Brandon Sanderson's 2024 Reading Order |

Watch the Full Video Here: • Navigating the Cosmere...
Not sure where to start or how to continue your reading journey within Brandon Sanderson's epic worlds? Wondering where to start with the Cosmere? Here is our suggested reading order for 2024.

[@ephraimcullen]

"I do intend for people to read" -Brandon Sanderson 2024

[@djbrouwer7712]

Understatement of the year.

[@stormblessed9618]

A threat, or a promise……

[@prodigion1]

lmfao the audacity of this man

[@mercury9765]

Sanderson’s inner thoughts while writing. This is all. Repeated over and over in his mind

[@manuam98]

He writes, we read. Good deal.

[@SunRayz3r]

“I do intend for people to read…”

[@tylerdulak9030]

Understatement of the century

[@Zepenev]

Lmao

[@Shinesprk]

Yeah we gathered as much Brando 😂😂

[@charlesrogers1471]

I am dying rn lmao.

[@aldeayeah]

For people to reeeeead

[@alphacode5]

"i do intend for people to read" - Sanderson as he is doing 6 more books

[@patsonical]

Elantris x2 Warbreaker x3 Mistborn Era 1 Mistborn Era 2 Mistborn Era 1 again The Great Gatsby Lord of the Rings: Return of the King Harry Potter books 7 and 2 Warbreaker again x2 Watch every Brandon Sanderson lecture at 2x speed Read Alloy of Law while you are listening to the audiobook for Oathbringer (I hope I remembered the forbidden reading order right lol)

[@dalkbrolne]

You also got to repeat the cycle twice to really understand the whole story

[@captain4318]

Actually laughed out loud at this, the hell 😂

[@danielbore2396]

A fellow man carrying thing fan

[@brewster_4]

I see you're a man carrying a thing

[@mycointhetrees]

this is the one

[@MrMcSnuffyFluffy]

Definitely don't skip Warbreaker. It adds a lot to the Stormlight Archive.

[@taewoods2034]

Before I read way of kings?

[@MrMcSnuffyFluffy]

@@taewoods2034 Yes, for sure.

[@TumblinWeeds]

@@taewoods2034nah before words of radiance is fine. Most references start afterwards. I think the way of kings is also strong in that there’s a mystery of the universe that you won’t feel if you know too much cosmere

[@ryukswife]

Mad im seeing this and just looking into it while in the middle of Oathbringer

[@EthanMallonee]

​@@ryukswifesame, gotta get another book now

[@M00nlord]

I think Sanderson is the spirit of reading incarnate. His sole mission is to get every human being to read.

[@sarahdawnthompson]

Bold of you to assume that I could put Stormlight down long enough to read other books.

[@sr.duarte9438]

EXACTLY!!!!!

[@andrewharris5281]

I’m rereading this series out loud to/for my current wife, haven’t read the fourth book yet. Every read I want to get through it fast, but unfortunately I don’t read fast, and read out loud slower. I do voices for some of the characters. Rock and Pattern’s voices are the most distinctive. Dalinar is just bass, but then so is stormfather if just slower. Oh and Sadeas is French nasal high pitched.

[@sabbydude]

Liked your comment considering I am facing the same dilemma

[@Victoria3WorldConquerer]

@@andrewharris5281 Sir I think you have this confused. Your wife is supposed to be reading to you.

[@Kahr64]

Okay, you twisted my arm. I'll reread all of them again...

[@PetrosofSparta]

I love Elantris, a lot more than most. That book really has a special place in my heart. I think it’s in my Top 3 of BrandoSando’s books.

[@chrstfer2452]

Same, i think it should be second after mistborn tbh, really fleshes out the feel of the interconnected magic systems in a way youd need 2-4 stormlight books to get if you started there

[@jameskilgour387]

That was my first brando sando book and it was a great intro to his work for me - one of my faves for sure

[@PetrosofSparta]

@@jameskilgour387 Funnily enough I'd actually read Stormlight and Mistborn Era 1 at that point. I just really like Elantris.

[@mangomonngo]

Hrathen is one of my favorite characters of all time because I relate to him a ton! (Except the whole starting a civil war thing. Haha)

[@PetrosofSparta]

@@mangomonngo Honestly, I think he’s arguably the best antagonist Brandon has written, his motivations are clear, he’s intimidating and despite his somewhat redeeming qualities he’s actually a throughly horrible person driven by religion to do awful things.

[@larshansen252]

I am so happy whenever Brandon Sanderson pops up on screen. Such a great guy!

[@robisclimbing5359]

"Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell" is still one of my favorites right up there with"The Emperor's Soul" ❤😊

[@annamattos8627]

"Shadows" was my first Sanderson read, I love it! ❤

[@wellw1816]

Yes!!!!

[@awedwards08]

I dove straight in with Way of Kings. I'll let you know how it was when I finish...probably when I'm 80

[@haldalas]

Hey, me too! I caught up after a few years, but this was nearly a decade ago so…good luck! Haha

[@deadfromhell1235]

You mean to tell me you won't inhale the way of kings in like 2-3 weeks? Huh weird...

[@jlskywalker]

I started with the Stormlight Archive too. They're big books but they're my favorites. Mistborn and the smaller stand alone books are all good too

[@jackonthebound]

It took me 5 months, finished a few days ago and it really was that good. I was blown away, incredible book

[@Dparrey]

I'm a slow reader but the audiobooks are excellent and it actually got me through a lot of the cosmere.

[@NoSympathyGiven]

thanks brandon. last year i tried your stuff with mistborn 1-3 and couldnt decide whether to go era 2 or straight into stormlight, and indecision resulted in picking neither. but now i might as well follow this order :)

[@joannelecocq765]

I loved the Mistborn Wax and Wayne books via audiobook with Michael Kramer's narration.. A breath of fresh air with a lot of humorous banter between the characters. I listened while doing chores and my family would wonder what the heck I kept laughing at!

[@lewys9204]

His work is amazing and pays a total homage to the fantasy genre.

[@raz711]

I will forever standby the steel heart series being one of the best I’ve ever read

[@mcfats7652]

I went Stormlight up to Rhythm of War as it wasn't out yet. Then, the Mistborn trilogy. Then Elantris, and on to Wax and Wayne but not The Lost Metal because I don't think it was out yet. Then Warbreaker. Then some of the short stories. Oh! Also Edgedancer is in there somewhere. However, your work on The Wheel of Time was my introduction to you. I was not a reader before all this. Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson are who I credit for opening me up to reading. Thanks, Brandon!

[@SemaMehemmedli]

OMG my journey is exactly same as yours 😮 Way of Kings was sooo good that I wanted to read all of his books after.

[@mcfats7652]

It made the end of The Mistborn incredibly epic. We went the best route, obviously ;]

[@mcfats7652]

@SemaMehemmedli Seriously, The Way of Kings is amazing. Even the title was so good that Brandon used it twice. Just saying The Way of Kings can make the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.

[@maevebelleaqua918]

Same! I learned about Brandon Sanderson while finishing the Wheel of Time series. I went on to Way of Kings and was absolutely hooked!

[@CosmicApe]

How long did it take you to get through the Wheel of Time series and did you read it straight through?

[@Forguefamily]

I think the best series to start with, at least for people who maybe don’t love reading as much, is the Reckoners, it really traps you in, Steelheart was the first book that I just couldn’t stop reading and that sensation didn’t stop while reading Firefight and Calamity

[@theunknown21329]

I'm only at Well of Ascension. It's so good!

[@jacintatate]

Thanks Brandon, Ive just purchased Tress of the Emerald Sea and looking forward to learning more about your writing style :)

[@kellenboyle86]

Woops! I started with Way of Kings and am almost finished with Words of Radiance

[@SilverSoul255]

I read Elantris in 2008 and I've loved Sanderson ever since

[@5D3B1]

I am so in love with the storm light archive. It is one of my favorite things ever.

[@DrNyce-et5yv]

And then here I am jumping straight into Way of Kings and loving it.

[@dyslexo-boy8788]

I'm currently rereading all of the stormlight archive in preparation for Knights of Wind and Truth. It's a commitment but I've done it for each new book 📖 worth it every time.

[@rydzak8dwa]

You are the best waiting for Your next books here in Poland ❤❤🙏🙏Thanks Lord of Fantasy from Stormlight Father❤❤

[@TopsilogYum]

My very 1st fantasy to read is The Way of Kings, and I'm already halfway through, and I think I love it.

[@grandmarquee]

I'm in my 40s with adhd. I finally managed it back in 2017 and can actually finish books now. I'm still so new ro this genre since all I've read in fantasy was the Dark Tower series, if that even is fantasy. I read a lot scifi after I finished the series and I'm only now getting back into fantasy. Currently reading Promise of Blood, but picked up Mistborn on a whim a couple days ago and plan on reading it next. Thanks for the list. I'll be reading these for a long time. I'm not a fast reader.

[@TheDreadNarrator]

Yumi and the nightmare painter is so soooo good.

[@Zepenev]

The goat

[@OlichkaNesterova]

I was on book 3 and decided to listen to all of the wheel of time books and now on book 4. Must say I needed a good reminder of what was going on 😂

[@austinloansome2238]

I started with mistborn then went to Elantris and Warbreaker then stormlight then wax and Wayne then his secret books which are all stand-alones then back to reread stormlight to make sure I remember everything for the new stormlight coming out. But to each their own right

[@nubemuffin]

I've read Mistborn and the first two stormlight books. They're good.

[@RyanLynch1]

I've only read warbreaker, and it's awesome. to be fair it was a graphic audio novel but still, wow!

[@jaysonbunnell8097]

warbreaker is one of my favorite books ever-i’ve easily read it over 20 times and it motivated me to continue reading your books after i caught up. Thanks for writing some awesome stuff!!

[@airmax899]

Personally, I read all three of the first Mistborn trilogy and loved them. Took a break to read other stuff after. Buddy from college started raving about Stormlight. Have read all four but it takes me months to read each one 😂

[@_Woe_]

Thanks for putting out your books in a reasonable (to me) amount of time. I really enjoy your work and its nice to not wait a decade between books :)

[@llexdraw124]

This is literally how I read the story and it’s amazing he is the best writer in our time right now

[@TheAuthorNook]

I just started Mistborn 1. Never read Sanderson before but have wanted to for years! I’m listening to it on audio while I’m training for a 100 mile bike race. It’s making my long rides so much more enjoyable. And listening to big 3+ hour chunks is fun because the story moves pretty quick considering how long it is

[@kermitus18]

Warbreaker is one of my all time favorites!!!!!❤❤❤

[@Vladimir_Tod]

Mistborn was lent to me and it was my first Branderson experience THAT I REMEMBERED. Later found out that superhero book I read in middle school and barely remembered was Steelheart. So mistborn was almost my first X) Also I have since read the entire Reckoners series as well as Lux, Chef's Kiss

[@jpri26]

Sanderson, my guy. Not reading Stormlight 1-3 first is crazy. ❤

[@damienfrees3084]

I started with Elantris 20 years ago but didn't read anything until White Sands and went all in on Stormlight audio

[@PicardoFamily11]

I love Elantris. I wish we had the sequel already.

[@turnipslop3822]

I started with the Stormlight Archive and just couldn't put it down. It's so so good. I need to read the rest now 😅

[@defiantaichi]

Ive read all standalones except elantris. Im on the last mistborn first trilogy. I might pick up elantris then And then reread cytoverse. Then start way of kings. Then after every book, read the second mistborn trilogy. Then read the filler books in between. I dont know if its the ideal order, but I did anyway. And I am having a blast

[@lenagaaa]

I've heard a few people say to take breaks during Stormlight Archive, but as someone who started reading Sanderson with TWoK there was no way I was stopping after just one!! I'm obsessed

[@johnnyfavorite3880]

I’ve always been fascinated with stormy weather and how it just gives me this energy to read. That’s the only reason why I started with Stormlight. I don’t regret it. About to start rhythm of war in about 10 minutes.

[@bestnarryever]

The fact that you became my favorite author right after I ignored every single advice to read mistborn first and read the entire Alcatraz series in a month 😂 I always recommend people start with it first now!

[@ashaide]

okay, so I actually entered the Cosmere more or less properly in the 2010s, haha :D My first WAS Final Empire after all. And after Mistborn Triloy 1, I think I read either Elantris or Warbreaker.

[@captain4318]

Stormlight is indeed best read with breaks, at least in my opinion as well. I have a far easier time connecting with a series if I give it some breathing room

[@nathaniel-.-]

Started with Elantris, will start following the rest of this recommendation from Sanderson. Really enjoying Elantris, I have to force myself to put it down to keep a healthy pace.

[@kat0na_cat]

Bruh I need to just start reading In general 😂

[@ianbrooks4516]

I started on the Stormlight Archive series. I’m on book 2.5, Edgedancer. Loving them. Epic fantasy done right

[@rileykinsey1287]

The Reckoners???? Friggin love that series

[@ethanwoolard9668]

I ended up reading in publishing order so started with Elantris, mistborn trilogy, warbreaker, and then caught up to the current stormlight book which was words at that time. And ironically that was all a break from wheel of time 😂

[@RoadTo1000Books]

I think I have decided to read Brando Sandos books next and review them. It's been so hard to decided what to read next but admittedly I have been subbed to this page on my private account for years, ever since I found the creagive writing lectures. But I still haven't read any books. I love twists in stories and I saw a post that said you are probably the best at that! Considering I am reading Red Rising atm (some of the craziest twists I have ever read) I am very excited to read and review these books!. I'll be following the recommended reading order here.

[@nickolasweislogel3308]

Recently finished Red Rising 6, how do you like them?

[@RoadTo1000Books]

@@nickolasweislogel3308 I have the reviews on my channel for each book. But I would say that it's easily the mist entertaining series that I have read. I have issues with it, but I tend to overlook some of those because the story is just so damn fun 😂

[@defiantaichi]

I love this man In the most respectful way possible. Even if I feel a lull in a book, he just kills it in the third half. Sure, wizard was meh, no one is perfect. But when sanderson shines, he brings the whole world into the light. I dont know what I am saying at this point. But he just wants people to read, and I think hes done that.

[@Nexol13]

I just do what I do for all authors: start in publication order and work from there. That way I don’t accidentally spoil myself for any of their other works. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@reginageorge9083]

i tried starting with mistborn and while i enjoyed it i didnt love it enough to read book 2 and thought maybe the cosmere isnt for me, but one day decided to pick up the way of kings, and never looked back since. i might not know any lore or get some references but i still loved the hell out of the stormlight archive 🎉

[@user-kn9pe5ue6r]

That was very helpful! Thank you!

[@nirjabhatt469]

Honestly, I usually follow publishing date order. I feel like it gives you the intended feelings, mystery, and allure that readers are meant to experience as they unravel the worldbuilding, lore, and plot.

[@Leone_Ottr]

Well so far i stick to the plan. Msitborn trilogy done. Thanks for your work. I am from Moscow, and you are my favorit home work of English.)))

[@HiddenNuggetttv]

I started with the first mistborn trilogy and I have no regrets, I LOVE.

[@eXJonSnow]

Warbreaker is 100% my recommendation for intro into Sanderson works. Mistborn is my fave completed fantasy series, but I find Warbreaker a lot easier to get into. My gf doesn’t read much fantasy, but I’ve been reading Warbreaker to her and she’s been loving it.

[@Crisby24]

Some light weekend reading you can read way of kings. Very small easy introduction

[@Chosen_One]

Not me just jumping right into way of kings lol

[@majorzipf8947]

Reading Yumi and the Nightmare Painter right now. It’s such an interesting story. Good characters. Fascinating locations. Intriguing mystery. Highly recommend

[@jessicaholden3019]

Tress is an amazing entry point!

[@jdhbeph]

These are good suggestions. I read almost in the same order, with the original Mistborn trilogy, but then I read the Reckoners series. But instead of reading the Stormlight Archives interspersed with others, I tried to read straight through. By the middle of Oathbringer I was thoroughly Sandersoned out. I had to take a Sanderson hiatus. While I have read some standalones since then, I still haven't finished Oathbringer.

[@ithrahmunchswallow468]

I need more Elantris. It's one of my favorite urban fantasies ❤

[@OldBuggaboo]

I've been reading straight through Storm light 😅 but it has me kind ahyped for the others cause i tell there's worlds beyond

[@elheim]

My first Sanderson’s book is Skyward. I love it very much.

[@phasomyr]

I'm starting Mistborn as soon as I finish ACOTAR so I am READY

[@kazbrekker197]

I started with Warbreaker and then jumped straight into the Stormlight Archive. Warbreaker is a good book but no where near as epic as the Stormlight Archive but Lightsong is such a good character that he remains one of my favorite characters.

[@tiffanymoton704]

oh wow so far I have read sandersons books in the exact order he just said (minus tress because that didn’t exist yet when I read mistborn and warbreaker)

[@levimagruder8808]

The only books of yours I have read have been stormlight. Love them! I’m finishing up rhythm of war right now. Probably do Mistborn next

[@coddingafter30]

I read mistborn and went straight to the storm light archive.

[@CoffeeMan678]

started Way of Kings, read through epilogue and first chapter, LOVE IT, but everyone is saying to start Mistborn since it’s already complete, so i’m pausing Stormlight and starting that. 👍

[@hihi123hiful]

I was kind of hoping that brandon would recommend some unhinged reading order like “start with the second stormlight book before reading the secret history then go directly into warbreaker before sliding into the final page of the wax and wane trilogy”

[@zetta0375]

First book was twk and I breezed through all the stormlight archives within ~ a year. Now im reading all the other novels lol

[@wreckingball8881]

Warbreaker is still one of my favs

[@justin-md4xm]

Colors 😡

[@FrankEggleton]

Do I have to jump?

[@EaszyInitials]

yep

[@jacobtnp4906]

Thems the rules

[@NeoSlimey]

Thank you mr. brando sando

[@joshuabailey9578]

The order that Ive fallen into was Mistborn era 1, then Stormlight 1 2 3, warbreaker, elantris, Mistborn era 2 and secret history, now reading rhythm of war

[@rosecityronin]

Personally, I read the Stormlight Archive tomes, 1 - 4, straight through and, now, I'm going to reread them.

[@elainerice7331]

Haha this is funny! I love Brendan but his reading order kills me 😂 Have to google all the time 😂

[@theastaff8197]

I read the first two stornlight archive back to back. Started to read Oathbringer and realise i needed some easy reading that wasnt going to weigh on my soul so much

[@yashaoftheflames8475]

I started with the stormlight archives

[@KrohnosOW]

Oh nooo, I went Elantris, Warbreaker, Tress 😂

[@keithcarey6016]

mistborn, then warbreaker. agreed

[@sambilson1559]

I went straight for the storm light archive, which is a lot let’s be honest 😂

[@johnny3652]

I started with storm light. Best book ever

[@harrisonmccartney4878]

I like Sanderson as a person and as a writer, but if I'm being honest starting off with a trilogy is a big investment and I don't think coming to him blind with that level of dedication is a good idea. Totally get why he would recommend readers do it as it obviously sells more books for him, but he should really find a good standalone title to recommend for a reader's first foray to him, something to acquaint them with his writing style and world building that leaves them satisfied enough to keep checking him out without the demand of finishing a whole trilogy.

[@NightEyes042]

I agree - I recommend people who are hesitant to get into a trilogy to start with Warbreaker or even Emperor's Soul since it's an even shorter time investment.

[@joannelecocq765]

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter is what my husband recommended after it came out! Perfect introduction to Brandon's work. I listened to it first then again after listening to all the Mistborn series and Tress of the emerald Sea. I got a lot more out of Yumi the second time when I heard and understood the references to his other stories.

[@BellCurvedEducation]

The Mistborn Era 1 series was my start to Sanderson and it got me back into reading again last year after about 10 years of not reading anything. Since then I’ve finished era 2 as well, The Lost Metal, Elantris, Warbreaker and am now working through the Stormlight archive. I honestly don’t know if I would’ve been hooked to Sanderson’s books in the same way if I didn’t start with Mistborn. Elantris might have done it, that one really holds a special place in my heart as well. But I personally think the Mistborn era 1 is a fantastic place to start.

[@maninblack3410]

This is a strange comment. The mistborn trilogy is probably his best standalone content that is the most well written. Every other standalone book is either too cosmere dependent or too… early Brando Sando… with all due respect. Warbreaker is great, but it’s way more Elantris than it is mistborn. That might sound disrespectful, but part of what kept me personally trucking through both warbreaker and elantris was the fact that they tied into the cosmere somehow after I read through every mistborn and stormlight archive book. While they can be more self contained singular books than the mistborn trilogy, I’d really say that mistborn is far more satisfying of a self contained story than any of the other stories solo.

[@robertcharlesiii8393]

Bold of him to assume that i didnt already start with Stormlight Archive and will probably just read that

[@Lord_zeel]

For someone who thinks they are going to be into it, yes start with Mistborn. But if you're not sure, start with Tress. It's such a fantastic stand alone that gives you so much flavor of the Cosmere without requiring a ton of buy-in and with no commitment. I wouldn't start with Elantris.

[@rololopez1505]

I spent my last book money on Mistborn. Gotta say I don't love selling my books to get new books but I really want to start the stormlight archive as soon as possible, because I'm gonna take 3 notebooks worth of notes and doodles out of that series and all before turning 30

[@bretthuff8971]

Been alternating storm light archive with mistborn. Beautiful books.

[@HowltheWizard]

I'm so glad the librarian recommended war breaker and mistborn to me early in highschool, I'll always be thankful to him.

[@fatmaninparadise]

I loved Warbreaker's ending.

[@christhewritingjester3164]

I didn't realize that Warbreaker was part of the Cosmere until like a year ago. So it's in my TBR, not sure when I'll get to it exactly!