@@jonny-liu I read it back in late elementary/early middle school, which was before my dumbass realized I could literally just google it, so every time I went to the library I would be like “is the sequel there??” And then I finally realized he wasn’t planning on writing one and I was (and still am) absolutely devastated. Tho I still dream of the day when he’ll say he’s gonna write it.
I started with the Stormlight Archive. Didn't even know the Cosmere was a thing until Words of Radiance! Not the starting point I would recommend, but I have no regrets.
Same. Never even heard of Brandon before. I was itching for a good fantasy book to read. I saw the Way of Kings in a book store, probably Barnes and Noble, and read a few pages, saw reviews, and thought it sounded like a good fantasy book to read. Little did I know how much of a fan of Brandon's I would become after reading that first book. I think it was also WoR when I first realized that it was all part of a universe he had created.
Same! A friend on facebook shared that Tor was giving away a free ebook download of The Way of Kings, and I was like, hey! free book! That promotion was a win for Tor as far as my spending habits are concerned.
Same here. Hadn't read a book in several years (tho I used to be a big fantasy fan) and my brother, having just picked up reading again himself and having just finished both "The Wheel of Time" and "Stormlight Archive", ended up recommending this series to me because, and I quote, "I prefer Wheel of Time but Stormlight Archive is way more anime and I think you'll like it". Well, it was REALLY anime. xD Read the entire series, then learned about Edgedancer and Dawnshard and read those as well, and finally read the entire Cosmere. And now it's me bugging my brother about reading the rest of the Cosmere (he's currently fighting his way through Malazan :P).
My introduction to Sanderson was when I talked to a classmate who was reading Way of Kings in 9th grade and then I borrowed it from him when he finished.
Warbreaker is probably my favorite standalone novel, and I absolutely love the leatherbound, so gorgeous. Though now with Yumi out there... I also really like that as well.
I really had trouble getting into it, its the only sanderson book i had that problem with. The situation siri is placed in is hard for me to see as anything but culturally enforced r*** that her father chose for her as he values her less than his other daughter. Just grossed me out HARD. I will give it another shot and am determined to like it however, i got the whole leatherbound collection last year so I must xD
I love Emperor's Soul! I think its a great point to read directly after Elantris aswell, if you need a quick book to get back into the swing of things! It's also set on Sel I believe?
@@svenningen That's correct, it's set on Sel, but that doesn't really "matter" - there are a few references, like a mention of a priest in his red armour, but it's not important to have read Elantris.
He forgot to say you could read The Rithmatist at ANY TIME and be BLOWN AWAY. Maybe because we constantly bug him for book 2 but it's one of the best things I've ever read.
I've been holding off on it and Alcatraz until my kids are old enough for me to read to them. I think my son is getting close at 4 years old, but I might wait until he's 5.
Elantris is a phenomenal book! It explores political intrigue with a very personal rivalry and personal investment. It also tells a story not far from a hero's journey in a unique way that makes me really believe a person would be able to do what they did. Sanderson has done that since and better, but this is still a great read. I recently made a comment about Elantris not being as good as recent books. I didn't mean it as a criticism of Elantris but more to praise how much better the books have gotten. There are plenty of reasons to read Elantris, but I would suggest reading Elantris early because everything that follows is a treat.
I went mistborn 1, then WOK, then elantris, and now rereading them in expectations for myself to buy mistborn 2. I agree that elantris is a strong book - compared to similar others I've read. But when compared to mistborn and the storm light archive - specifically coming off them - it is disappointing. Probably because some of what I think are Brandon's strengths, such as strong set up and pay off, and a rhythm that doesn't feel unearned at the end, are still not completely cooked - I now understand that this sounds completely condescending but is just my experience of it😅
@@LiorTamir stating your opinion and giving specific reasons you have it is never condescending. It actually shows you are an interesting person who I would be interested in having book conversations with.
@@12stormy13 thank you very much! I thought the way I did it might be condescending. English is not my first language and sometimes I feel like I speak as if I was a reaction ytuber - since there is where I hear a lot of English - only nobody subscribed to hear my elongated opinions.
Had no idea who you were and started with Way of Kings and read the first 4 stormlight archives books straight because they were that good. Went on to read everything else right after. No regrets. You’re the 🐐.
do i need to read the mistborn trilogy before the stormlight archive (is the story connected or anything) or can I just read the stormlight archive by itself?
@@xyber7078 You can read Stormlight all on it's own, I started with Stormlight and didn't think or feel like there could be more books. The most overlap there is, is very small references that you'd probably miss without google anyways
@@xyber7078 No problem, you could never read mistborn and you would be fine with Stormlight. At least for what's released so far and likely the next book at the very least. If any book, Warbreaker probably has the most overlap but it also is not required reading at all and is mostly just references.
This man doesn't know how much his books make me happy. As a person that have been struggling with an unsettling depth of thoughts that leads to anxiety and depression since a little kid, I hardly find strong reasons to be alive or feel peace. Books always helped me through that, but since I came across high fantasy and Brandon's books, I've been so excited about being alive and having my senses to appreciate that! I'll be eternally grateful.
Tbh Brandon, I started with Elantris and it's what kept propelled me further into your work. I'm still so impressed with the world and characters, and the magic system got me excited for all the other magic I had heard you'd created.
Book Reading Order 1. Mistborn 1-3 (Books 3.5 - 7 now or later?) 2. Warbreaker 3. Tress of the Emerald Sea 4. Stormlight Archive (The Way of Kings, Words of Radiance, Edgedancer, Oathbringer, Dawnshard, Rhythm of War, Sunlit Man, Wind and Truth) 5. Wax and Wayne Series 6. Elantris 7. Yumi and the Nightmare Painter Non Cosmere Series 1. Skyward Series 2. Steelheart Series 3. The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook to England 4. Legion Collection
Just started this order, finished the first mistborn, thought is was great, even if he just ended it there. Can’t wait for the rest, can’t believe that mistborn series isn’t even people’s favourite. Honestly I’m so exited to get through all these books before the year is done!
It's always interesting to see how authors view their old work. Elantris will ALWAYS be one of my favorites. This is mostly due to nostalgia as it was my introduction into Brandon's writing when I found out he was taking over my beloved Wheel of Time series after the passing of Robert Jordan. Little did I know when I started reading that book that I had just found my new favorite author, even surpassing my prior favorite author, Thomas B Constain. Of course, I often suggest Alcatraz series to new younger readers.
Imma be real with yall, I’m new here I thought I clicked a fan’s guide to reading Brandon Sanderson’s books I didn’t realize this was the actual author himself
Everyone says mistborn era 1. You're going to have a wonderful time! I only started in September and I'm almost done with stormlight now starting as he said but I went direct to era2 mistborn. I'm jealous you get to experience era 1 for the first time! So good.
Brandon, let me tell you, Elantris was the first book I read and the prologue got me hooked instantly. You are my favourite author and it all started with Elantris. Then Warbreaker, my alltime favourite, and then I read Mistborn, a masterpiece. Just saying - Elantris is a really special story and deserves recongnition ;)
Elantris is lovely. The Rhythmatist is great. My absolute favorite, which happens to fall under a category that I look for specifically (short novels, almost novella length) as a concentrated expression of excellence - that is The Emperor's Soul. There is no filler in that book. every sentence adds weight. I love every word. - You didn't even mention it....
It IS in Arcanum Unbound which he mentioned, but yeah, it is the best story there and one of his best overall in my opinion, so shame that he didn't mention it.
All of mistborn or just the first 3 like Brandon recommends? If so then when exactly do I finish the mistborn series? I suppose after everything Brandon mentioned in this video.
@@pepeedge5601 Same for me. It makes more sense to do Elantris and Warbreaker first, as people get put off by the immensity of Mistborn, while these two ease them in.
Surprised to see Tress that early. I felt like there is so much enjoyment in Hoid narrating but you lose a bit of it if you haven't been able to appreciate his range in Stormlight. Tress was great because of the fun little tidbits from across the Cosmere (Aon Dor, etc). That's one I'd push for later because I want others to love it like I did. 😂
I read all of stormlight, mistborn era1, elantris and warbreaker. Currently struggeling to reading alloy of law. Shoukd I finish wax and Wayne books before reading Tress?
I just started stormlight and I haven't met hoid yet in this world but, even though it is true I would enjoy hoid more if I hadn't read tress as my first sanderson book, it made his tiny appearances in the mistborn trilogy, warbreaker and secret history so much more enjoyable because if I hadn't read tress I wouldn't pay any attention to him and probably dismiss him entirely in the mistborn trilogy since his role was so minor
@@Prene16 fair point, i only noticed him in mistborn because of already reading stormlight and warbreaker, otherwise idk that he would've stood out in the slightest. case in point, i read warbreaker first and tbh i don't even remember him being in it at all lol
Tress was actual the first novel I’ve read from Sanderson and I loved it so much. I do plan on reading it again in the future after everything else. I’ve just read the mistborn series since and will be done with Warbreaker tomorrow.
I started with Mistborn and then Elantris and now I'm reading the Stormlight Archives and the short stories, Elantris is my favorite but I love them all.
A friend told me about the Cosmere and I find the concept fascinating, I start Mistborn today!! I'm sure It will be an amazing journey!🔥Thanks for your work and this guide for beginners 😁
I discovered Brandon earlier this last year via his lectures on writing, had never heard of the Cosmete, Mistborn, Stormlight or anything else. Started on The Way of Kings this year as my first book, feel like maybe Mistborn would have been a better jump off point but the books is still just exceptional. Can’t wait to continue reading more about this universe!
I did, in fact, read Elantris first and just finished it around New Year. I absolutely LOVE that book. It may be his "weakest" cosmere entry, but it's light-years better than most anything I've read. At least in modern books. I genuinely haven't enjoyed a book as much as I very unexpectedly enjoyed Elantris. It's currently my new favorite book ever and cannot wait to dig into the Mistborn Trilogy. Just felt like sharing since even Brandon Sanderson, himself, seems to give folks an unfairly poor expectation for such a fantastic book. Out of a series of gold bars next to bronze, it may be the most roughly finished and unpolished out of the set, but it is still gold. Please don't sleep on Elantris, folks.
I know I'm gonna be in the minority here, but I actually enjoyed Elantris more than the original Mistborn Trilogy. The characters were fantastic, and I really, really enjoyed reading it and look forward to the sequels that Brandon has said will come.
1:32 So far, barring Tress of the Emerald Sea, this is how I’ve been reading your books. Stormlight is so good I haven’t been able to stop. I’m on part 2 of Oathbringer right now. I’m really glad people told me to read Warbreaker first though. That reveal at the end made me lose my mind lol
Brandon writes faster than I read! Everytime I finish one of his books 3 others pop up 🥲 I hope someday I'll be able to read (most) of his books, and there are also other authors to read... Life is too short 😫
@@life-destiny1196 It reveals the same thing as is revealed in Bands of Mourning. But some people think it's better to read right after Era 1 while that is fresh. Personally I don't think it matters too much but I've seen tons of debates about it online.
I don't know, it was immediately obvious to me that the intended way to read is: Mistborn 1-3 Mistborn 4-6 Secret History Mistborn 7 Mistborn 1-3 again Secret History again ... Ad infinitum for the rest of time Obv.
It was just another saturday morning when i went to the library that i usually go to to find somethig new to read. Then ive saw a book with a really cool looking cover, decently interesting story description, and decided to try it out. It was the first mistborn book and let me just tell you... Completely changed my life man... finishing era 2 rn, already bought the stormlight archive too, im commited on reading everything on the cosmere ^-^
I started with Elantris and am so thankful for it. I love a good slow-burn from time to time because since then, everything has been wildly fun or adventurous. I have read The Sunlit Man and am on Book 3 of the Mistborn trilogy. I can't say enough positive things about my time with Sanderson books. I have to say, however, that The Sunlit Man took me far longer than it should have to finish. I put the book down before the conclusion after the silence started. I was not expecting to be so affected by this book, but the whole story was written so well.
I’ve not read Sandersons work (yet). But you can’t help but love the guy. He’s such a fan of his own readers as they are of him. My job is based out of SLC so I’m currently a fan by proxy.
Thanks for the guide! I've only read the first two Mistborn novels (and by read, I mean listen to the audiobook), and I've just started Hero of Ages. I didn't know Cosmere was a whole thing, was just planning on reading the Wax/Wayne series next, since it's connected to Mistborn and I love the idea of "this is how the world is, but centuries later, in something resembling our time."
I started with Elantris, which I enjoyed very much last September. Last Christmas I read Tress, and now I am reading Way of Kings - I am having a blast reading!
Wow I can't believe this just got posted! I just began my Cosmere Journey last week. I am on Mistborn Era 1 book 3 right now (Love this series!) so I am so glad to see what is recommended next. Will be following this order. I ordered from your shop the Tress of the Emerald Sea, Yumi, and Sunlit man already as well. Those covers look BEAUTIFUL.
Thank you! I have the Mistborn books saved on my amazon shopping cart for when I get my next paycheck. I'm excited to get back into reading again (I haven't really read a lot of books since high school in the late 90s, but I want to start reading for fun again. Trying to add more fun back into my life, lol)
Putting Tress early is really bold considering all the Cosmere links. I would just go by publication order but fully finish a series instead of breaking off to something else: Elantris Mistborn Era 1 Warbreaker Stormlight 1-4 (Edgedancer after 2, Dawnshard after 3) Mistborn Era 2 Arcanum Unbounded Tress Yumi Sunlit Man
I agree with reading Tress early. It was my first cosmere book and totally sucked me in. It’s one of those that I’m going to reread for the Easter eggs but I’m not mad about that lol
Watching this video while reading Elantris, my first book ever from Sanderson. And I don´t care, I will read it completely, and then I will follow the order. Already ordered Mistborn trilogy.
I usually recommend the Emperor's Soul as a starting point. It's my favorite Cosmere work I've read so far. While being nice and short, it has everything you could possibly love or hate about Brandon's writing and it works quite well as a standalone. So it's a good litmus test.
I love Elantris! It's where I recommend people start reading, since it works as a stand alone and lets people feel like they can consume an entire story, without being on the hook to read an entire series.
For me the best way to aprecciate the magnitude of brandom's work, its to start Elantrys as a good working simple book but come back years later knowing a lot more of the aswers you did years ago. At this point reading cosmere stuff is like reading on a secret code witch hides a tone of meaning on every single falling leave, and its marvelous.
I also thought that was interesting but I've heard Brandon say before that the secret project books add to the Stormlight series. I have not read Sunlit man yet (it is in a pile to read along with the other SP books) but from what I can tell it is set WAY into the future. Perhaps we get introduced to characters in Stormlight 5 that show up in Sunlit man? I'm just speculating.
A character walks over to someone facing away from him. He says "REDACTED, is that you?" Given it's set so far in the Stormlight's future, I see some pretty strong plot armour now.
Anyone who is new.... Give these series a reread later. You won't regret it. The 2nd, or even 3rd time if a new book was introduced, is even better than the first time. I just read Way of Kings for the 3rd time, and after Rhythm of War, and it's incredible how many nuggets you pick up on that you didn't notice before. Being more of an omnipresent viewer, knowing what's coming, is awesome.
Just finished my first Sanderson book - Elantris and it was amazingly good!! The world building, fantasy, strong FMC and MMC, and intriguing story line were very addicting! Can't wait to start on the others!!
I read Elantris after being super impressed by the Skyward books. It was my first Cosmere novel and I fell in love. I will rant and rave about how good Elantris was to literally anyone who will listen.
Definitely read the Alcatraz series with your kids. My 12 yr old read them in a month or so and we had to force him to go to sleep/eat instead of reading. I am most of the way through reading them with my 10 yr old and he now walks around with different pairs of sunglasses in his pockets.
Thats a good reading order... heres the order I read your books. I started with the Cytoverse, Skyward through to Defiant. Then I did the Mistborn Trillogy and then Wax and Wayne. After Concluding Wax and Wayne I dove head first into Stormlight and I read all the books in 2 months (Yes including Wind and Truth) excluding Dawnshard including Edgedancer. I then started Yumi and the Nightmare painter and now I have started Warbreaker. So I did not do this the correct way but it's also fun reading this way.
Elantris is such a moving book. Even the concepts behind its plot are poetic. I have enjoyed the other Cosmere books I've read but none have compared to Elantris for me thus far. Couldn't believe Sanderson was putting it down like this -- it's an incredible book! If you enjoy more literary fiction over action, as I do, then please check it out. 🙂
If you enjoy Skyward series I would also recommend all the other smaller stories which add up a lot to the experince :) sunreach, redawn, evershore and sooner or later one more :)
Started stormlight archive, and I've now found something I enjoy even more than watching shows. Top tier. I will then read mistborn Saga once done. So amazing
My reading order so far: Mistborn era 1, All secret projects except Sunlit Man, Elantris, Alloy of Law, And currently reading Warbreaker and loving it.
In the middle of May 2020 I started with Way of Kings and it was a wild journey being trapped indoors getting through this epic saga; Underrated starting point imho.
The beauty of the Cosmere is it honestly doesn’t matter where you start. Elantris, Stormlight, Mistborn, Warbreaker, or even one of the secret projects. If you’re a fan of sci fi and/or fantasy, you’ll be sucked in regardless. I think part of the fun is not following any designated reading order, and instead slowly uncovering the common events (and characters) that exist throughout all the different stories and settings on your own. Half of the fun of these books is the sense of awe and discovery as you slowly start to uncover all these seemingly independent settings and stories are actually more tightly coupled that they initially appear.
I read all of what mistborn that was out at the time (first 6), then elantris, then devoured the 4 stormlight that were out and the two novellas in between. I took a break for a little while since I read all that pretty quickly, but that was a perfect order for me. Then of course I get to read all the other pieces and reread all of mistborn so I could read the 7th one. Now I'm prepping to reread Stormlight but don't want to start too soon so I can jump straight from that reread into the new one soon! Truly wild just how many books there are, it never ceases to amaze me how much you've written!
Reading through Way of Kings right now, it's my first book in the series! A part of me wishes I started with Mistborn, but now that I'm almost done Way of Kings I NEED more of these characters and this plot, gonna see it through!
I'm relatively new to your writing. I read Mistborn which is my favorite series of all time about 5 years ago, readabout 30 Terry Brooks books in greater Shannara and headed through Wheel of Time which I just finished before reading Elantris, where I am now. I'm looking forward to rereading Mistborn and this video will guide me from there.
I MEANT to start with Mistborn, but while it was on its way to me I found out that Warbreaker was available for free on your site at the time, so I ended reading through the whole thing on my phone before my box set of Mistborn arrived. No regrets, and when I got my brother started, he started with Warbreaker as well.
Elantris was my first Sanderson novel and I absolutely loved it! But I can see how you need to temper expectations if you've read his later works first. Especially SA, absolutely fantastic fantasy series and cannot wait for Book 5!!
Do you stand by this or no? I'm finishing Era 1 tomorrow and was going to go into Warbreaker next, I had Tress for at the very end but what is your take?
@@IamMullet ok! I am going to save it for after then like I originally had planned. Thank you! (I am really enjoying Mistborn so I don't want to get era 2 spoilers from a standalone)
@@XRae95er I read Tress before Era 2 (currently on Secret History before I read The Lost Metal) and there are definitely spoilers, though I wouldn't say it's detracted from the experience so far. But I would still recommend holding off on Tress until after Era 2. And maybe Elantris too - though this is less of a spoiler and more general understanding of worlds; I read Elantris after Era 1 and before the rest of his books, and I thought that was a good place.
Wife and I are listening to Elantris currently. Man, after taking care of someone who suffered from chronic pain for nearly a decade that book hits different.
Rithmatist bros we'll win one day.
read rithmatist and then the entire wheel of time and the storm light archive all the way through
Don't read this book because you'll cry like I did when you find out there isn't a sequel or series 😣
How did he not even mention it!!! And he set himself for a series and just never revisited. I am still sad about it
I see people sad about the lack of a Warbreaker sequel. At least it had a resolution!
@@jonny-liu I read it back in late elementary/early middle school, which was before my dumbass realized I could literally just google it, so every time I went to the library I would be like “is the sequel there??” And then I finally realized he wasn’t planning on writing one and I was (and still am) absolutely devastated.
Tho I still dream of the day when he’ll say he’s gonna write it.
I started with the Stormlight Archive. Didn't even know the Cosmere was a thing until Words of Radiance!
Not the starting point I would recommend, but I have no regrets.
Same. Never even heard of Brandon before. I was itching for a good fantasy book to read. I saw the Way of Kings in a book store, probably Barnes and Noble, and read a few pages, saw reviews, and thought it sounded like a good fantasy book to read. Little did I know how much of a fan of Brandon's I would become after reading that first book. I think it was also WoR when I first realized that it was all part of a universe he had created.
Same! A friend on facebook shared that Tor was giving away a free ebook download of The Way of Kings, and I was like, hey! free book! That promotion was a win for Tor as far as my spending habits are concerned.
Yeah I did that too. I saw it on the library shelf and I vaguely remembered hearing about it, so I read it. Then I saw all his other stuff.
Same here. Hadn't read a book in several years (tho I used to be a big fantasy fan) and my brother, having just picked up reading again himself and having just finished both "The Wheel of Time" and "Stormlight Archive", ended up recommending this series to me because, and I quote, "I prefer Wheel of Time but Stormlight Archive is way more anime and I think you'll like it". Well, it was REALLY anime. xD Read the entire series, then learned about Edgedancer and Dawnshard and read those as well, and finally read the entire Cosmere. And now it's me bugging my brother about reading the rest of the Cosmere (he's currently fighting his way through Malazan :P).
My introduction to Sanderson was when I talked to a classmate who was reading Way of Kings in 9th grade and then I borrowed it from him when he finished.
Warbreaker and especialy Elantris deserve more love.
Warbreaker is probably my favorite standalone novel, and I absolutely love the leatherbound, so gorgeous. Though now with Yumi out there... I also really like that as well.
I really had trouble getting into it, its the only sanderson book i had that problem with.
The situation siri is placed in is hard for me to see as anything but culturally enforced r*** that her father chose for her as he values her less than his other daughter. Just grossed me out HARD.
I will give it another shot and am determined to like it however, i got the whole leatherbound collection last year so I must xD
I namedy daughter Vivenna that's about as much love as I can give lol warbreaker is my favorite
I love Elantris!!! ❤
@@AnaClaudia_ST absolutely agree, I just read it and I think it is fantastic
I think Emperor's Soul is also a very interesting jump-off point if you want to test the waters a bit before jumping into larger books.
Emperor’s soul is probably my favorite of all his standalone works.
@@dactorwatson4313 probably one of my favourite short stories of all time, up there with a slow regard of silent things.
I love Emperor's Soul! I think its a great point to read directly after Elantris aswell, if you need a quick book to get back into the swing of things! It's also set on Sel I believe?
@@svenningen That's correct, it's set on Sel, but that doesn't really "matter" - there are a few references, like a mention of a priest in his red armour, but it's not important to have read Elantris.
Plus this is the only award winning story he wrote right? Love this story so much! Especially the audiobook version.
He forgot to say you could read The Rithmatist at ANY TIME and be BLOWN AWAY. Maybe because we constantly bug him for book 2 but it's one of the best things I've ever read.
I've been holding off on it and Alcatraz until my kids are old enough for me to read to them. I think my son is getting close at 4 years old, but I might wait until he's 5.
@@Slicklizard it ends on a small cliffhangers. Probably not something for your kids to read unless Sanderson is actually writing the next book.
Reading it rn as a new fan and it’s great!
Much love for Elantris, which will always be a nostalgic favorite
I also love Elantris. Was my first Sanderson read And i am hooked ever since ..😂
I'm so excited for Elantris 2
I really enjoyed Elantris as well!
I've listened to the audiobook of Elantris 4 times over thew past several years!
Elantris is a phenomenal book! It explores political intrigue with a very personal rivalry and personal investment. It also tells a story not far from a hero's journey in a unique way that makes me really believe a person would be able to do what they did. Sanderson has done that since and better, but this is still a great read. I recently made a comment about Elantris not being as good as recent books. I didn't mean it as a criticism of Elantris but more to praise how much better the books have gotten. There are plenty of reasons to read Elantris, but I would suggest reading Elantris early because everything that follows is a treat.
10 months is not a few months away Sanderson! 😄
I think he meant it would probably be a few months away once you finish if you start now
Oh, you young person. The older you get, the faster the months fly, just like the closer you get to the end of the roll of TP, the faster it goes. 😂😂😂
@@stevopowell I might be older than you but you're not wrong about the passing of time lol
@@stevopowellThat depends on how you're measuring the TP. By mass or length? Then by "closer" you better be on some non-linear scale. ;P
When you're planning your work out decades in advance, 10 months probably feels like a few months lol.
Elantris was my first Sanderson book, and I love it, I honestly think it deserves more credit.
I went mistborn 1, then WOK, then elantris, and now rereading them in expectations for myself to buy mistborn 2. I agree that elantris is a strong book - compared to similar others I've read. But when compared to mistborn and the storm light archive - specifically coming off them - it is disappointing. Probably because some of what I think are Brandon's strengths, such as strong set up and pay off, and a rhythm that doesn't feel unearned at the end, are still not completely cooked - I now understand that this sounds completely condescending but is just my experience of it😅
@@LiorTamir stating your opinion and giving specific reasons you have it is never condescending. It actually shows you are an interesting person who I would be interested in having book conversations with.
@@12stormy13 thank you very much! I thought the way I did it might be condescending. English is not my first language and sometimes I feel like I speak as if I was a reaction ytuber - since there is where I hear a lot of English - only nobody subscribed to hear my elongated opinions.
I totally agree!
Had no idea who you were and started with Way of Kings and read the first 4 stormlight archives books straight because they were that good.
Went on to read everything else right after. No regrets.
You’re the 🐐.
I had to hold myself back from finishing the audio books for the 4 stormlight books in a month for fear I'd run out of stuff lol
do i need to read the mistborn trilogy before the stormlight archive (is the story connected or anything) or can I just read the stormlight archive by itself?
@@xyber7078 You can read Stormlight all on it's own, I started with Stormlight and didn't think or feel like there could be more books. The most overlap there is, is very small references that you'd probably miss without google anyways
@@Gronmin ok thank you so much. I was wondering if I need to read mistborn first or not. thanks again.
@@xyber7078 No problem, you could never read mistborn and you would be fine with Stormlight. At least for what's released so far and likely the next book at the very least. If any book, Warbreaker probably has the most overlap but it also is not required reading at all and is mostly just references.
This man doesn't know how much his books make me happy. As a person that have been struggling with an unsettling depth of thoughts that leads to anxiety and depression since a little kid, I hardly find strong reasons to be alive or feel peace. Books always helped me through that, but since I came across high fantasy and Brandon's books, I've been so excited about being alive and having my senses to appreciate that! I'll be eternally grateful.
Tbh Brandon, I started with Elantris and it's what kept propelled me further into your work. I'm still so impressed with the world and characters, and the magic system got me excited for all the other magic I had heard you'd created.
Book Reading Order
1. Mistborn 1-3 (Books 3.5 - 7 now or later?)
2. Warbreaker
3. Tress of the Emerald Sea
4. Stormlight Archive (The Way of Kings, Words of Radiance, Edgedancer, Oathbringer, Dawnshard, Rhythm of War, Sunlit Man, Wind and Truth)
5. Wax and Wayne Series
6. Elantris
7. Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
Non Cosmere Series
1. Skyward Series
2. Steelheart Series
3. The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook to England
4. Legion Collection
Angel🎉
Thanks
Many people told me that Elantris should be read before some points of the later books of Stormlight Archive. Is this true?
@frangb9815 To understand some stuff that comes up - I believe in book 4 - you'd want to be familiar with Elantris.
Just started this order, finished the first mistborn, thought is was great, even if he just ended it there. Can’t wait for the rest, can’t believe that mistborn series isn’t even people’s favourite. Honestly I’m so exited to get through all these books before the year is done!
It's always interesting to see how authors view their old work. Elantris will ALWAYS be one of my favorites. This is mostly due to nostalgia as it was my introduction into Brandon's writing when I found out he was taking over my beloved Wheel of Time series after the passing of Robert Jordan. Little did I know when I started reading that book that I had just found my new favorite author, even surpassing my prior favorite author, Thomas B Constain. Of course, I often suggest Alcatraz series to new younger readers.
I started with Elantris when I found out he was finishing WoT too :)
You'll have to pry publication order from my cold, dead hands, Brandon! (but no, I agree, Mistborn is a great start)
Imma be real with yall, I’m new here
I thought I clicked a fan’s guide to reading Brandon Sanderson’s books
I didn’t realize this was the actual author himself
Brandon has a lot of content published 😂. The final empire from mistborn is the best start in my opinion. Have a good day!
Just decided Sanderson was going to be my author of 2025. Had no clue where to start. This video is an answer to every question that I had.
Everyone says mistborn era 1. You're going to have a wonderful time! I only started in September and I'm almost done with stormlight now starting as he said but I went direct to era2 mistborn. I'm jealous you get to experience era 1 for the first time! So good.
I started with Elantris and don't regret it (specially how certain things from Elantris keep reoccurring elsewhere).
Brandon, let me tell you, Elantris was the first book I read and the prologue got me hooked instantly. You are my favourite author and it all started with Elantris. Then Warbreaker, my alltime favourite, and then I read Mistborn, a masterpiece. Just saying - Elantris is a really special story and deserves recongnition ;)
Elantris is lovely. The Rhythmatist is great. My absolute favorite, which happens to fall under a category that I look for specifically (short novels, almost novella length) as a concentrated expression of excellence - that is The Emperor's Soul. There is no filler in that book. every sentence adds weight. I love every word. - You didn't even mention it....
It IS in Arcanum Unbound which he mentioned, but yeah, it is the best story there and one of his best overall in my opinion, so shame that he didn't mention it.
Brandon is still a human being and is not perfect. Cut him a little slack?
Mistborn into Warbreaker is what I've been recommending new Sanderson readers go for quite some time now. I feel it's the best way to hop in.
That’s what I did as well, then read Elantris after.
My starting order was Elantris, Warbreaker and now I am reading Mistborn.
For whatever reason I thought that Warbreaker was written before Mistborn.
All of mistborn or just the first 3 like Brandon recommends? If so then when exactly do I finish the mistborn series? I suppose after everything Brandon mentioned in this video.
@@pepeedge5601 Same for me. It makes more sense to do Elantris and Warbreaker first, as people get put off by the immensity of Mistborn, while these two ease them in.
@@dronevilOO Lookin to join the party. I think I'll start off with those two first if it makes more sense
For those who are new to Mr Sanderson, just know I was here few months ago and after the first few books in the list, I am 100% sure he is the 🐐
1:24 Tress and the Emerald Sea was my first introduction to Brandon Sanderson and I have to say, I think it’s a great starting point.
After all these years, Elantris is still my fav Sanderson's book and one of few books I've read more than once in my life.
Lovin the idea of having the really important novels at the start, helps set the pace superbly well
Surprised to see Tress that early. I felt like there is so much enjoyment in Hoid narrating but you lose a bit of it if you haven't been able to appreciate his range in Stormlight.
Tress was great because of the fun little tidbits from across the Cosmere (Aon Dor, etc). That's one I'd push for later because I want others to love it like I did. 😂
My wife really loved Tress despite only having read some of the other short stories.
I read all of stormlight, mistborn era1, elantris and warbreaker. Currently struggeling to reading alloy of law.
Shoukd I finish wax and Wayne books before reading Tress?
I just started stormlight and I haven't met hoid yet in this world but, even though it is true I would enjoy hoid more if I hadn't read tress as my first sanderson book, it made his tiny appearances in the mistborn trilogy, warbreaker and secret history so much more enjoyable because if I hadn't read tress I wouldn't pay any attention to him and probably dismiss him entirely in the mistborn trilogy since his role was so minor
@@Prene16 fair point, i only noticed him in mistborn because of already reading stormlight and warbreaker, otherwise idk that he would've stood out in the slightest. case in point, i read warbreaker first and tbh i don't even remember him being in it at all lol
Tress was actual the first novel I’ve read from Sanderson and I loved it so much. I do plan on reading it again in the future after everything else. I’ve just read the mistborn series since and will be done with Warbreaker tomorrow.
I started with Mistborn and then Elantris and now I'm reading the Stormlight Archives and the short stories, Elantris is my favorite but I love them all.
Have never read a Brandon Sanderson novel. What better way to find out where to start, than from the author himself 😁
I can’t wait for Stormlight 5
Brandon Sanderson is a blessing! You will always be my favorite fictional author!
A friend told me about the Cosmere and I find the concept fascinating, I start Mistborn today!! I'm sure It will be an amazing journey!🔥Thanks for your work and this guide for beginners 😁
I discovered Brandon earlier this last year via his lectures on writing, had never heard of the Cosmete, Mistborn, Stormlight or anything else. Started on The Way of Kings this year as my first book, feel like maybe Mistborn would have been a better jump off point but the books is still just exceptional. Can’t wait to continue reading more about this universe!
Just started reading your work. Started with Elantris and loved it. Just finished Warbreaker and onward to Mistborn.
I did, in fact, read Elantris first and just finished it around New Year. I absolutely LOVE that book. It may be his "weakest" cosmere entry, but it's light-years better than most anything I've read. At least in modern books.
I genuinely haven't enjoyed a book as much as I very unexpectedly enjoyed Elantris. It's currently my new favorite book ever and cannot wait to dig into the Mistborn Trilogy.
Just felt like sharing since even Brandon Sanderson, himself, seems to give folks an unfairly poor expectation for such a fantastic book.
Out of a series of gold bars next to bronze, it may be the most roughly finished and unpolished out of the set, but it is still gold.
Please don't sleep on Elantris, folks.
Same here. I picked up Elantris without knowing much about Sanderson and the cosmere. I think it’s a great starting point and enjoyed it very much.
I know I'm gonna be in the minority here, but I actually enjoyed Elantris more than the original Mistborn Trilogy. The characters were fantastic, and I really, really enjoyed reading it and look forward to the sequels that Brandon has said will come.
1:32 So far, barring Tress of the Emerald Sea, this is how I’ve been reading your books. Stormlight is so good I haven’t been able to stop. I’m on part 2 of Oathbringer right now.
I’m really glad people told me to read Warbreaker first though. That reveal at the end made me lose my mind lol
Brandon writes faster than I read! Everytime I finish one of his books 3 others pop up 🥲 I hope someday I'll be able to read (most) of his books, and there are also other authors to read... Life is too short 😫
Brando you dodged the most contentious reading order question, when to read Secret History!
I mean, it spoils Bands of Mourning, no?
@@life-destiny1196 It reveals the same thing as is revealed in Bands of Mourning. But some people think it's better to read right after Era 1 while that is fresh. Personally I don't think it matters too much but I've seen tons of debates about it online.
I don't know, it was immediately obvious to me that the intended way to read is:
Mistborn 1-3
Mistborn 4-6
Secret History
Mistborn 7
Mistborn 1-3 again
Secret History again
...
Ad infinitum for the rest of time
Obv.
Definitely after Mistborn 6; the reveal is just too fantastic to waste.
I read it immediately after Era 1. I think I would have forgotten too much if I'd waited.
It was just another saturday morning when i went to the library that i usually go to to find somethig new to read. Then ive saw a book with a really cool looking cover, decently interesting story description, and decided to try it out. It was the first mistborn book and let me just tell you... Completely changed my life man... finishing era 2 rn, already bought the stormlight archive too, im commited on reading everything on the cosmere ^-^
I'm taking this as a definitive re-reading guide to comprehending the Cosmere
i mostly agree, but would recommend reading elantris before tress
I started with Elantris and am so thankful for it. I love a good slow-burn from time to time because since then, everything has been wildly fun or adventurous. I have read The Sunlit Man and am on Book 3 of the Mistborn trilogy. I can't say enough positive things about my time with Sanderson books. I have to say, however, that The Sunlit Man took me far longer than it should have to finish. I put the book down before the conclusion after the silence started. I was not expecting to be so affected by this book, but the whole story was written so well.
I’ve not read Sandersons work (yet). But you can’t help but love the guy. He’s such a fan of his own readers as they are of him. My job is based out of SLC so I’m currently a fan by proxy.
Thanks for the guide! I've only read the first two Mistborn novels (and by read, I mean listen to the audiobook), and I've just started Hero of Ages. I didn't know Cosmere was a whole thing, was just planning on reading the Wax/Wayne series next, since it's connected to Mistborn and I love the idea of "this is how the world is, but centuries later, in something resembling our time."
I started with Elantris, which I enjoyed very much last September. Last Christmas I read Tress, and now I am reading Way of Kings - I am having a blast reading!
Wow I can't believe this just got posted! I just began my Cosmere Journey last week. I am on Mistborn Era 1 book 3 right now (Love this series!) so I am so glad to see what is recommended next. Will be following this order. I ordered from your shop the Tress of the Emerald Sea, Yumi, and Sunlit man already as well. Those covers look BEAUTIFUL.
Thank you! I have the Mistborn books saved on my amazon shopping cart for when I get my next paycheck. I'm excited to get back into reading again (I haven't really read a lot of books since high school in the late 90s, but I want to start reading for fun again. Trying to add more fun back into my life, lol)
Putting Tress early is really bold considering all the Cosmere links. I would just go by publication order but fully finish a series instead of breaking off to something else:
Elantris
Mistborn Era 1
Warbreaker
Stormlight 1-4 (Edgedancer after 2, Dawnshard after 3)
Mistborn Era 2
Arcanum Unbounded
Tress
Yumi
Sunlit Man
I agree with reading Tress early. It was my first cosmere book and totally sucked me in. It’s one of those that I’m going to reread for the Easter eggs but I’m not mad about that lol
Watching this video while reading Elantris, my first book ever from Sanderson. And I don´t care, I will read it completely, and then I will follow the order. Already ordered Mistborn trilogy.
Always thankful for videos like these!
I usually recommend the Emperor's Soul as a starting point. It's my favorite Cosmere work I've read so far. While being nice and short, it has everything you could possibly love or hate about Brandon's writing and it works quite well as a standalone. So it's a good litmus test.
I love Elantris! It's where I recommend people start reading, since it works as a stand alone and lets people feel like they can consume an entire story, without being on the hook to read an entire series.
For me the best way to aprecciate the magnitude of brandom's work, its to start Elantrys as a good working simple book but come back years later knowing a lot more of the aswers you did years ago. At this point reading cosmere stuff is like reading on a secret code witch hides a tone of meaning on every single falling leave, and its marvelous.
my first book was elantris and i love it and to this day i still love it
Sunlit Man before Stormlight 5 is a very interesting confirmation...
I feel like Sunlit Man has a spoiler for the rest of Stormlight.
I also thought that was interesting but I've heard Brandon say before that the secret project books add to the Stormlight series. I have not read Sunlit man yet (it is in a pile to read along with the other SP books) but from what I can tell it is set WAY into the future. Perhaps we get introduced to characters in Stormlight 5 that show up in Sunlit man? I'm just speculating.
Besides hoid, there's 1 other character that you see from Stormlight and I picked up on it just brandons 1st chapter reading he did.
@@italianstuddmuffin Without spoiling, I think it's pretty clear what the big spoiler is referring to
A character walks over to someone facing away from him.
He says "REDACTED, is that you?"
Given it's set so far in the Stormlight's future, I see some pretty strong plot armour now.
Anyone who is new.... Give these series a reread later. You won't regret it. The 2nd, or even 3rd time if a new book was introduced, is even better than the first time. I just read Way of Kings for the 3rd time, and after Rhythm of War, and it's incredible how many nuggets you pick up on that you didn't notice before. Being more of an omnipresent viewer, knowing what's coming, is awesome.
Thank you! I literally just finished Hero of Ages and was wondering where to go next, this was perfectly timed!
Just finished way of kings! Very excited to absolutely got bonked by content this year
I just finished way of kings too!
With so many books written, this video is immediately being saved xD
Just finished my first Sanderson book - Elantris and it was amazingly good!! The world building, fantasy, strong FMC and MMC, and intriguing story line were very addicting! Can't wait to start on the others!!
Instructions unclear. I’m now 1,100+ pages deep into The Way of Kings.
I read Elantris after being super impressed by the Skyward books. It was my first Cosmere novel and I fell in love. I will rant and rave about how good Elantris was to literally anyone who will listen.
Definitely read the Alcatraz series with your kids. My 12 yr old read them in a month or so and we had to force him to go to sleep/eat instead of reading. I am most of the way through reading them with my 10 yr old and he now walks around with different pairs of sunglasses in his pockets.
Thats a good reading order... heres the order I read your books. I started with the Cytoverse, Skyward through to Defiant. Then I did the Mistborn Trillogy and then Wax and Wayne. After Concluding Wax and Wayne I dove head first into Stormlight and I read all the books in 2 months (Yes including Wind and Truth) excluding Dawnshard including Edgedancer. I then started Yumi and the Nightmare painter and now I have started Warbreaker. So I did not do this the correct way but it's also fun reading this way.
Elantris is such a moving book. Even the concepts behind its plot are poetic. I have enjoyed the other Cosmere books I've read but none have compared to Elantris for me thus far. Couldn't believe Sanderson was putting it down like this -- it's an incredible book! If you enjoy more literary fiction over action, as I do, then please check it out. 🙂
Reading Wind and Truth & so happy to be taken on this journey. Mahalo
Elantris is why I started reading your books, it was great and still needs a sequel.
If you enjoy Skyward series I would also recommend all the other smaller stories which add up a lot to the experince :) sunreach, redawn, evershore and sooner or later one more :)
Legion is seriously fantastic. Wish there were more of it
Started stormlight archive, and I've now found something I enjoy even more than watching shows. Top tier. I will then read mistborn Saga once done. So amazing
Absolutely loved this Brandon.What a divine author you are ! :)
OMGGG I LOVE YOU FOR THAT LITERALLY I WAS PLANNING ON GOING TMRW TO OUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE TO GO ON TO THE COSMERE
Started with Final Empire, and now I'm on Hero of Ages, so this is a very helpful video to get the most out of the Cosmere!
This was so timely! I just finished Tress, my first book of yours and absolutely loved it.
My reading order so far:
Mistborn era 1,
All secret projects except Sunlit Man,
Elantris,
Alloy of Law,
And currently reading Warbreaker and loving it.
I read your Skyward novels first and LOVED them ❤ now I’m onto stormlight archive but will follow your reading order advice there. Thank you
I binged the stormlight archive it was amazing! I’ve gotta read the rest of your books!
In the middle of May 2020 I started with Way of Kings and it was a wild journey being trapped indoors getting through this epic saga; Underrated starting point imho.
Finished elantris. Absolutely loved it.
The beauty of the Cosmere is it honestly doesn’t matter where you start. Elantris, Stormlight, Mistborn, Warbreaker, or even one of the secret projects. If you’re a fan of sci fi and/or fantasy, you’ll be sucked in regardless. I think part of the fun is not following any designated reading order, and instead slowly uncovering the common events (and characters) that exist throughout all the different stories and settings on your own. Half of the fun of these books is the sense of awe and discovery as you slowly start to uncover all these seemingly independent settings and stories are actually more tightly coupled that they initially appear.
I loved Elantris... it's still one of my favorites from your books :)
I read all of what mistborn that was out at the time (first 6), then elantris, then devoured the 4 stormlight that were out and the two novellas in between. I took a break for a little while since I read all that pretty quickly, but that was a perfect order for me. Then of course I get to read all the other pieces and reread all of mistborn so I could read the 7th one. Now I'm prepping to reread Stormlight but don't want to start too soon so I can jump straight from that reread into the new one soon!
Truly wild just how many books there are, it never ceases to amaze me how much you've written!
I’m new and I have started with the first Mistborn series. I love it. I’ll try this order
I got the Mistorn trilogy for Christmas, so I'm starting the new year diving in the Cosmere for the first time! 🎉
Reading through Way of Kings right now, it's my first book in the series! A part of me wishes I started with Mistborn, but now that I'm almost done Way of Kings I NEED more of these characters and this plot, gonna see it through!
Another fantastic video! thank you Brandon!
This was enjoyable; thank you! Can’t wait to read my first one.
Also I recommend all of the skyward novellas. They're awesome
I'm relatively new to your writing. I read Mistborn which is my favorite series of all time about 5 years ago, readabout 30 Terry Brooks books in greater Shannara and headed through Wheel of Time which I just finished before reading Elantris, where I am now. I'm looking forward to rereading Mistborn and this video will guide me from there.
I'm reading in publication order and I love it. I think Elantris is a great book and I've read it twice.
I MEANT to start with Mistborn, but while it was on its way to me I found out that Warbreaker was available for free on your site at the time, so I ended reading through the whole thing on my phone before my box set of Mistborn arrived. No regrets, and when I got my brother started, he started with Warbreaker as well.
Thank you for this, Sanderson! 😊
I'm new to your works and I'm reading The Hero of Ages right now.
Elantris was my first Sanderson novel and I absolutely loved it! But I can see how you need to temper expectations if you've read his later works first. Especially SA, absolutely fantastic fantasy series and cannot wait for Book 5!!
Reading Oathbringer right now and enjoying every minute of it!!
Funny comments about Elantris there. Its still my favorite of his, love it
I LOVE the Frugal Wizard's Handbook!
I've been reading the Cosmere in publication order and I've been enjoying it with no problems. I'm currently in the middle of Oathbringer.
Recommending Tress before Era 2 is certainly a move
Do you stand by this or no? I'm finishing Era 1 tomorrow and was going to go into Warbreaker next, I had Tress for at the very end but what is your take?
@@XRae95er it has what I would consider spoilers for era 2 of mistborn.
@@IamMullet ok! I am going to save it for after then like I originally had planned. Thank you! (I am really enjoying Mistborn so I don't want to get era 2 spoilers from a standalone)
@@XRae95er I read Tress before Era 2 (currently on Secret History before I read The Lost Metal) and there are definitely spoilers, though I wouldn't say it's detracted from the experience so far. But I would still recommend holding off on Tress until after Era 2. And maybe Elantris too - though this is less of a spoiler and more general understanding of worlds; I read Elantris after Era 1 and before the rest of his books, and I thought that was a good place.
@@athena5130 awww thank you so much! I appreciate the advice ❤️ so excited to get to all these!
Wife and I are listening to Elantris currently. Man, after taking care of someone who suffered from chronic pain for nearly a decade that book hits different.
Elantris is genius. Stop gatekeeping it Brandon. It's phenomenal.
That’s your opinion! His is it’s not as good as his more recent work.
Just finished warbreaker, about to take on Tress then making my way to the stormlight archive.
I just discovered Sanderson after a long reading hiatus. I jumped in head first with WOK and I like it so far (150 pages in )