Jordan
The Eye of the World
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Robert Jordan
Robert Jordan - 15 books
Sanderson finished Jordan's Wheel of Time. If you love epic worldbuilding and long series, Jordan is the originator.
BS
Author - Books in order
Brandon Sanderson books in order
Epic Fantasy Author - b. December 19, 1975, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA - Updated June 2026
30+
novels
20+
stories
40 million+
copies sold
Brandon Sanderson writes fantasy with intricate magic systems and meticulous worldbuilding. He broke out with Mistborn in 2006, finished Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time after Jordan's death, and has built the Cosmere, an interconnected universe spanning multiple series. In 2022 he ran the most funded Kickstarter in history, raising $41 million for four secret novels. He teaches creative writing at BYU and is known for his consistent, rapid output.
Sanderson
Mistborn: The Final Empire
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1
Sanderson
Mistborn: The Final Empire
✦
1
Where to start
New to Sanderson? Start with Mistborn: The Final Empire (2006) - a tight, self-contained read that is the definitive Sanderson experience.
30+ novels - standalone, no series commitment
Publication order
Notable novels - newest readers can dip in anywhere; completists read top to bottom.
| # | Book | Year | Rating | Where to read |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elantris Elantris Fantasy | 2005 | 3.9 | Kindle $9.99Paperback $10.99Audible $29.95Bookshop $17.99 |
| 2 | Mistborn: The Final Empire Mistborn: The Final EmpireStart here Epic Fantasy | 2006 | 4.4 | Kindle $8.99Paperback $10.99Audible $29.95Bookshop $17.99 |
| 3 | The Well of Ascension The Well of Ascension Epic Fantasy | 2007 | 4.2 | Kindle $8.99Paperback $10.99Audible $29.95Bookshop $17.99 |
| 4 | The Hero of Ages The Hero of Ages Epic Fantasy | 2008 | 4.4 | Kindle $8.99Paperback $10.99Audible $29.95Bookshop $17.99 |
| 5 | Warbreaker Warbreaker Fantasy | 2009 | 4.1 | Kindle $8.99Paperback $10.99Audible $24.95Bookshop $17.99 |
| 6 | The Way of Kings The Way of Kings Epic Fantasy | 2010 | 4.6 | Kindle $9.99Paperback $12.99Audible $34.95Bookshop $22.99 |
| 7 | Words of Radiance Words of Radiance Epic Fantasy | 2014 | 4.7 | Kindle $9.99Paperback $12.99Audible $34.95Bookshop $22.99 |
| 8 | The Alloy of Law The Alloy of Law Fantasy / Western | 2011 | 4.1 | Kindle $8.99Paperback $9.99Audible $24.95Bookshop $16.99 |
| 9 | Oathbringer Oathbringer Epic Fantasy | 2017 | 4.5 | Kindle $9.99Paperback $13.99Audible $34.95Bookshop $22.99 |
| 10 | Rhythm of War Rhythm of War Epic Fantasy | 2020 | 4.4 | Kindle $14.99Paperback $15.99Audible $34.95Bookshop $24.99 |
| 11 | The Lost Metal The Lost Metal Fantasy / Western | 2022 | 4.3 | Kindle $14.99Paperback $16.99Audible $29.95Bookshop $22.99 |
| 12 | Wind and Truth Wind and Truth Epic Fantasy | 2024 | 4.5 | Kindle $16.99Paperback $22.99Audible $34.95Bookshop $28.99 |
Series & where they fit
Sanderson's standalones are most of the work, but these series reward reading in order.
The Stormlight Archive
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The Stormlight Archive
Most popular5 books - 2010-2024 - Epic Fantasy
Massive, ambitious epic fantasy on a storm-blasted world. Knights, spren, and an ancient war reborn.
Start with Words of Radiance - See order →
Mistborn Era 1
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Mistborn Era 1
Most popular3 books - 2006-2008 - Epic Fantasy
A thieving crew with metal-based magic takes on an immortal tyrant. The best entry point into the Cosmere.
Start with The Final Empire - See order →
Mistborn Era 2
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Mistborn Era 2
4 books - 2011-2022 - Fantasy / Western
Same world, 300 years later. Guns, trains, and Allomancy in a fun, faster-paced setting.
Start with The Bands of Mourning - See order →
The Cosmere
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The Cosmere
17 books - 2005-2024 - Shared Universe
All of Sanderson's main fantasy series share one interconnected universe with hidden connections.
Start with Words of Radiance - See order →
Sanderson
Mistborn: The Final Empire
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Best book to start with
Mistborn: The Final Empire
The most complete on-ramp to Sanderson: a contained story that shows exactly why this author matters.
Build your Sanderson shelf
Most-loved titles in print, or start listening free on Audible.
If you like Brandon Sanderson
Authors and series with the same grip.
McClellan
Promise of Blood
✦
Brian McClellan
Brian McClellan - 6 books
A Sanderson student. Flintlock fantasy with hard magic systems and political intrigue.
Brandon Sanderson books & movies in order
See every book matched to its screen version, with where to watch.
Frequently asked questions
Mistborn: The Final Empire. It's self-contained enough to satisfy in three books but opens the door to the wider Cosmere. If you want something shorter first, try The Emperor's Soul or Warbreaker.
It's a shared universe connecting most of Sanderson's fantasy novels. Mistborn, Stormlight Archive, Elantris, and Warbreaker all take place on different planets in the same cosmos. You don't need to notice the connections to enjoy any series on its own.
Half done. Wind and Truth, book 5, came out in 2024 and wraps the first arc. Sanderson has planned 10 books total, with the back half coming later.
Contains affiliate linksUpdated June 2026