Sanderson
Mistborn: The Final Empire
✦
Mistborn
Brandon Sanderson - 6 books
Same author, same universe. Mistborn is shorter and a good test of whether you like Sanderson's style before committing to Stormlight.
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Series - Books in order
The Stormlight Archive books in order
by Brandon Sanderson - 5 books - 2010-2024 - Updated June 2026
On the shattered plains of Roshar, a world of storms and magic, a soldier, a scholar, and an assassin converge around ancient secrets that could save or destroy civilization. Sanderson's most ambitious series features a hard magic system, massive worldbuilding, and character arcs that run across thousand-page volumes. This is the centerpiece of his Cosmere universe.
Sanderson
The Way of Kings
✦
1
Sanderson
The Way of Kings
✦
1
Start with this book
Most readers should start with The Way of Kings. It gives you the cleanest entry point before continuing through the full series order.Read on KindleListen on Audible
Buy on Amazon5 books - read in publication order
Show orderPublication order
Contains affiliate links| # | Book | Published | Rating | Where to read |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Way of Kings The Way of KingsStart 1,007 pages. A slow build that pays off enormously. | 2010 | 4.6 | |
| 2 | Words of Radiance Words of Radiance | 2014 | 4.8 | |
| 3 | Edgedancer Edgedancer A novella set between books 2 and 3. Short but adds context for Oathbringer. | 2016 | 4.1 | |
| 4 | Oathbringer Oathbringer | 2017 | 4.6 | |
| 5 | Dawnshard Dawnshard A novella set between books 3 and 4. | 2020 | 4.1 | |
| 6 | Rhythm of War Rhythm of War | 2020 | 4.4 | |
| 7 | Wind and Truth Wind and Truth Concludes the first arc of the planned 10-book series. | 2024 | 4.5 |
Our recommended reading order
publication
Sanderson
The Way of Kings
✦
Best book to start with
The Way of Kings
Book #1, and still the best on-ramp. It sets up everything that makes this series work.
Similar series
If you love The Stormlight Archive, try these next.
Maas
A Court of Mist and Fury
✦
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Sarah J. Maas - 5 books
A different flavor of epic fantasy. More romance, less hard magic, but the same sense of a big world with high stakes.
Frequently asked questions
No. Stormlight Archive is fully self-contained. Reading Mistborn first is optional but gives you Cosmere context and Easter eggs.
Ten total, split into two arcs of five. Wind and Truth (2024) concludes the first arc. The second arc will begin after a time skip.
They are optional but recommended. Edgedancer adds context for a character who becomes important in Oathbringer. Read them in publication order.
Contains affiliate linksUpdated June 2026