The Stormlight Archive
Reading Order.
Start with The Way of Kings (2010).
An epic fantasy series set on the world of Roshar, focusing on the history and destiny of the Knights Radiant.
Where to start
Start with The Way of Kings (2010).
- •Edgedancer (between books 2 and 3) and Dawnshard (between 3 and 4) are optional novellas that matter for later books.
- •Stormlight is part of Sanderson's Cosmere. Reading Mistborn and Warbreaker first adds connections but isn't required.
- •Wind and Truth (2024) closes the first five-book arc.
Community Consensus
"Most users recommend starting with the original Mistborn trilogy (The Final Empire) as it is complete, highly beloved, and an easy entry point that stands on its own. The Stormlight Archive is widely praised as his best work, but reading the first Mistborn trilogy beforehand is advised. Elantris is strongly discouraged as a starting point, despite being chronologically early, because its quality might dissuade new readers from continuing with the author's other works."
Start with the Mistborn trilogy (The Final Empire). Read The Stormlight Archive after completing Mistborn.
At a Glance
- First Book:The Way of Kings
- Latest Book:Wind and Truth
- Timeline:2010 - 2024
Complete Series Reading Order
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View on Amazon →Frequently Asked Questions
What order should I read The Stormlight Archive in?
Start with The Way of Kings (2010).
How many books are in The Stormlight Archive?
5 main books, published 2010–2024, plus 2 side stories.
Can I read The Stormlight Archive out of order?
It's best not to. The books build on each other, so reading out of order spoils earlier twists.
Which books in The Stormlight Archive are prequels, novellas or side stories?
"Edgedancer" (novella), "Dawnshard" (novella). Each is placed in the reading order below.