Summary: In this article, I've got a list of twenty books from Brandon Sanderson that you absolutely must read. The two you should start with are:
- The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive #1)
- Mistborn: The Final Empire (Mistborn #1)
Brandon Sanderson's books are known for their rich world-building, inventive magic systems, and unforgettable characters. Whether you’re getting lost in the epic world of The Stormlight Archive or caught up in the twists and turns of the Mistborn series, Sanderson never fails to deliver gripping stories that keep you hooked. He masterfully combines emotional depth with action, making his novels a standout in the fantasy genre. If you love imaginative storytelling, Sanderson’s work is an experience you won’t want to miss.
TOP 20: Best Brandon Sanderson Books
- The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive #1)
- Mistborn: The Final Empire (Mistborn #1)
- Words of Radiance (The Stormlight Archive #2)
- Oathbringer (The Stormlight Archive #3)
- Rhythm of War (The Stormlight Archive #4)
- Mistborn: The Well of Ascension (Mistborn #2)
- Mistborn: The Hero of Ages (Mistborn #3)
- Warbreaker
- Elantris
- The Alloy of Law (Mistborn Era 2 #1)
- Shadows of Self (Mistborn Era 2 #2)
- The Bands of Mourning (Mistborn Era 2 #3)
- Skyward (Skyward #1)
- Starsight (Skyward #2)
- Firefight (The Reckoners #2)
- Steelheart (The Reckoners #1)
- Calamity (The Reckoners #3)
- The Emperor’s Soul
- Arcanum Unbounded
- Dawnshard (The Stormlight Archive novella)
1. The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive #1)
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- About: Epic fantasy following a variety of characters in a war-torn world with a mysterious ancient history.
- Style of writing: Descriptive, character-driven, with complex world-building.
- Length: ~380,000 words
- Year written: 2010
- Emotional impact: High – the book delves deeply into themes of honor, leadership, and personal struggle.
- Difficulty level: High – requires attention due to the scope and detailed world-building.
- Why read it: For those who love deep, intricate worlds and multifaceted characters.
2. Mistborn: The Final Empire (Mistborn #1)
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- About: A dystopian world ruled by an immortal tyrant, where a group of rebels use a unique magic system based on metals to challenge the empire.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, with a focus on plot and action.
- Length: ~213,000 words
- Year written: 2006
- Emotional impact: Medium – themes of rebellion and sacrifice resonate strongly.
- Difficulty level: Moderate – easier than The Way of Kings but with complex systems.
- Why read it: For an innovative magic system and an engaging, action-packed plot.
3. Words of Radiance (The Stormlight Archive #2)
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- About: Continues the epic tale of The Way of Kings, delving deeper into the characters and the mysteries of the world.
- Style of writing: Rich in detail, with multiple character perspectives.
- Length: ~400,000 words
- Year written: 2014
- Emotional impact: High – emotional stakes are raised, with profound character development.
- Difficulty level: High – similar to The Way of Kings in scope and depth.
- Why read it: For an immersive continuation of an already expansive and detailed world.
4. Oathbringer (The Stormlight Archive #3)
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- About: The third book in The Stormlight Archive, focusing on themes of redemption, leadership, and personal growth.
- Style of writing: Intricate and deeply descriptive.
- Length: ~450,000 words
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: High – intense character arcs and epic battles leave a lasting impression.
- Difficulty level: High – complex and vast in scope.
- Why read it: For those already invested in the series who want to see the characters grow and face new challenges.
5. Rhythm of War (The Stormlight Archive #4)
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- About: The latest installment in The Stormlight Archive, continuing the epic battle between humanity and ancient forces.
- Style of writing: Detailed, with strong focus on internal conflicts and external war.
- Length: ~460,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: High – delves into mental health, trauma, and resilience.
- Difficulty level: High – complexity increases as the series deepens.
- Why read it: For long-time fans of the series seeking further resolution and development of ongoing plots.
6. Mistborn: The Well of Ascension (Mistborn #2)
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- About: The second book in the Mistborn series, dealing with the consequences of rebellion and the looming threat of new enemies.
- Style of writing: Politically-driven, with an intricate balance of action and diplomacy.
- Length: ~243,000 words
- Year written: 2007
- Emotional impact: Medium – focuses on power struggles and the burdens of leadership.
- Difficulty level: Moderate – similar to the first book, but with deeper political intrigue.
- Why read it: For readers interested in the consequences of rebellion and evolving power dynamics.
7. Mistborn: The Hero of Ages (Mistborn #3)
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- About: The final book of the original Mistborn trilogy, wrapping up the story of rebellion, with a surprising twist in the magic system.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced with a focus on resolution and plot twists.
- Length: ~242,000 words
- Year written: 2008
- Emotional impact: High – satisfying and emotional conclusion with major stakes.
- Difficulty level: Moderate – driven by action but with deep philosophical themes.
- Why read it: For a powerful conclusion to a groundbreaking fantasy trilogy.
8. Warbreaker
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- About: A stand-alone novel about two sisters, a reluctant god, and a world where magic is based on colors and breaths.
- Style of writing: Character-driven with a unique magic system and witty dialogue.
- Length: ~200,000 words
- Year written: 2009
- Emotional impact: Medium – strong character interactions, especially in themes of trust and responsibility.
- Difficulty level: Moderate – creative but easy to follow.
- Why read it: For a fun, standalone entry into Sanderson’s world of complex magic.
9. Elantris
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- About: A once-great city of gods has fallen into ruin, and its inhabitants are cursed with a mysterious disease.
- Style of writing: Mystery-driven, with political intrigue and religious themes.
- Length: ~200,000 words
- Year written: 2005
- Emotional impact: Medium – focuses on hope, redemption, and transformation.
- Difficulty level: Moderate – Sanderson’s debut novel, with some intricate politics.
- Why read it: For a unique story about a fallen city and personal redemption.
10. The Alloy of Law (Mistborn Era 2 #1)
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- About: Set 300 years after the original Mistborn trilogy, blending fantasy with a Western setting.
- Style of writing: Light, fast-paced, with more focus on humor and action.
- Length: ~95,000 words
- Year written: 2011
- Emotional impact: Low – a lighter, more adventurous tone than the original Mistborn trilogy.
- Difficulty level: Easy – less complex than the original Mistborn books.
- Why read it: For a fresh take on the Mistborn universe in a more industrialized world.
11. Shadows of Self (Mistborn Era 2 #2)
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- About: The second book in Mistborn Era 2, delving into mysteries, crime, and old magic resurfacing.
- Style of writing: Action-packed with a focus on detective work and political tension.
- Length: ~108,000 words
- Year written: 2015
- Emotional impact: Medium – introduces deeper stakes and political conflicts.
- Difficulty level: Easy to Moderate – lighthearted but with deeper themes.
- Why read it: For more exploration of a modernizing world mixed with ancient magic.
12. The Bands of Mourning (Mistborn Era 2 #3)
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- About: A quest for powerful ancient artifacts in the Mistborn universe.
- Style of writing: Adventurous, with more world-building and technological developments.
- Length: ~129,000 words
- Year written: 2016
- Emotional impact: Medium – deals with legacy, responsibility, and discovery.
- Difficulty level: Moderate – more complex as the plot develops.
- Why read it: For an exciting, artifact-driven quest in a steampunk-esque fantasy world.
13. Skyward (Skyward #1)
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- About: A young girl named Spensa dreams of becoming a starfighter pilot in a world constantly under threat from alien attacks.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, with a focus on character development and sci-fi action.
- Length: ~150,000 words
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: Medium – themes of courage, belonging, and identity.
- Difficulty level: Moderate – straightforward YA sci-fi, but with depth in character.
- Why read it: For an exciting, character-driven space adventure.
14. Starsight (Skyward #2)
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- About: Spensa ventures beyond her world to discover the truth behind the alien forces threatening humanity.
- Style of writing: Sci-fi adventure with plenty of twists.
- Length: ~160,000 words
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Medium – themes of exploration, discovery, and personal growth.
- Difficulty level: Moderate – builds on the world from Skyward with more complexity.
- Why read it: For expanding the scope of the world introduced in Skyward.
15. Firefight (The Reckoners #2)
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- About: The second book in The Reckoners series, dealing with a group of rebels fighting super-powered beings.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, superhero action with a dystopian edge.
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year written: 2015
- Emotional impact: Low to Medium – focuses more on action and plot than deep emotional themes.
- Difficulty level: Easy – written for a young adult audience.
- Why read it: For fast, fun superhero action in a dystopian setting.
16. Steelheart (The Reckoners #1)
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- About: A world where people with superpowers (Epics) have taken control, and a group of humans fight back.
- Style of writing: Action-packed, young adult, with a strong focus on revenge and rebellion.
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year written: 2013
- Emotional impact: Medium – themes of vengeance and justice resonate strongly.
- Difficulty level: Easy – simple, fast-paced read.
- Why read it: For a fresh take on the superhero genre.
17. Calamity (The Reckoners #3)
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- About: The conclusion to The Reckoners series, with the final battle against the Epics.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, full of action and plot twists.
- Length: ~100,000 words
- Year written: 2016
- Emotional impact: Low to Medium – focuses on action and resolution rather than deep emotional themes.
- Difficulty level: Easy – designed for a young adult audience.
- Why read it: For a satisfying conclusion to a fast-paced superhero trilogy.
18. The Emperor’s Soul
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- About: A short novella about a master forger who must re-create the soul of a dying emperor.
- Style of writing: Compact, focused, philosophical.
- Length: ~30,000 words
- Year written: 2012
- Emotional impact: High – explores themes of identity, art, and redemption.
- Difficulty level: Moderate – despite its short length, the ideas are complex.
- Why read it: For a thought-provoking story with deep themes packed into a short format.
19. Arcanum Unbounded
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- About: A collection of short stories and novellas from Sanderson’s Cosmere universe.
- Style of writing: Varies – offers different styles and perspectives from different worlds.
- Length: ~300,000 words
- Year written: 2016
- Emotional impact: Medium to High – depends on the individual stories.
- Difficulty level: Moderate – some stories are more intricate than others.
- Why read it: For a deeper dive into the Cosmere universe and its interconnected stories.
20. Dawnshard (The Stormlight Archive novella)
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- About: A novella set between Oathbringer and Rhythm of War, focusing on the character Rysn.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced, character-driven.
- Length: ~60,000 words
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Medium – offers insight into less-explored characters and themes of leadership and growth.
- Difficulty level: Moderate – tied into The Stormlight Archive lore.
- Why read it: For a deeper understanding of the Stormlight Archive and its characters.
Conclusion
If you're ready to dive into Brandon Sanderson's incredible universe, The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive #1) and Mistborn: The Final Empire (Mistborn #1) are the ideal starting points. Both novels highlight Sanderson's exceptional storytelling, intricate world-building, and memorable characters. Whether you're drawn to epic adventures or a fresh spin on magic and rebellion, these two books show exactly why Sanderson is a must-read for any fantasy fan.
