Brandon Sanderson is among the most popular modern fantasy authors, and most readers know him because of his Stormlight Archive series and Mistborn books. Of course, both are iconic additions to the fantasy genre, so it’s no surprise that they tend to be the starting point for most Sanderson fans. In fact, there are few fantasy series where every book is a 10/10, but both of Sanderson’s manage to fit that impressive description.
The author is also known for finishing The Wheel of Time series after Robert Jordan’s death in 2007, working on the final three books: The Gathering Storm, Towers of Midnight, and A Memory of Light. He’s also something of a public figure in the fantasy space, regularly giving lectures on writing and accumulating enough of a fan base that the Kickstarter campaign for his “Secret Projects” broke records. You’d be hard-pressed to find a fantasy lover that doesn’t recognize Sanderson’s name, but diehard fans appreciate even his lesser-known books.
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Elantris (2005)
Brandon Sanderson’s 1st Published Book
Elantris is Sanderson’s first published book, and it holds up incredibly well 20 years after its release. Unfortunately, it’s often shadowed by the success of Mistborn, which made its debut just a year later. But Elantris paved the way for Sanderson’s later works, and fans of his books shouldn’t pᴀss it up. It boasts all of Sanderson’s signature strengths, from complex characters to an impressive setting and magic system.
Elantris takes place in a world where the тιтular city has become isolated and ruined after its magic failed. A new capital city, Kae, soon takes its place, but its prince is banished to the abandoned Elantris after being afflicted by the same ailment that plagues it. Prince Raoden must search for a solution in less-than-ideal circumstances, while Princess Sarene of Teod — who arrives in Kae planning to marry him — must deal with other threats to their kingdom. The political stakes and intriguing world are enough reason to pick up Elantris, but it’s also a great place to enter the Cosmere.
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Warbreaker (2009)
A Cosmere Novel That’s Too Often Overlooked
Another underrated addition to Sanderson’s Cosmere is 2009’s Warbreaker. And while reading the book isn’t a requirement to understand The Stormlight Archive, it will help readers appreciate the series even more, as there are overlapping characters. The novel functions fine as a standalone, too, following Idrian princesses and sisters, Siri and Vivenna. Both are thrown into the politics of the rival kingdom of Hallandren after one is sent to marry its God King. The other sets out to save her, all while storylines involving other deities unfold.
Needless to say, Sanderson’s 2009 novel is as gripping and complex as many of his other works, if not as well-known. Sanderson fans won’t be surprised to learn that Warbreaker has a unique magic system — dubbed BioChromatic Breath — on par with the others he’s so often praised for. While Warbreaker isn’t the author’s most obscure work, it’s one that sometimes gets overlooked in favor of his larger series. Fans of those shouldn’t discount it, though, since it has many of the same strengths.
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The Rithmatist (2013)
A Sanderson Story That Deserves More Love
Readers tend to gravitate towards the Cosmere when discovering Sanderson, but the author has some great books outside this extended universe. That includes The Rithmatist, his 2013 young adult novel that deserves far more attention than it gets. Sanderson fans who haven’t read it should keep it on their radar, as it’s every bit as charming and immersive as his more popular books. The only downside is that it will leave readers eager for a sequel. And although Sanderson intends on writing one, it could be a while before it happens.
His journey takes him on a gripping ride full of Sanderson’s signature twists and turns.
The Rithmatist takes place at Armedius Academy, where magic users called Rithmatists can transform chalk drawings into tangible figures known as Chalklings. The book’s lead, Joel, wants nothing more than to become a Rithmatist. However, he can’t, as his father is a “lowly chalkmaker.” His circumstances change when he starts investigating the disappearances of students at the school, and his journey takes him on a gripping ride full of Sanderson’s signature twists and turns. It’s a wonder more readers aren’t raving about this book, as its surprises are truly memorable.
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Skyward (2018)
A Book That Ventures Outside Sanderson’s Usual Genre
Another great Sanderson book that isn’t part of the Cosmere is Skyward, and it takes the author outside his usual genre. While there are fantasy elements in Skyward and its sequels, Sanderson ventures into sci-fi territory with this YA story. The 2018 book follows Spensa, a teen whose dream is to become a pilot. She pieces together parts from an old shipwreck to make this happen. However, her new ship’s strange and sentient nature and her father’s legacy as a deserter complicate things.
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Books In The Skyward Series In Order |
Release Year |
|---|---|
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Skyward |
2018 |
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Starsight |
2019 |
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Cytonic |
2021 |
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Defiant |
2023 |
They don’t stop her from pursuing her dream or flight school, however, and that journey alone is enough reason for Sanderson fans to give Skyward a try. Add in its world, which pits human pilots like Spensa against a hostile alien race, and it’s a guaranteed good time. It brings the action and political intrigue of the author’s other stories but with a setting that helps it stand out.
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Steelheart (2013)
Perfect For Fans Of Anti-Superhero Media
Given the popularity of superhero stories and anti-superhero shows, it’s somewhat surprising that Sanderson’s Steelheart doesn’t get more attention — though longtime fans can vouch for the 2013 novel. The first book in The Reckoners series, Steelheart is set in a world where certain human beings inherit extraordinary abilities after a world-changing event called Calamity. Unfortunately, these humans — now called Epics — use their powers to dominate and control others.
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Books In The Reckoners Series In Order |
Release Year |
|---|---|
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Steelheart |
2013 |
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Firefight |
2015 |
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Calamity |
2016 |
The Reckoners are the only group willing to stand up to the Epics, and Steelheart‘s hero, David, has personal reasons for wanting to join them. His quest for revenge drives the 2013 novel forward, delivering on the action and drama that readers have come to expect from Brandon Sanderson. It’s a shame Steelheart isn’t referenced as much as his other works, as it’s a fun change of pace for the author.
