Figuring out where to start in the vast collection of Brandon Sanderson books might present as much of a challenge as a fantasy hero beginning an epic quest. The Cosmere, Sanderson’s fantasy universe, represents only a part of his writing collection. While the series that take place within it are all excellent, avid readers should not ignore the other options.

For readers new to Sanderson’s work, The Emperor’s Soul is often recommended as an excellent introduction to his writing style and the Cosmere universe. However, for those interested in his non-Cosmere work, stories like Firstborn or Perfect State can provide a good taste of his science fiction writing.