Inside the Cosmere: A Beginner’s Guide to Brandon Sanderson’s Vast Shared Fantasy Universe

Fantasy literature has never been more popular, and the genre continues to evolve at a remarkable pace. Once dismissed as a niche interest for a small circle of devoted readers, fantasy has broken into the mainstream over the past two decades and is now widely celebrated—and for good reason. At a time when everyday life can feel relentlessly ordinary, the genre offers readers a welcome escape into worlds shaped entirely by imagination.

While new fantasy novels appear by the dozen, only a handful leave a lasting mark on the genre. Among the most ambitious is a project that remains very much a work in progress and shows no sign of wrapping up soon. This sprawling, singular endeavor is known as the Cosmere, a shared universe that has delivered new releases nearly every year for two decades. Interest in the name has surged recently, thanks to its creator securing an adaptation deal with Apple TV. But what exactly is the Cosmere?

What Is the Cosmere?

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The Cosmere is a shared literary universe crafted by author Brandon Sanderson, which began with his 2005 debut novel, Elantris. Its central premise is that thousands of years ago, a god named Adonalsium was mysteriously shattered into 16 fragments known as Shards. These Shards scattered across the galaxy, each settling within a particular solar system. Each standalone story or series unfolds on its own planet within that same galaxy. Shaped by the influence of the Shards, many of these worlds have developed distinctive, richly layered magic systems. Some stories, however, are set on planets where no Shard ever took hold—and while magic still exists in such places, it lacks the elaborate systems found elsewhere. Although Sanderson has revealed that all 16 Shards exist, their precise locations and the extent of their influence remain largely unknown, with only a select few currently accounted for.

The planets differ not only in their magic but in their very geography. Some, like Sel from Elantris, closely resemble Earth. Others are utterly alien. Taldain, the setting of the White Sand graphic novels, is tidally locked—locked in perpetual day on one hemisphere and eternal night on the other. Elsewhere lie the barren, windswept world of Roshar, the scorched expanse of Canticle, and the deeply strange planet Lumar, which, while not technically defying the laws of physics, resembles no world we know.

The Cosmere also refuses to be confined to a single sub-genre. While Elantris leans toward medieval fantasy, other entries embrace steampunk, romantasy, space fantasy, urban fantasy, and epic fantasy. Nor is the universe limited to one format: it spans short stories, novellas, novels, graphic novels, and even children’s picture books. More than 30 works exist so far, with many more on the way. The Cosmere has even expanded into tabletop role-playing games. Their status as official canon is still debated, but they offer fans a new, hands-on way to engage with a world they clearly adore.

How Are the Cosmere Stories Connected?

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The primary thread linking the wider Cosmere is a mysterious figure named Hoid—one of his many names. Whichever story you pick up, you are almost certain to find him somewhere in the margins. At times he plays a pivotal role, guiding protagonists on their journeys; at others, he is little more than a fleeting presence in the background. No one yet knows who Hoid truly is or what he ultimately seeks, though he appears capable of wielding every form of magic, regardless of the system. He calls himself a Worldsinger—a kind of magical bard who tells stories, plays the flute, and inspires those around him. He has also adopted other guises, including carriage driver, pirate, and even a coat rack (yes, truly).

Hoid is not the only Worldhopper, though he is certainly the most active. Other characters capable of traveling between worlds appear throughout the saga. Numerous shadowy organizations also operate behind the scenes, seemingly pursuing goals that span the entire galaxy, even if those aims remain frustratingly unclear. This is where the Cosmere truly shines: keeping readers utterly invested (fans will forgive the pun). Not only are there secrets waiting to be uncovered across many interconnected series, but each world is meticulously crafted and more distinctive than anything found in comparable fantasy works.

What Makes the Cosmere so Enticing?

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One of the biggest draws of the Cosmere extends beyond its immersive worlds and varied settings. As any devoted reader will attest, there is genuine moral wisdom woven into its pages. Characters frequently offer counsel to one another that resonates well beyond the story itself. Much of this insight touches on perseverance, trauma, love, politics, and war. Together, these reflections reveal how Sanderson sees the world and how, like many of the finest fantasy writers, he insists that hope can be found even amid turmoil.

Another major appeal of the Cosmere is its diversity. The Stormlight Archive, for instance, is populated largely by People of Color, to the point that white characters are relatively rare. Other stories, such as Mistborn, center predominantly on white characters while still including a meaningful number of People of Color. Across the saga, readers encounter many queer, neurodivergent, disabled, and gender non-conforming characters, with both women and men taking the lead. Within each culture, a range of nationalities is represented, often echoing real-world societies. This inclusive approach makes the stories broadly accessible, ensuring that no reader feels shut out—virtually everyone can find a piece of themselves in at least one character.

Finally, there is the phenomenon affectionately known as the “Sanderlanche,” which appears in nearly every book. The term describes a cascade of plot twists that arrive all at once near the finale, showcasing Sanderson’s unconventional thinking and meticulous planning. Crucially, none of these revelations feel like cheap contrivances; each one lands logically within the context of the story.

The Cosmere May Rival J. R. R. Tolkien

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The Cosmere is nowhere near finished. By some estimates, we are only about halfway through everything Sanderson has planned—if that—with additional works slated for release over the course of his lifetime. Collaborators such as his friend Dan Wells are expected to contribute as well, meaning the project could easily span five decades or more. With every new series or standalone entry, the lore deepens and fresh histories come to light. New magic systems emerge, and the stories ripple across the entire Cosmere in ways no one could have anticipated. Already among the most comprehensive and expansive universes in all of fantasy, the Cosmere still has a considerable distance left to travel.

By the time it reaches its conclusion, the Cosmere may well rival the legendarium of J. R. R. Tolkien, who built an immense mythology around his beloved The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien’s world is widely regarded as the most intricate mythology ever written, and new material from his estate continues to surface even now, decades after his death. While the individual planetary histories of the Cosmere may not yet approach Tolkien’s depth, the overarching lore just might. That lore is revealed not through dry history books but through organic storytelling—supplemented by only a handful of appendices. So rich is the detail that readers have even assembled a coherent chronology, mapping each story onto an organized timeline. There is little doubt that this shared universe will ultimately be remembered as a landmark in literary history—a masterclass in worldbuilding. In many ways, it already is.

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