Every beginning is more than just getting started. With books, a beginning is a reader's introduction to an entirely new world, and some of those worlds can feel intimidating to enter, especially Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere universe. When an author has written as much as he has, figuring out where to begin can feel overwhelming.
First things first: remember, we all start somewhere. Sanderson had new readers in mind when writing many of his series. So, while the Cosmere is one of the most expansive fictional universes out there, it's also one of the most accessible.
There is no one right reading order when reading books or series by Brandon Sanderson
As long as you read each series in order, there's no one "correct" place to start and no wrong way in.
New to fantasy?
Books by Brandon Sanderson is a great place to start if you're new to fantasy. For younger readers (or anyone who wants to start light), try Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians, a middle-grade series about a seemingly ordinary boy who discovers his destructive talent may be the key to saving the world from evil librarians.
If you're looking for something for a slightly older audience
Check out The Reckoners. This fast-paced YA trilogy begins with Steelheart, which follows David Charleston as he joins the Reckoners, a secretive group determined to bring down the ruling class of superpowered tyrants.
Want to dip your toe into the Cosmere without committing to a full series?
Try one of Brandon Sanderson's standalone novels! Each one offers a contained story set in a unique part of the Cosmere.
You could start with Elantris, Sanderson's first published novel, which follows three characters: Raoden, his fiancée, and the mysterious Hrathen, as they navigate the quarantined remains of a fallen divine city.
Or, for something whimsical and adventurous, go with Tress of the Emerald Sea, a "Princess Bride"-esque tale of a girl crossing the deadly spore seas to rescue her lost love.
Prefer a sci-fi twist? The Frugal Wizard's Guide to Medieval England introduces a plucky protagonist who accidentally stumbles into another dimension... and promptly worsens things.
Still want to start at the "true" beginning?
You're in for a treat. Starting here means diving into The Mistborn Saga. It begins with Mistborn: The Final Empire (often just called Mistborn), set in a world where the villains won, and the ash literally falls from the sky. A group of unlikely heroes—mostly thieves—sets out to pull off the ultimate heist: stealing an empire.
The first trilogy follows Vin, our heroine. It continues in The Well of Ascension and concludes with The Hero of Ages. To avoid spoilers, books in this series should be read in order.
If you want to read the companion novella, Mistborn: Secret History, which rounds out this trilogy, you should read it last, as it spoils key points found throughout all three books, as well as The Bands of Mourning (which is part of the series mentioned below).
The next Mistborn set, The Wax & Wayne Series, is set 300 years later and begins with The Alloy of Law. It follows Waxillium Ladrian, a lawman from the frontier who returns to the city to take over his noble house, only to find that urban life has its own dangers. The full series includes Shadows of Self, The Bands of Mourning, and The Lost Metal. Whether you read this series or the novella first, just know: spoilers ahead.
Not feeling Mistborn? No worries.
You could also start with The Stormlight Archive, Brandon Sanderson's massive, character-driven epic fantasy that begins with The Way of Kings. This series explores the tension between moral choices and necessary ones.
This series currently spans five novels and includes two novellas that fit between books two and three (precisely, before and after Oathbringer).
Finding your next world can be challenging, wherever you are in your fantasy journey. But, as Sanderson says, "...the hardest part of any task is getting started." His books are among the best places to do just that—offering sprawling worlds, rich characters, and a storytelling style that always makes space for newcomers.
So take a deep breath and step in. You just might want to stay awhile. Happy reading!
The Nest App
⚪️ The app is 100% free and all are welcome!
⚪️ Created for the bookish community and powered by OwlCrate!
⚪️ We have exclusive live events always happening in The Nest, so download the app and join the community today!
