About Starting Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson has written over 30 novels across multiple interconnected series. Figuring out where to start can be overwhelming — that's where we come in.

What is this?

Starting Sanderson helps new readers find their ideal entry point into Sanderson's works. Take our quiz to get a personalized reading order recommendation, or browse the curated reading orders to find the path that fits your style.

What is the Cosmere?

The Cosmere is Sanderson's shared universe — a collection of series set on different planets that share an underlying magic system and cosmology. Series like Mistborn, The Stormlight Archive, Elantris, and Warbreaker are all part of the Cosmere, with characters and connections that span across books.

Not all of Sanderson's books are Cosmere novels. Series like The Reckoners, Skyward, and Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians are standalone universes — and they're great too.

Why a quiz?

Different readers have different preferences. Some want epic 1,000-page fantasy right away. Others prefer to start with something shorter and self-contained. Some care about reading in publication order; others want to maximize the Cosmere connections. The quiz matches you with the reading order that fits how you like to read.