The Ultimate Cosmere Reading Order | Guide to Brandon Sanderson's Universe 

Get Exclusive NordVPN deal at nordvpn.com/capturedinwords. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! My reading order: -Mistborn book 1: The Final Empire -Eleventh Metal -Mistborn book 2: The Well of Ascension -Mistborn book 3 The Hero of Ages -Elantris -Hope of Elantris -Emperor's Soul -WhiteSand (optional) -The Way of Kings -Warbreaker (can be read before WoK, but make sure you read it before Stormlight book 2) -Shadows for silence in the forests of hell -Words of Radiance -Edgedancer -Oathbringer -Sixth of the Dusk -Dawnshard -Rhythm of War -Mistborn Era 2: The Alloy of Law -Mistborn era 2: Shadows of Self -Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania -Mistborn Era 2: The Bands of Mourning -Mistborn: Secret History -Mistborn Era 2: The Lost Metal -Tress of the Emerald Sea

I'm a simple man, I see cosmere, I click

This is perfect cause I’m one of the twelve people on earth who haven’t read the Cosmere yet! But I intend to start soon. Thanks for the great video! ❤

EDIT: Yumi and the Nightmare Painter is a standalone story that can be read on its own, though it does have a lot of references to The Stormlight Archive and other Cosmere works. You can read it whenever but I would personally place it after Rhythm of War. My reading order: -Mistborn book 1: The Final Empire -Eleventh Metal -Mistborn book 2: The Well of Ascension -Mistborn book 3 The Hero of Ages -Elantris -Hope of Elantris -Emperor's Soul -WhiteSand (optional) -The Way of Kings -Warbreaker (can be read before WoK, but make sure you read it before Stormlight book 2) -Shadows for silence in the forests of hell -Words of Radiance -Edgedancer -Oathbringer -Sixth of the Dusk -Dawnshard -Rhythm of War -Mistborn Era 2: The Alloy of Law -Mistborn era 2: Shadows of Self -Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania -Mistborn Era 2: The Bands of Mourning -Mistborn: Secret History -Mistborn Era 2: The Lost Metal -Tress of the Emerald Sea

I’ll just say this: Jay’s videos, especially the Cosmere ones, are some of the best that BookTube has to offer. Full stop. Keep up your amazing work, Jay!

Hi Everyone here is his recommend reading order! 1. The Final Empire
 2. The Eleventh Metal (Short Story) 3. The Well of Ascension 
 4. Hero of Ages 5. Elantris 6. The Hope of Elantris (Short Story) 7. The Emperor’s Soul (Novella) 8. The Way of Kings 9. Warbreaker 10. Shadows of Silence in the forest of hell (Short Story) 11. Words of Radiance 12. EdgeDancer (Novella) 13. OathBringer 14. Six of the dusk (Short Story) 15. Dawnshard (Novella) 16. Rhythm of war 17. The Alloy Of Law 18. Shadows of Self 19. Allowmancer Jack and the pits of Eltania (Short Story) 20. The Bands of Mourning 21. Mistborn Secret History (Novella) 22. The Lost Metal 23. Tress of the Emerald Sea

I have been reading the Cosmere to my sister. We've read Elantris, then Hope of Elantris, and we Just finished The Final Empire. I have been stressing quite a bit about trying to figure out which books to read in the future, and this video was IMMENSELY helpful. I've got some deviations here and there, but that's to be expected. You asked which Cosmere book we read first: I read the Way of Kings first, and I'm really glad I did. It remains one of my favorite books ever. (I also suspect that had I started elsewhere, I might not have stuck with the cosmere) Interestingly, I've been discussing the books we've read so far with my sister, and while she agrees that Mistborn is a little better written than Elantris, she suspects that had we not started with Elantris, she would not have been hooked on Cosmere, and would not have been able to stick it out for the long haul. I've decided to read her The Emperor's Soul after Era 1, and Warbreaker before Stormlight. This means that, including White Sand, We've got 6 more books and stories to get through before I can start her on The Way of Kings. We'll probably get The Eleventh Metal out of the way pretty quickly, and I'm also really looking forward to The Emperor's Soul, but that's still a LOT of stuff that we'll be going through. I figure that if I read to her for about an hour a day every day, I can probably start The Way of Kings by August or September. We'll see how it goes.

As someone who has never read a Sanderson book, but just bought Stormlight Archive, this feels like it might be the perfect video to break my bank and muddle up the TBR. 😊🎉

This is probably the best way to get every single reference. That said, it definitely feels more like a reread order. Stuff like breaking up Stormlight and having to stop to read Warbreaker just doesn’t feel like a way people will naturally want to read their first time through, you know? Either way great video. I can’t wait to see the rest of the cosmere content coming our way!

I own all the books and have read two due to the challenge of figuring out the timeline. You, sir? Dropped this: 👑

Just started Mistborn as my first Sanderson book, let’s see if that’s the first one.

Read Mistborn and picked up and started Way of Kings. I didn't know that they are all set in the same universe. Thanks for this list, now I'll know where to go next. It's a very helpful video.

I did Mistborn era 1, then Warbreaker, then The Way of Kings, and now I’m a couple hundred pages into Words of Radiance. Just absolutely fantastic books

You've got a talent to capture the essence of a book without spoiling it. Describing kaladin as having a heavy weight on his shoulder it's a great way to give the vibes without going into details. I hate when people go into too much detail even if it only spoils the first few chapters. Also your edit and fan art selection is always top. Lately my favorite type of videos on the internet are these of yours! Not exaggerating 🎉 Also this video will come in handy when someone asks me for advice on the cosmere order. Finally, I'm sorry you didn't get to read warbreaker in time, your frustration is comical and palpable 😂

I’m over here having started with Tress and figuring out where to go next 😅 I will say, starting with a stand-alone was good because I’ve been intimidated by Brandon Sanderson’s books for several years. And now I’m finally in!

Definitely read Mistborn Era 2 (minus Lost Metal) and Secret History before Rhythm of War!!! Lots of references in Rhythm of War to Mistborn era 2 and I would highly recommend reading it first

I read my first Cosmere novel about 2 weeks ago: Tress of the Emerald Sea. Loved it! Now I have to work the other books into my already packed reading schedule. It’s good to be retired with lots of reading time! 😁

I love that you suggest Warbreaker or Elantris if the reader doesn't vibe with Mistborn Era 1. I am one of those readers (though getting through the series now anyway because I must read all the Cosmere!) -- Elantris really spoke to me, and I think it's probably a better entry than Mistborn for people who prefer literary fiction over action. It certainly got me hooked on Sanderson's books immediately!

So, in terms of Brandon Sanderson, I started with Alcatraz, loved it, read the Reckoners series, loved it, read the Rithmatist, loved it and read all of Skyward, loved it. In terms of the Cosmere, I read Mistborn, having no idea there was a whole extended universe involved, then moved on to the first 3 books of the Stormlight Archives, then Dawnshard, then I watched this video.

The first cosmere book I read was the Way of Kings. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn’t start with stormlight knowingly but I went in completely blind to the cosmere and all of Brando Sando’s works and completely fell in love with Stormlight. It’s where the Journey started for me, and what a journey it’s been.

Super helpful, thanks!

I love how you matched your t shirt

What an AWESOME video!! I've just started my Cosmere journey (partially thanks to you!), and I've done Mistborn Era 1, Elantris, Warbreaker, The Emperor's Soul, and now The Way of Kings. Just missed a few novellas it seems, but I'll circle back for SURE

This is absolutely amazing. What an amazing and beautiful job you did here, thank you so much, wish there were videos for the rest of the series. I have fallen in love with your channel❤

the most valuable video I've seen in months. THANK YOU.

Thank you for this video! I've been thinking about starting the Cosmere for a while now and this helps a lot 😁 Love the t-shirt, btw.

Thank you for making this video. I can tell you put a lot of thought into your recommendations. This will be a valuable resource for me as I start reading Sanderson's works.

I read the Mistborn series a while ago and I was so amazed and I’ve been wanting to read the rest of Sandersons books so thank you for this video!

Excellent video! Fantastic resource!! Thank you so much for doing this…

Awesome video!! My first Sanderson book was Elantris and now I can’t wait to start Mistborn!

i read warbreaker first which i just finished and now i’m going to start mistborn era 1 and continue in your suggested order. this is exactly what i was looking for, thanks man

I'm just gonna start my cosmere journey, thanks for the order !

Thanks for this list. Just got through finishing the first mistborn book so this will be helpful down the line

Thank you so much! I just finished Mistborn Era 1 and was wondering what to read next... this answer my question!

I’ve so far read the entire Mistborn era one books and Warbreaker, so I definitely have some catching up to do! Thank you for this great guide!

Thank you for the recommended order. I recently read the original trilogy and am excited to continue on. Great video!

I love seeing all the art in your videos, many I haven’t seen before. I’ve started re reading the cosmere books and following this order. I haven’t read any of the novellas or white sands before so there will be some new stuff to discover.

This reading order is solid gold! 10/10! The White Sands Graphic Audio was great. I haven't read the physical books. But, really enjoyed the audio.

Thank you, this is such a great and clear guide!!

My god, the editing of your videos is always simply magnificent.

thank you so much for doing this! i've been looking everywhere for a cosmere reading guide and this was exactly what i needed!

This was so helpful. I can’t wait to start the Cosmere!

Thank you! I've looked up many reading orders and they all state don't worry about easter eggs etc but I want to be on the lookout and get the full Sanderson easter egg moments the first time I read the entire Cosmere.

Love this video, great resource!

Yess I have been waiting for this vid from you for a long time! Thank you so much! Keep up the awesome work!

Absolutely love your work. And having a ref for the reading order has helped sooo much. I finally made it to the Stormlight archives. Phew 😮‍💨 I wanted to read everything else first..still holding onto the Lost Metal. I just finished Words of Radiance. Now, I feel like I need to go back to my WoK notes. My head is exploding with all the things I know I’ve missed.

Elantris is my first and I've read the first Mistborn so this is perfect timing 🤪🤓🙌🏼 thank you.

i may have already read all of the cosmere but i still enjoy any cosmere vids i can get my hands on

My friends got me to start the Cosmere with The Way of Kings, and that was great, but I DEFINITELY wish I'd started with Mistborn! This is a fantastic reading order, thank you for doing this video

This is perfect! I have been struggling on what order to read the cosmere to get all the Easter eggs. I started with Mistborn era 1 then jumped to Warbreaker. Elantris is next up on my TBR. Thank you for the explanation of all the novellas, I didn’t realize there were so many. Great video!

I just started reading The Final Empire yesterday! I had been so intimidated every time I wanted to pick up a Sanderson book. I'm hooked. Will definitely go with you reading order

2nd time I have seen this order. Very interested in your take and appreciate the video and the insights you have provided.

Finished well of ascension today 🤯 can’t wait to consume it all

This is phenomenal. Thank you for the work put into this so I can share it with people who haven't started!

I just started my journey and I am currently reading Mistborn The Final Empire as my first book from Brandon Sanderson. I am very intrigued and curious about the whole Cosmere universe and I do look forward to reading all the books. Great video, thank you! I wrote the order you recommend down and I plan on following it.

Thanks for this reading order! I have finished the Mistborn Mara 1. I really felt disappointed in the last book. It just felt so long so much wandering meandering to and fro strategizing war tactics I felt nothing happened! There were obvious changes that were explained. But I do want to continue with Cosmere world this video inspired my motivation again to not be so beat up by the last book.

Very good video! I started my cosmere adventure by reading Mistborn era 1. I am gonna buy Arcanum unbounded today so that o am ready to continue reading cosmere in your order:)

Thank you for the order suggestion! I've listened to all of Mistborn, side stories and novellas included, as well as Stormlight. I was unaware that Risyn had her own book so that is my next listen, but im excited to get into the other books in the cosmere.

I actually started from the storm light archive and loved it, but I agree with your order, Mistborn is definitely easier as a start. Great video as always

This was amazing. Super helpful. I started with mistborn, and I'm currently going through the hero of ages. I wanted to jump to warbreaker after finishing era 1, but now I think I'll stick to your reading order. Thanks❤

I just started reading Cosmere and started with Tress of the Emerald Sea. It's such a beautiful and fun book to read, I'm doing research on cosmere for my next Sanderson book!!

Started reading fantasy again after more than a decade away from the genre. Having grown up with Wheel of Time as my favourite book series (when I started there were only 3 books in the series) I heard The Stormlight Archives would be a good place to start. I'm nearly finished Way of Kings and only recently found out this is part of a larger universe of stories. I think I'm going to have a lot of reading ahead of me. If you've read this far, I guess this is my way of saying thanks to the video author for suggesting an entry into this massive universe. I look forward to uncovering all the details.

Since I've been a member of your channel for a while for the KKC content, and I saw you have a lot of cosmere content, I decided to dive in. So far I read Mistborn first generation trilogy, Warbreaker, and am about 2/3 through Alloy of Law. Good stuff!

I like this reading order. My first Sanderson book was The Way of Kings. Since then I’ve read almost all of his books except Mistborn Era 2. I plan to reread everything before the 5th Stormlight book gets released. I plan to follow your reading order. It’s gonna be fun!!!

Just started with this recommended reading order of the cosmere 10 days ago. Finishing book 3, The Hero Of Ages, from the Mistborn trilogy. Ive always read Tolkien and Conan for my fantasy fix. Im so glad i decided to go with The Cosmere. Cant wait to see what the rest is all about! Thanks for making this awesome guide!

Had a reading slump recently…. Never read any Brandon Sanderson before ( no idea why) but this cosmere thing intrigued me….had no idea where to start….found this vid and blasted through Mistborn ( which was stunning ) and now halfway through Elantris….ive got Acanium Unbounded….so following this route……Thankyou so much Captured in words.

Great video. I read a lot out of order during my time, but first cosmere book I read was Way of Kings. I remember legit sobbing at that sanderlanche. Only have rhythm of war and the lost metal left!

Thanks Jay. I finally finished Mistborn Era 1 and was wondering what to read next in the Cosmere

I loved this Warbreaker artwork with the red background!

Awesome video as always!

Graphic audio is amazing. highly recommend👍

I’ve been wanting to get into these series, but have been too overwhelmed 😂 I needed this vid

YES YES please more Cosmere deep dives!!!!! Any and all content for this world I adore. It’s really it’s own marvel cinematic universe and more people are joining it but are sooo lost or would love more lord and theories and connections. Also for me personally as a fan but also someone a bit new to high fantasy “epics” I find it challenging to follow huge character and plot and world sometimes, (I come from recently leaving YA fantasy which is just male & female and that’s it and they’re probably in love lol). So if you have any interest in discussing how you keep big fantasy worlds and names straight or any advice on this topic I would highly adoreeee. Either way thanks for all your content ❤😊

Bookmarking this video. Just starting my Cosmere journey with Mistborn Book 1, already read Way of Kings (was partway through before I even realised there was a wider universe), and now my reading schedule is co-opted by Sanderson for the foreseeable future, and with your video's help I won't get any of the others in the wrong order, lol.

Just finished reading the whole Cosmere within a calendar year - what a series Sanderson is putting together! My reading order actually isn't far off of what you've got above and I would probably only change the reading of Warbreaker to an earlier point just to avoid breaking up Stormlight. When I get asked what to read first I usually say the original Mistborn trilogy or Warbreaker (my personal favourite Cosmere work to date). My reading order was: The Final Empire The Well of Ascension The Hero of Ages Alloy of Law Shadows of Self Bands of Mourning Secret History Warbreaker The Way of Kings Words of Radiance Edgedancer Oathbringer Eleventh Metal Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell Elantris Hope of Elantris The Emperor's Soul Sixth of the Dusk Allomancer Jak Dawnshard Rhythm of War The Lost Metal Tress of the Emerald Sea If I were to re-read the series I would certainly read Mistborn Era 2 together near the end, Elantris-world stuff before any Stormlight, and probably not break the short stories into the middle like I did this first time through. But I don't think my order significantly left me missing much interconnectivity! I'm just glad to be caught up and looking forward to catching the final two secret projects and Stormlight 5 with everyone else going forward!

Just finished the trilogy, and I have to say, it is one of the best books I've ever read. It literally felt like watching a movie, especially the last scenes in book 2 and 3. I've never read anything like that. The final scene brought me to tears, and I can't wait to read more. I have a tendency to feel very sad and empty when one book series ends, but this time I didn't feel so depressed, knowing that there is so much left to read in the cosmere. This video conviced me to read misborn, and I will continue read from your suggested order. Thank you for this video.

Thank you so much for this! I attempted Way of Kings last year, and I was completely overwhelmed. Was waiting for this exact video on how best to approach Sanderson, and I've taken diligent notes! The second half of 2023 will be devoted to your exact order.

just finished The Final Empire and I'm about to follow this guide exactly or at least attempt to

Can’t wait for the deep dive!

Great reading order Jay!

just read Tress of the Emerald Sea as my introduction into Sanderson and the Cosmere. Plab on following this order going forward!

Looking forward to the lore deep dive :)

Just the video I needed!! Just started my journey in this world. I've read the first 2 Mistborn book, now I'm going to squeeze in The Eleventh Metal before reading the third and follow your order from there! So excitedddd

I started with MISTBORN and couldn't agree more that it's the best place to start. The writing is incredible, the world building, character building and heist feel of Final Empire really gets you to fall in love with BS' writing. This is also a great book to recommend to anyone who hasn't read or doesn't think they like fantasy/fiction. I had not enjoyed fantasy/fiction previous to reading MISTBORN and that original trilogy changed me completely. BONUS COMMENT: For some reason my favorite book is Dawnshard. I think, for whatever reason, I could so easily imagine every single scene with high detail in my brain. Such a fun ride for Rysn.

I was gonna flip back and forth from Era 2 to Stormlight in order to get a break from the heft of Stormlight. Glad I watched this I have adjusted my reading order.

I read (actually listened to) Emperor's Soul first and then the 7 Mistborn books (I liked Era 2 more). This is super helpful to understand the best order I should use, thanks Jay!

Perfect timing - I was just in the library wondering which book by Brandon Sanderson to grab.

Just finished the final empire, so seeing this video now was perfect. I'd already done a fair bit of reading on, well... reading orders. (have all of the cosmere aside from tress which is on the way, and white sand which i'll honestly just read summaries of) And everyone seem to suggest different orders. This one made a lot of sense, thanks! :)

Great video Jay! This probably couldn't be a better guide. I'm still not well versed in the cosmere, but this looks great!

I love all of your content im a huge Sanderson fan also name of the wind I’ve seen every name of the wind videos you have multiple times keep it up ❤

Ive just read Elantris (which is my first Sanderson) so this video couldn't have come at a better time!!

Ideal reading order for reveals and connections is something I've been considering for a full Cosmere re-read. I don't think there is a perfect solution yet, but your order is excellent and will be the jumping off point for determining my order. I might personally push all the Scadrial works together and put Tress after the Elantris-related stories.

Im at the end of the Final Empire, cant wait to get to the Stormlight Archives, what a journey

Perfect timing for this video. I’m finishing mistborn trilogy 👌🏻

Completed Mistborn trilogy. Confused which one to read next. Now i am going to follow your order of books till the end.

What an amazing video and well explained reading order

I finally convinced three people to pick up the Cosmere and start with Mistborn. This is a solid order to guide them forward-certainly better than the order I read these books (hey, I didn't know any better back in the day). Thanks!

I really want to get started on the Cosmere and Brandon Sanderson. I have heard so much about his stories. Based on this sequence,I am glad that I only got Mistborn. I’ll use this video as a guide once I make the commitment.

Good Order, especially for Easteregg and X-reference Knowledge. I started with Elantris + Shortstories, then Mistborn Era1 + Shortstories, then Warbreaker, and so on until everything written today was consumed - and I'm currently rereading everything 😄.

It is hell of a TBR .