Every book in Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere, including Wind and Truth (Updated for 2024)

As a die-hard fan of Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere series, I can confidently say that diving into this intricate and expansive universe has been nothing short of a mind-boggling journey for me. With my shelves groaning under the weight of each new book, and my e-reader buzzing with excitement as I download yet another novella or short story, I find myself constantly amazed by Sanderson’s ability to weave together such an intricate tapestry of worlds, cultures, and magic systems.

In the realm of modern fantasy, Brandon Sanderson’s expansive fictional universe, dubbed the Cosmere, stands out as one of the grandest sagas. Since 2005, Sanderson has been releasing books that are set within this shared world, although they often take place on different planets across various solar systems. As time goes by, the boundaries between series are becoming increasingly indistinct as significant plotlines intersect. To truly appreciate the Cosmere, it’s essential to delve into all its facets.

Given the number of over two dozen tales set within the Cosmere universe, delving into them might seem overwhelming. To simplify your journey, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list that includes every book and short story in the Cosmere, so you can easily identify which ones you haven’t read yet!

Before we begin, here are some points to help you navigate more smoothly. Our focus is exclusively on the official Cosmere works, published by Sanderson. Some books he wrote earlier in his career, like Aether of Night, aren’t considered part of the current Cosmere canon. Instead, Sanderson refers to these as “Sanderson Curiosities” – entertaining reads with potential, but requiring updates before they can contribute to the ongoing Cosmere storyline.

Moving on, the majority of the Cosmere short stories can be found compiled in a book titled “Arcanum Unbounded.” To ensure we’re on the same page, this collection will be our primary reference from the beginning, so it’s crucial to know about it! Now, let’s take a look at every story in the Cosmere, arranged in their order of publication. Afterward, I’ll provide some additional insights regarding the key series.

Every book in Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere, in publication order

• Elantris (2005)
• The Hope of Elantris — collected in Arcanum Unbounded (2006)
• Mistborn: The Final Empire (2006)
• The Well of Ascension (2007)
• The Hero of Ages (2008)
• Warbreaker (2009)
• The Way of Kings (2010)
• The Alloy of Law (2011)
• The Eleventh Metal — collected in Arcanum Unbounded (2011)
• The Emperor’s Soul — collected in Arcanum Unbounded (2012)
• Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell — collected in Arcanum Unbounded (2013)
• Words of Radiance (2014)
• Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Altania, Episodes Twenty-Eight Through Thirty — collected in Arcanum Unbounded (2014)
• Sixth of the Dusk — collected in Arcanum Unbounded (2014)
• Shadows of Self (2015)
• The Bands of Mourning (2016)
• Edgedancer — collected in Arcanum Unbounded (2016)
• Mistborn: Secret History — collected in Arcanum Unbounded (2016)
• White Sand — graphic novel (2016-2019, all issues collected in an omnibus in 2024)
• Oathbringer (2017)
• Dawnshard (2020)
• Rhythm of War (2020)
• The Lost Metal (2022)
• Tress of the Emerald Sea (2023)
• Yumi and the Nightmare Painter (2023)
• The Sunlit Man (2023)
• Wind and Truth (2024)

Here we are, all caught up with the Cosmere! You’ll notice that the list is rather extensive. To make things easier, let’s delve into some of the major series since not every story carries the same weight.

Elantris

In the beginning, “Elantris” marked Brandon Sanderson’s initial published book and served as a foundation for many readers delving into the Cosmere universe. At this early stage in the series, the connections between different Cosmere worlds were not fully developed because Sanderson was still uncertain about how his readers would react to the interconnected nature of his work. However, it seems that his audience warmly welcomed this aspect of his stories.

In this narrative, we find ourselves on the planet Sel, a world marked by numerous nations competing for supremacy, along with the legendary city of Elantris, reminiscent of Atlantis in its magical grandeur. However, by the time of the story, Elantris has succumbed to a devastating plague and decay, causing its inhabitants, the Elantreans, to be ostracized and live in seclusion. Additionally, Sel serves as the backdrop for Sanderson’s acclaimed novella, “The Emperor’s Soul“, which revolves around a thief and an expert in magic who is apprehended and coerced into crafting a new soul for the emperor of the Rose Empire, a realm that does not appear prominently in the primary novel.

As a passionate cinephile delving into the captivating universe of Cosmere, let me wholeheartedly endorse “Elantris” as an exceptional onramp to this intricate storyline. Brace yourself, fellow travelers, for Brandon Sanderson has exciting plans to pen two sequels in the near future. If, like me, you missed this masterpiece during your initial Cosmere journey, now’s the perfect moment to immerse yourself in its rich tapestry. For those who decide to embark on this adventure, I heartily suggest seeking out the tenth anniversary edition. This special version offers a more profound conclusion crafted by Sanderson himself, enhancing an already mesmerizing tale. Enjoy the ride!

Mistborn

As a devoted film enthusiast, I can’t wait to delve into the captivating world of “Mistborn,” a seminal series nestled within the Cosmere universe. This enthralling narrative unfolds on the planet Scadriel, where extraordinary individuals known as Allomancers and Feruchemists harness unique abilities by consuming minute quantities of metal.

As a devoted fan, I’d like to highlight that among Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere series, Mistborn stands out due to its progression through various eras, each introducing innovative technologies and transforming Scadriel into a more modern society. The story initially unfolds in the original trilogy, commencing with the novel I adore, previously known as Mistborn: The Final Empire (later simplified to just Mistborn). This narrative then expands in The Well of Ascension and The Hero of Ages.

In Era Two of the Mistborn series, we delve into the lives of detectives Wax and Wayne, living in a Wild West Steampunk version of Scadriel. By this time, the original Mistborn trilogy has become a legend, shaping the events of Era Two. Notably, Era Two plays a significant role in revealing more details about the wider Cosmere. The books that make up Mistborn Era Two include “The Alloy of Law”, “Shadows of Self”, “The Bands of Mourning”, and “The Lost Metal”.

Additionally, you can find various short stories from the Mistborn series compiled in Arcanum Unbounded. While not all of these are essential for grasping the broader Mistborn narrative, I strongly recommend reading “Mistborn: Secret History”. This novella sheds light on significant aspects concerning a pivotal character within Cosmere and is increasingly relevant as Brandon Sanderson’s universe unfolds, offering valuable insights into the overarching story.

The Stormlight Archive

The “Stormlight Archive” stands as one of Brandon Sanderson’s significant foundations within the Cosmere universe, marking his most extensive series to date. Set on the world of Roshar, a planet characterized by its rugged, storm-torn landscapes, this epic saga represents Sanderson’s endeavor to craft a grand, expansive fantasy narrative similar to that of “The Wheel of Time” or “The Malazan Book of the Fallen.” Each installment in this series is substantial, typically exceeding a thousand pages and encompassing numerous characters. If you relish immersing yourself in extensive, multi-volume fantasy literature, then the “Stormlight Archive” is an ideal choice for you.

For quite some time now, Sanderson has expressed his intention to write ten primary books in this series, dividing them into two separate storylines. By 2024, the first storyline is finally concluded with the publication of book five, titled “Wind and Truth“. When Sanderson eventually revisits Roshar, a decade will have elapsed on the planet.

Currently, the collection known as The Stormlight Archive consists of five novels: “The Way of Kings”, “Words of Radiance”, “Oathbringer”, “Rhythm of War”, and “Wind and Truth”. Additionally, there are two novellas that supplement the main series, offering important details: “Edgedancer” and “Dawnshard”. While not essential to read these novellas, they offer valuable information related to the overall storyline.

A book similar to Stormlight is the self-contained novel Warbreaker. It’s set on the world of Nalthis, a planet inspired by ancient Greece, populated by lesser deities who employ a magic system based on colors. Warbreaker serves as a precursor to several characters in The Stormlight Archive, making it almost like a prequel. Whenever I suggest Stormlight to new readers, I always advise them to read Warbreaker alongside it, whether before or after The Way of Kings.

Standalone novels

In Sanderson’s universe, not only does the Cosmere series span many books, but there are also numerous single novels that stand independently. This trend has become more prominent since 2023, when a series of new standalone books were released during his groundbreaking “Secret Project” Kickstarter campaign. While these standalones might not be crucial to grasping the overall Cosmere storyline, they are worth reading if you aim for completeness.

Let’s breeze through it swiftly. “Tress of the Emerald Sea” is a self-contained novel centering around a brave young princess embarking on an adventurous journey. The narrative tone echoes that of “The Princess Bride,” maintaining a playful, enchanting vibe. Notably, this story is being spun by a character named Hoid, who has the ability to traverse worlds and can be found in various forms across all the Cosmere novels written by Brandon Sanderson.

In addition, we have the tale titled “Yumi and the Nightmare Painter“. This story features Hoid and is set in Sanderson’s current world of Komashi, being the only one he’s written so far on this planet. It revolves around a priestess named Yumi, who has the ability to command spirits to serve the needs of others, and a nightmare painter called Nikaro, whose task is to capture the nightmares of the inhabitants from a city constantly cloaked in darkness. Their paths cross as they jointly endeavor to untangle an intricate mystery while searching for new meaning in their lives beyond the roles society has assigned them.

The Sunlit Man is the third and final installment in Brandon Sanderson’s “Secret Projects” within the Cosmere universe. Unlike Yumi and Tress, which are completely standalone stories, The Sunlit Man shares significant connections to other series such as The Stormlight Archive, Mistborn, and the novella Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell. As a result, it functions more as an additional novel to these series rather than a true standalone. If you’re planning on reading through this list, I would recommend saving The Sunlit Man for near the end, either before or after Wind and Truth.

To conclude, we have “White Sand,” a remarkable exception. Brandon Sanderson penned “White Sand” approximately at the same time as “Elantris,” yet chose not to release it initially. However, numerous characters from this work and its world of Taldain, which is a sand-covered, tidally locked planet, play significant roles in the broader Cosmere. “White Sand” was transformed into a trilogy of graphic novels starting in 2016, and these were eventually compiled into an omnibus in early 2024. At present, this is the primary means to access it.

Sanderson has generously shared his early, unpublished version of the book with fans for quite some time, often offering it free to those who joined his mailing list. Now that Wind and Truth has been published, Sanderson is focusing on a revised edition of White Sand, which will eventually incorporate this long-awaited work into the Cosmere. In the years ahead, we can expect to discuss this project more frequently.

Arcanum Unbounded

Lastly, but by no means least significant, we have the Cosmere short stories penned by Brandon Sanderson. While the term “short” might seem appropriate, it actually understates the depth and scope of these tales. We’ve previously discussed several key Cosmere short stories such as “The Emperor’s Soul,” “Mistborn: Secret History,” and “Edgedancer.” However, there are a few more that deserve attention, like “Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell” and “Sixth of the Dusk.” These stories are equally important to understanding the Cosmere universe.

Presently, the most convenient method to gather all Cosmere short stories is by obtaining “Arcanum Unbounded”, a compilation published by Sanderson in 2016. This book is unique as it compiles all the scattered tales that were individually released over time into one collection. While not every story within it is crucial – some come across as playful experiments rather than vital Cosmere elements – collectively, “Arcanum Unbounded” is an essential read for Cosmere enthusiasts aiming for completion.

Only the Cosmere novella titled “Dawnshard” is not found in the collection known as “Arcanum Unbounded“. This is because it was published a few years later. However, you can find “Dawnshard” independently, and if you get both that and a copy of “Arcanum Unbounded“, you’ll have all the current Cosmere short stories at your disposal.

What’s next for the Cosmere?

With that, we’re now caught up on Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere! If you’ve already devoured these stories, you might be curious about what’s coming next. After all, Sanderson is a mastermind with multiple layers of plotting and a stacked list of upcoming books.

We have several upcoming projects confirmed, and one of them is another book in the “Secret Project” series by Sanderson, which is due out in 2025 as part of his leatherbound crowdfunding campaign for Words of Radiance. Since it’s a Secret Project, I won’t reveal its title here, but you can easily discover it yourself.

Following the novelization of “White Sand”, which Sanderson is at present crafting, comes next the trilogy titled “Ghostbloods” (Mistborn Era Three). Additionally, there are two subsequent novels for “Elantris”. Sanderson has expressed his intention to publish all these works before moving back to “The Stormlight Archive” for the final five books of that series, and “Mistborn Era Four”, which will be set in the Cosmere’s space-age era.

We’ll have no shortage of Cosmere stories to read for years to come. But in the meantime, there are plenty of Cosmere books to keep us sated. I hope this list helps make this vast fictional universe a little easier to parse. Happy reading!

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2024-12-09 22:43