Brandon Sanderson
Reading Order Guide.
Brandon Sanderson (born December 19, 1975) is an American author known for his intricate and imaginative works in the genres of fantasy and science fiction. Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, Sanderson developed a passion for writing at a young age. He attended Brigham Young University, where he studied English and later earned a master's degree in creative writing. Sanderson is best known for creating the Cosmere, a vast fictional universe that encompasses many of his fantasy novels, where they share subtle connections and a common mythology, including the *Mistborn* series and *The Stormlight Archive*. The *Mistborn* trilogy, starting with the novel [*Mistborn: The Final Empire*][3], is a thrilling fantasy heist story set in a dystopian world ruled by a tyrannical lord. *The Stormlight Archive*, starting with the novel [*The Way of Kings*][8], is an epic fantasy series that combines political intrigue, war, and extensive world-building. In addition to his work within the Cosmere, Sanderson completed [Robert Jordan's][4] epic fantasy series "The Wheel of Time" after Jordan's passing. He has also authored several young adult series, such as *The Reckoners* and the *Skyward* series. Sanderson's analytical approach to world-building includes his "Sanderson's Laws of Magic," which distinguish between "hard" and "soft" magic systems in fantasy literature. His ability to create immersive worlds and compelling characters has earned him a dedicated fan base and numerous accolades, including the Hugo Award in 2013 for his novella [*The Emperor's Soul*][5], the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award for his novels [*Elantris*][6] in 2005, and [The Hero of Ages][7] in 2008, as well as David Gemmell Legend Awards in 2011 for [*The Way of Kings*][8] and in 2015 for [*Words of Radiance*][9]. In 2022, Sanderson's Kickstarter campaign for four secret novels became the most successful in history, raising over $41 million. As of 2022, he is a co-creator and former host of the *Writing Excuses* podcast, an educational podcast for writers by writers that was started in 2008. (Sources: [1][1],[2][2]) [1]: https://www.brandonsanderson.com/pages/hello-my-names-brandon [2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandon_Sanderson [3]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL5738148W [4]: https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL233594A [5]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL19960448W [6]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL5738147W [7]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL5738154W [8]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL15358691W [9]: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL16813053W

New to Brandon?
Start with "Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians"
The most popular entry point is Alcatraz Versus The Evil Librarians. It introduces the core world-building and key themes found in the author's most acclaimed works.
Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians Series
Recommended reading order for the Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians universe.
Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians Series
Recommended reading order for the Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians universe.
Cosmere Short Fiction Series
Recommended reading order for the Cosmere Short Fiction universe.
Dark One Series
Recommended reading order for the Dark One universe.
Elantris Series
Recommended reading order for the Elantris universe.
Hoid's Travails Series
Recommended reading order for the Hoid's Travails universe.
Infinity Blade Series
Recommended reading order for the Infinity Blade universe.
Legion Series
Recommended reading order for the Legion universe.
Legion (Stephen Leeds) Series
Recommended reading order for the Legion (Stephen Leeds) universe.
Mistborn Series
Recommended reading order for the Mistborn universe.
Secret Projects Series
Recommended reading order for the Secret Projects universe.
Skyward (The Cytoverse) Series
Recommended reading order for the Skyward (The Cytoverse) universe.
Skyward series Series
Recommended reading order for the Skyward series universe.
The Cosmere (Secret Projects) Series
Recommended reading order for the The Cosmere (Secret Projects) universe.
The Reckoners Series
Recommended reading order for the The Reckoners universe.
The Stormlight Archive Series
Recommended reading order for the The Stormlight Archive universe.
Warbreaker Series
Recommended reading order for the Warbreaker universe.
White Sand (Graphic Novel) Series
Recommended reading order for the White Sand (Graphic Novel) universe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I start reading Brandon Sanderson?
For most new readers, the best place to start is the Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians series, beginning with the first book, "Alcatraz Versus The Evil Librarians".
How many series has Brandon Sanderson written?
We currently cover 18 series by Brandon Sanderson, spanning 70 books.
What is the correct reading order for Brandon Sanderson books?
We recommend reading each specific series in its Publication Order to preserve character reveals and plot twists as the author intended.