The best Brandon Sanderson books
The top 3 according to 83 votes from people: Words of Radiance · The Way of Kings · The Well of Ascension. (Updated Mar 6, 2025.)
From Mistborn to the Stormlight Archive: the Sanderson books that fans and rankings rate highest, with Words of Radiance usually at the top.
Top 17
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1
Words of Radiance
2014. Stormlight Archive book two; for many, the best fantasy sequel of the century.
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2
The Way of Kings
2010. The start of the Stormlight Archive on the storm-battered world of Roshar.
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3
The Well of Ascension
2007. Mistborn book two: ruling is harder than rebelling.
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4
Tress of the Emerald Sea
2023. A Princess Bride-style fairy tale narrated by Hoid.
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5
Mistborn: The Final Empire
2006. A heist against a god-emperor; the usual entry point.
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6
Oathbringer
2017. Stormlight book three, with Dalinar's past.
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7
The Bands of Mourning
2016. Wax and Wayne's third adventure; some call it the best of Mistborn era two.
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8
The Emperor's Soul
2012. A Hugo-winning novella about forging a soul.
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9
The Hero of Ages
2008. The ending of the first Mistborn trilogy.
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10
Elantris
2005. His debut: a city of fallen gods.
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11
Skyward
2018. Young adult sci-fi about a girl who wants to be a pilot.
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12
Rhythm of War
2020. Stormlight book four.
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13
Warbreaker
2009. His best standalone novel, set in the Cosmere.
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14
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
2023. A love story between two worlds.
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15
Steelheart
2013. A world where people with superpowers are the villains.
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16
Wind and Truth
2024. The close of the first Stormlight arc.
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17
The Alloy of Law
2011. Mistborn goes Wild West.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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Comments (1)
Mistborn first is the right call for new readers, then go straight to Way of Kings