Reading order
| # | Title | Year | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Way of Kings | 2010 | Buy |
| 2 | Words of Radiance | 2014 | Buy |
| 2.5 | Edgedancer | 2016 | Buy |
| 3 | Oathbringer | 2017 | Buy |
| 3.5 | Dawnshard | 2020 | Buy |
| 4 | Rhythm of War | 2020 | Buy |
| 5 | Wind and Truth | 2024 | Buy |
The Stormlight Archive is Brandon Sanderson’s most ambitious work. Set on Roshar, a world battered by magical hurricanes called highstorms, the series follows multiple characters across a sprawling epic that explores themes of leadership, mental health, and redemption.
The magic system centers on Surgebinding, where Knights Radiant bond with sentient spirits called spren to gain powers. Different orders grant different abilities: Windrunners can manipulate gravity, Lightweavers create illusions, Edgedancers control friction. The system has clear rules, which Sanderson uses to construct elaborate action sequences.
Kaladin is a former soldier turned slave, struggling with depression while trying to protect his fellow bridgemen. Shallan is a young scholar with a hidden past and a talent for lies. Dalinar is a warlord haunted by his violent history, seeking to unite the nations against an ancient enemy. Their stories interweave across thousands of pages.
Each book is massive, typically exceeding 1,000 pages. Sanderson includes interludes between parts, short chapters following minor characters across the world. These expand the setting while providing breaks in the main narrative.
The Stormlight Archive is part of the Cosmere, Sanderson’s interconnected universe. Characters from other series make cameos. Easter eggs reward readers who’ve read Mistborn, Warbreaker, and his other works. You don’t need that background, but dedicated fans find the connections.