The Best Cosmere Reading Order to Follow in 2025

Are you a fan of Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere universe? With close to 30 books across different series and formats, it can be overwhelming to know where to start and in what order to read them. Fear not—I have compiled a guide to help you navigate the Cosmere reading order.

There are different ways to approach the Cosmere reading order, and it ultimately depends on your preference. You can choose to read them in publication order, series order, or chronological order.

Whichever order you choose, you should know that the books are interconnected and contain spoilers for each other. So, reading them in proper order is advisable to fully appreciate the universe that Sanderson has created.

However, it’s always best to read the books in their publication order when in doubt. This will allow you to appreciate the author’s improving skills and help you understand the book’s intricate details.

However, for Cosmere books, I would also recommend reading the books by series, i.e., reading one series entirely before moving on to the next, as that would help you better understand the Cosmere universe. I have mentioned that particular Cosmere reading order below, too!

But first, let’s start with the publication order for Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere books before moving on to the series order and the chronological order!

Cosmere Books Publication Order:

*Arcanum Unbounded is a collection of short stories and novellas set on various worlds in the Cosmere Universe. It was released in 2016, so most of the short stories and novellas set in Cosmere that were released before this date are part of this collection!

Cosmere Reading Order by Series:

Another great way to read the Cosmere books is to read them according to the series. This would eliminate the issue of jumping from one series to another to keep up with the chronology.

All you have to do is pick up a series, whether Mistborn or The Stormlight Archive, read all its books and novellas in order of publication, and move on to the next series.

Although it’s a great way to get acquainted with the Cosmere Universe, you must keep a few things in mind. The Mistborn series is split into Era 1 and Era 2, with a 300-year gap between them. So, don’t read all the Mistborn books in one go.

The final book in Mistborn Era 2, “The Lost Metal,” has major spoilers for The Stormlight Archive and the Cosmere as a whole, so I’d read it after reading the first four books in The Stormlight Archive series!

Plus, characters from Warbreaker appear in The Stormlight Archive, so it’s a good idea to read it before beginning the fantasy epic!

So, here’s how I’d recommend you to read Cosmere books. Please follow this exact order to enjoy the books without getting spoiled!

Elantris Series:

• Elantris
• The Hope of Elantris (Short Story)
• The Emperor’s Soul (Novella)

Mistborn Series (Era 1):

• Mistborn: The Final Empire
• The Eleventh Metal (Short Story)
• The Well of Ascension
• The Hero of Ages
• Mistborn: Secret History (Novella)

Standalone Novels:

• Warbreaker
• Shadows For Silence in the Forests of Hell (Novella)
• Sixth of the Dusk (Novella)

The Stormlight Archive Series:

• The Way of Kings
• Words of Radiance
• Edgedancer (Novella)
• Oathbringer
• Dawnshard (Novella)
• Rhythm of War
• Wind and Truth

Mistborn Series (Era 2):

• The Alloy of Law
• Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania (Short Story)
• Shadows of Self
• The Bands of Mourning
• The Lost Metal

White Sand Series:

• White Sand, Vol. 1
• White Sand, Vol. 2
• White Sand, Vol. 3

Secret Projects:

• Tress of the Emerald Sea
• Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
• The Sunlit Man

Note: You can read “Wind and Truth,” the fifth book in The Stormlight Archive series, after reading all the other books if you want, as it’s the latest entry in the Cosmere universe!

How to Read Cosmere Books in Chronological Order?

If you want to read the books in chronological order, i.e., following the timeline in the Cosmere universe, you should follow the list below.

I personally don’t think this is the best way to enjoy Cosmere, but you might find it enjoyable, especially if you are re-reading the books!

• White Sand, Vol. 1
• White Sand, Vol. 2
• White Sand, Vol. 3
• Elantris
• The Hope of Elantris – Short Story
• The Emperor’s Soul – A Novella
• The Eleventh Metal – Short Story
• Mistborn: The Final Empire
• The Well of Ascension
• The Hero of Ages
• Mistborn: Secret History – A Novella
• Warbreaker
• Shadows For Silence in the Forests of Hell – A Novella
• The Way of Kings
• Words of Radiance
• Edgedancer – A Novella
• Oathbringer
• Dawnshard – A Novella
• Rhythm of War
• Wind and Truth
• Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania – A Short Story
• The Alloy of Law
• Shadows of Self
• The Bands of Mourning
• The Lost Metal
• Tress of the Emerald Sea
• Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
• The Sunlit Man
• Sixth of the Dusk – A Novella

Note: There’s some debate about where to read Mistborn: Secret History novella as it’s set after Mistborn Era 1, but also contains spoilers for The Bands of Mourning. However, these spoilers are minor, so I recommend you read Secret History after finishing The Hero of Ages!

Also Read:
Throne of Glass Reading Order

Where to Start Reading Cosmere Books by Brandon Sanderson?

There are several different ways to approach reading the Cosmere. Some readers prefer to start with the Mistborn series, while others like The Way of Kings, the first book in the Stormlight Archive.

Ultimately, the best place to start is wherever you feel most comfortable. If you’re unsure where to begin, follow my recommendation and pick one of these books to start your Cosmere reading journey!

Here are a few suggested reading paths to help you navigate the Cosmere:

• Mistborn: The Final Empire: This is the first book in the Mistborn trilogy and a great introduction to the Cosmere. It’s a fast-paced heist story with a unique magic system and memorable characters. It is also one of the best books Brandon Sanderson has written!
• Elantris: This standalone novel is a good starting point for those who prefer a slower pace. It’s a character-driven story focusing on politics and religion, but it’s not as good as “The Final Empire!”
• Warbreaker: If you enjoy a mix of humor, action, and romance, “Warbreaker” is the perfect book to read. It’s a story about two sisters, one of whom is sent to marry the God-King of a neighboring kingdom!

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are several ways to approach reading the books in the Cosmere universe. Each approach has its own merits, and ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.

If you prefer to read the books in publication order, you should do that. I, too, think that’s the best way to read the Cosmere books. This approach allows you to see how Sanderson’s writing style and the universe evolved over time.

If you want to focus on a specific series, follow the series order. Read all the books and novellas in a series before moving on to the next.

You can also read the books in chronological order, which is a bit complicated as you’d have to jump between series to keep pace with the events happening. This approach allows you to see how the events in the different series are connected in the overall timeline of the Cosmere universe.

No matter which approach you choose, you should know that the books in the Cosmere universe are interconnected. There are many hidden connections and Easter eggs throughout the different series.

So, take your time, enjoy the journey, and don’t be afraid to read the books in the order that feels right to you. Share the Cosmere reading order with your friends, too, so they can join you on this fantastic journey!

Also Read: The Witcher Books in Order