Brandon Sanderson Complete Bibliography: Novels, Series, Short Stories & Reading Order

The Cosmere, Mistborn, The Stormlight Archive, Skyward, The Reckoners, standalone fiction, collaborations and Romanian translations.

📖 About This Bibliography

Brandon Sanderson has built one of contemporary fantasy and science fiction’s most extensive bibliographies. His work ranges from epic fantasy novels and interconnected fictional universes to science fiction adventures, young adult fiction, novellas, short stories, graphic novels and collaborative projects.

He is particularly famous for the Cosmere, a shared fictional universe containing several seemingly independent series, including Mistborn, The Stormlight Archive and Elantris.

However, not everything Sanderson writes belongs to the Cosmere. His bibliography also includes the Skyward books, The Reckoners, Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians, Legion, and his contributions to Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time.

This BookFairy bibliography documents his published works through October 2026, distinguishing original publications from later collections, omnibus editions, revised versions and announced future releases.

For an introduction to the author and his fictional worlds, visit the Brandon Sanderson Author Guide.

📚 Brandon Sanderson Books in Original Publication Order

This chronological list focuses on major novels, novellas, graphic novels and collections. Shorter works are catalogued in their own sections below.

YearTitleSeries / Category
2005ElantrisCosmere
2006Mistborn: The Final EmpireMistborn Era One #1
2007The Well of AscensionMistborn Era One #2
2007Alcatraz Versus the Evil LibrariansAlcatraz #1
2008The Hero of AgesMistborn Era One #3
2008Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener’s BonesAlcatraz #2
2009WarbreakerCosmere
2009Alcatraz Versus the Knights of CrystalliaAlcatraz #3
2009The Gathering StormThe Wheel of Time #12
2010The Way of KingsStormlight #1
2010Alcatraz Versus the Shattered LensAlcatraz #4
2010Towers of MidnightThe Wheel of Time #13
2011The Alloy of LawMistborn Era Two #1
2011Infinity Blade: AwakeningGame-related novella
2012The Emperor’s SoulCosmere novella
2012LegionLegion #1
2013A Memory of LightThe Wheel of Time #14
2013The RithmatistStandalone YA fantasy
2013SteelheartThe Reckoners #1
2013Infinity Blade: RedemptionGame-related novella
2014Words of RadianceStormlight #2
2014Legion: Skin DeepLegion #2
2015FirefightThe Reckoners #2
2015Perfect StateStandalone novella
2015Shadows of SelfMistborn Era Two #2
2016The Bands of MourningMistborn Era Two #3
2016CalamityThe Reckoners #3
2016Mistborn: Secret HistoryCosmere novella
2016White Sand, Volume 1Cosmere graphic novel
2016Alcatraz Versus the Dark TalentAlcatraz #5
2016Arcanum UnboundedCosmere collection
2016EdgedancerStormlight #2.5
2017SnapshotStandalone novella
2017OathbringerStormlight #3
2018SkywardSkyward #1
2018Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen LeedsCollection
2018White Sand, Volume 2Cosmere graphic novel
2019StarsightSkyward #2
2019White Sand, Volume 3Cosmere graphic novel
2020DawnshardStormlight #3.5
2020Rhythm of WarStormlight #4
2020The OriginalWith Mary Robinette Kowal
2021SunreachSkyward Flight novella
2021ReDawnSkyward Flight novella
2021CytonicSkyward #3
2021EvershoreSkyward Flight novella
2021LuxReckoners collaboration
2021Dark OneGraphic novel
2022Skyward Flight: The CollectionThree-novella collection
2022Bastille Versus the Evil LibrariansAlcatraz #6
2022The Lost MetalMistborn Era Two #4
2022White Sand OmnibusGraphic novel collection
2022Stephen Leeds: Death and FaxesAudio collaboration
2023Tress of the Emerald SeaCosmere / Secret Project #1
2023The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval EnglandNon-Cosmere / Secret Project #2
2023Yumi and the Nightmare PainterCosmere / Secret Project #3
2023The Sunlit ManCosmere / Secret Project #4
2023DefiantSkyward #4
2023Dark One: ForgottenAudio collaboration
2024Wind and TruthStormlight #5
2024The Most Boring Book EverIllustrated children’s book
2025Isles of the EmberdarkCosmere / Secret Project #5
2025Tailored RealitiesNon-Cosmere short fiction collection
2026Songs of the DeadThe Strata Wars #1; with Peter Orullian
2026BlightfallRiftwake #1; with Janci Patterson

Publication note: A work’s first appearance may differ from the publication date of its standalone print edition. Collections are listed in the year they first appeared as collections, even when their contents were published earlier.

🌌 The Cosmere: Complete Series Bibliography

1. Mistborn — Scadrial

Mistborn is one of the central pillars of the Cosmere. Its novels are divided into distinct historical eras.

Mistborn Era One — The Original Trilogy

  1. Mistborn: The Final Empire (2006)
  2. The Well of Ascension (2007)
  3. The Hero of Ages (2008)

These three books form a complete original trilogy.

Mistborn Era Two — Wax and Wayne

  1. The Alloy of Law (2011)
  2. Shadows of Self (2015)
  3. The Bands of Mourning (2016)
  4. The Lost Metal (2022)

Era Two takes place centuries after the original trilogy and introduces a different historical period on Scadrial.

Mistborn Short Fiction

  • The Eleventh Metal (2011) — Short story.
  • Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania (2014) — Short story.
  • Mistborn: Secret History (2016) — Novella.

These shorter works are also included in Arcanum Unbounded.

Spoiler note: Secret History contains major revelations about Era One. Readers who wish to avoid even minor spoilers for The Bands of Mourning may prefer to read it after that novel.

Recommended Mistborn Reading Order

  1. The Final Empire
  2. The Well of Ascension
  3. The Hero of Ages
  4. The Alloy of Law
  5. Shadows of Self
  6. The Bands of Mourning
  7. Secret History
  8. The Lost Metal

The Eleventh Metal and Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania can be added as companion stories.

2. The Stormlight Archive — Roshar

Main Novels

  1. The Way of Kings (2010)
  2. Words of Radiance (2014)
  3. Oathbringer (2017)
  4. Rhythm of War (2020)
  5. Wind and Truth (2024)

These five novels complete the series’ first major narrative arc.

Companion Novellas

  • Edgedancer (2016) — Takes place between Words of Radiance and Oathbringer.
  • Dawnshard (2020) — Takes place between Oathbringer and Rhythm of War.

Other Stormlight Short Fiction

  • Elsecaller (2024) — Originally released through the Stormlight Story Deck project.
  • King Lopen the First of Alethkar (2024) — Originally released through the same project.

The two short works later received a combined publication.

Recommended Reading Order

  1. The Way of Kings
  2. Words of Radiance
  3. Edgedancer
  4. Oathbringer
  5. Dawnshard
  6. Rhythm of War
  7. Wind and Truth

Readers can follow the five main novels without reading every companion work, although the novellas enrich the world and its characters.

3. Elantris — Sel

  • Elantris (2005) — Novel.
  • The Hope of Elantris (2006) — Short story.
  • The Emperor’s Soul (2012) — Novella.

The Emperor’s Soul takes place on the same planet as Elantris but tells a largely independent story.

Recommended order: Elantris, The Hope of Elantris, The Emperor’s Soul.

4. Warbreaker — Nalthis

  • Warbreaker (2009) — Standalone Cosmere novel.

The novel introduces Nalthis and the magic associated with BioChromatic Breath.

It can be read independently, although it also adds context to parts of the wider Cosmere.

5. White Sand — Taldain

The White Sand graphic novel adaptation was produced in collaboration with Rik Hoskin and a team of illustrators.

  1. White Sand, Volume 1 (2016)
  2. White Sand, Volume 2 (2018)
  3. White Sand, Volume 3 (2019)

Omnibus Edition

  • White Sand Omnibus (2022)

The omnibus collects the three graphic novel volumes and includes additional material.

Collector’s note: The omnibus should not be counted as three additional stories. It is a collected edition of the existing narrative.

A revised prose version of White Sand has been discussed by Sanderson but is not included among the published novels in this bibliography.

6. Other Cosmere Worlds and Stories

Threnody

  • Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell (2013) — Novella, originally published in the anthology Dangerous Women.

First of the Sun

  • Sixth of the Dusk (2014) — Novella.
  • Isles of the Emberdark (2025) — Novel.

Isles of the Emberdark substantially reworks material associated with Sixth of the Dusk. They should be identified as related texts rather than treated as two entirely unrelated stories.

Hoid’s Travails

Brandon Sanderson uses this title for a group of Cosmere novels narrated by Hoid.

  • Tress of the Emerald Sea (2023)
  • Yumi and the Nightmare Painter (2023)

These novels can be read independently and do not require a fixed order.

The Fires of December is an additional Hoid-narrated novel announced for commercial publication in December 2026. It belongs in the forthcoming section until publication.

Other Cosmere Novels

  • The Sunlit Man (2023)

Although readable as a standalone adventure, this novel becomes richer for readers familiar with other Cosmere works.

📚 Cosmere Collections and Omnibus Editions

Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection (2016)

A major collection bringing together Cosmere short fiction.

Its contents include:

  • The Emperor’s Soul
  • The Hope of Elantris
  • The Eleventh Metal
  • Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania
  • Mistborn: Secret History
  • White Sand — prose excerpt
  • Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell
  • Sixth of the Dusk
  • Edgedancer

The collection also contains introductions and material explaining different Cosmere planetary systems.

Readers who own Arcanum Unbounded already possess the included versions of these shorter works.

White Sand Omnibus (2022)

Collects the three White Sand graphic novel volumes, with additional content.

🚀 The Cytoverse: Skyward and Riftwake

This science fiction universe is not part of the Cosmere.

Skyward — Main Series

  1. Skyward (2018)
  2. Starsight (2019)
  3. Cytonic (2021)
  4. Defiant (2023)

Skyward Flight — Companion Novellas

Written with Janci Patterson:

  1. Sunreach (2021)
  2. ReDawn (2021)
  3. Evershore (2021)

Collection

  • Skyward Flight: The Collection (2022) — Contains all three novellas.

Additional Cytoverse Fiction

  • Defending Elysium (2008) — Short story set in the broader universe.
  • Hyperthief (2023) — Short fiction written with Janci Patterson.

Riftwake — The Skyward Follow-Up Series

  • Blightfall (2026) — Written with Janci Patterson; published 1 September 2026.

This novel begins a new storyline in the Cytoverse.

A second Riftwake novel, Songrise, has been announced for 2027.

⚡ The Reckoners

A non-Cosmere young adult superhero series.

  1. Steelheart (2013)
  2. Mitosis (2013) — Short story.
  3. Firefight (2015)
  4. Calamity (2016)

Additional Reckoners Fiction

  • Lux (2021) — Audio-first novel developed with Steven Michael Bohls.

Lux expands the setting beyond the original trilogy.

🧠 Legion — Stephen Leeds

  1. Legion (2012)
  2. Legion: Skin Deep (2014)
  3. Lies of the Beholder (2018)

Complete Collection

  • Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds (2018)

This volume contains all three novellas.

Additional Audio Fiction

  • Stephen Leeds: Death and Faxes (2022) — Audio production developed with Max Epstein, David Pace and Michael Harkins.

📚 Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians

A humorous fantasy series written for younger readers.

  1. Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians (2007)
  2. Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener’s Bones (2008)
  3. Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystallia (2009)
  4. Alcatraz Versus the Shattered Lens (2010)
  5. Alcatraz Versus the Dark Talent (2016)
  6. Bastille Versus the Evil Librarians (2022) — Written with Janci Patterson.

🕰️ The Wheel of Time — Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson was selected to complete Robert Jordan’s epic fantasy series after Jordan’s death.

The three final novels are:

  1. The Gathering Storm (2009)
  2. Towers of Midnight (2010)
  3. A Memory of Light (2013)

These books belong to Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time and should not be confused with Sanderson’s independent fantasy universes.

Related Short Fiction

  • River of Souls (2013) — Published in Unfettered.
  • A Fire Within the Ways (2019) — Published in Unfettered III.

These are related to The Wheel of Time but are not additional numbered novels.

✨ Other Novels, Novellas and Collaborative Works

Independent and Non-Cosmere Novels

  • The Rithmatist (2013) — Young adult fantasy.
  • The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England (2023) — Standalone science-fiction/fantasy adventure.
  • Songs of the Dead (2026) — First volume of The Strata Wars, written with Peter Orullian.

Infinity Blade

Novellas based on the video game universe:

  1. Infinity Blade: Awakening (2011)
  2. Infinity Blade: Redemption (2013)

Dark One

  • Dark One (2021) — Graphic novel created with Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly.
  • Dark One: Forgotten (2023) — Audio-first collaboration with Dan Wells.

Other Standalone and Licensed Fiction

  • Perfect State (2015) — Science fiction novella.
  • Snapshot (2017) — Science fiction novella.
  • Children of the Nameless (2018) — Magic: The Gathering novella.
  • The Original (2020) — Audio-first science fiction collaboration with Mary Robinette Kowal.

📜 Brandon Sanderson Short Stories and Novelettes

This section records shorter fiction individually, including stories later reprinted in collections.

First publicationTitleNotes
2006The Hope of ElantrisCosmere
2008FirstbornScience fiction
2008Defending ElysiumCytoverse
2011The Eleventh MetalMistborn
2011I Hate DragonsHumorous fantasy
2012Heuristic Algorithm and Reasoning Response EngineWith Ethan Skarstedt
2013MitosisThe Reckoners
2013Shadows for Silence in the Forests of HellCosmere
2014Sixth of the DuskCosmere
2014Allomancer Jak and the Pits of EltaniaMistborn
2014DreamerShort fiction
2016Mistborn: Secret HistoryCosmere novella
2016EdgedancerStormlight novella
2020DawnshardStormlight novella
2023HyperthiefCytoverse
2023Long Chills and Case DoughSanderson Curiosities
2024ElsecallerStormlight short fiction
2024King Lopen the First of AlethkarStormlight short fiction
2025Moment ZeroIncluded in Tailored Realities
2025Brain DumpIncluded in Tailored Realities
2025Probability Approaching ZeroIncluded in Tailored Realities

The year identifies the first known publication or authorised release of the work, rather than every subsequent edition.

📕 Short Fiction Collections

Tailored Realities (2025)

This non-Cosmere collection brings together ten pieces of short fiction, including:

  • Moment Zero
  • Brain Dump
  • Probability Approaching Zero
  • Snapshot
  • Perfect State
  • Defending Elysium
  • Firstborn
  • Mitosis
  • I Hate Dragons
  • Dreamer

Many of these works originally appeared independently.

Readers who own Tailored Realities should check its contents before buying separate editions of the same stories.

Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds (2018)

Collects:

  • Legion
  • Legion: Skin Deep
  • Lies of the Beholder

Skyward Flight: The Collection (2022)

Collects:

  • Sunreach
  • ReDawn
  • Evershore

Arcanum Unbounded (2016)

Collects previously published and newly collected Cosmere short fiction, with additional worldbuilding material.

🎨 Graphic Novels, Illustrated Books and Curiosities

Graphic Novels

  • White Sand, Volume 1 (2016)
  • White Sand, Volume 2 (2018)
  • White Sand, Volume 3 (2019)
  • White Sand Omnibus (2022)
  • Dark One (2021)

Children’s Illustrated Fiction

  • The Most Boring Book Ever (2024) — Illustrated by Kazu Kibuishi.

Sanderson Curiosities

These are historical drafts and experimental versions, not substitutes for the final published novels.

  • The Way of Kings Prime (2020 edition) — An earlier, substantially different version of the novel.
  • Dragonsteel Prime (2024 edition) — An early novel originally written before Sanderson’s commercial publishing career.

Readers interested in Sanderson’s development as a writer may find these particularly valuable.

🇷🇴 Brandon Sanderson in Romanian Translation

Romanian editions are listed separately to avoid confusing original English publication dates with Romanian publication dates.

Mistborn — Născuți din ceață

Romanian publisher: Editura Trei

All seven main novels have appeared in Romanian paperback editions.

#Original titleRomanian title
1The Final EmpireUltimul imperiu
2The Well of AscensionFântâna Înălțării
3The Hero of AgesEroul Evurilor
4The Alloy of LawAliați în slujba dreptății
5Shadows of SelfUmbra sinelui
6The Bands of MourningBrățările doliului
7The Lost MetalMetalul pierdut

Verified Romanian Edition Details

  • Ultimul imperiu — Editura Trei, 2014 paperback edition.
  • Eroul Evurilor — Editura Trei, 2015 paperback edition.
  • Umbra sinelui — Editura Trei, 2019 paperback edition.
  • Brățările doliului — Editura Trei, 2022 paperback edition.
  • Metalul pierdut — Editura Trei, 2023 paperback edition.

The remaining titles belong to the same Romanian series; their individual publication years should be taken from the specific edition records rather than inferred from the English originals.

BookFairy collector’s note: I own the complete seven-volume Romanian paperback series published by Editura Trei.

The Stormlight Archive — Arhiva luminii de furtună

Romanian publisher: Editura Paladin

The Romanian publisher divides the large English novels into multiple physical volumes.

The Way of Kings (2010)

Published as:

  • Calea regilor, vol. 1
  • Calea regilor, vol. 2

Verified Paladin editions: 2022.

Words of Radiance (2014)

Published as:

  • Cuvinte despre Lumină, vol. 1: Câmpiile Sfărâmate (2019)
  • Cuvinte despre Lumină, vol. 2: Poarta jurământului (2019)

Oathbringer (2017)

Published as:

  • Aducătoarea jurământului, vol. 1 (2024)
  • Aducătoarea jurământului, vol. 2: Înfruntarea (2024)

Important: These six Romanian physical volumes correspond to the first three original English novels, not six separate novels in Sanderson’s bibliography.

The Paladin catalogue consulted for this bibliography lists those six Stormlight volumes.

Other Cosmere Works in Romanian

Elantris

  • Elantris — Editura Paladin, 2016.
  • Romanian translation by Iulia Dromereschi.

The Emperor’s Soul

  • Sufletul împăratului — Editura Paladin, 2015.

Warbreaker

  • Warbreaker. Sufletul împăratului — Editura Paladin, combined Romanian edition.

This volume combines works that originally appeared separately. It must therefore be distinguished from Sanderson’s standalone novel Warbreaker and standalone novella The Emperor’s Soul.

The Reckoners in Romanian

Published by Youngart:

  • Steelheart — 2016.
  • Firefight — 2020.

These are the English titles used for the Romanian editions.

A Note on Romanian Editions

Romanian publishers sometimes reissue books with new ISBNs, covers or formats. BookFairy records the original work once and identifies significant translation and publication differences separately.

This prevents the bibliography from presenting reprints as new literary works.

🗓️ Forthcoming Brandon Sanderson Books

The following titles have been announced but should not be presented as already published as of 25 October 2026.

  • The Fires of December — Cosmere novel narrated by Hoid; commercial publication planned for December 2026.
  • Songrise — Second Riftwake novel, announced for 2027.
  • Mistborn Era Three / Ghostbloods — Planned trilogy, with the first novel currently targeted for 2028.
  • Future Elantris novels — Planned continuations without confirmed publication dates in this bibliography.
  • Future Stormlight Archive novels — The second major narrative arc remains in development.

Publication plans are subject to change. BookFairy will update this section as official announcements are confirmed.

🧭 Where to Start Reading Brandon Sanderson

Because Sanderson writes across several independent universes, there is no compulsory order for his entire bibliography.

For Epic Fantasy Readers

Start with:

  1. Mistborn: The Final Empire
  2. The Well of Ascension
  3. The Hero of Ages

The original Mistborn trilogy is a particularly good introduction to his approach to magic, worldbuilding and long-form storytelling.

For Readers Who Prefer Standalone Fantasy

Consider:

  • Elantris
  • Warbreaker
  • The Emperor’s Soul
  • Tress of the Emerald Sea

For Readers Who Want a Major Fantasy Epic

Begin The Stormlight Archive with The Way of Kings.

For Science Fiction Readers

Start with Skyward, followed by the remaining three main novels and the companion novellas.

For Younger Readers

Try Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians or The Rithmatist.

🔗 Brandon Sanderson’s Interconnected Books

The Cosmere contains shared histories, magical principles and connections between worlds. Some relationships are visible immediately; others become meaningful only after reading multiple books.

To keep this bibliography accessible and spoiler-safe, BookFairy will explore these connections on a separate page:

Brandon Sanderson: Cosmere Connections & Easter Eggs

That future guide will document recurring characters, references, objects, places and other connections as they are discovered through my own reading.

The aim is to build a personal map of Sanderson’s interconnected fiction without revealing major surprises from books I have not yet read.

Dedicated BookFairy connections page: link to be added when published.

⭐ Brandon Sanderson Book Reviews on BookFairy

My BookFairy reviews of Brandon Sanderson’s novels will be linked here as the collection grows.

Each review will provide a personal reading experience rather than simply repeating a book’s synopsis.

Reviews may also link to the relevant series reading order and, where appropriate, the dedicated Cosmere connections page.

Review links and cover images will be added for books reviewed on BookFairy.

🦋 Final Bibliographic Notes

Brandon Sanderson’s bibliography is unusual in both its size and its interconnected structure.

For collectors, several distinctions are especially important:

  • The seven Mistborn novels currently published belong to two distinct eras.
  • The first five Stormlight Archive novels form the opening major arc of a longer projected series.
  • Arcanum Unbounded collects shorter Cosmere works that also exist in individual editions.
  • Skyward Flight contains three novellas originally released separately.
  • Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds collects the original Stephen Leeds novella trilogy.
  • The White Sand Omnibus collects and expands material from the three graphic novels.
  • Romanian editions sometimes divide a single English novel into two physical volumes.
  • Some of Sanderson’s collaborations, including The Wheel of Time, belong to fictional universes he did not originally create.

BookFairy will maintain this bibliography as new novels, novellas, collections and Romanian translations are published.

📖 Bibliography and Sources

Last updated: October 2026.

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