Welcome to the Cosmere

Welcome To The Cosmere: A Brandon Sanderson Reading Order Guide

Come one, come all to the Cosmere! That’s right folks, after years of Brandon Sanderson reviews and discussions, we’re finally laying down the law. Today, one and a half Brandon Sanderson experts (Andrew and Cole, respectively) shoulder the Herculean task of telling YOU the ideal Brandon Sanderson reading order.  A few clean-up notes before we…

The Sunlit Man – Burning Bright

And just like that, we come to the end of Brandon Sanderson’s secret project slate. The Sunlit Man plunges us once again into the Cosmere, this time in a far future and with a familiar character headlining the story.  Nomad is running. Running from the Night Brigade, a shadowy cabal chasing him for something he…

Defending Elysium: A Good Offense

Brandon Sanderson’s Defending Elysium treats readers to a short, fast-paced story set in the Cytoverse (Skyward). The story moves at the velocity of a spaceship; you’ll be able to finish it at lightspeed. Fans of the Cytoverse should consider this required reading for further context, while those who haven’t read Skyward can still appreciate the…

Yumi And The Nightmare Painter – Broad Strokes

Brandon Sanderson’s third secret project is a secret no more! Yumi And The Nightmare Painter catapults us back into the Cosmere after the non-Cosmere Frugal Wizard stumble. Yumi is an excellent return to form, complete with an interesting magic system, intriguing characters, and a brilliant setting. However, Yumi still has its issues.  Yumi is a…

Cosmere Cashmere: Finding the Best Fit for Sanderson’s Cosmere Planets

This post originally appeared on Tor.com.  Sometimes, endlessly singing the praises of your favorite fictional universes can pay off. Such was the case with Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere, when a friend who doesn’t read a whole lot finally picked up one of the books. It took some coaxing—in the form of a suggested reading order, a Please Adapt…

Skyward Flight – Grounded

Today, we return to the world of Detritus, where humankind fights for its freedom from the iron-fisted Superiority. Brandon Sanderson’s Top Gun-esque series blends sci-fi and fantasy, and this collection of three novellas co-written with Janci Patterson expands on the core series through the perspective of three side characters.  I read this tome as one…

The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook For Surviving Medieval England – Not Quite

April rolls along, and it brings with it nice weather for this winter-addled Chicagoan. And lo, an added bonus! Brandon Sanderson’s second Kickstarter book—The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook For Surviving Medieval England—dropped on April 1. It’s the only non-Cosmere book of the bunch, fitting in well with his other projects like Skyward. Mild setup spoilers follow. …

Tress Of The Emerald Sea – Oceans Of Charm

When I eagerly await something—an upcoming trip, a new season of my favorite show, a long-anticipated social event—the hope runs rampant in my head. I feast on the image of the thing in my mind, considering all the ways it could be amazing, groundbreaking, spectacular. And then, when the thing arrives, that glistening sheen wears…

Dragons, Ghost Dogs, and Doomslugs: What Are Your Favorite Fantasy Animal Companions?

This article originally appeared on Tor.com.  Warning: this post contains no deep interpretations of animal companions and their impact on story. I won’t philosophize on the essential nature of furry, fuzzy, or squishy familiars or ask why they exist in the first place. Bottom line: they’re cute as hell, and sometimes that’s enough. I’m writing…