Exploring Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere: Book Universe, Interconnections, and Entry Points
Uncover the intricate world of Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere with our comprehensive guide. Discover the interconnected books, hidden connections, and recommended starting points in this expansive universe.
Brandon Sanderson's fantasy novels, such as Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive, are all part of a shared fictional universe called the Cosmere. Sanderson's novels are very popular, and most modern fantasy fans have likely heard of his work or even tried reading one.
Brandon Sanderson has been writing fantasy novels since the mid-2000s, starting with his debut book, Elantris. His career in contemporary literature is highly celebrated and beloved by many. As his popularity has grown, Sanderson has become more interactive with his fans, engaging with readers on various platforms like YouTube, podcasts, websites, and social media.
Sanderson's universe may seem overwhelming at first, given the length of his novels and the idea of jumping between different series and standalone books. However, navigating the Cosmere is not as complicated as it may appear. Sanderson's transparency with his fans, such as updating percentage bars to track his writing progress, adds to the gratifying experience of being a Cosmere fan. Additionally, Sanderson surprises fans with extra novels or secret side projects, making the journey even more exciting.
What Exactly The "Cosmere" Is
Kelsier from Mistborn and book covers for Tress of the Emerald Sea and The Way of Kings - What Exactly The "Cosmere" Is
The Cosmere is a fictional universe with novels, short stories, novellas, and graphic novels in different fantasy subgenres. It includes various book series and standalone stories, sometimes connected by characters and overarching narratives. Reading them together can be as rewarding as exploring a comic book world.
In the Cosmere, there is a single creation myth and cosmology that forms the basis of magic across all connected worlds. Different novels and series take place on different planets within the Cosmere, and connections between them become clearer as you read more. Occasionally, characters from one series may make appearances in others, adding a fun element for observant readers.
Which Brandon Sanderson Books Are Part Of The Cosmere
Mistborn Era 2 The Alloy of Law Brandon Sanderson - Which Brandon Sanderson Books Are Part Of The Cosmere
Brandon Sanderson's debut novel, Elantris, marked his introduction to the expansive Cosmere universe. Despite his long career spanning almost two decades, Sanderson has not limited himself to this one fictional world. In addition to his work in the Cosmere, he played a significant role in completing The Wheel of Time series following Robert Jordan's passing. Furthermore, he has authored various other series, including the Alcatraz series for children, the Cytoverse series for young adults, and The Reckoners series featuring teenage superheroes.
Expanding beyond the boundaries of the Cosmere, Brandon Sanderson has created a diverse collection of related works. Among these, the Mistborn series stands out as the most extensive, with seven books already released. Set on the planet Scadrial, a key setting in the Cosmere universe, these novels unfold across two distinct "eras." The original trilogy is followed by a saga set centuries later, comprising four additional novels. With more Mistborn books in the pipeline, fans can anticipate further exploration of this richly imagined world in the upcoming series.
Other Cosmere novels, in addition to Mistborn, include The Stormlight Archive series and several standalone novels. The Stormlight Archive is considered Sanderson's most acclaimed and mature fantasy series, consisting of four books currently available. The fifth novel, Wind and Truth, is set to be released in December 2024, marking the completion of the series. Similar to Mistborn, a new era of The Stormlight Archive will be introduced with a time jump. Standalone novels within the Cosmere universe encompass Elantris, Warbreaker, Tress of the Emerald Sea, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter, and The Sunlit Man.
Brandon Sanderson's Books | |
|---|---|
In the Cosmere | Not in the Cosmere |
Elantris (2005) | Alcatraz (2007-2022) |
Mistborn Era 1 (2006-2008) | The Wheel of Time (2009-2013) |
Warbreaker (2009) | The Reckoners (2013-2016) |
The Stormlight Archive (2010-) | Cytoverse (2018-) |
Mistborn Era 2 (2011-2022) | |
Tress of the Emerald Sea (2023) | |
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter (2023) | |
The Sunlit Man (2023) | |
How Are The Different Cosmere Books Connected?
Stormlight Archives by Brandon Sanderson - How Are The Different Cosmere Books Connected?
The Cosmere is a vast interconnected universe where characters like Hoid travel between worlds and stories. This suggests that there are powerful forces at play, shaping events for a greater purpose.
Within the Cosmere, there are various connections that link different aspects of the stories together. The overarching story of the Cosmere remains a mystery, allowing readers to speculate and draw parallels between the different narratives, characters, and themes. These connections hint at a larger narrative unfolding.
Moreover, the Cosmere is tied together by a shared creation myth and cosmology. Many of Brandon Sanderson's tales explore the roles of deities and celestial beings, some benevolent and others malevolent. Characters like Hoid, who move between worlds and stories, further indicate that there are unseen forces orchestrating events across the Cosmere with a specific purpose in mind.
Where To Start Reading Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere
An image of Vin on the cover of Mistborn - Where To Start Reading Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere
There is no official correct way to read through the Cosmere, as there is no set chronology to follow. However, Brandon Sanderson recently shared his thoughts in a video. He advises against starting with Elantris due to it being one of his weaker novels. Instead, he suggests beginning with the original Mistborn trilogy, a choice many readers would agree with. This series is engaging, ties into the larger themes of the Cosmere, and is not as daunting as The Stormlight Archive.
Mistborn: The Final Empire (2006)
The Well of Ascension (2007)
The Hero of Ages (2008)
If you enjoyed Mistborn, Brandon Sanderson suggests checking out two of his standalone novels, Warbreaker and Tress of the Emerald Sea. Warbreaker, published in 2009, is one of his earlier works and is praised for its vivid and distinct magic system. Tress of the Emerald Sea is one of Sanderson's secret projects, funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2023, where he self-funded four new novels.
Brandon Sanderson's Tress of the Emerald Sea (2023) is a must-read for fantasy fans. The series, The Stormlight Archive, may be long with each book over 1,000 pages, but the journey is incredibly enjoyable. The characters are endearing, making it easy for readers to become emotionally invested in their stories.
In addition to the main novels, there are also two novellas, Edgedancer and Dawnshard, that complement The Stormlight Archive. It is recommended to read them in between the main novels in the following sequence.
The Way of Kings (2010)
Words of Radiance (2014)
Edgedancer (2016)
Oathbringer (2017)
Dawnshard (2020)
Rhythm of War (2020)
When taking a break from The Stormlight Archive series, Brandon Sanderson suggests diving into his standalone novels like Elantris and Yumi and the Nightmare Painter. He also recommends exploring Mistborn Era 2 during this time. The only book he advises saving for later is The Sunlit Man, meant to be read before The Stormlight Archive book 5.
As part of Mistborn Era 2, The Alloy of Law was published in 2011.
Shadows of Self (2015)
The Bands of Mourning (2016)
The Lost Metal (2022)
Elantris (2005)
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter (2023)
The Sunlit Man (2023)
After completing the novels in the Cosmere universe, the next step is to delve into the short stories. Many of these can be found in Arcanum Unbounded, a collection of novellas and shorts. By following this order, readers can catch up on the Cosmere in time for the release of Wind and Truth at the end of 2024. Looking ahead, there are exciting projects in the works, such as an upcoming Mistborn movie and several new novels set in the Cosmere. These include the Mistborn Era 3 trilogy, long-awaited sequels to Elantris, The Stormlight Archive Era 2, and a fresh series called Dragonsteel.
Editor's P/S:
The article provides a comprehensive overview of Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere universe, encompassing his vast body of interconnected fantasy novels. It highlights the author's meticulous world-building and the interconnectedness of his stories, which are set on different planets within the same fictional universe. The article offers valuable insights into the connections between these works, including the overarching mythology and the presence of recurring characters, adding depth and intrigue to the reading experience.
The article also presents a recommended reading order for navigating the Cosmere, guiding readers through Sanderson's diverse works. It suggests starting with the Mistborn trilogy, which offers a compelling introduction to the universe, and then exploring other standalone novels and series. The author's transparency with his readers, such as updating progress bars on his writing projects, further enhances the experience, fostering a sense of community among fans. Overall, this article serves as an informative guide for readers embarking on a journey through the vast and imaginative Cosmere universe created by Brandon Sanderson.
