DEFINITIVE COSMERE READING GUIDE! 📚

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  • čas pƙidĂĄn 5. 09. 2024
  • My thoughts on how you should start reading the #cosmere!
    Where to start from Brandon Sanderson: www.brandonsan...
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    P.O. Box 1016 Dublin, Ohio 43017
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Komentáƙe • 1,3K

  • @DanielGreeneReviews
    @DanielGreeneReviews  Pƙed 4 lety +238

    Warbreaker: amzn.to/2DSyKxO
    Mistborn: amzn.to/2rfb3gC
    Stormlight: amzn.to/2Ltl3cQ

    • @CarrotVision3DCarrotsAreVision
      @CarrotVision3DCarrotsAreVision Pƙed 4 lety +18

      Way of Kings was my first Brandon Sanderson. It sold me. Now it's time to try to get the gf to read it😂 I was trying to get her to read Mistborn, but I dont own a hard copy.

    • @fredrikgranstrom6743
      @fredrikgranstrom6743 Pƙed 4 lety +7

      READ BERSERK

    • @andrewmilburn7656
      @andrewmilburn7656 Pƙed 4 lety +3

      Cosmerenaught

    • @welzgo4660
      @welzgo4660 Pƙed 4 lety +1

      I’m a freshman just getting into Stephen king, right now I’m reading The Shining but I’m almost done and I don’t know what other books I should read as a starter, what do you recommend?

    • @mariasilveriagrassi
      @mariasilveriagrassi Pƙed 4 lety +7

      Dude! This is not a guide on how to read the cosmere! is a guide on how to start with it. I have started already, and want your input on what to read nextâ˜ș

  • @RD22TT
    @RD22TT Pƙed 4 lety +1724

    Started with The Way of Kings because I don't mind getting punched in the face.

    • @Joe-mz6ez
      @Joe-mz6ez Pƙed 4 lety +54

      I did the same

    • @Efficiencyts
      @Efficiencyts Pƙed 4 lety +22

      me too.

    • @tobywilliams278
      @tobywilliams278 Pƙed 4 lety +14

      same

    • @elenafriese891
      @elenafriese891 Pƙed 4 lety +43

      I did because I was a dummy who didn't know better.

    • @Efficiencyts
      @Efficiencyts Pƙed 4 lety +42

      @@elenafriese891 me too haha, I just saw stormlight was at the top of someone's list of favorite series' and that the books were super long, so I'd have tons to read ;)

  • @lukeahlemeier6379
    @lukeahlemeier6379 Pƙed 4 lety +571

    I started with storm light archive because I’d just come off of the Wheel of Time, and I am no longer capable of being intimidated by epic fantasy.

    • @solidsnake11087
      @solidsnake11087 Pƙed 4 lety +41

      Lmao well, once you get a good few series under your belt, read Malazan. You will become humbled again

    • @kshitijsharma759
      @kshitijsharma759 Pƙed 4 lety +4

      Same bro juat finished wheel of time I too think to start stormlight archives

    • @starmorpheus
      @starmorpheus Pƙed 3 lety +8

      @@solidsnake11087 Seriously. I tried reading the first book and my eyes were glazing over not even 20 pages in. I had to put it down for the time being lol

    • @dead_slime1915
      @dead_slime1915 Pƙed 2 lety

      Same too

    • @ChristmasLore
      @ChristmasLore Pƙed 2 lety +4

      Way of kings is the perfect entry point for people coming from WoT.
      Mistborn is somewhat YA, Stormlight archives approches epic fantasy rather better.
      (Also, you can amuse yourself counting the similarities to WoT, including and down to variations of the names of - quite many, characters)

  • @Rancor9000
    @Rancor9000 Pƙed 4 lety +907

    I started with Mistborn 1 and I think that’s best.

    • @joshrivers5191
      @joshrivers5191 Pƙed 4 lety +11

      Agreed

    • @SmokedPudding
      @SmokedPudding Pƙed 4 lety +18

      Same here, and i loved the mistborn series

    • @ladylizcreates7719
      @ladylizcreates7719 Pƙed 4 lety +3

      Same

    • @chaosqueen20
      @chaosqueen20 Pƙed 4 lety +1

      Same, friend. Same

    • @Joe-mz6ez
      @Joe-mz6ez Pƙed 4 lety +12

      I started with Way of the king's... I enjoyed it... Then comes Hoid and I was like, this guy's feels out of place... Cue massive spoilers after I look him up 😂

  • @jobo5300
    @jobo5300 Pƙed 4 lety +552

    Possible controversial take before watching: Every Cosmere series can stand on its own so you should just start with the series that interests you the most in both setting, plot and style.

    • @TayNez63
      @TayNez63 Pƙed 4 lety +13

      Hot take

    • @littleredbook2009
      @littleredbook2009 Pƙed 4 lety +27

      100% agree. Looking for a way to convince a guy I work with (dude helped me through WoT and Dune) to give BSand a second chance. Think I'll try The Emperor's Soul next. (Mostly I think he really noticed the style change in WoT and got turned off.)

    • @alanrice6077
      @alanrice6077 Pƙed 4 lety +4

      Jo Bo not very controversial but I agree

    • @eduardoo31
      @eduardoo31 Pƙed 4 lety +4

      yeah but everyone should absolutely read warbreaker before words of radiance or at the very latest before oathbringer.

    • @duathhadron5040
      @duathhadron5040 Pƙed 4 lety +6

      I’d say wait to read Stormlight because of the number of people we see popping in from other series. Especially Hoid

  • @bruceh9780
    @bruceh9780 Pƙed 4 lety +956

    I *AM* saying Way of Kings is the best fantasy book ever written.
    Fight me.

    • @jiggityjack8113
      @jiggityjack8113 Pƙed 4 lety +40

      I won’t

    • @Hadrian1616
      @Hadrian1616 Pƙed 4 lety +37

      I surrender

    • @jiggityjack8113
      @jiggityjack8113 Pƙed 4 lety +14

      John Flemings wise choice

    • @thewingedserpent5823
      @thewingedserpent5823 Pƙed 4 lety +36

      call me france on this one

    • @drrussdc
      @drrussdc Pƙed 4 lety +3

      No arguement on its excellence but just starting out?, only if you are a solid fantasy reader-if you are, you prolly already read the series.

  • @deanie3824
    @deanie3824 Pƙed 4 lety +290

    I chose Warbreaker as the first Sanderson book because I was one those people who was like "series too long, let's start with the chunky standalone."

    • @wingracer1614
      @wingracer1614 Pƙed 4 lety +8

      I discovered BS at a time when I was out of work, broke and bored as hell. Warbreaker was posted on his site for free (and I think it still is) so I gave it a read. Been hooked ever since.

    • @faultier1158
      @faultier1158 Pƙed 4 lety

      It's also good to have read that before going into the later Stormlight books. :)

  • @mdtaylor2274
    @mdtaylor2274 Pƙed 4 lety +334

    I haven't read ANY book for the past 15 years and just purchased The Way of Kings for Kindle. Wish me luck!

    • @mrblooper1994
      @mrblooper1994 Pƙed 4 lety +5

      How's it going for you so far? Did you finish it?

    • @mdtaylor2274
      @mdtaylor2274 Pƙed 4 lety +23

      @@mrblooper1994 thanks for asking. I just got the Oasis yesterday and started reading this book immediately. Only one chapter in but so far like it very much. Have you read any of Sanderson's books?

    • @mrblooper1994
      @mrblooper1994 Pƙed 4 lety +15

      @@mdtaylor2274 considering he's my favorite author then yes. Currently going through the new skyward and it's quite enjoyable. I'm frothing from the mouth for when stormlight 4 comes out

    • @CarlosGFlores
      @CarlosGFlores Pƙed 4 lety +3

      I do t know you, but I have the slightest feeling you'll be reading the book just in the right moment

    • @mdtaylor2274
      @mdtaylor2274 Pƙed 4 lety +9

      @@CarlosGFlores it's really great so far and I have a 3 day weekend. Going to be reading all weekend and can't wait. I've also been following Sanderson's Reddit community and I'm addicted đŸ˜đŸ‡”đŸ‡č

  • @costaanton9696
    @costaanton9696 Pƙed 4 lety +200

    The Way of Kings was an absolutely amazing entry into the cosmere and it single-handedly rekindled my love for the fantasy genre, after years of not touching a fantasy book.

    • @nicolasinvernizzi6140
      @nicolasinvernizzi6140 Pƙed 4 lety +5

      i didnt read a fantasy book in like 10 years, the last one was either one of the harry potter books or the third book in philip pullmans his dark materials. but a year ago i started working very close to a book shop and started to think about rading fantasy again mostly because they had either the lord of the rings or a song of ice and fire book in some corner at the front.
      and one day i see a book called Elantris by an author that i remembered for being the one who finished the wheel of time. (i read the first 4 books of WoT when i was younger)
      so i opened the book and read the prologue.
      the moment i finished that prologue i knew i was going to enjoy that book.

    • @taylorhauser3347
      @taylorhauser3347 Pƙed 3 lety

      same here read it a ltitle later in college when I decided to jump in again and boy its rekindled the fire and as long as he's still writing, it won't go out. It led me to First Law, Malazan, Robin Hobb, Jade City, Dresden, and even got me back into Sci-fi. So thats why I love Way of Kings so much, it just opened a door to so much deep fantasy outside of Tolkien and Martin, where I found stories that I just related to a lot more. (I still love LOTR, WoT, and SoIaF).

  • @yudhishthirrana5597
    @yudhishthirrana5597 Pƙed 4 lety +485

    I started with The way of Kings not knowing anything about Brandon. Never looked back afterward. Still think this is the best book to enter Cosmere (for me). As for starting with Mistborn..Never liked Vin but nonetheless super epic books to enter Cosmere. Well I love everything the guy writes! I'd say go with the Stormlight Archive

    • @jespermadsen9297
      @jespermadsen9297 Pƙed 4 lety +26

      I can completely understand that and I do agree to some extent. As a man in his 30's I did not relate that well to a teenage girl who had grown up on the street.
      I would however like to propose that the magic system is also a great part of what makes Mistborn such a great starter.
      In my opinion it is so great in that it is easy to understand and relate to in a way that most magic systems can only strive to do. Brandon Sanderson's systems in general are much like this, but I do think that this system is easier to get into, not just for newcomers to Sanderson's fantasy, but fantasy in general.
      It is easy to get into and understand the basics, while it certainly is expansive in its entirety when we get to see some of the more complex possibilities in Mistborn era 2.
      A lot of it comes from how it works, where upon first reading, I found myself thinking "Yes of course this is how it works... it makes perfect sense". I could relate to that magic system so well an thus the world and how it worked because of that. After reading the books, I actually felt like I could understand the system so well that I could become a semi good mistborn if I had that ability, purely from the descriptions alone.
      I am not saying that it is the best magic system out there since that is certainly up to personal preference, but it is one of the more relatable.

    • @TayNez63
      @TayNez63 Pƙed 4 lety +8

      I of course love the SA. I am however hesitant to push people to start with Way of Kings because the series isnt done yet. I started with Mistborn and it hooked me. But I really loved Warbreaker, I ended up reading that after Mistborn and Elantris

    • @lordofdarkness4204
      @lordofdarkness4204 Pƙed 4 lety +2

      If you have experience with epic fantasy then storm light is still a good place to start as any

    • @piecookies3488
      @piecookies3488 Pƙed 4 lety +21

      I started with Mistborn and Vin is one of my favorite female protagonists in fantasy. As a young adult myself I related to her very easily.

    • @taylorhauser3347
      @taylorhauser3347 Pƙed 3 lety

      Same here dude

  • @sigfrednavasquez5632
    @sigfrednavasquez5632 Pƙed 4 lety +141

    I absolutely agree with you on starting with Mistborn. I picked that as my first Sanderson book and I was hooked ever since! Can't get enough of Cosmere now.

    • @Rowan_A_Boat
      @Rowan_A_Boat Pƙed rokem

      Is the ending of mistborn era 1 indicative of the rest of Sanderson's work?
      Like, do all the books end with a depressing wet fart?

  • @iriya3227
    @iriya3227 Pƙed 4 lety +186

    Looked at thickness of Stormlight archive series as the starting point and was like damn I'll have something to listen on Graphic Audio for 1-2 years at least, Book 4 will be out once I finish. So I started the book.
    2 Months Later: Finished the entire series.
    "Wait a minute, How did this happen? we are smarter than this..."

    • @MasterDrewboy
      @MasterDrewboy Pƙed 4 lety +2

      Lol how many pages a day were you reading hahaha

    • @iriya3227
      @iriya3227 Pƙed 4 lety +11

      I actually don't know haha, since I was listening to it usually in bed before sleep. Generally I planned to listen 15-30 minutes a day but usually was hooked and went for 1-2 hours at least. Sometimes when it was around the end of books or the more intense scenes I went up to 4-5 hours. Sometimes I also used to listen on train or while driving. It felt more like I was binge watching GOT when I found out about it at season 4 rather than normally listening to an audio-book.

    • @MasterDrewboy
      @MasterDrewboy Pƙed 4 lety +1

      Iriya aahhhyyyythats epic hahaha good for you friend

    • @eliwiederhold4198
      @eliwiederhold4198 Pƙed 4 lety +3

      I managed to read book 1 in only 3 days. With resent events I could read basicly 12ish hours a day.

    • @eliwiederhold4198
      @eliwiederhold4198 Pƙed 4 lety +2

      It was 100% worth it

  • @iveybullard8988
    @iveybullard8988 Pƙed 4 lety +123

    Mistborn was where i started my obsession with Sandersons cosmere. I feel the exact same way you did daniel. It was such a good story that drew me in and kept me hooked.

    • @joshrivers5191
      @joshrivers5191 Pƙed 4 lety +1

      Same

    • @Rowan_A_Boat
      @Rowan_A_Boat Pƙed rokem

      I started with mistborn & that ending ruined it so bad I'll probably never touch another sanderson book (unless someone can assure me that the other books don't end so pathetically)

    • @iveybullard8988
      @iveybullard8988 Pƙed rokem

      @@Rowan_A_Boat Cant assure you of anything when you make such a general statement. What didnt you like about it?

    • @Rowan_A_Boat
      @Rowan_A_Boat Pƙed rokem

      @@iveybullard8988
      The part of the end where sanderson said "Rocks fell, everyone important died, & then god came & saved the day for everyone else"
      The part where after three books of buildup & then he throws the heroine in the trash & has the whiny bald nerd be the hero.
      The part where literally none of the political, ecological, monetary, or social problems that the series was ostensibly about were actually solved, & instead they got rebooted out of existence.
      Tbh, idk if I can even imagine a worse ending. I'm traumatized.

  • @raresfechete
    @raresfechete Pƙed 4 lety +127

    I started with Elantris because that's the only Sanderson book they had when i went to buy Mistborn and i was like might as well read this too. Loved it anyway and now i'm waiting for the final empire to arrive in the mail.

    • @erburu
      @erburu Pƙed 4 lety +5

      I started with Elantris too and LOVED it. I read The Emperor's Soul afterwards and then The Final Empire. I didn't like that last one as much as the other two, but it was still pretty good. I'm reading Warbreaker right now and once I'm done I might jump to The Well of Ascension.
      Btw I know this comment is five months old but I wanted to express my opinion to a random stranger on the internet.

    • @nicolasinvernizzi6140
      @nicolasinvernizzi6140 Pƙed 4 lety +7

      i started with Elantris too and while sanderson has improved considerably. there is something about the atmosphere and sething in Elantris that is just amazing. i still have all of Mistborn to read tho.

  • @opshin
    @opshin Pƙed 3 lety +101

    The Emperor’s Soul is still one of my favorite short stories from Brandon Sanderson and I re-read it periodically because it’s just a great contained piece.

  • @kaylahicks1355
    @kaylahicks1355 Pƙed 4 lety +92

    I started with the Mistborn trilogy and fell in love. I'm half way through Words of Radiance for the first time right now and I can't be stopped. Every other book I thought I was going to read in December has been evicted.

    • @TayNez63
      @TayNez63 Pƙed 4 lety +1

      I'd recommend reading warbreaker before you finish WoR. You get a nice surprise. But not absolutely necessary

    • @kaylahicks1355
      @kaylahicks1355 Pƙed 4 lety +3

      @@TayNez63 Well, I couldn't put WoR down haha. I considered it, but just couldn't do it. I'll probably start it after I finish Oathbringer. I'm a binge reader so I struggle stepping out of a world when I'm immersed in it.

    • @TayNez63
      @TayNez63 Pƙed 4 lety

      @@kaylahicks1355 understandable! Haha

    • @taylorhauser3347
      @taylorhauser3347 Pƙed 3 lety

      Words of Radiance SO. GOOD.

    • @Rowan_A_Boat
      @Rowan_A_Boat Pƙed rokem

      IDK how anyone can fall in love with Mistborn. Sure the story is great, but that ending ruined everything so hard that I can't trust sanderson.

  • @enderstew
    @enderstew Pƙed 4 lety +295

    I’m starting with Mistborn Era three, fight me.

    • @nyelbaig
      @nyelbaig Pƙed 4 lety +51

      You are either some kind of idiot or some kind of genius

    • @dazzoboy4156
      @dazzoboy4156 Pƙed 4 lety +8

      I mean sure, you totally can because the books explain most of it at the start anyway so you will understand the story but then going back you might not get as invested in the 1st or 2nd era and the 1st era is amazing, 2ns is great too but waiting for that finish

    • @darkprinceofdorne
      @darkprinceofdorne Pƙed 4 lety +15

      Amateur, I'm already on Era Four

    • @vtrproductions8994
      @vtrproductions8994 Pƙed 4 lety +1

      You mean the 1980s one

    • @vtrproductions8994
      @vtrproductions8994 Pƙed 4 lety +8

      @@darkprinceofdorne honestly four sounds cooler than 3, space mistborn is in my opinion the best idea ever.

  • @Stoneward1
    @Stoneward1 Pƙed 4 lety +245

    I finished the cosmere in around 7 months. More like devoured actually.

    • @tonyoliver4920
      @tonyoliver4920 Pƙed 4 lety +12

      Andross Red you are a ‘bibliovore’
      Devourer of books 📚

    • @iriya3227
      @iriya3227 Pƙed 4 lety +9

      Well kinda expected since you got nothing else to do when you sitting in a dark room, plotting alone all day.
      As for me I started WOK 5 Months ago and I was like I'll read a bit of this until book 5 of Lightbringer comes out. Now I've finished SA, Warbreaker and I'm almost done with Mistborn's second book. Decided to wait for Graphic Audio version of Lightbringer to come out to give it a try and finish rest of the Mistborn meanwhile.

    • @kengillespie7797
      @kengillespie7797 Pƙed 4 lety

      Andross Red lol your name is a Power Rangers in space homage, right?

    • @Stoneward1
      @Stoneward1 Pƙed 4 lety +1

      @@kengillespie7797no, actually. It's a name of a character from lightbringer.

    • @GoErikTheRed
      @GoErikTheRed Pƙed 4 lety

      That's about how long my second read through took (well, first time reading Stormlight and second time for anything else).

  • @michaelwagner30
    @michaelwagner30 Pƙed 3 lety +16

    “Cosmerenaut” is obviously the appropriate term

  • @kartveeryasingh6859
    @kartveeryasingh6859 Pƙed 4 lety +38

    Read elantris then started mistborn era 1 and burning through well of ascension currently.

  • @journeymanic9605
    @journeymanic9605 Pƙed 4 lety +34

    And to add to my reading with just a general comment about Brandon's books. They don't read like an aggressive page turner thriller, but they sure as heck don't feel like they were a thousand pages thick. Perfectly balanced fiction. If you can finish a thousand page book neither bored or exhausted the author did good.

  • @jiggityjack8113
    @jiggityjack8113 Pƙed 4 lety +28

    I accidentally started with Stormlight, I don’t really have any regrets about it.

  • @odiums_taint
    @odiums_taint Pƙed 4 lety +17

    Way of Kings on Audible was my intro to Sanderson’s work. a really great way to get into such an epic series.
    Warbreaker, Mistborn, Way of Kings... they are all so great. it’s hard to imagine that you could go wrong with any of these options.

  • @pax3431
    @pax3431 Pƙed 3 lety +30

    You convinced me to start with The Final Empire when this video first came out. As of today Ive finished all of mistborn, warbreaker and all 3 stormlight archive books... thank you Daniel for an amazing recommendation!

  • @unkempthawk
    @unkempthawk Pƙed 4 lety +13

    I am brand new to the Cosmere, and I started with The Way of Kings. Currently about a third of the way through and I absolutely love the book and am already hooked on Sanderson’s writing!

  • @blakejackson5340
    @blakejackson5340 Pƙed 4 lety +51

    How I read the Cosmere and definitely recommend when people ask is:
    Mistborn Era 1
    Elantris
    Warbreaker
    Mistborn Era 2
    Way of Kings
    Words of Radiance
    Arcanum Unbounded
    Oathbringer

    • @avsambart
      @avsambart Pƙed 2 lety +1

      I did the same order.

  • @sswanson12
    @sswanson12 Pƙed rokem +16

    I started recently into his work and made the decision to have Way of Kings be my introduction.
    I REGRET NOTHING. It is incredible and I am so blown away by the degree to which I am invested in these characters and this story. His writing style is so gripping and vivid that the page count becomes a non-issue for me.

    • @zacturf-n-sports6203
      @zacturf-n-sports6203 Pƙed rokem

      Good choice

    • @saratchandramv1886
      @saratchandramv1886 Pƙed rokem

      Its interesting! All the main characters are interesting. I am only half way into book 1 part 1 .but i can see the buildup .. slowly and steadily and i love it. I mean this is my first time reading a book in 10 years :D

  • @jbrock7394
    @jbrock7394 Pƙed 4 lety +7

    I started reading Mistborn: The Final Empire two days ago and I’m loving it! It’s definitely a page turner. This is my first fantasy novel and the magic system is really cool. Thanks for the introduction Daniel!

  • @meritreads90
    @meritreads90 Pƙed 3 lety +5

    I just finished Warbreaker today, and it broke me. It is the very first book I read by Brandon Sanderson, and it hooked me into the Cosmere!! I am officially a fan!! I’m glad I started with this one first. I absolutely LOVED it!

  • @dmick9168
    @dmick9168 Pƙed 4 lety +6

    I started with Mistborn era 1 then mistborn era 2 and now im about halfway through Oathbringer and loving the stormlight archive. I recently picked up both warbreaker and elantris. I haven’t read a book for fun since highschool 10 years ago, and thanks to Sanderson im reading again! My to-read list is growing bigger because of this channel. Next on my plate is ‘the last wish’ in anticipation of witcher.

  • @grandlancer
    @grandlancer Pƙed 4 lety +6

    The Way of Kings was my first book by Brandon Sanderson and I loved it. I'd remembered seeing Warbreaker on recommended lists for years and for whatever reason passing it over. When I finally read it is was upset with myself for having gone so long before doing so. It's fantastic and I would echo that it's a great place to start.

  • @builtstructure
    @builtstructure Pƙed rokem +3

    the thing is, I really want to get into Brandon Sanderson novels and really dive into the story of the cosmere, and these types of videos really help me out!
    my first Sanderson book was the rithmatist and I immediately got obsessed with his writing style and when I heard that he wrote a whole universe filled with books upon books upon books, I really wanted to figure out where to start, so thanks for helping me out lol

  • @dennismartin7983
    @dennismartin7983 Pƙed 4 lety +9

    Very useful video Daniel! I had trouble deciding which Sanderson book or series to start with these xmas holidays, so this video came right on time :)

  • @hannahbrennan2131
    @hannahbrennan2131 Pƙed 3 lety +8

    I started with the first Mistborn trilogy and am now reading The Stormlight Archive. I just finished Words of Radiance earlier this evening. I loved Mistborn and am loving Stormlight Archive so far.

  • @wendylinderman463
    @wendylinderman463 Pƙed 4 lety +4

    I started on The Way of Kings. I absolutely loved it!!! I am pretty sure I rarely read books under 800 pages, so I was good with starting there.. I am so obsessed with Brandon Sanderson now!!

  • @Scott_53110
    @Scott_53110 Pƙed rokem +8

    I’m going to start with mistborn, I think a trilogy of books that aren’t the size of encyclopedias feel like a good start. Plus I am super intrigued by the premise anyways. Gotta get through the Witcher then I’m excited to give Sanderson a go.

  • @lppunto
    @lppunto Pƙed 4 lety +19

    I've always recommended Mistborn as a starting place, but now that I think of it, Emperor's Soul would work quite well as one. I think it's the one shorter work by Sanderson that is actually comparable in quality to his novels, and it noticeably connects to the wider Cosmere without requiring any knowledge. I might start suggesting it.

  • @rosierumsey
    @rosierumsey Pƙed 4 lety +2

    100% start with Warbreaker. I loved that one. And its nice that its essentially stand alone.

  • @carolinek1818
    @carolinek1818 Pƙed 4 lety +22

    I started with Mistborn era 1, then Elantris and Warbreaker and then Mistborn era 2 (also have read the first two White Sand comic book volumes, I recommend reading the novel version that Sanderson has shared himself, I started to read it some time ago and it's much better than comics). Currently I'm taking a break from Cosmere and reading Wheel of Time. When I want to take a break from WoT, then I'll start with The Way of Kings.

    • @radiosilence17
      @radiosilence17 Pƙed 4 lety +3

      Currently reading both Wheel of Time and stormlight. I am super impressed on both counts

    • @hannahn.3388
      @hannahn.3388 Pƙed 4 lety +1

      Do you recommend that order? I'm currently reading Book 3 of Era 1 and just ordered Elantris and Warbreaker because I saw other videos that recommended to read them in the beginning.

    • @jordendarrett1725
      @jordendarrett1725 Pƙed 4 lety +2

      @@hannahn.3388 I think its a good order. I don't know if you'll enjoy Elantris but I sure did. What are your thoughts on Era 1?

    • @hannahn.3388
      @hannahn.3388 Pƙed 4 lety

      @@jordendarrett1725 I liked but didnt love the first one, I was struggeling a bit because english isnt my first language and Mistborn definitely isnt an easy book. The last 250 pages of the second book really did it for me and I loved all the character developement, everything felt really realistic . What about you

    • @radiosilence17
      @radiosilence17 Pƙed 4 lety

      @@jordendarrett1725 I think Mistborn Era 1 is an awesome starting point to get into his stuff. Very unique and lots of fun. But after Mistborn - Stormlight is amazingly well done as well but the two aren't connected.

  • @traymac11
    @traymac11 Pƙed 4 lety +1

    I actually like your recommendations. I was introduced to Brandon long before I was introduced to his books. As a fantasy writer, I studied under his teachings about writing on CZcams before I read any of his books. My first entry was the Way of Kings and I've been a huge fan ever since.

  • @Law-of-EnTropy
    @Law-of-EnTropy Pƙed 4 lety +4

    Did it in this order:
    - Elantris (I personally loved it and starting here gave me a headstart of Sanderson's growth as an author).
    - Warbreaker (Best book to finish before reading SA because of the easter eggs)
    -Stormlight Archive (currently reading Oathbringer now)
    And to be honest, like what Brandon Sanderson always says, I noticed it doesn't really matter much where you start because the connections between worlds in the Cosmere right now are mere easter eggs.

  • @micahheatwole
    @micahheatwole Pƙed 4 lety +2

    I first read Sanderson when he finished The Wheel of Time. I loved how he finished the series so much that I went looking for his own work. I started with the first Mistborn trilogy and was instantly a fan. The Stormlight Archive is on whole new level for me, and, in my opinion, raises the enjoyment of his others cosmere stories.

  • @Nasser851000
    @Nasser851000 Pƙed 4 lety +6

    0:00 Shaved Daniel looks great :)

  • @separator94
    @separator94 Pƙed 4 lety +1

    I started with Mistborn. Half way through the first book and loving it. Vin is such an awesome character. I love watching her grow as a person.

  • @majascha3414
    @majascha3414 Pƙed 4 lety +10

    I just found out about Sanderson this Fall, and I started with Mistborn (I've only read the Final Empire up to now), so I guess I did good :)

    • @scmiller
      @scmiller Pƙed 4 lety

      Maja Schachner yep! That’s generally considered the best look. Good guess!

    • @wingracer1614
      @wingracer1614 Pƙed 4 lety

      Nothing wrong with that. I'm rereading The Final Empire now. I would make one small suggestion if I'm not too late. Read Warbreaker before tackling the Stormlight books. It's not required or anything it's just that it's a great read and will introduce you to several characters that make appearances in Stormlight. Plus if you don't feel like spending money on it, he has it posted for free on his website.

    • @majascha3414
      @majascha3414 Pƙed 4 lety

      @@wingracer1614 Thanks! It's gonna take me a while to get there but I'll check it out!

  • @coooozy
    @coooozy Pƙed 2 lety +2

    I just about finished the Way of Kings and it was absolutely incredible.

  • @matthewsmithson4250
    @matthewsmithson4250 Pƙed 4 lety +7

    I started with The Way of Kings. Something appealing about massive fantasy epic. However I had read his non Cosmere Reckoners series first

  • @allieasbill2055
    @allieasbill2055 Pƙed 3 lety +2

    So many people here started with Way of Kings and I love it! I’ve only read the first three of the Stormlight Archive so far, but I am totally going to read more!

  • @quipgaming1790
    @quipgaming1790 Pƙed 3 lety +3

    The Way of Kings was my first fantasy book ever apart from Harry Potter and the first book I read since years ago. I just jumped directly into the deep end.

  • @drakean8
    @drakean8 Pƙed 2 lety

    My first introduction to Sanderson was Legion and it knocked my socks off!

  • @Marco_Onyxheart
    @Marco_Onyxheart Pƙed 4 lety +24

    I think roughly following publication order is best. Sanderson's earlier works aren't quite as good. Still good, but less so. Stormlight Archive I felt was a bit difficult to get into due to the number of characters. As a result, starting at his best will be jarring because it's somewhat more difficult to get into. Switching to Elantris from his best will be jarring yet again, because of the difference in quality.

    • @panchorosselli
      @panchorosselli Pƙed 4 lety +2

      Yeah I recommend Mistborn to non-reading friends and Stormlight to friends that already read a ton or have read things like WoT or GoT.

    • @TayNez63
      @TayNez63 Pƙed 4 lety

      Good points. Personally I read mistborn trilogy first, then Elantris. And I'm glad I did that. Elantris was really hard for me to get through at times. And tbh I may not have finished it if I didnt fall in love with Sanderson after Mistborn

  • @93siguy
    @93siguy Pƙed 4 lety +2

    I didn’t know anything about Brandon Sanderson when I bought way of kings. The first chapter had me hooked.

  • @diminade
    @diminade Pƙed 3 lety +25

    I started with Mistborn: The Final Empire and was so indifferent about it that I almost wrote off Brandon Sanderson as a writer for me. I decided to take the plunge and try out Way of Kings next and I. am. a. FAN. I've since also read Warbreaker, which is also great, and Well of Ascension, which I really did not love. I guess I'm in the minority here where Mistborn isn't really my thing.

    • @steggopotamus
      @steggopotamus Pƙed 2 lety +5

      I don't love mistborn era one as much as I like the whole stormlight archive. I think because mistborn era1 is more consistently in a low mood. And it kind of weighs me down.
      So, I want to tell you that era 2 was much more enjoyable for me, the mood is lighter, the relationships are done well imo. i also absolutely recommend it as an audiobook, because Michael Cramer does a fantastic job with the voice acting.
      Definitely get through era 1 first. But era 2 might be worth it if you're like me.

    • @iResistive
      @iResistive Pƙed 2 lety

      Thats crazy I am on the reverse, I strongly dislike Way of Kings.

    • @SG-hf8pj
      @SG-hf8pj Pƙed 2 lety

      I have read Mistborn more times than I can count......like I fall asleep regularly to it like a safety blanket 😂
      I haven't read the other series.....đŸ€·đŸŸâ€â™‚ïž I'm afraid to let go and take the plunge.... someone push me over the edge 😭

    • @michalljubljanac312
      @michalljubljanac312 Pƙed 2 lety

      The Mistborn trilogy has kind of put me off of reading more by Brandon Sanderson. It wasn't bad by any means, but sort of went opposite to what I enjoy in fantasy. The characters felt a bit one-dimensional, the way story lines converged felt forced, and none of it resonated with me on an emotional level. The middle novel dragged on for a bit, and I also didn't dig the finale. Overall, the structure was also weird. The first novel introduced a pretty convincing adversary, only to be replaced by something way more vague.The things it did well, such as the creative Magic system and world building concepts, felt more like gimmicks and weren't enough to make me look past the things I didn't like. I will have to give his other series a second chance at some point and hope that they address some of the issues I had with Mistborn. Since it is one of his first published works, I can imagine that he has matured as an author since.

    • @SG-hf8pj
      @SG-hf8pj Pƙed 2 lety

      @@michalljubljanac312
      I took the opposite stance I think.
      He explored slavery, though I think this was the most ham fisted aspect of the book, I would have liked to hear more from the ska as far as how their society was shaped and influenced. It felt like they were very one dimensional.
      With other characters though I think they were being seen through vins eyes a lot and that flattened them because she is not the most in depth when it comes to emotions ect, she's more concerned with harm/ others actions.
      I think after toppling the slave state they had to contend with the ideologies that made it legal and how the institution of slavery among other things changed their world but also was a response to the new necessities of the environment (that the colonizer/ruler destroyed).
      I think there were big themes that could have been handled better but I think it had a lot of great elements for a fantasy novel and tried to be more equitable in some subtext than I often see.

  • @elijahgreenberg2634
    @elijahgreenberg2634 Pƙed 2 lety +1

    I started with The Way of Kings. Picked it up while on vacation in Massachusetts. We visited the Norman Rockwell museum and there was an exhibit with art from the covers of various books. In the gift shop I decided to buy it. Best 20 something odd dollars I've spent to this date. I finished it in like 4 days. Best book I've ever read hands down. I'm glad I started there, because that's what got me HOOKED on Brandon's work, and I don't know if any of the other Cosmere books could have done that, but I guess I'll never know...

  • @ind1gnat1on
    @ind1gnat1on Pƙed 4 lety +3

    Elantris has its warts, but I absolutely love the story and it’s still one of my favorites even though I’ve read most of Sanderson’s work by now. That being said, I started with Warbreaker.

  • @shaykika
    @shaykika Pƙed 4 lety

    Thanks for turning me on to the Cosmere and Sanderson as well as The Wheel of Time.

  • @jameswitts3793
    @jameswitts3793 Pƙed 4 lety +22

    I started with the Way of Kings
    I've since listened to the audio books of all 3 stormlight archive books
    Considering the Mistborn books next
    Did anyone else start with the Stormlight Archive?

    • @gideonwilliams7755
      @gideonwilliams7755 Pƙed 4 lety +4

      Yep! I started with the way of Kings and absolutely fell in love with Sanderson. The stormlight archive books are my favorite but the mistborn books are still incredible

    • @scmiller
      @scmiller Pƙed 4 lety +2

      James Luke the biggest tie between two worlds in the Cosmere connects Warbreaker to Stormlight. If that makes you curious, keep it in mind.
      It’s a different planet a fair few years before Stormlight, and serves as backstory for a couple people you’ve met.

    • @Dresden0478
      @Dresden0478 Pƙed 4 lety +2

      I started with Stormlight Archive audio books. Luckily all cosmere books are done by Michael Kramer with the exception of Elantris so it's easy to get into Mistborn on Audio book since you know the reader already.

    • @jameswitts3793
      @jameswitts3793 Pƙed 4 lety

      @@Dresden0478
      I was thinking of the Mistborn books next
      I tried listening to Empire of Silence but Michael Kramer is a much better narrator

    • @Dresden0478
      @Dresden0478 Pƙed 4 lety +1

      I think I did Mistborn then Elantris then warbreaker

  • @Ccherry18
    @Ccherry18 Pƙed 4 lety

    So glad you said Misborn is the best place, because I am reading the second book now

  • @shubhamchoudhary502
    @shubhamchoudhary502 Pƙed 4 lety +5

    Way of kings" .....hands down...best fantasy work ever done... And it will be compared to LOTR one day...đŸ€˜đŸ€˜

    • @noname3609
      @noname3609 Pƙed 2 lety

      Mistborn era 1 is lotr level.SLA is better most likely.

  • @jasonagraham
    @jasonagraham Pƙed 4 lety

    I have to say, I was looking forward to more of a definitive "Guide" not just a "Start here". :) I appreciate the video, and enjoyed it. I've read Elantris and 3 or 4 of his short stories, but have been stuck on where to go next.

  • @lenamontgomery2542
    @lenamontgomery2542 Pƙed 4 lety +6

    I did a year long deep dive into Sanderson this year. My order was Warbreaker, Elantris, the current 6 Mistborn, Stormlight, Edgedancer, currently reading other things in the Ars Arcanum.
    While I may be in the minority that I really liked Elantris...I would also recommend starting with Mistborn. I know that it seems more intimidating to start with a series. The Final Empire just seemed really accessible and it gripped the hell out of me. The first book does have an ending of sorts so I think you could be more satisfied even if you didn't want to continue.
    Warbreaker is actually my least favorite currently and I'm not sure that I would have continued without all the buzz. However I am open to the idea that if I re-read it now, I might feel differently. I do love Nightblood. (I might have squealed when it showed up again) Era one Mistborn is awesome, but Stormlight...ugh, it's so good.
    I'm a little intimidated by White Sands. I haven't tended to read graphic novels much, but I do plan on getting to them. You never really much about them despite being in the cosmere. I'd appreciate any advice on those people may have.
    As an aside, I think Skyward is a great way to just try Sanderson without getting into the Cosmere. Shout out to doomslug.

    • @lauramolina3337
      @lauramolina3337 Pƙed 4 lety

      Lena Montgomery totally agree. I’ve only read mistborn era 1, Elantris and Warbreaker, take that into account, but Warbreaker is by far my least favorite book by Brandon Sanderson, I wanted to skip the chapters that were from Vivennas’s point of view. Because of that, I avoided piking the book back up and I found that really weird as with his other books I couldn’t stop reading.
      Elantris is one of my favorite books by Sanderson and in my personal opinion is a great starting point with Sanderson. Although, I think the least controversial and possibly the best starting point is with mistborn era 1 (the final empire).

    • @wingracer1614
      @wingracer1614 Pƙed 4 lety

      I too really enjoyed Elantris. But then I seem to be one of the few that also truly loves Warbreaker. Doomslug rules.

  • @peterstead6370
    @peterstead6370 Pƙed 4 lety +2

    The great thing about all of Brandon's books is that you can read whatever one you want and you don't need to have read any others to know what's going on. (Obviously, it would be easiest to start with book one with whatever series you decide.) One can read Elantris or Warbreaker, have a great time, and not have to pick up another one of his books. And on the other side of the spectrum, one could pick up Way of Kings and get sucked into a story that wont be finished for years.
    I think it's really easy to get overwhelmed when talking about the Cosmer, not knowing which book to begin with or being worried about having another thing to have to stay up to date with. But I guess I'm trying to say it doesn't need to be overwhelming, just pick up any of the books Danial recommended. If you love it then pick up the next book and enjoy that as well and if you don't, well, I would recommend giving a different book that Brandon wrote a chance before you decide he is an terrible writer.

  • @haughtygarbage5848
    @haughtygarbage5848 Pƙed 4 lety +10

    Stormlight Archive: exists
    Me: wuh wuh whoop-ee~

  • @shethewriter
    @shethewriter Pƙed 3 lety

    Agreed Warbreaker is the best intro. It was my into and actually was the book that got me to give the genre another chance

  • @kengillespie7797
    @kengillespie7797 Pƙed 4 lety +3

    No no Daniel, the demonym is Cosmerenaut!

  • @Thaimex17
    @Thaimex17 Pƙed 3 lety

    Started with The Way of Kings... Took me a little while to start reading the book nonstop but the way Sanderson's writing flowed so easily I was hooked.

  • @Richard-Freeman
    @Richard-Freeman Pƙed 4 lety +3

    I just finished Mistborn 1 and I'm not sure I'm a fan. Stormlight, on the other hand, I'm on my 7th or 8th relisten.

  • @clareisakson
    @clareisakson Pƙed 7 měsĂ­ci

    The final empire and the mistborn series is super approachable to everyone!!!!!! Perfect rec for first time Sanderson readers

  • @krs4395
    @krs4395 Pƙed 4 lety +42

    This is confusing, I'll just read Mistborn.

    • @babetteleblanc7620
      @babetteleblanc7620 Pƙed 4 lety +8

      KRS - He has a knack it turning two sentences into three paragraphs sometimes. Too many words for my brain today.

  • @zephyram2648
    @zephyram2648 Pƙed 3 lety

    Mistborn was my first foray into the Cosmere. Picked it up when I first heard he'd be taking over for RJ, and was hooked almost immediately.

  • @escudojoreg5194
    @escudojoreg5194 Pƙed 4 lety +7

    "Mistborn? Look at this, you can read in a week."
    I read it in 3 days.

  • @thebestoflast
    @thebestoflast Pƙed 4 lety

    The Way of Kings was my first Cosmere book because it was the only Brandon Sanderson book available at my library at the time. But it sold me and now I have started The Final Empire and have the second Stormlight Archive book on hold. 😊

  • @Antlover420
    @Antlover420 Pƙed 4 lety +17

    Jeeeez it’s too early for school go back to bed

  • @popkhorne5372
    @popkhorne5372 Pƙed 4 lety +2

    If you are a kid, the alcatraz series by our dear brandon sanderson is a pretty good entry. Thats what introduced me to him 12ish years ago.

  • @alexpottinger6417
    @alexpottinger6417 Pƙed 4 lety

    My first Cosmere book (and my first ever epic fantasy book) was Warbreaker and I've been hooked ever since!

  • @soulblade3291
    @soulblade3291 Pƙed 4 lety

    Never read anything from Brandon Sanderson in my life but when I picked up the Stormlight Archive, I absolutely love it.

  • @Draigo_MD
    @Draigo_MD Pƙed 2 lety

    I'm getting Discworld vibes with the "Don't start with the first book" thing.
    Also thanks to you and Dom Noble I switched from the Colour of Magic to Guards! Guards!, an amazing decision really.

  • @Meteor_pending
    @Meteor_pending Pƙed 4 lety

    The mad man said I could start with Way of Kings, so I did. What a book, I'm forever hooked on the cosmere now!

  • @pharaoh9000
    @pharaoh9000 Pƙed 4 lety +1

    I started with Mistborn and I haven't looked back since. I've read the entire Cosmere and I always buy the new ones without hesitation! I am biased since I started with Mistborn myself, but I think the era 1 Mistborn trilogy is the Cosmere mind-blower that people should start with. For me, it shook the very foundations of what I thought a book could be. Period.

  • @briejeweled
    @briejeweled Pƙed 4 lety

    I think this video somehow pushed me out of my reading slump ditch and into the misty pages of Hero of Ages. Thanks. đŸ€ž

  • @kenzimister
    @kenzimister Pƙed 5 měsĂ­ci

    I started on Elantris and I’ve been in post book hangover for the last few days, my favourite book so far

  • @AMV0530
    @AMV0530 Pƙed 2 lety

    Thanks for this!! Almost went with Mistborn but can do that later. You sold me on Way of Kings!! Excited to dive into it!!

  • @brettlocke7054
    @brettlocke7054 Pƙed rokem

    Started reading mistborn through a CZcams recommendation with no prior knowledge on the existence of the cosmere.
    After finishing Era one I was hungry for more and fell in love with Sanderson's work. Few searches later and there's a damn universe of books to consume hahah. Sanderson is gonna take up my whole year hahah.

  • @noahhoward5328
    @noahhoward5328 Pƙed rokem

    My first ever epic fantasy book ever was Way of Kings, no regrets man. I was hooked from the opening of Way of Kings

  • @sagaabualgasemmohmmed4005

    I just finished warbreaker and it's my first book in the Sanderson world and I'm really hooked , and I want to continues 😍😍

  • @TheBugma
    @TheBugma Pƙed 4 lety

    Hi Daniel! Recent subscriber here, discovered your channel through your chat with Brandon Sanderson and currently loving your content! I was just done preaching about the Cosmere to a couple of friends who wanted to pick up a fantasy book to read, and I recommended The Final Empire to them just as I always do, so I see we agree on that. What I didn't expect form this video is for you to recommend Emperor's Soul, and I gotta say that's a fantastic idea I've never considered! I have a bunch of friends who told me that starting with Mistborn series was kind of a daunting task so I'll start suggesting Emeperor's Solu to them.

  • @jontiruell1934
    @jontiruell1934 Pƙed 4 lety

    I started by downloading Way of Kings on audible after watching a couple of Daniel's videos and breezed through it then ordered the Words of Radiance paperback which I'm now halfway through. I didn't realise there was an order to these thing but loving it so far

  • @jonathankelly4222
    @jonathankelly4222 Pƙed 3 lety

    I still absolutely love that cover. It was my original copy too.

  • @liliko1lucy
    @liliko1lucy Pƙed 4 lety

    Mistborn is what brought me to this channel! In the middle of reading Mistborn 1st era right now, currently on the third book. It got me back into reading fiction

  • @Mythaelos
    @Mythaelos Pƙed 4 lety

    I started with The Reckoners, before knowing about the Cosmere. I enjoyed it for what it was. A long time after that, I started reading The Stormlight Archive, only vaguely hearing about the Cosmere and I was absolutely hooked. If it weren't for The Wheel of Time, which I am currently reading and getting close to finishing, I would be going crazy waiting for a new book in the series. I only wish I hadn't started reading the Archive because it isn't finished and would have enjoyed reading through its entirety.
    I look forward to reading Brandon Sanderson's other works. It's going to be difficult coping with the end of Wheel of Time and I'm glad and grateful he's there to feed my reading hunger.
    I've also just recently found your channel and I'm binge-watching your videos.
    Happy holidays!

  • @SampsoniteR
    @SampsoniteR Pƙed 4 lety +2

    I ended up starting at stormlight. Love the series it’s incredible

  • @dodgegroin708
    @dodgegroin708 Pƙed 2 lety

    I'm currently reading Mistborn and wow I cannot put the book down. Reading it felt like I'm flying because boy I have never read this fast since I was a preteen. Brandon's work is just so digestible and I was easily glued and immersed in his world. No wonder he is such a fan favorite he writes fast and anyone can enjoy his work.

  • @sivajyothiprayaga
    @sivajyothiprayaga Pƙed rokem

    I liked the way you recommended and I will definitely try this method as I never read a para of Sanderson's writing. Thankyou for elaborate explanation.

  • @thelyxin
    @thelyxin Pƙed 3 lety

    Perfect, just finished WOT and was searching for a order on how to read the cosmere. Daniel got me covered as so often.

  • @makarovdude
    @makarovdude Pƙed 4 lety

    Hi, everyone. Avid Science Fiction fan trying out Fantasy. First Sanderson book I ever read was Elantris. No regrets. Haven't read Warbreaker yet, but just finished Way of Kings a few weeks ago--it was outstanding!--and am currently reading The Final Empire. I see why people love the Mistborn books. I was hooked after the first chapter.

  • @markstenquist2315
    @markstenquist2315 Pƙed 3 lety

    I have lent Warbreaker to at least five people and it's worked to get them into Brandon's stuff. That's the best starting point IMHO.

  • @georgeventura9929
    @georgeventura9929 Pƙed 4 lety

    @ 07:50 LMFAO! "Dragging me into the Cosmere!" thanks for this guide, can't wait to read Brandon Sanderson.

  • @isaacgruver7061
    @isaacgruver7061 Pƙed 2 lety

    In high school I read Harry Potter, the first Eragon book, and no other fantasy stuff. One of my teachers recommended The Way of Kings to me, so I figured I would give it a shot, and HOLY CRAP, I loved it.
    I loved the steep learning curve that came with it, where isn't really a single person acting as the stand in for the audience. Kaladin doesn't find a teacher to show him the ropes, Shallan intends to be a scholar and is seemingly learning along with Jasnah as much as she's learning from Jasnah, and the Kholin's have been in their situation so long that none of them have to explain life to each other. There's nobody for the mentor/friend/parent to tell, "you want x, y, and z, so you have to do a, b, and c."
    I absolutely loved the way Brandon Sanderson was able to communicate everything the audience needed to know without having someone explain the magic to the camera. We learned everything with the characters, not from the characters. I loved it

  • @charliefulton4639
    @charliefulton4639 Pƙed 3 lety

    Read a few other of his works but way of kings blew me away. And if intimidated by the size it's on audible and really well done!

  • @carolinacoutinho4430
    @carolinacoutinho4430 Pƙed 4 lety +2

    Have only read Elantris for now and LOVED the book! Need to get down to his other worlds.

    • @noname3609
      @noname3609 Pƙed 2 lety

      Mistborn Era 1 is what I would go next !