Brandon Sanderson’s stories aren’t just books; they’re immersive experiences filled with intricate worlds, clever magic systems, and characters that stick with you long after you’ve turned the last page. But with so many incredible novels spanning both the Cosmere (his shared universe of interconnected worlds) and beyond, it can be really hard to know where to start. Don’t worry, though—I’ve been there. I’ve not only got tips for where to begin your Sanderson adventure, but I’m also ranking some of his most notable books in my own spicy, unapologetic order. Grab a drink, settle in, and get ready to discover your next favorite fantasy story.
Where to Begin Your Sanderson (Cosmere) Journey
I started my Sanderson adventure with The Way of Kings, which, funny enough, I stumbled upon as an advanced uncorrected copy in Ghana of all places. It felt like discovering buried treasure. Diving straight into the Stormlight Archive was bold, but it was worth every page. After that, I decided to step back and explore Elantris, a standalone novel that gave me a glimpse of Sanderson’s early potential with its story of a fallen city of gods. Next came Mistborn, and wow, what a ride! From its intricate heists to Vin’s incredible transformation, it quickly became one of my favorites. I wrapped up my initial foray with Warbreaker, a vibrant masterpiece that solidified Sanderson’s genius. Trust me, if you plan to tackle The Stormlight Archive, Warbreaker is an essential read before jumping into Words of Radiance. Just trust me on that one.
If you’re new to Sanderson, the best place to begin depends on what kind of stories ignite your excitement!
- Want an approachable entry point? Start with Mistborn: The Final Empire. It’s fast-paced with unforgettable characters, accessible worldbuilding, and a story that grips you right from the start.
- Craving a deeper commitment to epic fantasy? The Way of Kings is an absolute masterpiece of worldbuilding and character development—but be ready to immerse yourself for the long haul.
- Prefer a standalone? Warbreaker introduces a vibrant magic system and colorful characters that showcase Sanderson’s creative genius.
- Want a peek at where it all began? Elantris is Sanderson’s debut novel, and while it’s not quite as polished as his later works, its unique story of a fallen godlike city makes for an intriguing and memorable read.
- No matter where you start, you’re in for an incredible ride through Sanderson’s worlds.
My Spicy Rankings of Brandon Sanderson’s Books
Okay, here’s where things get subjective (and spicy). I’ve taken it upon myself to rank Brandon Sanderson’s books based purely on my own personal preferences, biases, and the occasional mood swing. Will you agree? Probably not. Will this ruin friendships? Possibly. Pack your Shardplate, grab a chouta, and to spill the highstorm tea.
My Top 5 (AKA, My Heart and Soul)
These books didn’t just write themselves onto my bookshelf; they wrote themselves onto my very soul.
1. The Way of Kings
This one is the king, literally. It has towering worldbuilding, amazing character arcs (hello, Kaladin bridge boy!), and a plot that propels you into another dimension of nerd euphoria. You want grit? You want hope? You want endless philosophical debates about duty and honor? This book is the whole storming package. Sure, it has the pacing of a turtle going uphill sometimes —but when Bridge Four hits, it hits hard.
2. Warbreaker
A feast of brilliant magic and unforgettable characters. The color-based magic system is a stroke of genius (seriously, how?), and Nightblood is a living, snarky highlight reel in sword form. Vivenna and Siri’s sibling arcs brim with nuance and growth, and the cleverly handled twists make this book endlessly engaging. Sure, some loose ends dangle, but Warbreaker doesn’t just shine; it glows.
3. Oathbringer
Dalinar Kholin’s story arc in Oathbringer punched me in the gut in the best way possible. His haunted past, his search for redemption, his quest to become something more than the Blackthorn—all of it is just stunningly human. Yes, the pacing occasionally felt bogged down in rainy metaphors and endless tactical debates, but the emotional payoffs are just chef’s kiss.
4. Mistborn: The Final Empire
This isn’t just a fantasy book; it’s a heist movie on steroids with magic sprinkled everywhere. Vin’s evolution into a superpowered bad*ss is thrilling, and Kelsier? Iconic chaos. The plot twists? They’ll slap you sideways. There’s also something comforting about knowing Sanderson has spare metal flakes tucked away in every chapter for unexpected, magical mayhem.
5. The Rithmatist
Yes, it’s not Cosmere, and no, I don’t care. Geometry magic. A world where chalk drawings can come to life and murder you is genius. It’s Geek Gold™. Add in the gritty school-politics setting and a nail-biter of a mystery, and you’ve got something wildly underrated. I will personally die on the hill of demanding a sequel ASAP.
Good, Not Great (But Still Worth the Ride)
These books are solid—but they just couldn’t make me obsess.
6. The Entire Wax and Wayne Series
This Mistborn spin-off series feels like a wild ride through a steampunk carnival where magic meets gunslinging, and I have to admit, it’s fun. Wax is the stoic, duty-bound hero, and Wayne… well, Wayne is what happens if you give chaos a personality and a hat. Each book delivers Sanderson’s signature twists and a healthy dose of humor, but compared to the original Mistborn trilogy, it lacks a bit of emotional punch. Still, if you want banter, mysteries, and the most inventive use of Allomancy outside the original series, Wax and Wayne are worth the ticket price.
7. Elantris
For Sanderson’s debut, it’s a perfectly good book, but it’s clear he was still coming into his own. Elantris’s premise hooks you in (a fallen city of once-gods? Sign me up!), but some characters felt a little too cookie-cutter. It’s good for a rainy day, but don’t expect the groundbreaking blow-your-mind experience you get with his later books. Still, it’s not a terrible place to start if you’re new to Sanderson.
Finished, but Why Did I Do This to Myself?
These books pushed me to the brink of exasperation, but darn it, I powered through them.
The book where everyone needs therapy, but instead gets more responsibilities. I really wanted to love this book, but just couldn’t. Sanderson flexes his love for science experiments. Fabrials? Spren? Magic fusions? This book is like a marathon where Sanderson hands you buckets of spren science and emotional trauma at every mile. Navani’s storyline is a highlight, and Venli finally steps into the light (kind of?), but oh Stormfather… the pacing. At times I felt like I was trapped in a fabrial lecture that would never end. It has its moments, but I finished this out of grit, not delight.
9. Skyward Series
I wanted to love this one. Spensa’s chaotic energy is entertaining if occasionally exhausting, and M-Bot’s deadpan humor is delightful. But, somewhere between the bombastic dogfights and the Weird AI™ subplot, I kept losing momentum. That said, the action is sharp, and I can see why fans are devoted—I just couldn’t fully strap into this ride. But I really gave up once I realized that he wasn’t going to finish them himself. Sorry, I’m out!
10. Arcanum Unbounded
Look, short stories are great. But not all of these hit the mark. Some stories (Edgedancer, I’m looking at you) felt like they were just filler episodes so Sanderson could say, “Hey, remember the minor characters? Yeah, uh, here’s more.” Others (The Emperor’s Soul) are literal masterpieces. Overall, the gems here really shine, but as a whole, it’s a mixed bag that leans heavily on context and bonus lore for diehards.
Started, Didn’t Finish (Yet)
Look, it’s not you. It’s me. Probably.
11. Sanderson’s Secret Projects
I’ve started a few of these mysterious releases, and honestly? None of them fully clicked. They’re perfectly fine, but nothing about them grabbed me the way his best work does. Maybe someday I’ll revisit, but for now, they just… weren’t it.
Some of Sanderson’s books didn’t make the list for one very specific reason—I haven’t gotten to them yet. Why? Because the man is a machine. He’s out here cranking out books at a pace that leaves the rest of us mere mortals scrambling to keep up. Seriously, I don’t have this problem with any other author. 😂 At this point, I need him to slow down just a smidge so I can actually catch my breath and make my way through the growing mountain of his works. Maybe one day, when he takes a well-deserved break (ha, as if), I’ll finally work through the rest of his catalog. Until then, I’ll just sit here both admiring and mildly panicking over his endless creativity. 😫
A Final Note
Brandon Sanderson is a genius, plain and simple. His imagination and prolific writing make him a legend in the fantasy genre, and I truly admire what he’s built. Honestly, I hope to write books even half as compelling as his. Sure, not everything he’s written has worked for me (and likely never will), but when a Sanderson book does hit, it’s unlike anything else. His short stories and novellas deserve special praise, too. Legion? Easily one of my favorite things he’s written. There you have it, my utterly biased rundown of Sanderson’s works. Go on get reading. I’ll see you on the other side!
