Mistborn Era 2: Wax & Wayne Books in Order
Three hundred years after the events of the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity, with railroads to supplement the canals, electric lighting in the streets and the homes of the wealthy, and the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds.
The Alloy of Law
Three hundred years after the events of the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity, with railroads to supplement the canals, electric lighting in the streets and the homes of the wealthy, and the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds. Kelsier, Vin, Elend, Sazed, Spook, and the rest are now part of history--or religion. Yet even as science and technology are reaching new heights, the old magics of Allomancy and Feruchemy continue to play a role in this reborn world. Out in the frontier lands known as the Roughs, they are crucial tools for the brave men and women attempting to establish order and justice. One such is Waxillium Ladrian, a rare Twinborn, who can Push on metals with his Allomancy and use Feruchemy to become lighter or heavier at will. After twenty years in the Roughs, Wax has been forced by family tragedy to return to the metropolis of Elendel. Now he must reluctantly put away his guns and assume the duties and dignity incumbent upon the head of a noble house. Or so he thinks, until he learns the hard way that the mansions and elegant tree-lined streets of the city can be even more dangerous than the dusty plains of the Roughs.
Published: 2011
Shadows of Self
When family obligations forced Waxillium Ladrian to forsake the frontier lands and return to the metropolis of his birth to take his place as head of a noble House, he little imagined that the crime-fighting skills acquired during twenty years in the dusty plains would be just as applicable in the big city. He soon learned that there too, just being a talented Twinborn — one who can use both Allomancy and Feruchemy, the dominant magical modes on Scadrial — would not suffice. This bustling, optimistic, but still shaky society will now face its first test by terrorism and assassination, crimes intended to stir up labor strife and religious conflict. Wax, his eccentric sidekick Wayne, and brilliant, beautiful young Marasi, now officially part of the constabulary, must unravel the conspiracy before civil strife can stop Scadrial’s progress in its tracks.
Published: 2015
The Bands of Mourning
The Bands of Mourning are the mythical metal minds owned by the Lord Ruler, said to grant anyone who wears them the powers that the Lord Ruler had at his command. Hardly anyone thinks they really exist. A kandra researcher has returned to Elendel with images that seem to depict the Bands, as well as writings in a language that no one can read. Waxillium Ladrian is recruited to travel south to the city of New Seran to investigate. Along the way he discovers hints that point to the true goals of his uncle Edwarn and the shadowy organization known as The Set.
Published: 2016
The Lost Metal
For years, frontier lawman turned big-city senator Waxillium Ladrian has hunted the shadowy organization the Set—with his late uncle and his sister among their leaders—since they started kidnapping people with the power of Allomancy in their bloodlines. When Detective Marasi Colms and her partner, Wayne, find stockpiled weapons bound for the Outer City of Bilming, this opens a new lead. Conflict between the capital, Elendel, and the Outer Cities only favors the Set, and their tendrils now reach to the Elendel Senate—whose corruption Wax and his wife, Steris, have sought to expose—and Bilming is even more entangled. After Wax discovers a new type of explosive that can unleash unprecedented destruction and realizes that the Set must already have it, an immortal kandra serving Scadrial's god, Harmony, reveals that Bilming has fallen under the influence of another god: Trell, worshipped by the Set. And Trell isn't the only factor at play from the larger Cosmere—Marasi is recruited by offworlders with strange abilities who claim their goal is to protect Scadrial . . . at any cost. Wax must choose whether to set aside his rocky relationship with God and once again become the Sword that Harmony has groomed him to be. If no one steps forward to be the hero Scadrial needs, the planet and its millions of people will come to a sudden and calamitous ruin.
Published: 2022
Cosmere Reading Guide
A comprehensive guide to Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere Universe
The Cosmere Reading Order: A Complete Guide to Brandon Sanderson's Universe
Last updated: July 2025
Series Overview
The Cosmere has over 20 published books across multiple series, with another 20+ planned.
Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere is the most ambitious connected fantasy universe in modern literature—think Marvel Cinematic Universe but for epic fantasy books. Each series takes place on different planets within the same universe, sharing an underlying magic system and featuring subtle (and increasingly less subtle) crossovers between worlds.
The main reading order challenge is the sheer complexity of interconnections. Unlike a simple series, the Cosmere spans multiple planets, magic systems, and timelines. Readers debate whether to prioritize publication order, internal chronology, or thematic connections. With books like The Sunlit Man jumping thousands of years into the future and Mistborn: Secret History revealing behind-the-scenes events, the "correct" order depends entirely on what experience you want.
The Cosmere is ongoing with massive expansion planned. Wind and Truth (Stormlight Archive book 5) was released December 2024, concluding the first arc. Upcoming releases include Isles of the Emberdark (2025), Mistborn Era 3: Ghostbloods trilogy (late 2020s), and Elantris sequels.
Reading Order Complexity Level: COMPLEX - Interconnected universe with debates
Quick Answer (The Reading Order at a Glance)
For first-time readers, here's the recommended Cosmere reading order:
- Mistborn: The Final Empire
- The Well of Ascension
- The Hero of Ages
- The Way of Kings
- Words of Radiance
- Edgedancer (novella)
- Oathbringer
- Dawnshard (novella)
- Rhythm of War
- Wind and Truth
- Warbreaker
- The Emperor's Soul (novella)
- Elantris
- Mistborn: The Alloy of Law
- Shadows of Self
- The Bands of Mourning
- Mistborn: Secret History (novella)
- The Lost Metal
- Tress of the Emerald Sea
- Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
- The Sunlit Man
Why this order? It balances accessibility with connection payoffs—starting with the most beginner-friendly series while building toward the increasingly interconnected later books.
Why Reading Order Matters
Reading order in the Cosmere matters more than in most fantasy universes, but perhaps not in the way you'd expect.
First, the connections between series grow exponentially as you progress. Early books like Mistborn and Elantris stand almost entirely alone, while later entries like The Lost Metal and The Sunlit Man feature explicit crossovers that assume knowledge of multiple series. Reading out of order won't necessarily spoil major plot points, but you'll miss the "aha!" moments when characters or concepts from one world appear in another.
Second, Sanderson designed the Cosmere to reward rereaders. The mysterious character Hoid appears in nearly every book, but his significance only becomes clear once you've read enough to piece together the larger puzzle. Magic systems that seem unique to each world actually follow underlying rules that become apparent through comparison.
Finally, publication order roughly follows Sanderson's own evolution as a writer. Starting with later, more polished works might make earlier books feel disappointing, while beginning with Elantris (his debut) means experiencing his growth alongside the universe's expansion.
Complete Reading Order Options
Publication Order
The purist approach, following Sanderson's releases:
- Elantris (2005)
- Mistborn: The Final Empire (2006)
- The Well of Ascension (2007)
- The Hero of Ages (2008)
- Warbreaker (2009)
- The Way of Kings (2010)
- The Alloy of Law (2011)
- The Emperor's Soul (2012)
- Words of Radiance (2014)
- Sixth of the Dusk (2014)
- Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell (2015)
- Shadows of Self (2015)
- The Bands of Mourning (2016)
- Edgedancer (2016)
- Oathbringer (2017)
- Dawnshard (2020)
- Rhythm of War (2020)
- The Lost Metal (2022)
- Tress of the Emerald Sea (2023)
- Yumi and the Nightmare Painter (2023)
- The Sunlit Man (2023)
- Wind and Truth (2024)
Recommended First-Timer Order (Series Groupings)
This approach reads complete series together for narrative satisfaction:
Start with Mistborn Era 1:
- The Final Empire → The Well of Ascension → The Hero of Ages
Then Stormlight Archive (with novellas):
- The Way of Kings → Words of Radiance → Edgedancer → Oathbringer → Dawnshard → Rhythm of War → Wind and Truth
Standalone/Preparation Books:
- Warbreaker → The Emperor's Soul → Elantris
Mistborn Era 2 (with Secret History):
- The Alloy of Law → Shadows of Self → The Bands of Mourning → Secret History → The Lost Metal
Secret Projects:
- Tress of the Emerald Sea → Yumi and the Nightmare Painter → The Sunlit Man
Remaining Novellas:
- Sixth of the Dusk → Shadows for Silence
Cosmere-Aware Order (Maximum Connections)
For those who want every reference to land perfectly:
- Elantris (introduces worldhopping concept)
- The Emperor's Soul (same world, introduces Seons)
- Mistborn Era 1 (trilogy)
- Warbreaker (critical for Stormlight)
- Stormlight 1-5 (with novellas in publication order)
- Mistborn Era 2 books 1-3
- Mistborn: Secret History
- The Lost Metal
- Sixth of the Dusk
- Shadows for Silence
- Secret Projects in order
Individual Book Summaries
Mistborn Era 1
The Final Empire: A thief named Vin discovers magical powers and joins a crew planning to rob and overthrow the immortal emperor. This heist fantasy introduces Allomancy (metal-based magic) and sets up major Cosmere concepts about gods and power.
The Well of Ascension: Political intrigue dominates as our heroes try to establish a new government while multiple armies besiege their city. Character development takes center stage, though the pacing slows compared to book one.
The Hero of Ages: The apocalyptic conclusion reveals the true nature of the world's gods and magic. This book's ending has massive implications for the entire Cosmere, introducing concepts that appear throughout later series.
The Stormlight Archive
The Way of Kings: Sanderson's epic fantasy masterpiece introduces Roshar, a storm-ravaged world where magical swords and armor make warriors nearly invincible. Multiple viewpoints including depressed soldier Kaladin and scholarly Shallan weave together across 1,000+ pages.
Words of Radiance: Shallan takes center focus as ancient magics return to the world. Features one of fantasy's great climactic sequences and introduces important crossover elements from Warbreaker.
Edgedancer: Lift, a thirteen-year-old thief with strange powers, gets her own adventure between books. Essential for understanding certain plot points in Oathbringer.
Oathbringer: Dalinar's past is revealed through flashbacks while the world unites against an ancient enemy. The Cosmere connections become explicit, with major crossovers and revelations about the universe's structure.
Dawnshard: Rysn, a minor character from earlier books, sails to a mysterious island and discovers an ancient weapon. Required reading before Rhythm of War for full context.
Rhythm of War: Science and magic collide as characters discover the fundamental laws underlying Roshar's magic. Features the most extensive Cosmere crossovers yet, including direct connections to Mistborn.
Wind and Truth: The climactic finale of Stormlight's first arc, with the fate of the entire Cosmere hanging in the balance. Major character destinies are resolved while setting up the future of the universe.
Standalone Cosmere Works
Elantris: Sanderson's debut follows a prince afflicted with a magical disease that transforms him into a living corpse. The magic system based on drawing symbols showcases Sanderson's innovative approach to fantasy.
Warbreaker: Two sisters deal with arranged marriages, gods who returned from death, and a sentient sword that really wants to destroy evil. Critical reading before Stormlight Archive due to character crossovers.
The Emperor's Soul: This Hugo Award-winning novella features magical forgery that can rewrite object histories. Considered one of Sanderson's best works despite its brevity.
Mistborn Era 2
The Alloy of Law: 300 years after Era 1, the Western-inspired sequel features lawman Wax using Allomancy and guns to fight crime in an industrializing world.
Shadows of Self: A shapeshifting killer threatens the city while Wax confronts his past. The Cosmere connections deepen with hints about the broader universe.
The Bands of Mourning: A search for mythical artifacts leads to trains, airships, and revelations about the Southern Continent. Sets up massive implications for the Cosmere's future.
Mistborn: Secret History: A companion novella revealing what really happened during Era 1. Contains major spoilers but essential Cosmere lore—read after Bands of Mourning.
The Lost Metal: The Era 2 finale features interdimensional threats and explicit Cosmere crossovers, including appearances by characters from other series.
Secret Projects
Tress of the Emerald Sea: A lighthearted fairy tale narrated by Hoid about a girl who sails seas made of spores to rescue her love. Most accessible Secret Project for newcomers.
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter: Two people from different worlds swap bodies and must solve each other's problems. Features significant Cosmere lore despite its standalone nature.
The Sunlit Man: Set thousands of years in the future, a character from earlier books runs from planet to planet. Requires extensive Cosmere knowledge for full appreciation.
Common Questions FAQ
Can I start with The Stormlight Archive instead of Mistborn? Yes, but it's not recommended. Stormlight books are 1,000+ pages each and slower-paced than Mistborn. However, if you prefer epic fantasy to heist stories, starting with The Way of Kings works fine—just read Warbreaker before Words of Radiance.
What is the Cosmere collection Arcanum Unbounded? A collection containing most Cosmere novellas plus essays about each world. Best read after completing most series, as the essays contain spoilers. The stories themselves fit better when read in their suggested positions.
Do I need to read everything to understand individual series? No. Each series stands alone narratively. Cosmere connections are bonuses, not requirements. However, later books (especially post-2020) assume more Cosmere knowledge.
What about White Sand? The graphic novel adaptation is canonical but not essential. The prose version will eventually be released. Most readers skip it without missing anything crucial.
Should I read Mistborn Era 2 before finishing Stormlight? Either approach works. Era 2 is complete while Stormlight's second arc won't begin until 2031+. Reading Era 2 earlier means certain Stormlight references land better.
Is there a reading order for maximum emotional impact? Read Mistborn: Secret History immediately after The Hero of Ages for the biggest emotional punch, but this spoils elements of Era 2. There's no perfect answer—choose based on your preferences.
Reading Tips
The Cosmere rewards attention to detail. Keep notes on mysterious characters, unexplained phenomena, and strange quotes. That random storyteller or beggar might be more important than they appear.
What to expect: Complex magic systems with scientific rules, detailed worldbuilding, avalanche endings where everything comes together, and increasingly connected storylines. Books range from 300-page novellas to 1,200-page epics.
Managing the complexity: Don't stress about catching every connection on your first read. The Cosmere community loves discussing theories and explaining references. The 17th Shard forums and Coppermind wiki provide spoiler-marked resources for deeper dives.
Consider Sanderson's own advice: "Start with Mistborn or Elantris if you're a fantasy reader, Steelheart or Skyward if you're not." Remember that his non-Cosmere works like Skyward and The Rithmatist are excellent but completely separate.
Most importantly, enjoy the journey. The Cosmere's beauty lies not in solving its mysteries but in experiencing diverse worlds united by hope, determination, and the idea that broken people can still choose to be heroes.
Ready to begin your Cosmere journey? Start with [Mistborn: The Final Empire →] and prepare for an adventure spanning worlds, millennia, and the fundamental forces of creation itself!