ParchCosmere Reading Order
Brandon Sanderson · 20 books · about 280 hours of reading
The Cosmere is one shared universe spanning several separate series, which is why the question is so common and the answers so inconsistent. The reassuring part: every series stands on its own. The connections are rewards for paying attention, not prerequisites — you cannot lock yourself out of the story by choosing wrong.
Start with Mistborn: The Final Empire. It's self-contained, tightly plotted, and the most common on-ramp. If you'd rather begin with the epic centrepiece, The Way of Kings works too — it's just far longer and slower to start.
One series at a time, with novellas slotted where they land best. Mistborn first as the gentlest on-ramp.
This order is about 280 hours of reading — roughly 18 months at half an hour a day.
Average is about 250 WPM. Measure yours in two minutes and every time below recalculates.
Word counts from the Coppermind wiki and Brandon Sanderson's own published figures. Reading times are estimates — editions, translations and your own pace all move them.
How long does it take to read The Stormlight Archive?
Read Warbreaker before Words of Radiance if you can — a character carries over, and it lands better with the context. Beyond that, Cosmere crossovers are Easter eggs rather than plot requirements, and the fandom genuinely disagrees about the ideal order.
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Frequently asked questions
What order should I read the Cosmere in?
Read one series at a time rather than interleaving. Mistborn: The Final Empire is the most common starting point, and The Way of Kings is the main alternative. Publication order also works well and carries the least spoiler risk.
Do I have to read every Cosmere book?
No. Each series stands alone, and the connections between them are rewards for readers who notice rather than plot the individual books depend on. Reading only Mistborn or only Stormlight is completely normal.
Should I read Warbreaker before Stormlight?
It helps. Warbreaker is a standalone, but a character from it appears in the Stormlight Archive, and readers who know the background get considerably more from those scenes. Reading it before Words of Radiance is the common advice.
Where do the novellas fit?
The Emperor's Soul stands alone near Elantris. Edgedancer sits after Words of Radiance, and Dawnshard between Oathbringer and Rhythm of War. Several were collected in Arcanum Unbounded, which also includes useful star-system essays.
How long does it take to read The Cosmere?
About 280 hours at an average reading speed of 250 words a minute — roughly 4.2 million words across all 20 books. At half an hour a day, that's about 18 months. Your own pace changes that a lot, which is why this page lets you set your speed and shows what's left as you tick books off.
Does my progress save?
Yes — ticking a book saves it in your browser, no account needed. Clearing your browser data resets it, so for a permanent record with dates, ratings, and notes, track the series in the Parch app.
More reading orders
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