Stormlight guide notes that reading Warbreaker before the Stormlight books adds connections, though it is not required.

   • Elantris (2005)
   • Warbreaker (2009)

3. 3.The Stormlight Archive

   Read in order. Edgedancer and Dawnshard are optional novellas that matter for later books.

   • The Way of Kings (2010)
   • Words of Radiance (2014)
   • Edgedancer (2016, optional novella)
   • Oathbringer (2017)
   • Dawnshard (2020, optional novella)
   • Rhythm of War (2020)
   • Wind and Truth (2024)

4. 4.Mistborn Era 2 and Secret History

   Sanderson says The Alloy of Law is an okay jumping-in spot but spoils the original trilogy, so it comes after Era 1. Secret History spoils the trilogy too and is a short optional novella.

   • The Alloy of Law (2011)
   • Shadows of Self (2015)
   • The Bands of Mourning (2016)
   • The Lost Metal (2022)
   • Secret History (2016, optional novella)

5. 5.The standalones

   Sanderson's site lists these as Cosmere standalones. Each can be read on its own once you know the basics.

   • Tress of the Emerald Sea (2023)
   • Yumi and the Nightmare Painter (2023)
   • The Sunlit Man (2023)
   • Isles of the Emberdark (2025)

All 21 Cosmere books in publication order

Books from the same year are listed in series order. Each title links to its series reading order.