Nice video! Very significant con of emperors soul: lots of people dont like novellas and shorter fiction, or just want to sink their teeth into something more epic. Another con of way of kings: stormlight is unfinished
I kinda ran out of space to write more Stormlight cons. But yes that is one. I guess if someone just dislikes novellas in general it's a bad starting point
Agree with you 100%. Emperor's Soul is incredible, maybe his best writing thematically. I started with WoK but I was coming out of a reading hiatus and wanted the chonk, and had already read WoT and ASoIaF.
And I think for someone who wants a giant book and has read a lot of series with huge worlds, that TWoK can be a really good starting point. It's one reason I made this, because people just kinda default to The Final Empire first
I started reading Sanderson before the Way of Kings was out. I was hooked with a copy of The Final Empire a friend leant me, and have since read the Cosmere in publication order (except for Elantris which I came back to later). I read the final copy of Warbreaker on Brandon's website around the time he serialised the edits to it there for free!
I actually forgot to mention Warbreaker being available for free as one of it's pros, but I really should have. I also started with TFE, and did Elantris later, but I started TWOK was out, WoR came out before I started WoK. I remember young me finishing Words of Radiance and going to buy the next one and just being like....crap.
wow great video! It would never have occurred to me that Emperor's Soul is the best entry point, but now it seems like a no-brainer. I started with Mistborn, which was my friend's attempt to foist his favorite author on me at a time when I wasn't reading any fantasy. I bounced off it in the first chapter due to the heavy fantasy worldbuilding elements I wasn't ready for, and I almost missed out on my life-changing fantasy journey I've been on since picking up Mistborn a second time and sticking with it.
My intro to the Cosmere was with Emperor's Soul (loved it). In terms of first actual novel of his I read; Way of Kings (loved it). I am putting more focus on catching up now cuz I didn't read any Stormlight in 2021. I am currently reading Oathbringer. I've kept putting off Mistborn cuz the hype but mostly because I don't like the idea of reading multiple series by the same author at once. Tho I did read Warbreaker but it's a standalone. I'll get to Mistborn some point this year, probably
I started with the Way of Kings. 10/10 100% recommend Not as complicated as it seems in the surface. Very entertaining. The learning curve isn't as steep as it seems at first. And as a A Song of Ice and Fire fan - at least I know with Sanderson will finish the series
So glad it worked. It definitely doesn't for some people, but I also don't think it is universally a bad idea for everyone, like some seem to claim it is.
@@jakebishop7822 Yeah I also think it was the worst possible idea for anyone who wants to enjoy the *cosmere* because going to misborn after stormlight meant I couldn't enjoy misborn as much by comparison-
I started with Elantris. I just decided to read everything in publication order. Worked for me, but I think final empire is a better starting pointm. Overall it's a better book. Elantris was very meh.
I wish i started with Way Of Kings. My biggest regret is that i have read Secret History and era 1 before WoK, i think i had too much of a "behind the scenes" look and a lot of the lore just didnt seem as mysterious anymore. And mystery is SO important for me. So if you are a reader who loves mystery, starting with Way Of Kings is the way to do it.
I like huge books, so for the longest time I thought I was going to start with Way of Kings. I even purchased it in paperback and Kindle first, just waiting for the right time to begin. However somehow I ended up buying the bundle pack of Mistborn Era 1 and began my cosmere journey there. Now, I'm still a beginner, having only read Final Empire and Well of Ascension, but I feel pretty satisfied about it. I look forward to making future connections within Cosmere, like I think Koloss will show up somewhere else. Also Sazed seems like he's from a pretty important group, so I imagine Terrismen will exist elsewhere. Or at least their Feruchemy
Hello, Jake. I've been reading fantasy for a year and half or so. At the end of 2021, Brandon Sanderson was at or near the top of my TBR, but he's slowly slid down and off, until a week ago. His well-written response showing keen understanding of empathy, respect, sincerity, curiosity and positivity moved me and my TBR. I own Warbreaker and The Final Empire. Thanks to a rewatch of this excellent video, Mistborn it is. How has your appreciation of Mr. Sanderson changed since posting, if at all? All the best, thanks and cheers.
Thanks a lot for the kind words about my video. I was already a pretty big fan of Sanderson, as he has been one of my favorite authors for 9 years. So I was already very positive on him. But when you have an impression of someone moderately famous who you don't actually know, it is always nice to have that reinforced. And I'm always happy when authors whose books I love also seem to be thoughtful and kind people. I hope you enjoy Mistborn!
I personally was super interested in Stormlight the most, but wanted to save that a little bit as to not just eat up the best entry then be underwhelmed by the rest. So right now I've read the Final Empire without the rest of the trilogy, Elantris and then Way of Kings. In this way I feel like I sampled a breadth of the cosmere and am interested in this universe enough to go and finish mistborn trilogy, then warbreaker, then words of radiance. After that I'll see which ones should be the best to follow up. But yeah I think of this order sort of like the MCU, where a bunch of different worlds are being set up individually to eventually pave the way into more connections (which I think should be further into Stormlight and mistborn era 2)
There will be more connections, but don't expect anything like Avengers. Think Dr Strange in Thor Ragnorok, if that. I see you are ok with bouncing around series. I wish I could do that , but I would forget to many characters.
I came here to see where I went wrong starting Sanderson and why I gave up with his books. You say don't start with Way of Kings. I said well that's where I went wrong. I do own them all but started in the wrong place. I probably should of started with Mistborn Era 1. I will give it another go one day.
When I first came across Brandon Sanderson I unwittingly started with ‘the emperor’s soul’ and did a reread recently and I’m glad I dipped my toes in Brando through his novella. Then I dived into Warbreaker and it’s a 5 ⭐️ read ! Mistborn trilogy is on my tbr and then Way of Kings series :) Any other books by him you highly recommend?
@@jakebishop7822 yeah, I’m not huge on western so idk whether to skip it. But since there is gonna be Era 3 on 80’s tech I think idk if I can skip Era 2!!! Help
I guess Whitesand is a no-no for you, lol. I started with The Way of Kings because, after I ended all Robin Hobb Elderlings books, I needed a big book with magic. And I worked for me. Kaladin remind me of Fitz too, so it was perfect
I was looking at your shelf, and do you have two of the way of kings leatherbounds?! I wouldn’t judge because I bought it as well but I’m interested in the rationale hahaha
The first version I got had a binding issue with part 2, so Dragonsteel sent me a replacement. Which was insanely nice, their customer service people are just the best
@@jakebishop7822 ahh interesting, facing one forward looks amazing! I couldn’t be more excited for WoR to launch in leatherbound (it’s my favourite in the series). Thanks for the video, it was great!
@@marcelbeaudoin3886 when I bought TWoK I naively thought it would be the only one I would get. I'm totally getting WoR. It is also my favorite of the seriee, and was my favorite book of all time for about 7 years
@@jakebishop7822 that’s phenomenal. It’s probably in my top 2 with A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. I mainly read fantasy but no other fantasy book has surpassed it yet. Can I ask what surpassed it for you? I am rationalizing the leatherbounds because the purchases are separated by three years - that’s the only way my wallet can take the cumulative hit!
I'm partway through this video and thought of a question Jake... Would this list be different for 'best place to start Sanderson'...(vs starting Cosmere)?
@@jakebishop7822 That is true, whenever i think of sanderson's stuff it is usually a book from the cosmere even though I enjoy the cytonic series. Great video Jake, i enjoyed it!
The best starting point is, and has always been, Page 329 of Oathbringer. No other experience can match the brilliance of this reading order
I feel this has some flaws, maybe I will make a follow up video and discuss the pro's and cons
okay you sold me...i will read the emperor's soul
YEEEESSS
Nice video! Very significant con of emperors soul: lots of people dont like novellas and shorter fiction, or just want to sink their teeth into something more epic. Another con of way of kings: stormlight is unfinished
I kinda ran out of space to write more Stormlight cons. But yes that is one.
I guess if someone just dislikes novellas in general it's a bad starting point
Agree with you 100%. Emperor's Soul is incredible, maybe his best writing thematically.
I started with WoK but I was coming out of a reading hiatus and wanted the chonk, and had already read WoT and ASoIaF.
And I think for someone who wants a giant book and has read a lot of series with huge worlds, that TWoK can be a really good starting point.
It's one reason I made this, because people just kinda default to The Final Empire first
I started reading Sanderson before the Way of Kings was out. I was hooked with a copy of The Final Empire a friend leant me, and have since read the Cosmere in publication order (except for Elantris which I came back to later). I read the final copy of Warbreaker on Brandon's website around the time he serialised the edits to it there for free!
I actually forgot to mention Warbreaker being available for free as one of it's pros, but I really should have.
I also started with TFE, and did Elantris later, but I started TWOK was out, WoR came out before I started WoK.
I remember young me finishing Words of Radiance and going to buy the next one and just being like....crap.
wow great video! It would never have occurred to me that Emperor's Soul is the best entry point, but now it seems like a no-brainer. I started with Mistborn, which was my friend's attempt to foist his favorite author on me at a time when I wasn't reading any fantasy. I bounced off it in the first chapter due to the heavy fantasy worldbuilding elements I wasn't ready for, and I almost missed out on my life-changing fantasy journey I've been on since picking up Mistborn a second time and sticking with it.
A lot of people don't consider it, and IDK why.
Glad that Mistborn ended up working out, thats a good friend
This was great Jake! I started with the final empire but I agree that the Emperor’s Soul is the best place to start with Sanderson.
Thanks
the final empire is the only right answer because that is what i did and my opinion is the only correct one
It's a good starting point
Dang why do I totally agree with this.
I started with Way of Kings, though, because I like pain.
You agree with this because it is correct
My intro to the Cosmere was with Emperor's Soul (loved it). In terms of first actual novel of his I read; Way of Kings (loved it). I am putting more focus on catching up now cuz I didn't read any Stormlight in 2021. I am currently reading Oathbringer.
I've kept putting off Mistborn cuz the hype but mostly because I don't like the idea of reading multiple series by the same author at once. Tho I did read Warbreaker but it's a standalone. I'll get to Mistborn some point this year, probably
I started with the Way of Kings. 10/10 100% recommend
Not as complicated as it seems in the surface. Very entertaining. The learning curve isn't as steep as it seems at first. And as a A Song of Ice and Fire fan - at least I know with Sanderson will finish the series
So glad it worked. It definitely doesn't for some people, but I also don't think it is universally a bad idea for everyone, like some seem to claim it is.
@@jakebishop7822 Yeah I also think it was the worst possible idea for anyone who wants to enjoy the *cosmere* because going to misborn after stormlight meant I couldn't enjoy misborn as much by comparison-
I started with Elantris. I just decided to read everything in publication order. Worked for me, but I think final empire is a better starting pointm. Overall it's a better book. Elantris was very meh.
Reading everything in pub order is definitely a valid way to go
This is a great video, Jake! I might still go ahead with The Final Empire. I have that trilogy in my shelf from long time.
Thanks, The Final Empire is a great place to start, especially if it the book you own
I started with the way of kings.
I wish i started with Way Of Kings. My biggest regret is that i have read Secret History and era 1 before WoK, i think i had too much of a "behind the scenes" look and a lot of the lore just didnt seem as mysterious anymore. And mystery is SO important for me. So if you are a reader who loves mystery, starting with Way Of Kings is the way to do it.
I like huge books, so for the longest time I thought I was going to start with Way of Kings. I even purchased it in paperback and Kindle first, just waiting for the right time to begin.
However somehow I ended up buying the bundle pack of Mistborn Era 1 and began my cosmere journey there. Now, I'm still a beginner, having only read Final Empire and Well of Ascension, but I feel pretty satisfied about it. I look forward to making future connections within Cosmere, like I think Koloss will show up somewhere else. Also Sazed seems like he's from a pretty important group, so I imagine Terrismen will exist elsewhere. Or at least their Feruchemy
Hello, Jake. I've been reading fantasy for a year and half or so. At the end of 2021, Brandon Sanderson was at or near the top of my TBR, but he's slowly slid down and off, until a week ago. His well-written response showing keen understanding of empathy, respect, sincerity, curiosity and positivity moved me and my TBR. I own Warbreaker and The Final Empire. Thanks to a rewatch of this excellent video, Mistborn it is. How has your appreciation of Mr. Sanderson changed since posting, if at all? All the best, thanks and cheers.
Thanks a lot for the kind words about my video.
I was already a pretty big fan of Sanderson, as he has been one of my favorite authors for 9 years. So I was already very positive on him. But when you have an impression of someone moderately famous who you don't actually know, it is always nice to have that reinforced. And I'm always happy when authors whose books I love also seem to be thoughtful and kind people.
I hope you enjoy Mistborn!
I personally was super interested in Stormlight the most, but wanted to save that a little bit as to not just eat up the best entry then be underwhelmed by the rest. So right now I've read the Final Empire without the rest of the trilogy, Elantris and then Way of Kings. In this way I feel like I sampled a breadth of the cosmere and am interested in this universe enough to go and finish mistborn trilogy, then warbreaker, then words of radiance. After that I'll see which ones should be the best to follow up.
But yeah I think of this order sort of like the MCU, where a bunch of different worlds are being set up individually to eventually pave the way into more connections (which I think should be further into Stormlight and mistborn era 2)
There will be more connections, but don't expect anything like Avengers.
Think Dr Strange in Thor Ragnorok, if that.
I see you are ok with bouncing around series. I wish I could do that , but I would forget to many characters.
@@jakebishop7822 Oh yeah definitely!
I came here to see where I went wrong starting Sanderson and why I gave up with his books. You say don't start with Way of Kings. I said well that's where I went wrong. I do own them all but started in the wrong place. I probably should of started with Mistborn Era 1. I will give it another go one day.
I hope it works out for you
When I first came across Brandon Sanderson I unwittingly started with ‘the emperor’s soul’ and did a reread recently and I’m glad I dipped my toes in Brando through his novella. Then I dived into Warbreaker and it’s a 5 ⭐️ read ! Mistborn trilogy is on my tbr and then Way of Kings series :)
Any other books by him you highly recommend?
Those are basically the main ones.
There is also an era 2 trilogy for Mistborn, but you don't have to worry about that for a while
@@jakebishop7822 yeah, I’m not huge on western so idk whether to skip it. But since there is gonna be Era 3 on 80’s tech I think idk if I can skip Era 2!!! Help
@@proseandcons7730 so we haven't gotten to era 3 yet, but era 2 is probably going to be pretty important
I guess Whitesand is a no-no for you, lol.
I started with The Way of Kings because, after I ended all Robin Hobb Elderlings books, I needed a big book with magic. And I worked for me. Kaladin remind me of Fitz too, so it was perfect
I kinda forgot about White Sand, because I haven't read it, due to not having met a single person who has said it is worth reading
I was looking at your shelf, and do you have two of the way of kings leatherbounds?! I wouldn’t judge because I bought it as well but I’m interested in the rationale hahaha
The first version I got had a binding issue with part 2, so Dragonsteel sent me a replacement.
Which was insanely nice, their customer service people are just the best
@@jakebishop7822 ahh interesting, facing one forward looks amazing! I couldn’t be more excited for WoR to launch in leatherbound (it’s my favourite in the series).
Thanks for the video, it was great!
@@marcelbeaudoin3886 when I bought TWoK I naively thought it would be the only one I would get.
I'm totally getting WoR. It is also my favorite of the seriee, and was my favorite book of all time for about 7 years
@@jakebishop7822 that’s phenomenal. It’s probably in my top 2 with A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. I mainly read fantasy but no other fantasy book has surpassed it yet. Can I ask what surpassed it for you?
I am rationalizing the leatherbounds because the purchases are separated by three years - that’s the only way my wallet can take the cumulative hit!
@@marcelbeaudoin3886 Words of Radiance got beat for me by multiple books by Robin Hobb, who became my favorite author in 2021
I'm partway through this video and thought of a question Jake... Would this list be different for 'best place to start Sanderson'...(vs starting Cosmere)?
Maybe, but in general I just like the Cosmere stuff more than the non Cosmere stuff.
I guess someone could start with Skyward, or Steelheart though
@@jakebishop7822 That is true, whenever i think of sanderson's stuff it is usually a book from the cosmere even though I enjoy the cytonic series. Great video Jake, i enjoyed it!
Hi Jake ! What would you read after The Emperor’s soul ?
Uhhh, I guess whichever of Mistborn, or Warbreaker sounds cooler to you, or Stormlight if you want a tome and don't care about Cosmere connections
@@jakebishop7822 Thanks Jake ! Am I supposed to read the era 2 Mistborn books after The Hero of ages or ?
@@k2u364 you don't have to read era 2 directly after, but definitely not before
@@jakebishop7822 thanks 😊
Can I start with The Lost Metal?
Yes, but only if you read The Lost Metal before August of this year
@@jakebishop7822 What happens in August
@@AsfandyarSheikh In August you can no longer start with The Lost Metal
@@jakebishop7822 But why though
@@AsfandyarSheikh because I told you it is the case, and I'm an expert