Brandon Sanderson


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Brandon Sanderson

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Born
in Lincoln, Nebraska, The United States
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Member Since
January 2010


I’m Brandon Sanderson, and I write stories of the fantastic: fantasy, science fiction, and thrillers.

The release of Wind and Truth in December 2024—the fifth and final book in the first arc of the #1 New York Times bestselling Stormlight Archive series—marks a significant milestone for me. This series is my love letter to the epic fantasy genre, and it’s the type of story I always dreamed epic fantasy could be. Now is a great time to get into the Stormlight Archive since the first arc, which begins with Way of Kings, is complete.

During our crowdfunding campaign for the leatherbound edition of Words of Radiance, I announced a fifth Secret Project called Isles of the Emberdark, which came out in the summer of 2025. Coming December 2025 is Tai
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Popular Answered Questions

Brandon Sanderson I'm not actually a fast writer, hour by hour, but I am very consistent. I enjoy writing, but I will admit, some days it is hard. What keeps me going? …moreI'm not actually a fast writer, hour by hour, but I am very consistent. I enjoy writing, but I will admit, some days it is hard. What keeps me going? This has changed over the years. At first, it was a desire to prove myself, and to make a living doing this thing I love. Eventually, it has transitioned into a feeling of obligation to the readers mixed with a desire to see these stories in my head told. (less)
Brandon Sanderson I think I'd dig hanging out with Sazed. The usual would be, "tell me about a religion you've studied."…moreI think I'd dig hanging out with Sazed. The usual would be, "tell me about a religion you've studied."(less)
Average rating: 4.4 · 8,774,764 ratings · 704,416 reviews · 460 distinct worksSimilar authors
Mistborn: The Final Empire ...

4.49 avg rating — 947,963 ratings — published 2006 — 8 editions
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The Way of Kings (The Storm...

4.66 avg rating — 655,433 ratings — published 2010 — 4 editions
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The Well of Ascension (Mist...

4.38 avg rating — 639,006 ratings — published 2007 — 154 editions
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The Hero of Ages (Mistborn,...

4.56 avg rating — 577,322 ratings — published 2008 — 7 editions
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Words of Radiance (The Stor...

4.76 avg rating — 476,854 ratings — published 2014 — 2 editions
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Oathbringer (The Stormlight...

4.61 avg rating — 347,589 ratings — published 2017 — 8 editions
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Elantris (Elantris, #1)

4.17 avg rating — 342,030 ratings — published 2005 — 5 editions
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The Alloy of Law (Mistborn,...

4.19 avg rating — 282,539 ratings — published 2011 — 95 editions
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Tress of the Emerald Sea

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4.32 avg rating — 272,750 ratings — published 2023 — 3 editions
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Warbreaker

4.30 avg rating — 273,725 ratings — published 2009 — 2 editions
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Signed Wind and Truth Pre-order + Weekly Update

Signed Wind and Truth Pre-order + Weekly Update Signed Wind and Truth Weekly Update

Hey, everyone! Exciting week this week. All right? We are at, Bing! 95% after my writing retreat. That’s good because I have to turn the book in very, very soon. Turns out that I think I have till Tuesday. I have finished the revision. Now I’m doing spot fixes of things that I want to tweak, and I have a few interludes left to write.

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Published on June 04, 2024 13:17
Mistborn: The Final Empire The Well of Ascension The Hero of Ages The Alloy of Law Shadows of Self The Bands of Mourning The Lost Metal
(10 books)
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4.42 avg rating — 3,225,519 ratings

The Way of Kings Words of Radiance Oathbringer Rhythm of War Wind and Truth
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4.60 avg rating — 2,246,343 ratings

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4.46 avg rating — 2,295,012 ratings

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(4 books)
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4.29 avg rating — 798,768 ratings

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4.18 avg rating — 506,739 ratings

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Brandon’s Recent Updates

Brandon Sanderson rated a book it was amazing
The Dollmakers by Lynn Buchanan
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An engaging new voice with excellent worldbuilding. I enjoyed The Dollmakers, and can't wait to see what is next! ...more
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Quotes by Brandon Sanderson  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“The purpose of a storyteller is not to tell you how to think, but to give you questions to think upon.”
Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings

“Life before Death.
Strength before Weakness.
Journey before Destination.”
Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings

“You see, that is the sad, sorry, terrible thing about sarcasm.

It's really funny.”
Brandon Sanderson, Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians

Polls

June FANTASY: This first round poll decides which two books will go on to the second round for our June 2014 Fantasy Book-of-the-Month.

 
  22 votes, 21.6%

 
  14 votes, 13.7%

 
  14 votes, 13.7%

 
  13 votes, 12.7%

 
  12 votes, 11.8%

 
  9 votes, 8.8%

 
  6 votes, 5.9%

 
  5 votes, 4.9%

 
  4 votes, 3.9%

 
  2 votes, 2.0%

 
  1 vote, 1.0%

More...
10915 Fantasy Book Club — 2236 members — last activity Dec 01, 2025 09:06PM
For readers of Fantasy, monthly book discussions and other fun stuff! We hold nominations on the first Saturday of the month, the poll opens the fo ...more
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Roselynn Randerod Thanks for the add :)

True story : I was born in Lincoln too! (My parents lived in student housing, lol) Go Huskers!!!


message 12: by Celeste

Celeste Hello, Mr. Sanderson! Thank you so much for accepting my friend request. I just finished reading Warbreaker, the sixth of your books that I've read. (Here is my review of it, if you're interested.) I loved it, as I've loved everything of yours I've read thus far. You're one of my favorite authors now. Thank you for your creativity and your many wonderful additions to my favorite genre.


message 11: by Cade

Cade Bengert Into the homestretch of "Word of Radiance," and excited to start one of his other series. Started doing research on which to read next, and found links on something called "the Cosmere." Started reading... I'm convinced you is the Stan Lee/Jack Kirby of high fantasy literature. Wow. Officially in the running for my favourite author. Huge inspiration for me, as I finish my first novel.


message 10: by Brandon

Brandon Sanderson Brandon Sanderson’s Goodreads policy

Hello and welcome! I hope you find the following reviews helpful, though I do want to make you aware that I approach book reviews differently than many you might find.

I maintain this page for two reasons. First, to have a list of books I have enjoyed to which I can point readers who ask me for book recommendations. Second, to give some examples of different types of writing, and make some notes on them for writing students.

Because of these goals, you will find only favorable reviews on this page. In fact, as I’m only posting on here books that I liked, I will rate everything at an even five-star level. A famous author once said to me early in my career, “Don’t worry. If your book works for me, I’ll talk about it. If it doesn’t, I just won’t say anything.”

That has always stuck with me as being the best way for another writer to approach reviews. The last thing that authors need is to feel that someone prominent in the field is gunning for them. This doesn’t mean I think each of these books is going to be a match for every reader who comes here; I suggest reading the reviews themselves, and focusing less on the star rating.

I also won’t focus much on summaries of the books. I’m not a professional reviewer, and my objective is not to tell you what the book is about. Instead, I’ll talk about what I liked in it, avoiding spoilers for the most part. Every review will have a section talking about what I think the writer does particularly well, and highlight things that I think writing students should study when reading the book, to learn techniques they might apply to their own fiction.

At the end of the review, I’ll give a shorter “overview style” recommendation, explaining the types of readers I think will like the story. Included in this will be a brief content warning, if one applies. For this, assume that I’m not going to mention anything that is below a mild PG-13 level rating. Common swear words, action-adventure style violence, and mild sensuality won’t merit a mention here. Not because of a moral judgment in any direction, but because again, the point of this page is not to be a specific review resource--but instead to suggest books I’ve liked, and to talk about writing.

Finally, I will mention any ties I have to the author, or biases I might have in suggesting the book, just to be clear and on the record about such things.

I hope you find something here you enjoy!


message 9: by Cameron (last edited Jun 10, 2017 10:57PM)

Cameron Hayden Thank you for accepting my friend request! I'm a huge fan of your work, and your advice has influenced my writing a ton. I even gave you a shout out in the editorial for The Reach Between Worlds.

Keep on being awesome, I'm looking forward to more of the Cosmere!


message 8: by Mike (last edited May 25, 2016 07:14AM)

Mike Hey sir,

I'm sure Mr. Dietz appreciates it, but you should change the link to Steelheart in your "about this author" section on your Goodreads page as it redirects to his book not yours.

I just learned of it as I clicked it to read my old review of Steelheart. Just wanted to give you a heads up. If you wish to thank me though you could put me on your beta reader list for you Stormlight Archive series perhaps. Certainly a good idea as you can see that I'm detail oriented and take the time to help in the form of positive feedback. ;).

Just kidding, but no really, if you want to do that I'm all for it. Lol.


message 7: by Jiten

Jiten Thank you for accepting my friend request.

I'm a big fan of your books.


Ashley Thank you for accepting my friend request.


message 5: by Atilio (last edited Oct 14, 2014 07:11PM)

Atilio Frasson ¡Gracias por aceptar mi solicitud! ¡Me encanto El Camino de los Reyes! ¡Estoy esperando que en mi país (Argentina) lleguen los demás libros que ha escrito usted para seguir deleitándome con sus mundos y sus sistemas de magia!


Jamison Stone Love you books, Brandon! I'm very sad that Wheel of Time is done, but am so very excited to read Book III of The Storm Light Archive! Thanks for sharing your wonderful stories, characters, and worlds with us! They are truly wonderful!


Brandon Sanderson Goodreads! I’m answering questions from 5-6pm GMT (1-2 PM EST) on Wednesday, August 13th, as part of #GollanczFest. Go here to type your question in the "Ask the Author" box: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...


message 2: by Fran

Fran Friel Thanks so much, Brandon!


message 1: by Kevin (last edited Mar 17, 2011 12:59PM)

Kevin Xu Hey, Brandon I am the one that put up the material from Tor.com on the New Mistborn book.


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