The Cosmere Start Here
Where Should You Start Reading the Cosmere?
Choose a Cosmere entry point that fits your appetite for a trilogy, a standalone story or a large epic, with guidance from Brandon Sanderson.
The short answer
Start with Mistborn: The Final Empire if you want a clear route into a trilogy, or The Way of Kings if a large ensemble epic is the attraction. Elantris, Warbreaker and The Emperor’s Soul offer other entry points. Brandon Sanderson’s guidance allows several starting series; there is no compulsory tour of the entire Cosmere before you can enjoy one.[1]
Entry-point guidance with premise-level context; avoids major story resolutions. Source pages may contain spoilers.
Which starting point fits the reading experience you want?
| Your preference | Consider | Make this your next decision |
|---|---|---|
| A series with a defined first arc | Mistborn: The Final Empire | Try the first novel before committing to the original trilogy |
| An expansive ensemble fantasy | The Way of Kings | Decide whether you enjoy its broader opening and multiple perspectives |
| A novel outside those two long series | Elantris or Warbreaker | Pick the premise that appeals to you |
| A shorter initial commitment | The Emperor’s Soul | Try a contained story before choosing a longer series |
The aim is to finish a story you wanted to read, not to pass an entrance exam. If your first choice does not suit you, that does not mean every Cosmere series will feel the same. Try a different scale or premise before deciding whether the wider setting interests you.
Do you need chronological order on your first read?
No. A chronology explains where events fit; it does not automatically preserve the most welcoming introduction or the intended order of a particular series. Begin at that series’ first volume and follow its sequence. That is a smaller, more useful commitment than trying to synchronize every world.
Story Order’s complete Cosmere guide is there when you want the larger map. You can use it to locate the series you chose, compare its placement with another, or return for a more connected reread. Avoid reading every entry description in advance if you are especially sensitive to spoilers.
Will you miss important connections if you start in the wrong place?
You may miss references, but recognizing a reference and understanding the central story are different rewards. Sanderson’s entry-point advice explicitly allows readers to enjoy individual stories without noticing every cross-book detail.[1]
Choose how much connection-hunting you want. On a first read, it is reasonable to stay with the characters in front of you. On a reread, a broader map can become part of the fun. Do not interrupt every unfamiliar name with a wiki search: the explanation may contain a reveal you have not reached.
What should a beginner avoid starting with?
Avoid assuming that any short companion work is a safe introduction. The official Mistborn page gives Secret History a strong spoiler warning for the original trilogy. A shorter page count does not make a book an earlier step.[2]
Also check that the book belongs to the Cosmere. Sanderson’s name alone does not establish that connection. Keep the boundary clear before building a reading project around shared continuity.
Check which Brandon Sanderson stories belong to the Cosmere
Still choosing? Compare Mistborn and Stormlight without spoilers
Inside the chronology
Go straight to the story
Sources & verification
Fact-checked on 28 September 2026 against the sources below. Starting recommendations and optional-context judgments are Story Order editorial guidance, not official mandatory orders.
- Brandon Sanderson: Where do I start?
The author identifies multiple entry points and recommends reading each series sequentially.
Primary source · Checked - Brandon Sanderson: The original Mistborn trilogy
Trilogy structure and the explicit spoiler warning for Secret History.
Primary source · Checked - Brandon Sanderson: The Stormlight Archive
The Way of Kings begins the series; descriptions establish its ensemble scope.
Primary source · Checked