The Cosmere is getting adapted: Here is where to start reading

Earlier this year, Brandon Sanderson finalised what has been described as an “unprecedented deal” with Apple TV+ to adapt his Cosmere universe for film and television, specifically his Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive series. For years, Hollywood had shown interest in acquiring the rights to his massive fantasy catalogue. But they could not guarantee him creative control. This is the biggest reason Sanderson had not sold the rights until now. With this Apple TV+ deal, Sanderson gets full creative power and will oversee each project personally.
This new partnership signals a turning point for both long-time Cosmere fans who have waited years to see their favourite fantasy novels on screen, and also for audiences who have yet to enter Sanderson’s expansive universe. Major adaptations like these often function as gateways for newer fans, and this might well be the perfect opportunity for hesitant readers to pick up their first Sanderson book.
One of the biggest reasons many readers put off reading the Cosmere series is its sheer scale and volume. The interconnected universe spans multiple planets, magic systems, and casts of colourful characters, with several novels exceeding the one thousand page count. This guide is therefore tailored specifically for readers who want to be prepared before the upcoming adaptations arrive. Because if Apple TV+ pulls this off—the chances of which are high given Sanderson’s involvement—we could be on the cusp of a new era of fantasy taking over the pop culture zeitgeist; one last seen during the peak of HBO’s Game of Thrones.
Brandon Sanderson toyed around with the idea of a shared universe before the Marvel Cinematic Universe ever took off. The Cosmere is a shared fictional universe that consists of book series, standalone novels, graphic novels, and novellas. Each Cosmere entry takes place on a different planet within the same “dwarf galaxy”. Each of these worlds possess distinct magic systems, colourful cultures, political structures, religions, and histories. While the stories are largely self-contained to its particular series (the ten-book The Stormlight Archive series tells one story), there are recurring figures that pop in and out occasionally—called “Worldhoppers.”
The Cosmere is not one single series but a collection of interconnected works, offering Sanderson at his best. The three main components of the Cosmere are: The Stormlight Archive, Sanderson’s epic, ten-book mainline series; Mistborn, divided into multiple eras; and several standalone novels and novellas that serve as breaks from the long-winded narratives of the aforementioned series.
If sheer scope does not intimidate you, The Way of Kings (2010), the first book in The Stormlight Archive, offers one of the best possible introductions to Sanderson. Quite literally his magnum opus, this novel is epic in every scale. Though it launches a ten-book arc, it tells a complete story. For readers brave enough to start off with the biggest and best Sanderson has to offer, The Way of Kings is the definitive entry point into the Cosmere.
However, not everyone wishes to commit to a thousand-page tome before knowing what they are getting into. For those who prefer something more self-contained, Sanderson’s standalone Cosmere works provide a less invested point of entry.
Elantris (2005) is often recommended as a symbolic starting point, as it is also Sanderson’s first ever published novel. It centres on faith and perseverance within a fallen magical city. Though less complex than his later works, it operates as a perfect springboard for new readers to familiarise themselves with Sanderson’s prose and literary motifs.
Warbreaker (2009) offers a more pronounced demonstration of Sanderson’s magic systems. A little larger in scale than the previous entry, Warbreaker tells the story of literal gods who have grown complacent and take part in court politics. On the other hand, the novella The Emperor’s Soul (2012) delivers a concise yet powerful exploration of identity and artistry. Though brief, it showcases Sanderson’s strengths in a quick burst.
That said, readers primarily interested in being prepared for screen adaptations should prioritise Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive, as these are two series that are confirmed to be adapted.
The Stormlight Archive presents not only a ten-book long commitment, but also a potential ten-movie long investment. Thus Mistborn is the most balanced point of entry for newer readers. The series is divided into two eras—the first one a trilogy, the second a tetralogy. Currently Sanderson has plans for a third era as well. But Apple TV+ will be adapting era one into a trilogy of movies. The first era of  Mistborn includes: Mistborn: The Final Empire (2006), The Well of Ascension (2007), and The Hero of Ages (2008).
The trilogy flirts with the “the Dark Lord has already won” trope before it even was a trope. It follows Vin, a street thief who discovers she possesses rare magical abilities. The series blends heist narrative inspired by the Oceans movies—a series Sanderson particularly enjoys. If you are a fan of heist movies and fantasy literature, you may want to invest time into this trilogy right now.
Unlike The Stormlight Archive, Mistborn tells a more intimate tale. The stakes are not world-ending, and the characters are not larger than life, making it less challenging for newcomers while still familiarising readers to the Cosmere. It is arguably the most efficient gateway into Sanderson’s universe.
With all that being said however, the best reading order to prepare yourself for the Cosmere movie and TV series adaptation would be:
Mistborn: The Final Empire
The Well of Ascension
The Hero of Ages
The Way of Kings
The Mistborn trilogy offers a complete arc and a strong foundation in Cosmere mechanics and Sanderson prose and motifs. If a reader likes what they are offered in this series, they can move on to the The Stormlight Archive series, where the stakes and the page count are both bigger. The Way of Kings will prepare newer readers for at least the first two seasons of the TV series, while also offering one of fantasy literature’s best, most ambitious novels. Together, these four novels provide a substantial immersion into the Cosmere.
The whole of the Cosmere may seem daunting at first glance. But readers need to acknowledge that the entire literary universe is not to be consumed by the average reader. Its more expansive and its most rudimentary entries are for die-hard readers, the bonafide Cosmere nerds. Those looking forward to the Apple TV+ adaptations can get away only reading era one of Mistborn, and the first entry of The Stormlight Archive.

Sajal Hossain Dhaly is a contributor at Star Books and Literature. He is a final year undergrad student who loves fantasy literature, gym culture, and playing the guitar to his cat. Send him your epic fantasy hot takes @sajalhossain.dhaly@gmail.com