If you consider yourself a fan of high fantasy, there's a good chance you've heard the name Brandon Sanderson—even if you haven't yet read one of his books. Revered as one of the most prolific fantasy authors of the modern era, Sanderson has reshaped the literary landscape. He redefined how authors publish, championed better e-book royalty terms, completed the legendary Wheel of Time series after Robert Jordan’s passing, and built an expansive media universe through Dragonsteel, including his own fan convention. His influence is immense—calling him a major figure in fantasy would be an understatement.
But perhaps Sanderson’s greatest achievement is the Cosmere—a vast, interconnected universe spanning nearly all of his works. Think of it as a literary equivalent to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but entirely crafted by a single author. Every new Cosmere release sends ripples across the community, eagerly dissected for hidden connections and foreshadowing. This guide provides the current best understanding of the chronological order of Cosmere books, excluding unreleased titles like Dragonsteel, future Elantris sequels, and Mistborn Eras 3 and 4.
Navigating the full Cosmere can feel overwhelming—there’s a lot to read. But this list isn’t meant to pressure you into a rigid path. Instead, it’s a tool to help you explore the universe at your own pace, make connections, and appreciate the deeper lore. And while the books can be enjoyed as standalone stories or in publication order, reading them chronologically offers a unique perspective on the evolving universe.
A special thanks to the CopperMind, the fan-maintained Cosmere wiki, for its invaluable research in piecing this together. Just be careful when browsing—it’s far too easy to stumble into spoilers, even with warnings.
Please note: As of now, there is no official Cosmere timeline. Sanderson has mentioned the possibility of releasing one before the second arc of The Stormlight Archive begins—tentatively expected around 2031. The current order is based on community research from the CopperMind, Reddit discussions, and deep-dive YouTube analyses.
AnswerSee ResultsHow Many Books Are in the Cosmere Timeline?
To experience the full breadth of the Cosmere, you’ll need to explore a mix of novels, novellas, short stories, graphic novels, and anthologies. While the exact count varies depending on how you group collections, there are approximately 24 core titles to read. Here’s the complete list of Cosmere works available as of 2025:
- Elantris
- Mistborn Era 1
- Mistborn: The Final Empire
- The Well of Ascension
- The Hero of Ages
- Mistborn Era 2
- The Alloy of Law
- Shadows of Self
- The Bands of Mourning
- The Lost Metal
- Warbreaker
- Stormlight Archive – First Arc
- The Way of Kings
- Words of Radiance
- Oathbringer
- Rhythm of War
- Wind and Truth
- Dawnshard (Novella)
- White Sand (Graphic Novels)
- White Sand Vol. 1
- White Sand Vol. 2
- White Sand Vol. 3
- Tress of the Emerald Sea
- Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
- The Sunlit Man
- Arcanum Unbounded (Short Story Collection)
- The Emperor’s Soul
- The Hope of Elantris (also free on Sanderson’s website)
- The Eleventh Metal
- Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania
- Mistborn: Secret History
- White Sand (short story version)
- Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell
- Sixth of the Dusk
- Edgedancer
The “Chronological” Cosmere Reading Order
While the following order reflects the current understanding of the Cosmere timeline, it’s not necessarily the best way to begin. Many readers prefer publication order, and Sanderson himself has shared a “Where do I start?” guide for newcomers. Personally, I began with Mistborn: The Final Empire and then jumped into The Way of Kings—a combination that worked perfectly.
Let’s dive into the timeline.
White Sand – World: Taldain
Books: White Sand Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3
Believed to be the earliest story chronologically, the White Sand graphic novels are set on Taldain, a desert planet where individuals train to become Sand Masters. The story follows Kenton, a young man seeking answers after a brutal attack wipes out much of the Sand Master order. Originally one of Sanderson’s earliest manuscripts (an excerpt appears in Arcanum Unbounded), White Sand offers a glimpse into the roots of the Cosmere. While references to it are sparse in later works, it’s a foundational piece—and future connections may deepen.
Elantris – World: Sel
Books: Elantris, The Hope of Elantris, The Emperor’s Soul
Elantris, Sanderson’s debut novel (2005), is set on the world of Sel. It follows Prince Raoden, Princess Sarene, and High Priest Hrathen as they navigate a kingdom where the once-magical city of Elantris has fallen into ruin after the Reod—a catastrophic event that stripped its inhabitants of their divine powers, leaving them cursed and decaying.
This novel explores what happens when magic fails—and how hope persists. Though Elantris stands alone for now, Sanderson has confirmed two sequels in development.
The Hope of Elantris (found in Arcanum Unbounded and free on Sanderson’s website) bridges the end of Elantris and provides additional context. Read it only after finishing the main novel.
The Emperor’s Soul, also set on Sel but in a different nation, follows Shai, a master forger tasked with restoring an emperor’s soul. This novella introduces a unique magic system rooted in spiritual replication and features strong East Asian influences. Included in Arcanum Unbounded, it’s a must-read for understanding deeper Cosmere mechanics.
Mistborn Era 1 (Vin and Kelsier) – World: Scadrial
Books: The Eleventh Metal, Mistborn: The Final Empire, The Well of Ascension, The Hero of Ages, Mistborn: Secret History
The Mistborn Era 1 trilogy is one of the most celebrated entries in the Cosmere. Set on Scadrial, it follows Vin, a street urchin, and Kelsier, a revolutionary allomancer,
