About Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere
Brandon Sanderson’s **Cosmere** universe serves as the backdrop for many of his fantasy novels. This expansive setting connects seemingly disparate series through a consistent magic system and features worldhopping characters. Sanderson's journey began with his first published book, **Elantris**, in 2005, and has since grown to include 13 novels, including the popular **Mistborn** series and **The Stormlight Archive**.
The Vision Behind the Cosmere
Initially, Sanderson kept the connections between his works under wraps to improve his chances of getting published. He noted, “If you write book one and it doesn’t sell to a publisher, it’s very hard to send them book two.” The author wrote 13 novels before **Elantris** was released, almost all of which were standalone stories. However, growing up reading interconnected series inspired him to create a similar experience for his readers.
Sanderson explains, “I started connecting all these books behind the scenes in ways that wouldn’t be obvious so that I could still be submitting them all, but I thought of them as one giant mega-series.” Over time, the vision of the **Cosmere** solidified, leading to the intricate world and characters that fans enjoy today.
Interconnected Stories and Characters
The **Cosmere** features a network of characters and plots that intertwine across multiple series. For instance, the conflicts on the planet **Scadrial** in **Mistborn** are influenced by the godlike beings **Ruin** and **Preservation**. While the lore is minimal in the first **Mistborn** book, it gradually becomes evident as the trilogy unfolds. This interconnectedness allows readers to either follow individual series or engage with the broader narrative.
Sanderson likens his shared universe to the **Marvel Cinematic Universe**, where some consumers feel compelled to explore every corner while others stick to their favorites. He acknowledges that while it’s possible to enjoy each series independently, having knowledge of the connections enhances the reading experience.