The Stormlight Archive Reading Order

Brandon Sanderson's The Way of Kings (2010) is the first volume of The Stormlight Archive — his most ambitious work, set on the storm-ravaged world of Roshar, where highstorm winds periodically scour the landscape and the Radiants with their Shardblades and Shardplate are legends. Three viewpoint characters: Kaladin, a soldier reduced to slavery; Shallan, a scholar's ward trying to steal a fabrial to save her family; and Dalinar, a highprince questioning his purpose in a war of attrition on the Shattered Plains. The Stormlight Archive is planned as ten volumes; five have been published as of 2024, making it the most significant ongoing epic fantasy series in the genre.

Where to start

The Way of Kings

Complete Stormlight Archive Book List

1
The Way of Kings
Brandon Sanderson·2010·Volume 1 — the slowest of the five published volumes, building the world deliberately; readers who persist past the first 200 pages consistently report the novel becoming gripping. Approximately 1,000 pages.
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2
Words of Radiance
Brandon Sanderson·2014·Volume 2 — the most action-intensive of the published volumes, considered by many fans the best single Stormlight book. Approximately 1,080 pages.
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3
Oathbringer
Brandon Sanderson·2017·Volume 3 — Dalinar's backstory revealed, the battle for Thaylen City, the conclusion of the first "five-book arc" beginning. Approximately 1,220 pages.
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4
Rhythm of War
Brandon Sanderson·2020·Volume 4 — the war on the home front, the Sibling's awakening, extensive new Rosharan science and history. Approximately 1,230 pages.
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5
Wind and Truth
Brandon Sanderson·2024·Volume 5 — the conclusion of the first five-book arc. Sanderson has described the series as two sets of five volumes; Wind and Truth concludes the first set.
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Stormlight Archive — Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to read other Sanderson books before The Way of Kings?

The Way of Kings can be read without prior knowledge of Sanderson's other works. However, Sanderson has set most of his fantasy novels in the same interconnected universe (the Cosmere), and readers who have read Mistborn or Elantris will notice connections. Sanderson himself recommends reading Mistborn (The Final Empire, 2006) before beginning The Stormlight Archive, but this is optional. The Way of Kings is the best entry point to Stormlight regardless.

How long will The Stormlight Archive be?

Brandon Sanderson has planned The Stormlight Archive as ten volumes, divided into two five-book arcs. As of 2024, five volumes have been published: The Way of Kings (2010), Words of Radiance (2014), Oathbringer (2017), Rhythm of War (2020), and Wind and Truth (2024). The second arc will begin with a new viewpoint structure. Sanderson has projected approximately five to ten years between the two arcs, during which he plans to write other Cosmere novels.

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