Reading orders / The Stormlight Archive
The Stormlight Archive reading order
The Way of Kings, Words of Radiance, Edgedancer, Oathbringer, Dawnshard, Rhythm of War, Wind and Truth. Read the two novellas where they fall, not at the end.
- The Way of Kings2010
- Words of Radiance2014
- Edgedancer2016Novella. Read before Oathbringer. A main character shows up there assuming you read this.
- Oathbringer2017
- Dawnshard2020Novella. Read before Rhythm of War.
- Rhythm of War2020
- Wind and Truth2024Closes the first five-book arc.
Why the order is argued about
Stormlight itself is simple. The confusion is the Cosmere, the shared universe it sits inside. You do not need any of it to follow Stormlight, but a few books add real texture.
Worth reading alongside: Warbreaker, free on Sanderson's site, because a character from it appears in Stormlight and the magic carries over. Mistborn era one helps with the wider plumbing. Neither is required.
Settling in for all 8? A page marker you do not mind losing track of helps. We like these fantasy bookmarks, and Brandon Sanderson's site is worth a look for release news.
Questions readers ask
Do I need to read Mistborn before Stormlight?
No. Stormlight stands on its own. Mistborn deepens the shared-universe layer.
Where does Edgedancer go?
Between Words of Radiance and Oathbringer. Oathbringer assumes you read it.
Should I read Warbreaker first?
Not required, but recommended before Words of Radiance. It is free on the author's website.