Reading order · 5 books · 2010 to 2024 · Set in invented worlds
The Stormlight Archive Books in Order
The Stormlight Archive is an epic fantasy set on Roshar, a world swept by great storms, where a soldier made a slave, a young scholar with secrets and a warlord haunted by visions are drawn into an ancient war.
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Series facts
- Books
- 5
- Published
- 2010 to 2024
- First book
- The Way of Kings
- Latest
- Wind and Truth (2024)
- Setting
- Set in invented worlds
The reading order
Every The Stormlight Archive book in publication order. Choose a title for its cast and summary.
5 books · Set in invented worlds
- 1The Way of Kings2010With Kaladin and Shallan DavarOn the storm-swept world of Roshar, Kaladin, a surgeon’s son turned soldier, is sold into slavery in a brutal war, Shallan, a young scholar, sets out to steal from a famous scholar, and Dalinar, a great warlord, is troubled by visions.Buy on Amazon
- 2Words of Radiance2014With Kaladin and Shallan DavarKaladin commands Dalinar’s bodyguard, while Shallan travels to the Shattered Plains, where an ancient danger is returning.Buy on Amazon
- 3Oathbringer2017With Kaladin and Shallan DavarDalinar seeks to unite the nations of Roshar against a returning enemy, while his own past comes back to haunt him.Buy on Amazon
- 4Rhythm of War2020With Kaladin and Shallan DavarThe war against the enemy continues, while the scholar Navani makes discoveries that could change everything.Buy on Amazon
- 5Wind and Truth2024With Kaladin and Shallan DavarThe first great story arc of the Stormlight Archive comes to its climax.Buy on Amazon
Do you need to read them in order?
Read in order, starting with The Way of Kings. The novellas Edgedancer and Dawnshard fit between the main books.
Who appears in which book
The series’ main characters, book by book. Lead means the book is told around them; minor covers cameos.
| Book | Kaladin | Shallan Davar | Dalinar Kholin | Navani Kholin | Adolin Kholin | Szeth | Hoid | Vasher |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 The Way of Kings | LLead | LLead | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor | |
| 2 Words of Radiance | LLead | LLead | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 3 Oathbringer | LLead | LLead | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 4 Rhythm of War | LLead | LLead | LLead | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 5 Wind and Truth | LLead | LLead | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor |
Characters in the The Stormlight Archive books
8 characters from Brandon Sanderson’s chart, with the number of The Stormlight Archive books each appears in.
| Character | Books | First in this series |
|---|---|---|
| KaladinSurgeon's son turned soldier and slave | 5 | The Way of Kings 2010 |
| Shallan DavarScholar and artist with secrets | 5 | The Way of Kings 2010 |
| Dalinar KholinHighprince haunted by visions | 5 | The Way of Kings 2010 |
| Navani KholinScholar and engineer | 5 | The Way of Kings 2010 |
| Adolin KholinDalinar's son | 5 | The Way of Kings 2010 |
| SzethAssassin in White | 5 | The Way of Kings 2010 |
| HoidMysterious wanderer who turns up across the Cosmere | 5 | The Way of Kings 2010 |
| VasherMysterious swordsman with a talking sword | 3 | Words of Radiance 2014 |