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Use the series-by-series orders below for the safest first read. A publicly confirmed chronology is included later, but it is incomplete and is best treated as optional context rather than a required checklist.
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What order should I read the Cosmere books in?
Pick one of Sanderson’s five recommended starting books, then stay in that series’ publication sequence until you reach a natural stopping point. This avoids skipped character arcs and preserves reveals that later books assume you already know.
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| Start here | Best fit if you want… | Commitment | Important caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mistborn: The Final Empire | A fast, heist-shaped epic with a clear trilogy arc | Three-book first era, with later eras available afterward | The Alloy of Law is a poor first book if you want to avoid spoilers for the original trilogy |
| The Emperor’s Soul | A short, self-contained story | Standalone novella | It introduces one world without serving as a complete tour of the Cosmere |
| The Way of Kings | A large-scale epic and long-term series commitment | Stormlight Archive sequence, including novellas | Start with book one; later Stormlight volumes build directly on earlier events |
| Elantris | A standalone novel, or fantasy with a relatively contained cast | One novel, with related short fiction | The Hope of Elantris is a companion story, not a replacement for the novel |
| Warbreaker | Romance alongside political and magical conflict | Standalone novel | It is an entry point, not the first volume of a numbered series |
Sanderson’s FAQ says, “That said, it really doesn’t matter which Cosmere series you start with.” The same guidance recommends sequential reading inside a series. In other words, there is a best order for each series, but no single first series that every reader must choose.
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These choices also differ in scale. A novella lets you sample one corner of the setting in a single sitting, while The Way of Kings begins a very long arc. A standalone novel gives you a complete narrative without a subscription-like commitment. Starting with Mistborn offers a clearly bounded trilogy before you decide whether to continue into another era. None of those differences makes one doorway more “correct” than another; they simply let you match the reading order to your available time and preferred style.
The safest first-time route: complete one series at a time
For a first pass, avoid alternating between series to imitate a theoretical universe chronology. The connections are designed to reward attentive readers, but individual novels remain readable on their own terms. Reading one sequence straight through lets you follow its terminology, characters and escalating stakes without repeatedly changing worlds.
- Choose one of the five entry books in the table.
- Read every main installment in that series’ order.
- Add a novella only at the placement shown below, when it has a specific spoiler relationship.
- Move to another series when you want a change of setting, not because a fan chronology says you must.
There is also no requirement to finish every Cosmere title before trying another. You can complete the original Mistborn trilogy, pause, and read Warbreaker or Elantris as a change of pace. The important rule is local: once you start a numbered sequence, do not skip ahead merely because another book appears earlier on a cross-world timeline.
Mistborn reading order
Mistborn is divided into eras. The first era is a complete trilogy. The Wax and Wayne era takes place later and should normally follow the original trilogy.
Era 1: the original trilogy
- Mistborn: The Final Empire
- The Well of Ascension
- The Hero of Ages
This is the cleanest Mistborn introduction. The three novels form one continuous arc, so do not begin with the second or third volume. Finishing the trilogy also gives you the background needed to recognize later references and historical consequences.
Era 2: Wax and Wayne
- The Alloy of Law
- Shadows of Self
- The Bands of Mourning
- The Lost Metal
Sanderson specifically warns that The Alloy of Law can give away information from the original trilogy. It is technically an entry point into a different period, but readers who are spoiler-sensitive should finish Era 1 first. The later Wax and Wayne books continue its characters and setting, so read them in the order listed.
Era 2 also has a different flavor from the first trilogy. That tonal and historical shift is a reason to treat it as a second stage, not as a replacement beginning. If you want to know whether you like Mistborn’s central magic before making a longer commitment, read Era 1 first and decide afterward whether the later era appeals to you.
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Mistborn: Secret History appears in Arcanum Unbounded and depends on knowledge from the original Mistborn books. The collection’s official description establishes that it is a Mistborn story, but does not prescribe one universal, spoiler-free placement for every reader. For a first read, finish the original trilogy before opening it; readers who want to avoid later-era context can consult a spoiler warning before deciding whether to read it before or after The Bands of Mourning.
Stormlight Archive reading order
Stormlight is the Cosmere’s largest ongoing sequence. Read the numbered novels in order and use the novellas at their natural breaks.
- The Way of Kings
- Words of Radiance
- Edgedancer (novella; read after Words of Radiance)
- Oathbringer
- Dawnshard (novella; read after Oathbringer)
- Rhythm of War
- Wind and Truth
The official Stormlight listing identifies Wind and Truth as book five and the climax of the first arc. Do not use it as an entry point: its plot assumes the preceding novels and novellas. Editions can package the novellas differently, so check the contents of the edition you own; the story placement does not change.
The novellas are optional in the sense that the main novels remain the numbered backbone, but they are not interchangeable bonus chapters. Edgedancer follows Words of Radiance and belongs before Oathbringer; Dawnshard follows Oathbringer and belongs before Rhythm of War. Reading them at those breaks gives their characters and events the intended context.
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Standalone Cosmere novels and novellas
Elantris and The Hope of Elantris
Elantris is a standalone novel and one of Sanderson’s recommended starting points. The Hope of Elantris is a shorter story connected to that world. Read the novel first, then treat the short story as optional companion material.
The Emperor’s Soul
This standalone novella is one of the author’s five suggested entry books. Its shorter length makes it useful when you want a complete story before committing to a multi-volume epic. It shares the wider Cosmere setting but does not require another series first.
Warbreaker
Warbreaker is another standalone entry. Sanderson’s official guidance specifically points to it for readers who like romance. Read it as a complete novel; no preceding Cosmere book is required.
Tress of the Emerald Sea and Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
Sanderson’s 2025 State of the Sanderson places both books in “Hoid’s Travails” and says they have no specific numbers because they can be read in any order. They are therefore flexible standalone choices rather than installments that must be inserted into an older, rigid sequence. If you have already read other Cosmere series, you may notice more connections; those connections are optional enrichment, not prerequisites.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesBecause both are order-flexible, choose between them by premise, format or mood rather than by a supposed universal chronology. Their flexible status does not mean that every other Cosmere book can be rearranged in the same way: numbered series and spoiler-sensitive companion stories still benefit from their local sequence.
White Sand
White Sand is presented in graphic-novel format. Sanderson’s current catalog groups its volumes with the Cosmere works, but format and edition details vary. If you choose it, read the graphic-novel volumes in their numbered order and verify which edition or omnibus you are buying.
What counts as a Cosmere book?
The Cosmere is Sanderson’s shared creation myth and cosmology: different worlds have their own casts and magic systems, while selected concepts and characters connect them. The core catalog includes the Mistborn saga, The Stormlight Archive, Elantris, Warbreaker, newer standalone Secret Projects, White Sand graphic novels and short-fiction collections.
Do not automatically add every Sanderson fantasy or science-fiction title to this list. Skyward is outside the Cosmere, and his novels written for The Wheel of Time are part of that established universe rather than Cosmere entries. Keeping that boundary clear prevents a general author bibliography from becoming an inaccurate reading order.
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Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection is a convenient physical collection, not one continuous novel. Its official contents include:
- “The Hope of Elantris”
- “The Eleventh Metal”
- “The Emperor’s Soul”
- “Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania”
- A White Sand excerpt
- “Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell”
- “Sixth of the Dusk”
- “Mistborn: Secret History”
- “Edgedancer”
The book also contains essays and illustrations about the Cosmere’s planetary systems. Because the stories belong to different worlds and have different spoiler contexts, do not assume that the table of contents is a recommended reading sequence. Instead, identify each story’s parent series and use the placement below.
| Story | Use this placement |
|---|---|
| “The Hope of Elantris” | After Elantris |
| “The Eleventh Metal” | After you understand the original Mistborn trilogy; it is optional background fiction |
| “The Emperor’s Soul” | Any time as a standalone entry, or alongside the other Sel-based material |
| “Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania” | After beginning the Wax and Wayne era, when you recognize its setting and tone |
| White Sand excerpt | As a preview, or after deciding whether to read the full graphic novels |
| “Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell” | As an independent short story; it is not a Stormlight or Mistborn installment |
| “Sixth of the Dusk” | As an independent story, with its place in the broad chronology treated as optional |
| “Mistborn: Secret History” | After the original Mistborn trilogy; check spoiler guidance before placing it relative to Era 2 |
| “Edgedancer” | After Words of Radiance and before Oathbringer |
The collection is excellent for convenience, but reading it from the first page to the last can move you abruptly between settings and reveal information from series you have not started. Use it as a shelf of optional stories rather than as a single mandatory stage in your Cosmere journey. If you buy an individual novella instead, confirm that it is the complete story and not merely an excerpt or preview.
The publicly confirmed chronology, and why it is optional
Sanderson’s chronology FAQ uses the wording, “Here is the order that I have publicly confirmed.” Its broad sequence is:
| Approximate position | Works or era |
|---|---|
| 1 | Elantris |
| 2 | The Emperor’s Soul |
| 3 | The original Mistborn trilogy |
| 4 | Warbreaker |
| 5 | Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell |
| 6 | The Stormlight Archive |
| 7 | The Wax and Wayne era of Mistborn |
| 8 | Sixth of the Dusk |
| 9 | A future Mistborn trilogy |
This list is deliberately limited to material Sanderson has publicly confirmed. It says that other books and stories fit into the chronology, so it is not a complete inventory. It also predates Tress of the Emerald Sea and Yumi and the Nightmare Painter; the 2025 update treats those two Hoid’s Travails books as order-flexible rather than assigning them fixed numbers.
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Chronological order can be interesting on a reread, especially if you enjoy tracking the Cosmere’s shared mythology. It is not a spoiler-safe substitute for series order, and it should not be presented as the one definitive way to read every Cosmere story. A chronology table is therefore best used as a map of broad historical placement, not as a demand to interrupt a trilogy or postpone a standalone you are excited to read.
Choose your starting point by reading preference
You want a focused trilogy
Start with Mistborn: The Final Empire, then read The Well of Ascension and The Hero of Ages. This gives you a complete first arc before you decide whether to continue into the later era.
You want the shortest commitment
Choose The Emperor’s Soul. It is a standalone novella, so you can finish a complete story without signing up for a long sequence.
You want the biggest epic
Choose The Way of Kings. Be prepared for a substantial series commitment and keep the Stormlight order intact, including Edgedancer and Dawnshard.
You usually do not read fantasy
Sanderson’s official entry guidance suggests Elantris for someone who does not typically read fantasy. Its standalone structure lets you test the setting without beginning a multi-series project.
You want romance alongside the fantasy
The author specifically suggests Warbreaker for readers who enjoy romance. Read it on its own before deciding whether to explore the larger Cosmere.
You are most worried about spoilers
Begin with the first book of a series, not a later-era entry. In particular, finish the original Mistborn trilogy before The Alloy of Law, and finish the relevant Stormlight novels before reading the Stormlight novellas in Arcanum Unbounded.
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Common mistakes to avoid
- Starting with a sequel because it looks shorter: Later installments assume knowledge from earlier books and can reveal major turns.
- Treating the chronology as complete: The author’s published list is explicitly partial.
- Reading Arcanum Unbounded straight through: Its stories cross settings and series; place each one by context.
- Assuming every Sanderson fantasy book is Cosmere: The Cosmere is the shared creation myth and cosmology linking worlds such as Mistborn, Elantris, Warbreaker and Stormlight. Works such as Skyward and his Wheel of Time novels are not Cosmere reading-order entries.
- Inserting every Easter egg into a first-read checklist: Sanderson says inter-book details can enrich rereads but are not required to enjoy individual novels.
- Ignoring edition differences: Novellas may be sold separately, in collections or in different formats. Check the contents of your edition, especially for White Sand and Stormlight companion books.
- Assuming a collection’s page order is canonical: A contents list tells you what is included, not necessarily when each story is safest to read.
- Expecting a fixed place for every new standalone: Tress and Yumi are specifically described as order-flexible, so forcing them into an older numbered chronology creates false precision.
A practical first-read plan
- Pick your doorway: Choose Mistborn for a trilogy, The Emperor’s Soul for a novella, The Way of Kings for an epic, Elantris for a standalone fantasy test, or Warbreaker for romance and political fantasy.
- Finish the local sequence: Follow the ordered lists above rather than jumping to whichever title has the most familiar cover.
- Add companion fiction deliberately: Place Edgedancer and Dawnshard at their Stormlight breaks; place Elantris and Mistborn short fiction only after the parent books.
- Branch out afterward: Once one series is complete, choose another based on mood. You do not need to restart from the beginning of the Cosmere.
- Use chronology on a reread: Compare the broad confirmed sequence with your own preferred series order, while remembering that it omits works and may change as new books are published.
If you are buying a collection, check whether it contains the complete novella, an excerpt, or an edition-specific bonus. This matters most for White Sand and for Stormlight companion material, which may appear as separate books, bundled editions or sections within a larger volume. The safest decision is always based on the contents page of the exact format you plan to read.
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Keeping the order current
Cosmere catalogs change as new novels, novellas, editions and collections appear. The safest practice is to check Sanderson’s current series listings for newly released volumes and to confirm the contents of any omnibus before buying or reading it. At present, Wind and Truth is identified as Stormlight book five and the first arc’s climax, while Tress of the Emerald Sea and Yumi and the Nightmare Painter remain order-flexible Hoid’s Travails books under the author’s 2025 guidance.
If a future update adds a title to the public chronology, treat that as new context rather than a reason to interrupt a series already in progress. Series sequence remains the most stable and spoiler-conscious rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put the Cosmere books in chronological order?
Sanderson’s publicly confirmed broad order is Elantris, The Emperor’s Soul, the original Mistborn trilogy, Warbreaker, “Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell,” the Stormlight Archive, the Wax and Wayne Mistborn era, “Sixth of the Dusk” and a future Mistborn trilogy. He also says that list is incomplete, so it is context rather than a definitive checklist.
Do I have to start with Mistborn?
No. Sanderson says it does not matter which Cosmere series you start with and names five entry points: Mistborn: The Final Empire, The Emperor’s Soul, The Way of Kings, Elantris and Warbreaker. Choose according to the length, tone and scale you want.
Can I read The Alloy of Law first?
You can, but Sanderson warns that it gives away information from the original Mistborn trilogy. To avoid that spoiler, read Mistborn: The Final Empire, The Well of Ascension and The Hero of Ages before beginning the Wax and Wayne books.
Where does Edgedancer belong?
Read Edgedancer after Words of Radiance and before Oathbringer. It is included in Arcanum Unbounded but is a Stormlight novella, so the collection’s table of contents should not determine its placement.
Where does Dawnshard belong?
Read Dawnshard after Oathbringer and before Rhythm of War. Editions vary in how they package Stormlight novellas, so check that your copy contains the complete story.
Should I read Arcanum Unbounded from beginning to end?
Not necessarily. It is a collection of stories, essays and illustrations from several worlds, not one continuous novel. Place each story with its parent series: for example, read “The Hope of Elantris” after Elantris, “Edgedancer” between the second and third Stormlight novels, and Mistborn: Secret History after the original trilogy with its Era 2 spoiler caveat.
Can Tress of the Emerald Sea and Yumi and the Nightmare Painter be read in either order?
Yes. Sanderson’s 2025 update groups them as “Hoid’s Travails” and says they have no specific numbers because they can be read in any order. They remain standalone choices, although previous Cosmere reading may make some connections more noticeable.
Are Skyward and Sanderson’s Wheel of Time books part of this order?
No. The Cosmere is the shared setting and cosmology behind works such as Mistborn, Elantris, Warbreaker and The Stormlight Archive. Skyward and Sanderson’s Wheel of Time novels belong to other universes and should not be added to a Cosmere reading list.
The Bottom Line
The simplest answer is: start anywhere Sanderson recommends, then read that series in order. Choose Mistborn for a complete trilogy, The Emperor’s Soul for a short standalone, The Way of Kings for the largest epic, Elantris for a contained fantasy novel, or Warbreaker for romance and political conflict. Save cross-series chronology and optional short fiction for later, and remember that The Alloy of Law can spoil the original Mistborn trilogy.
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