What book should I start on?

SparrowTheSparrow · February 23, 2023

hi! I have read some of Sanderson's non-cosmere books, but haven't started on any in the joint universe yet. I don't have anything to read at the moment, but have no clue where to start. Any advice/suggestions for a good beginning? I like fantasy a lot, so the more magic the more fun >:D

Treamayne · February 24, 2023

On 2/22/2023 at 10:43 PM, SparrowTheSparrow said:

hi! I have read some of Sanderson's non-cosmere books, but haven't started on any in the joint universe yet. I don't have anything to read at the moment, but have no clue where to start. Any advice/suggestions for a good beginning? I like fantasy a lot, so the more magic the more fun

This is what I generally tell people at work is to start with these in any order that appeals to you:
- 2 stand-alone Books, 1 Series, 1 Novella
- presened in publishing order, not meant to be indicitive of a suggested reading order

Elantris - It's a stand-alone (for now - 1 Short Story and one tangentially related Novella - see below) and was the first published. Start here if you really like political intrigue books and a cerebral atmosphere. Less action than Mistborn or Warbreaker, until the end. The Magic is broken, so solving that is also a major story arc (but also means you don't get to see it work much)
Mistborn Trilogy (Book 1 Mistborn: The Final Empire / Era 1) - It's a Trilogy (so more initial time investment) but it is packed with action, great magic, great (dystopian) worldbuilding. Some political intrigue - can be a lot to take in at once for some readers. Magic is strong and action packed, explained at a deliberate pace to not overwhelm with too much up-front worldbuilding.
Warbreaker - Stand-alone (for now - no short stories). About mid-way between the the first two in both action and politics. The world is specifically meant to contrast to Mistborn's setting (so I recommend reading this either right before or right after Mistborn) and introduces many important things for shared universe (Cosmere). Magic displayed strongly early with less explanation, then slowly explains the why and how - but is present throughout.
The Emperor's Soul - Like Elantris this has politics at the forefront (the seedier side of politics) but really focuses on how the author builds magic systems and explains some fundamentals that will be a part of all Cosmere works. Most action is at the end, but, well, it won the Hugo for a reason and is one of Brandon's best works (no caveat needed).

Note: Book Acronyms may be found here (third spoiler tag) if you are unfamiliar with them.

The full list I made for friends and coworkers (recommendations, not requirements):

Spoiler

The first "four" in any order based on reader's preference on the action-politics-magic scale:

Mistborn Era 1
1. The Final Empire
2. Well of Ascension
3. Hero of Ages
- The Eleventh Metal (Short Story) takes place before The Final Empire - but may be read after Book 1 or after the Trilogy)
Warbreaker
Elantris
- Hope of Elantris (Short Story) - anytime after finishing Elantris (Spoilers for the climax of Elantris)
The Emperor's Soul - has no conflict with Elantris, despite being the same world and can be read in any of the first four spots - this is the best introduction to understanding some of the fundamentals of how different series are related and connect

Followed by these caveates for the remaining works

Stormlight Archive (SA)
- Read at least Warbreaker and Mistborn Era 1 before starting this if you intend to read all of the cosmere. Warbreaker is essentially the backstory for some important SA characters, but Mistborn is only a source of some references - not as important but clarifies some scenes (books 2, 3, & 4) when you have this information
- The series with the most out-of-series references (by far), kept to a minimum for the first two books, but the references increase significantly starting in Oathbringer (please see below)
- Can fit other works between SA novels if you like to switch things up and not tackle 5 1000+ page books in a row
- Note that if you prefer Audio or eBook, these books contain some amazing and important art that you may miss in audio or only see well with an eBook on PC (but can also be found on Coppermind Art Pages)
Mistborn: Secret History
- Do not read before Bands of Mourning (Spoilers for HoA and BoM)
White Sand (prose or graphic novel/omnibus - Link explains the differences and other important information)
- Anytime after The Emperor's Soul
- Read before Rhythm of War
- Non-canon unpublished Prose version available by joining the newsletter) - The forum section discusses differences to Canon Graphic Novel
- See the link above for more data on versions and customizing your experience.
Alloy of Law
- Anytime after The Emperor's Soul and Mistborn Era 1
Mistborn Era 2 Trilogy
- Shadows of Self - Anytime after Alloy of Law
- Bands of Mourning - Anytime after Shadows of Self
- The Lost Metal - Recommended after Rhythm of War (Spoilers for WoR, OB, and RoW)
Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell (novella)
- Anytime after The Emperor's Soul
- Best before Oathbringer due to Easter Eggs
Silverlight Essays (from the section headers in Arcanum Unbounded)
- Each essay (except one) should be read after reading at least the primary work for that "world"
  - Scadrial Essay has Spoilers for Hero of Ages and Alloy of Law
- If you want to read them all together, read at least Mistborn Era 1, Allow of Law, Elantris, the Way of Kings then you can read all of them in Arcanum Unbounded and read the Novellas (except below) there paired with their essay
  - Edgedancer comes after Words of Radiance
  - Mistborn: Secret History has spoilers for Bands of Mourning
Tress of the Emerald Sea
- Anytime after The Emperor's Soul and Sixth of the Dusk
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
- Anytime after The Emperor's Soul and Sixth of the Dusk
- Do not read before Oathbringer (Spoilers)
The Sunlit Man
- Do not read before Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell
- Recommended after Rhythm of War/Wind and Truth and The Lost Metal (Spoilers/Context)
Isles of the Emberdark
- Spoilers for Tress
- References to Mistborn Era 2, not recommended before The Lost Metal.

**********

Rough Cosmere Internal Timeline

*Note the reading order does not match the internal timeline

Dragonsteel (Not published)
White Sand
Elantris
Mistborn Era 1
Warbreaker
Stormlight Archive Cycle 1 (Books 1-5)
Mistborn Era 2
Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell
Stormlight Archive Cycle 2 (Books 6-10)
Mistborn Era 3
Silverlight Essays (from Arcanum Unbounded)
Sixth of the Dusk
The Sunlit Man (not definitive - most likely shortly before or after Sixth - confirmed before Yumi)
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter (not definitive - most likely shortly before or after Sixth - likely before Tress)
Tress of the Emerald Sea (not definitive - most likely shortly before or after Sixth)
Mistborn Era 4

Stormlight Archive Reference notes:

Spoiler

Books and their references - Labelled as Major - Important references impacting story, Minor - References that clarify story, Easter Egg - Tidbits that are just interesting when you notice, but not impacting story. Some Major and Minor references also have Easter Eggs, but titles are listed in their highest classification only.

Way of Kings has references and/or cameos from:
- Major: None
- Minor: None
- Easter Egg: Elantris, White Sand, Mistborn Era 1
Words of Radiance has references and/or cameos from:
- Major: Warbreaker
- Minor: None
- Easter Egg: White Sand, Mistborn Era 2, Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell, and multiple Curiosities[1]
Oathbringer has references and/or cameos from:
- Major: Warbreaker
- Minor: Elantris
- Easter Egg: White Sand, Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell, Mistborn (both Eras)
Rhythm of War has references and/or cameos from:
- Major: Warbreaker, White Sand, Elantris
- Minor: Sixth of the Dusk, Mistborn (both Eras)
- Easter Egg: Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell
Wind and Truth
- Major: Warbreaker, Elantris
- Minor: Sixth of the Dusk, Mistborn Era 1
- Easter Egg: White Sand

[1] - If you are not aware of Sanderson Curosities:

Spoiler

They are the "unpublished" works he has made available for fans. In the Cosmere, that is primarily:

White Sand Prose
Aether of Night[1]
Way of Kings Prime
Dragonsteel Prime[1]

On 2/23/2023 at 11:46 AM, offer said:

If you like epic fantasy than I recommend starting with the Stormlight Archive. It has the most world building by far and in my opinion is the best entry point to the cosmere.

Some people do start with Stormlight Archive (Book 1 - The Way of Kings), but I do not recommend that. Of the people I know that have started here, most have regretted it; or finished book 1, then moved to other Cosmere works between books in this series (*see example explanation below). Each book is quite large (1000+ pages) and while Book 1 can be safely read early, later books can quickly have references or spoilers for things you have not yet read (as @Witless of Shinovar mentioned).

It's certainly not wrong to start here - it is epic and long and wonderful. just understand the trade-off you will have by making that decision.

*That specific example:
The referenced individual read SA Book 1, Mistborn Era 1, Warbreaker, SA Book 2, Edgedancer, Elantris, SA Book 3 etc

***********

*Shadows Beneath is the "Writing Excuses" anthology and includes novellas from Sanderson, Mary Robinette Kowal, Dan Wells and Howard Tayler. For each story it includes:

Spoiler

Final Draft
- Transcript of the 'Workshopping" podcast
First Draft
- Transcript of the "Alpha read feedback" podcast
Edit Draft
- Author's Notes

Hope that helps

Edited March 9 by Treamayne
Clarity and Updates

+Invocation · February 23, 2023

Mistborn and Elantris are both solid entry points into everything cosmere, but Warbreaker can also be pretty solid as well. Elantris was published first, so if you want to go all the way on publication date as your reading order, that'd be a good place. Warbreaker has soul vampires. Mistborn has a lot going on, and it's all very fun.

Treamayne · December 7, 2024

On 12/7/2024 at 9:39 AM, Tonitaro said:

Hello everybody, I know its early but could someone tell what the requirements for Wind and Truth are (when they are finished reading it). I am currently on Rythm of War in my journey and I am wondering if mistborn era 2 or the secret projects are required to get all the cosmere relations in Wind and Truth.

Secret Projects are unlikely, because they are in the future of the Cosmere. As of Days 1-2, references include:

Spoiler

Warbreaker, Mistborn Era 1, Elantris, White Sand

Will update, as needed.

Edited December 10, 2024 by Treamayne

Wittles · February 23, 2023

2 minutes ago, Invocation said:

Mistborn and Elantris are both solid entry points into everything cosmere, but Warbreaker can also be pretty solid as well. Elantris was published first, so if you want to go all the way on publication date as your reading order, that'd be a good place. Warbreaker has soul vampires. Mistborn has a lot going on, and it's all very fun.

I second this. Basically don't read Stormlight Archive first unless you are willing to have minor spoilers for Warbreaker and a few others and be thrown completely headfirst into the cosmere

StormingTexan · February 23, 2023

Pretty much the same advice either Mistborn (original trilogy), or Warbreaker. I hesitate to recommend Elantris to start with. It is not a bad book but this was his first published Cosmere book and in my opinion the other ones I mentioned are more solid. I would 100% recommend reading Elantris but maybe not first. After that publication order is a great option and probably the least spoilery

offer · February 23, 2023

12 hours ago, SparrowTheSparrow said:

hi! I have read some of Sanderson's non-cosmere books, but haven't started on any in the joint universe yet. I don't have anything to read at the moment, but have no clue where to start. Any advice/suggestions for a good beginning? I like fantasy a lot, so the more magic the more fun >:D

If you like epic fantasy than I recommend starting with the Stormlight Archive. It has the most world building by far and in my opinion is the best entry point to the cosmere.

If you already read some of Brandon`s other works and liked them then you can also start with mistborn or some of the short stories (The emperor`s soul, Sixth of the dusk for example).

Sky Breaker · February 28, 2023

I don’t know but reading stormlight first was a really surreal experience but still fun but if I could go go back I wouldn’t have started it till the first five were out

SodiumIsSalty · March 8, 2023

I at this point while helping a friend have in my opinion created the perfect Cosmere reading list so here's the order I'd recommend:

Warbreaker
Elantris
Final Empire
Well of Ascension
Hero of Ages
Alloy of Law
Shadows of Self
Bands of Mourning
Mistborn Secret History
Sixth of Dusk
Emperor's Soul
The Way of Kings
Words of Radiance
Edge Dancer
Oathbringer
Dawnshard
Rhythm of War
The Lost Metal
Tress and the Emerald Sea

People who have already read the cosmere may note that White Sand and Shadows for Silence are missing but I honestly don't know where to fit those two.

+Lewis Nethur · March 8, 2023

Way of kings!

Immortal Platypus · March 8, 2023

I wouldn't start with that, but it's a great book!

Tonitaro · December 7, 2024

On 2/24/2023 at 10:31 PM, Treamayne said:

This is what I generally tell people at work (order is publishing order) - is to start with these three in any order that appeals to you:

Elantris - It's a stand-alone (for now - 1 Short Story and one tangentially related Novella) and was the first published. Start here if you really like political intrigue books and a cerebral atmosphere. Less action than Mistborn or Warbreaker, until the end.

Mistborn Trilogy (Book 1 Mistborn: The Final Empire / Era 1) - It's a Trilogy (so more initial time investment) but it is packed with action, great magic, great (dystopian) worldbuilding. Some political intrigue - can be a lot to take in at once for some readers.

Warbreaker - Stand-alone (for now - no short stories). About mid-way between the the first two in both action and politics. The world is specifically meant to contrast to Mistborn's setting (so I recommend reading this either right before or right after Mistborn) and introduces many important things for shared universe (Cosmere)

The full list I made for friends and coworkers (recommendations, not requirements):

Hide contents

The first three in any order based on reader's preference on the action-politics scale:

Mistborn Era 1

The Final Empire

Well of Ascension

Hero of Ages

The Eleventh Metal (Short Story) takes place before The Final Empire - but may be read after the Trilogy)

Warbreaker

Elantris

Hope of Elantris (Short Story) - anytime after finishing Elantris

The Emperor's Soul - should always be next after those three in any order - this is the best introduction to understanding some of the fundamentals of how different series are related and connect

Followed by these caveates for the remaining works

Stormlight Archive

Read at least Warbreaker and Mistborn Era 1 before starting this

Can fit other works between SA novels if you like to switch things up and not tackle 4 1000+ page books in a row

Note that if you prefer Audio or eBook, the books contain some amazing and important art that you may miss in audio or only see well with an eBook on PC (but can also be found on Coppermind Art Pages)

Mistborn: Secret History

Do not read before Bands of Mourning (Spoilers)

White Sand (prose or graphic novel/omnibus just released on the Dynamite website)

Anytime after The Emperor's Soul

Read before Rhythm of War

Non-canon unpublished Prose version available by joining the newsletter) - The forum section discusses differences to Canon Graphic Novel

Allow of Law

Anytime after The Emperor's Soul

Mistborn Era 2 Trilogy

Shadows of Self - Anytime after Alloy of Law

Bands of Mourning - Anytime after Shadows of Self

The Lost Metal - Do not read before Rhythm of War (Spoilers)

Sixth of the Dusk (novella)

Anytime after The Emperor's Soul (Highly recommend the Shadows Beneath version*)

Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell (novella)

Anytime after The Emperor's Soul

Read before Oathbringer

Silverlight Essays (from the section headers in Arcanum Unbounded)

Each essay should be read after reading at least the primary work for that "world"

If you want to read them all together, read at least Mistborn Era 1, Allow of Law, Elantris, the Way of Kings then you can read all of them in Arcanum Unbounded and read the Novellas (except below) there paired with their essay

Edgedancer comes after Words of Radiance

Mistborn: Secret History has spoilers for Bands of Mourning

Tress of the Emerald Sea

Anytime after The Emperor's Soul and Sixth of the Dusk

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter

Anytime after The Emperor's Soul and Sixth of the Dusk

Do not read before Oathbringer (Spoilers)

The Sunlit Man

Do not read before Shadows for Silence in theForests of Hell

Recommended after Rhythm of War and The Lost Metal (Spoilers/Context)

**********

Rough Cosmere Internal Timeline

*Note the reading order does not match the internal timeline

Dragonsteel (Not published)

White Sand

Elantris

Mistborn Era 1

Warbreaker

Stormlight Archive Cycle 1 (Books 1-5)

Mistborn Era 2

Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell

Stormlight Archive Cycle 2 (Books 6-10)

Mistborn Era 3

Silverlight Essays (from Arcanum Unbounded)

Sixth of the Dusk

The Sunlit Man (not definitive - most likely shortly before or after Sixth - confirmed before Yumi)

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter (not definitive - most likely shortly before or after Sixth - likely before Tress)

Tress of the Emerald Sea (not definitive - most likely shortly before or after Sixth)

Mistborn Era 4

Some people do start with Stormlight Archive (Book 1 - The Way of Kings), but I do not recommend that. Of the people I know that have started here, most have regretted it; or finished book 1, then moved to other Cosmere works between books in this series (*see example explanation below). Each book is quite large (1000+ pages) and while Book 1 can be safely read early, later books can quickly have references or spoilers for things you have not yet read (as @Witless of Shinovar mentioned).

It's certainly not wrong to start here - it is epic and long and wonderful. just understand the trade-off you will have by making that decision.

*That specific example: The individual read SA Book 1, Mistborn Era 1, Warbreaker, SA Book 2, Edgedancer, Elantris, SA Book 3 etc

***********

*Shadows Beneath is the "Writing Excuses" anthology and includes novellas from Sanderson, Mary Robinette Kowal, Dan Wells and Howard Tayler. For each story it includes:

Reveal hidden contents

Final Draft

Transcript of the 'Workshopping" podcast

First Draft

Transcript of the "Alpha read feedback" podcast

Edit Draft

Author's Notes

Hello everybody, I know its early but could someone tell what the requirements for Wind and Truth are (when they are finished reading it). I am currently on Rythm of War in my journey and I am wondering if mistborn era 2 or the secret projects are required to get all the cosmere relations in Wind and Truth.

Tonitaro · December 10, 2024

On 12/8/2024 at 12:02 AM, Treamayne said:

Secret Projects are unlikely, because they are in the future of the Cosmere. As of part one, references include:

Reveal hidden contents

Warbreaker, Mistborn Era 1, Elantris

Will update, as needed.

Thanks for the first update on part 1, I hope you are enjoying your read! Also thanks for the reading order suggestions in the original post, been following it to the core!

A lot of people mention online to read sunlit man as a kind of stormlight 4.5, (also brandon sanderson says to read it in between RoW and WaT). I also saw some people mentioning that they regret reading it prior to WaT. So I am not sure what to do.

Treamayne · December 10, 2024

On 12/7/2024 at 9:39 AM, Tonitaro said:

Hello everybody, I know its early but could someone tell what the requirements for Wind and Truth are (when they are finished reading it). I am currently on Rythm of War in my journey and I am wondering if mistborn era 2 or the secret projects are required to get all the cosmere relations in Wind and Truth.

I'm unsure what you may have read other than Stormlight Archive, but we have been compiling references here. Not quite done, but there may be references noted from Books 1-3 that you may not have read yet that could be a good idea to read before WaT. For example - Stormlight Archive books 2-5 all have repeated references from White Sand (which I know is a commonly skipped Cosmere title). Versions Comparison.

5 minutes ago, Tonitaro said:

Thanks for the first update on part 1, I hope you are enjoying your read! Also thanks for the reading order suggestions in the original post, been following it to the core!

A lot of people mention online to read sunlit man as a kind of stormlight 4.5, (also brandon sanderson says to read it in between RoW and WaT). I also saw some people mentioning that they regret reading it prior to WaT. So I am not sure what to do.

I, personally, would not recommend Sunlit Man before SA5. I know they were published in that order, and that Brandon went out of his way to make sure TSM did not spoil WaT directly - but there is enough about TSM that is "murky" that reading it after SA5 would, I think, make the entire experience more pleasant.

Tonitaro · December 11, 2024

11 hours ago, Treamayne said:

I'm unsure what you may have read other than Stormlight Archive, but we have been compiling references here. Not quite done, but there may be references noted from Books 1-3 that you may not have read yet that could be a good idea to read before WaT. For example - Stormlight Archive books 2-5 all have repeated references from White Sand (which I know is a commonly skipped Cosmere title). Versions Comparison.

I, personally, would not recommend Sunlit Man before SA5. I know they were published in that order, and that Brandon went out of his way to make sure TSM did not spoil WaT directly - but there is enough about TSM that is "murky" that reading it after SA5 would, I think, make the entire experience more pleasant.

Okay, then I will probably read Wind and Truth (hate to buy the standard paperback, cause now I already have 4 mass print paperbacks) and then continue onto Mistborn era 2 and the secret Projects.

I have read everything Cosmere related except for White Sand (I am not really a graphic novel or audiobook guy, so I am going to wait for the novel to release), Mistborn era 2 (all 4 books and the arcanum unbounded stuff), Yumi, Tress and the Sunlit Man.

Thank you for your help!

Treamayne · December 11, 2024

1 hour ago, Tonitaro said:

I have read everything Cosmere related except for White Sand (I am not really a graphic novel or audiobook guy, so I am going to wait for the novel to release), Mistborn era 2 (all 4 books and the arcanum unbounded stuff), Yumi, Tress and the Sunlit Man.

No worries. Have you considered the current prose version (non-Canon) then using one or more of the Comparison Threads and/or White Sand Summary and Ars Arcanum to identify the differences (mentioned in the previously-linked versions thread)?

Slight Spoilers:

Spoiler

The most referenced applicable portion in SA is this Ars Arcanum entry.

Of course, it's your choice to wait - I only mention it because many who are "waiting" don't realize there are alternatives (hence the thread linked above).

Hope that helps

PanicPug · December 11, 2024

As for the original question

On 2/23/2023 at 4:43 AM, SparrowTheSparrow said:

hi! I have read some of Sanderson's non-cosmere books, but haven't started on any in the joint universe yet. I don't have anything to read at the moment, but have no clue where to start. Any advice/suggestions for a good beginning? I like fantasy a lot, so the more magic the more fun >:D

I'd say it depends on what kind of stories and settings you enjoy the most. I feel like there's many great every points into the Cosmere and so far most of the references for other books are written in a way that aren't really spoiling much of any given story. While some of the later books in some series (especially TLM, ROW and WAT) or the Secret Projects feature more Cosmere connections, mostly it's written so that they work without having read any other novel. When they reference other stories it's also usually obscure enough that it just hints at plot points in a way where you understand it if you know the story in question, but it's nebulous enough that it doesn't take anything away if you don't (if that makes sense).

With that in mind, as mentioned earlier, for reading order there are a couple of viable options imo: taste based, publication history based, in-world chronologically based and probably others as well.

In world chronology is broadly the same as publication history though with a few outliers.

Publication history has the caveat that generally speaking the quality of the books improves with time, so if you go by that you'd start with the weaker ones (although that's probably subject for debate too).

Taste based might give you small spoilers, though as I wrote earlier, imo nothing that destroys the enjoyment of other stories (with the asterisk of Mistborn: Secret History which I'd recommend only after Mistborn Eras 1 & 2).

I myself started with Stormlight Archive 1-3, Edgedancer, Mistborn 1-6 and only then Elantris, Warbreaker and the short stories in Arcanum Unbounded and White Sand. And I enjoyed it very much, even on this"wrong" order

These days when I recommend Cosmere books I try to see what the person's interests are and choose a corresponding book, because the whole Cosmere is quite daunting for many and most of the books or series can still be read quite standalone so far.

To finish this up, I think there are many great entry points for many tastes and preferences:

The Stormlight Archive: epic fantasy in a war-torn world of magical storms

Mistborn Era 1: apocalyptic action fantasy about a group of magical thieves

Elantris: magical mystery in and around a prison city

Warbreaker: political fantasy in a city of living gods

Mistborn Era 2: detective stories in a wild west/steampunk world

The Emperor's Soul: chamber play about an imprisoned magical master forger receiving an unexpected job offer

Tress Of The Emerald Sea: pirate fairy tale

Yumi And The Nightmare Painter: romance about star crossed lovers with magical jobs

Hope this helps you a bit and that you have a great time with the Cosmere.

Edited December 11, 2024 by PanicPug

IcedOutPenguin · December 13, 2024

Start with Mistborn

then do Stormlight Archive

then Elantris

then Warbreaker

then all other books in any order (except Sunlit Man which has to be last)

Tonitaro · December 19, 2024

On 12/8/2024 at 12:02 AM, Treamayne said:

Secret Projects are unlikely, because they are in the future of the Cosmere. As of Days 1-2, references include:

Hide contents

Warbreaker, Mistborn Era 1, Elantris, White Sand

Will update, as needed.

About to start WaT and was wondering if you finished the book or most oft it. Are there references from other books?

Treamayne · December 20, 2024

On 12/7/2024 at 6:02 PM, Treamayne said:

Secret Projects are unlikely, because they are in the future of the Cosmere. As of Days 1-2, references include:

Hide contents

Warbreaker, Mistborn Era 1, Elantris, White Sand

1 hour ago, Tonitaro said:

About to start WaT and was wondering if you finished the book or most oft it. Are there references from other books?

Good timing, I just finished today. I would say the only thing I may add to that list is:

Spoiler

Mistborn:Secret History (more easter egg/reference than spoiler)

Sixth of the Dusk (easter egg)

Probably the one most important to understanding the story/spoilers remains:

Spoiler

Warbreaker

Hope that helps

Tonitaro · December 20, 2024

10 hours ago, Treamayne said:

Good timing, I just finished today. I would say the only thing I may add to that list is:

Reveal hidden contents

Mistborn:Secret History (more easter egg/reference than spoiler)

Sixth of the Dusk (easter egg)

Probably the one most important to understanding the story/spoilers remains:

Reveal hidden contents

Warbreaker

Hope that helps

I have not read the secret history yet since I planned on reading that after bands of mourning. But I don’t want to delay WaT and read all of Mistborn Era 2 first. I think thats a worse reading experience overall.

Thanks for your help and I hoped you enjoyed the book!

Treamayne · December 20, 2024

35 minutes ago, Tonitaro said:

I have not read the secret history yet since I planned on reading that after bands of mourning. But I don’t want to delay WaT and read all of Mistborn Era 2 first. I think thats a worse reading experience overall.

No worries. I always say the only correct reading order is the one a person chooses for themselves with an informed decision.

Slight non-plot Spoilers

Spoiler

If you missed the spoiler/reference in RoW, then you will likely not catch the references/spoilers in WaT on the first reading. Hindsight or a seccond reading should clear up any confusion - or you can always ask here.

Good luck and hope you enjoy.

Cerulean · January 2, 2025

On 3/8/2023 at 2:02 PM, SodiumIsSalty said:

I at this point while helping a friend have in my opinion created the perfect Cosmere reading list so here's the order I'd recommend:

Warbreaker

Elantris

Final Empire

Well of Ascension

Hero of Ages

Alloy of Law

Shadows of Self

Bands of Mourning

Mistborn Secret History

Sixth of Dusk

Emperor's Soul

The Way of Kings

Words of Radiance

Edge Dancer

Oathbringer

Dawnshard

Rhythm of War

The Lost Metal

Tress and the Emerald Sea

People who have already read the cosmere may note that White Sand and Shadows for Silence are missing but I honestly don't know where to fit those two.

Personally I would not read Mistborn era two directly after era 1

My order, which i enjoyed a ton was:

Mistborn era 1

warbreaker

elantris (+ emperors soul)

era 2

stormlight

then you can read anything else in any order imho

chongjasmine · January 12, 2025

I believe starting with Elantris or any of the standalones will be good.

SpookFan · September 3, 2025

I just read MB Era 1 then Eleventh Metal. So I was hoping if I give a bit of preference I might get a more detailed guide on reading order.
1-I read my fantasy series back to back without interference from outside the world palate cleansers. My brain was not made that way. lol
2-I have every Cosmere book incl Arcanum Unbound, through Wind and Truth, (except White Sand which I’ll get in graphic novel or prose or both when I’m ready for it) so I’d like to read the short stories and novellas where they best fit in the timeline

3- I realllllly like chronological reading orders. I love seeing connections as easily as possible, I love references I can pick up quickly otherwise it’s a deep dive and I’m down rabbit holes for days. Lol.
4- I see a lot of suggestions that read like “read this before this but not after that but if you do that then read it before this” and I’m lost. Just a list would be amazing. (Reasons given WITH a list - yes please and thank you!)

I know it’s a lot to ask. But if anyone’s interested in helping a newbie out I would be so sincerely grateful. Thank you!

Treamayne · September 3, 2025

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8 hours ago, SpookFan said:

I just read MB Era 1 then Eleventh Metal. So I was hoping if I give a bit of preference I might get a more detailed guide on reading order.
1-I read my fantasy series back to back without interference from outside the world palate cleansers. My brain was not made that way. lol
2-I have every Cosmere book incl Arcanum Unbound, through Wind and Truth, (except White Sand which I’ll get in graphic novel or prose or both when I’m ready for it) so I’d like to read the short stories and novellas where they best fit in the timeline

3- I realllllly like chronological reading orders. I love seeing connections as easily as possible, I love references I can pick up quickly otherwise it’s a deep dive and I’m down rabbit holes for days. Lol.
4- I see a lot of suggestions that read like “read this before this but not after that but if you do that then read it before this” and I’m lost. Just a list would be amazing. (Reasons given WITH a list - yes please and thank you!)

So - recap confirmation:

You have access to all of the books except White Sand
You want to minimize Spoilers, while maximizing the ability to see Connections
You want to keep Series as "in order as possible" and fit the Short Stories and novellas in between the bigger series.
Chronological when possible, but avoiding spoilers/confusion is more important
- Otherwise White Sand should be your first (which you don't have) because that is the earliest book so far
- Chronology Timeline was also in the linked post above

My full "informed decision" list in this thread is here - but it is likely one of the ones that were causing you confusion. If yes, my apologies.
A lot of that is when making generic references to help inform decisions, I can't know what work they started with and what works they have available, so it needs to cover the bases as well as possible.

Based on those Criteria, I would suggest the following:

Spoiler

~~Mistborn Era 1~~
- ~~The Final Empire~~ Complete
  - ~~The Eleventh Metal~~ Complete
- ~~The Well of Ascension~~ Complete
- ~~The Hero of Ages~~ Complete
Warbreaker (Because Brandon suggested it specifically contrast to Mistborn Era 1 - both setting and characters)
Elantris 10th Anniversary Edition
- Arcanum Unbounded (AU) Essay: Sel
- The Hope of Elantris (Timeline overlaps)
The Emperor's Soul (Same world as Elantris - Elantris Easter Eggs -
- also the foundation for understanding what all of the various magics have in-common)
White Sand (if you have it by this point - link decribes the different versions with pros and cons)
AU Essay: Taldain (even if you skip White Sand, read this here)
Mistborn Era 2
- The Alloy of Law
  - AU Essay: Scadrial*
  - Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania
- Shadows of Self
- The Bands of Mourning
- Mistborn: Secret History
- You can technically finish Era 2 with The Lost Metal Here, I but I really recommend you wait -
  - there is a multi-year in-world time skip before TLM as well
Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell
- AU Essay: Threnody
Sixth of the Dusk (You can skip this if you want, since the story itself is reprinted inside of Isles of the Emberdark with a few Canon changes)
- AU Essay: Drominad (unless skipping Dusk)
The Stormlight Archive - First half
- The Way of Kings
- Words of Radiance
  - AU Essay: Roshar
  - Edgedancer
- Oathbringer
  - Dawnshard
- Rhythm of War
- Wind and Truth
The Lost Metal
The Sunlit Man (SP4 - but connects back to WaT)
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
Tress of the Emerald Sea (connects to Isles)
AU Essay: Drominad (if skipped earlier)
Isles of the Emberdark (connects to Tress)

Author's Tips to spot Worldhoppers:

Spoiler

Worldhoppers—This is the term for people that move between worlds in the Cosmere. Some indications that a character on-screen (other than recognizing their name, when that has not been changed) may be a worldhopper include (but are not limited to):
—Malaproprisms or vocabulary that does not fit the context/setting
—Similes and metaphors from a different setting
—Descriptive similarity exemptions (looks/seems like [race/culture] except [feature/reason])
.............The Way of Kings Interlude 1 is a strong example of this.

Hope that helps

Edited September 3, 2025 by Treamayne
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