Brandon Sanderson is a sci-fi and fantasy writer truly as prolific as he is acclaimed. To date, he has written more than 30 novels, many of which are set in the Cosmere, a fictional universe with its own magic and cosmology. Sanderson's incredible world-building, which is both detailed and consistent, recalls masters such as J.R.R. Tolkien, and the Cosmere fully supports such a comparison. It is an irresistible fantasy world—vibrant, dangerous, and continually surprising. In each new series, Sanderson gives this universe added depth.
Whether you're a longtime Sanderson fan or a newcomer trying to figure out what all the Cosmere fuss is about, this guide will give you all the info you need.
Note: The following article may contain spoilers for the Cosmere literary universe.
What is the Cosmere?
The Cosmere is the fictional universe in which many of Sanderson's fantasy novels take place. It consists of several worlds, all of which share a magic system and a single origin story. One of the motivations behind the creation of this overarching universe was Sanderson's desire to create an ongoing epic that listeners could dip in and out of. The various series that exist within the Cosmere can be listened to separately—you don't need to finish one series before starting another. You also don't need any special knowledge of the Cosmere's mythology and magic to enjoy the series. That being said, attentive fans are rewarded with easter eggs in the form of characters that appear in multiple series. Sanderson refers to these connections as a "hidden epic."
What is the history of the Cosmere?
Though the full history of the Cosmere is yet to be revealed, its origin story revolves around a mysterious entity known as Adonalsium. At some point in the distant past, Adonalsium was killed, and its power shattered into 16 shards. Each of these shards, now scattered across 10 Shardworlds, holds a piece of Adonalsium's power and magic.
Each shard imbues its world with its particular magic, and each shard is associated with a specific ideal, value, or action, known as its Intent. This is why the magic systems across the worlds in the Cosmere are so different. They share an underlying philosophy, but each world's magic is directly influenced by that world's shard.
The entirety of the Cosmere is also ruled by what is called realmatic theory, which essentially means that everything in the universe exists in three distinct realms. The Physical Realm consists of the material world as the characters experience it; the Cognitive Realm is more abstract, and characters use it to travel between worlds (known as worldhopping); and the Spiritual Realm has to do with the soul. In this last realm, every person has what's known as a spiritweb—an intricate network of energy lines comprised of an individual's spiritual DNA. Experiencing trauma can cause a person's spiritweb to break.
What are the Shardworlds?
There are 10 known Shardworlds in the Cosmere, though there are many more inhabited worlds, some of which do not house shards and some of which have unknown shards.
Nalthis
Nalthis is a planet in the Nalthian system, home to the shard Endowment. The shard's intent is somewhat murky but has something to do with bestowing gifts, whether in the form of talents or physical objects. Nalthis is inhabited by humans and features prominently in Warbreaker.
Braize
Braize is the third planet from the sun in the Rosharan system. It is cold, dark, and completely inhospitable to life. It is also presently home to the shard Odium, which, unlike most other shards, has been moving around the Cosmere. Odium's intent has to do with powerful emotions, particularly hate.
Roshar
Roshar is another planet in the Rosharan system, but unlike Braize, it is inhabited and has a long and complicated history. It is home to two shards: Cultivation, whose intent is all about transformation and change, and Honor, whose intent has to do with binding things to each other, especially through oaths.
Scadrial
Scadrial is a planet in the Scadrian system, home to the metal manipulators known as the Mistborn. It is home to the shard known as Harmony, which was made through the combination of two other shards, Ruin and Preservation. Its intent is a mix of those opposing shards and the balance between them.
Sel
Sel is a planet in the Selish System, inhabited by both humans and artificially created beings. It has a rich history spanning many civilizations. Part of Sel's legacy includes the impact of two shards, both of which were shattered long ago. Devotion's intent was to provide care and safety, while Dominion's had to do with control and power.
Taldain
Taldain is a tidally locked planet located in the Taldain system and the setting of the White Sand series. The shard Autonomy resides on Taldain, and her intent is independence and self-sufficiency.
First of the Sun
First of the Sun is a planet in the Drominad system. Its residents are not spacefaring, though other spacefaring races have visited their world. It is home to one of the shard Autonomy's two avatars, Patji.
Obrodai
Obrodai is currently a minor planet in the Cosmere. However, the shard Autonomy has an avatar there, an unknown female entity that is intent on gaining power.
Threnody
Threnody is a world inhabited by both humans and hostile creatures known as Shades. It has a reputation in the Cosmere as a strange and dangerous planet. It was home to the shard Ambition until she was killed.
Komashi
Komashi is a planet in the UTol system, home to the splinters of the shard Virtuosity. The entire region around this planet is now shaped by these shard splinters. Before the splintering, this shard's intent had to do with artistic creativity and passion.
What books are set in the Cosmere?
As of this writing, there are 24 books in the Cosmere universe, including four series, five standalone novels, and a collection of novellas and short stories. All of the series, including the graphic novels, is available on Audible, with most of the full-length novels clocking in between 20 and 50 hours.
What order should I listen to the Cosmere audiobooks in?
As Sanderson has stated, the various series in the Cosmere universe can be experienced in any order. There are links between the series, but each has its own characters, plot points, and themes. Therefore, any series makes for a good entry point to the Cosmere. That being said, the books within each series should definitely be listened to in order.
Listeners interested in the Cosmere's internal chronology might enjoy attempting to queue up the audiobooks according to when each series or novel is set. Though there is no official Cosmere timeline—partly because Sanderson wants the flexibility to place new stories in the larger universe—fans have pieced together a rough timeline based on various clues and events in each series. For those curious, that order is: White Sand, Elantris, the Mistborn Saga, Warbreaker, the Stormlight Archive, and the Wax & Wayne series. Arcanum Unbounded collects various novellas and stories set in the Cosmere, so it doesn't fit neatly into the chronology. It can be listened to at any time but will be most enjoyed by fans already familiar with the longer series.
What series are set in the Cosmere?
The Mistborn Saga
The Mistborn Saga is made up of two different series—the original trilogy and the Wax & Wayne series. The original trilogy begins with Mistborn: The Final Empire. The original trilogy is set mostly on the planet of Scadrial and follows the adventures of a group of allomancers—people with the ability to manipulate metal. They are attempting to overthrow an evil empire and restore justice to a world shadowed with ash.
The Wax & Wayne series is set on the same planet about 300 years after the events of the original trilogy. The world has changed drastically and advanced technologically. Now there's electric light and brand-new skyscrapers, and the characters from the original trilogy are but a part of history. The series centers on Waxillium Ladrian, who returns to the big city after years of living and working in the frontier territory known as the Roughs. It has the feel of a wild Western adventure mixed with an epic fantasy quest. Michael Kramer narrates both series, and he does an excellent job portraying the many characters and plotlines with distinction and enthusiasm.
The Stormlight Archive
The inhabitants of the planet Roshar have been living with war—a pointless war, which no one can recall the purpose of—for generations. Most of them are resigned to constant storms, inhospitable land, and endless battles. When rumors about an ancient weapon and a secret order of warriors start circulating, a group of citizens undertake the dangerous task of determining if there's any truth to them. This series has everything fans of epic fantasy could ever want—incredible world-building, complicated but fascinating magic systems, an intricate plot, and a cast of unique and unforgettable characters brought to life by narrators Kate Reading and Michael Kramer.
White Sand
If you're a fan of audio dramatizations, enter the Cosmere here. The audio production of this graphic novel series is truly spectacular, with a full cast and impeccable sound design. More than 30 narrators contribute to the three audiobooks that make up the series, delivering one incredible, immersive audio experience. The story is set on the planet Taldain, where an ancient group known as the Sand Masters uses magic to manipulate the desert environment. When they're slaughtered in an act of horrific violence, it's up to the lone survivor to save his own life and secure the future of his home.
What standalones are set in the Cosmere?
Sanderson's debut novel is set in the kingdom of Arelon and mostly concerns the titular city. Elantris was once a lively place brimming with magic, home to immortal healers revered as gods by the citizens. But a catastrophic event stripped the city of its magic and cursed its residents to eternal pain within its sealed-off walls. Elantris follows the lives of three intersecting characters whose fates are tied to the fate of the cursed city. Narrator Jack Garrett's expert pacing and excellent character work make this a great listen—and a great intro to the Cosmere universe for newcomers not ready to commit to a series.
Warbreaker is the story of sisters Vivenna and Siri, princesses of the kingdom of Idris, and the various gods their lives become dangerously entangled with. They live in a world where those who die glorious deaths return to live forever as gods—but they're confined to a small area of the capital city. Throw in some mysterious magic, a heady dose of political tension, and some deadly secrets, and the result is another classic Sanderson epic. Narrator Alyssa Bresnahan does a stellar job differentiating between the two sisters (and countless side characters) in the 20+ hour audiobook.
This 22-hour audiobook brings together an array of novellas and short stories set in the Cosmere. It includes several stories related to the Mistborn Saga and Stormlight Archive, as well as several other unrelated works that take place on other Cosmere planets, all narrated by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading. While this isn't the best introduction to the Cosmere, it exemplifies the breadth and depth of Sanderson's fantasy universe. Fans of the series will be delighted by characters new and familiar, and by the adventure, intrigue, and magic that makes all of Sanderson's work so engaging.
Part of Brandon Sanderon's Secret Projects collection, this novel narrated by Michael Kramer follows unlikely heroine Tress. The only life Tress has known on her island home in an emerald-green ocean has been a simple one, passing the time by listening to stories told by her friend Charlie. But when his father takes him on a voyage to find a bride and disaster strikes, Tress must stow away on a ship and seek the Sorceress of the deadly Midnight Sea. Amid the spore oceans where pirates abound, can Tress leave her simple life behind and make her own place sailing a sea where a single drop of water can mean instant death?
There is a world of endless night, surrounded by an even deeper darkness, filled with nightmares come to life, twisted shapes that slink to windows and ease open doors. But there is yet another world, so bright is burns, filled with stacked stones that call forth miracles, raised by callused hands that tremble in their work, drained with each stone lifted, settled, lifted again. Between these worlds two souls collide, building a bridge connecting both worlds that will change everything. But if Yumi and Painter cannot unravel the mystery of what brought them together, they risk forever losing not only the bond growing between them but also the very worlds they’ve always struggled to protect.
Sanderson adds to his Cosmere universe with this thrilling standalone narrated by William DeMeritt that combines fantasy and science fiction. It centers on Nomad, whose strategy for survival is simple: run. But when his powers become depleted on the hostile planet Canticle, he finds himself wrapped up in the struggle between a heartless tyrant and the defiant rebellion raging again him. Tormented by the consequences of his past, Nomad must now fight not only for his life—but also for his very soul.
