Some know him for his intricate magic systems. Others recognize him as an author reinventing the speculative genre with his unique touch. To us, however, Brandon Sander?son is simp??ly one of this generation's greatest storytellers.

I use the word "great" but perhaps the more accurate adjective would be "prolific." Since starting his career with the release of Elantris in 2005, now almost two decades ago, Sanderson has written dozens of fantasy novels, most of them critically acclaimed hits, and? there's no sig?n of him stopping any time soon.

Whether it be The Stormlight Archive, an epic high-stakes fantasy tale taking place on an exotic planet, Mistborn, one of the best reinventions of the steampunk subgenre, or any number of the other standalone stories and novels in Cosmere and beyond, Sanderson has left his mark in the literary tradition of the 21st century. And while the prospec?ts of picking up these books may be daunting at first due to their sheer scale, here we've decided to rank some of the best of them to give you a glimpse into Cosmere and how it's been received by readers over the years.

These are t?he top 10 Brandon San??derson books, ranked from worst to best.

15. Skyward (Skyward #1)

I sometimes think of the Skyward series as Brandon Sanderson slowly preparing himself to approach the upcoming third and fourth Mistborn eras, which are supposed to depict the modern and futuristic space periods, respectively. Skyward is a fast-paced character-driven sci-fi story that, unlike many of Sanderson's other books, is aimed at a young adult audience. You follow Spensa, a girl with a fiery spirit who lives on a planet constantly beset by invasion from a race of aliens. Spensa wants to train to become a pilot, but her family's past has turned her into something of an outcast in society. Skyward is dynamic, easy to read, and full of intense action. Sanderson should definitely write more science fiction??.

14. Rhythm of War (Stormlight #4)

To say that Rhythm of War is the weakest entry in The Stormlight Archive series would be to severely undersell some of its surging strengths (pun intended), but at the same time, we can’t help but notice that the fourth book only exists to bridge the gap between the first three books and the fifth and final one in the first arc, which came out a couple of weeks ago under the title of Wind and Truth. There are many moments that I loved in Rhythm of War, but at 1200+ pages, this was the longest insta?llment in the series thus far, and the longest book Sanderson has eve??r written.

That is, until Wind and Truth came along and raised the bar by adding another couple hundred pages. If this book was, say, 300 pages shorter, then it might have turned into one of my favorite fantasy books. But ex??pecting Sanderson t?o write fewer words is like asking the sun to take a day off.

13. The Lost Metal (Mistborn #7)

Concluding the story of Wax and Wayne, whose adventures comprised the second Mistborn era set hundreds of years after the trials of Vin and Elend, The Lost Metal is one of the most emotional stories Sanderson has written. The humor and heart that defined much of the so-called Wax & Wayne saga is still there, but the stakes have never been higher for the planet Scadrial, and beyond that, the Cosmere as a whole. The ending is satisfying and the character resolutions are emotionally fulfilling, but what sets the second Mistborn era as well as The Lost Metal apart is its expansive lore-building, finally bringing many worlds from across the Cosmere, including The Stormlight Archive and elusive concept?s such as perpendicularities and world-hopping to the fore.

12. Tress of the Emerald Sea

Reading through Sanderson's Cosmere is not just daunting for its sheer volume, but the fact that many of these large-scale epic stories tend to wear you down over time. For these people, the best way to retain their lifeline to Sanderson's writing but avoid burn-out is approaching books like Tress of the Emerald Sea; lighter, whimsical, less chunky, and over?all, more palatable and charming. Sanderson published this as part of his Secret Projects but he originally wrote it as a gift to?? his wife. The story follows Tress, who leaves her idyllic life to save her kidnapped lost interest, once again told by Hoid. Though unlike most of his other fanciful tales, this one truly occurred in the larger Cosmere.

11. Warbreaker

While most Brandon Sanderson series stand on their own feet and rarely include references to other worlds, and then very opaque, Warbreaker is one of those novels that can help you make sense of the larger Cosmere, especially The Stormlight Archive. In fact, some characters from Warbreaker do appear on Roshar, even if under a different guise. Warbreaker is full of action and compelling character arcs, but perhaps the best part a??bout this well-known and acclaimed standalone is the fact that you get to explore a magic system unlike any other the author has developed, full of magic and colors and the enigmatic type of energy known as BioChromatic Breath.

10. Yumi and the Nightmare Painter

At its heart, the story of Yumi and the Nightmare Painter is a celebration of art and creativity. This is one of the books Sanderson released as part of his Secret Projects initiative, now considered the most successful Kickstarter campaign in history. The story is told from the perspective of Hoid, a famous Worldhopper in the Cosmere that appears in most Sanderson works like The Stormlight Archive and Mistborn. This tim?e, Hoid (or Wit, as he's ot?herwise known) is telling us the story of Yumi, a powerful spirit binder, and Nikaro, a nightmare painter, taking place on the planet Komashi, which has been inspired by East Asian cultures.

The idea of using art as magic, the intricacies of dual worldbuilding for our two protagonists, and the beautiful illustrations in Yumi all turn it into one of Brandon Sanderson's best public?ations to this day.

9. The Final Empire (Mistborn #1)

Ash fell from the sky, and so began Brandon Sanderson’s journey from a modest fantasy enthusiast to the greatest voice in the genre. The Final Empire may not be the autho?r’s first published work, but it remains, even after all these ??years, the best gateway into Cosmere and the epic works that comprise it. We follow the tale of a group of disgruntled, wrathful slaves known as skaa, who are attempting to overthrow the tyrannical god emperor of their world.

The tale follows the street girl Vin, distrustful and apprehensive, who gets recruited by Kelsier, a charismatic con artist, into his burgeoning group of rebellious skaa. The world of Mistborn is unique, both in storytelling and aesthetic. There are mysteries to discern, secrets to uncover, and a dozen colorful characters to fall in love with. Even Brandon Sanderson himself says that the best way to start on the Cosmere journey is to pick up the first Mistborn trilogy, consisting of The Final Empire, The Well of Ascension, and The Hero of Ages.

8. Oathbringer (Stormlight #3)

Every Stormlight Archive book has a fundamental premise that defines that particular installment. With Oathbringer, Sanderson attempted to see if he could subvert expectations in a way that he has never done before. And no, I’m not talking about the game-changing twist about the fight for Roshar at the end of this book. Oathbringer focuses on one of the main characters, Dalinar Kholin, and shows us his past in a raw, unfiltered light. You get to see how the famed and feared Blackthorn managed to forge an empire through blood and savagery, and how this man whom everyone once disavowed for his wicked ways became one of the most respectable and honorable people in the entire Cosmere. The story of Dalinar’s fall and redemption achieves something that few fantasy books in history have managed to pull off, and perhaps none as successfully as Sanderson’s Oathbringer.

7. The Emperor’s Soul

Brandon Sanderson is known for writing chunky fantasy novels that easily push past 1000 pages. He is known for his elaborate plots, extremely complex magic systems, intricate lore and worldbuilding, and ambitious, series-spanning character arcs. And yet, one of the best stories Sanderson has ever written was a novella that came out in 2012, titled The Emperor’s Soul. This is not a sto?ry?? that needs foreknowledge to understand.

This isn’t a tale embedded in the tangled web of the so-called Cosmere universe. The Emperor’s Soul is the thought-provoking, compelling tale of a thief named Shai, who gets tasked with forging a new soul for the brain-dead emperor and is given 100 days to accomplish this gargantuan undertaking. Reading The Emperor’s Soul will only take you the better part of an afternoon, but the experience will stay with you for weeks if not months. If you want an easy gateway?? into the brain of Brandon Sanderson, then picking up this novella is your best bet.

6. Words of Radiance (Stormlight #2)

Many in the fandom would put Words of Radiance, the second book in The Stormlight Archive, above the first one. The storylines are more compact, the main characters finally begin to interact with each other in earnest, and the overall worldbuilding is less ambiguous, not to mention that iconic scenes like “the duel�turn Words of Radiance not only into one of the best books Sanderson has written, but one of the best fantasy books of all time. (The sequel is usually ranked in the top? three on Goodreads�Best Books of All Time list.)

All of these statements are true in their own way, and I would’ve agreed with them, except for the fact that The Way of Kings is still objectively more significant for the way it sets up the story and the world in such a seamless manner. That being said, Words of Radiance is still pretty epic, its scenes remaining a comfort read?? whenever I prowl through the Brandon Sanderson section of my library.

5. The Hero of Ages (Mistborn #3)

When people think about Brandon Sanderson, their minds immediately latch onto The Stormlight Archive because of how massively epic it is. The first Mistborn era, however, consisting of the first trilogy beginning with The Final Empire, continuing with The Well of Ascension, and ending with The Hero of Ages, truly cemented Sanderson’s name as one of the greats in the genre. Even now, after all these years, I still think the first Mistborn trilogy has the most well-thought-out narrative out of all of Sanderson’s books. The joy of reading those first two books and coming up with two dozen questions, only to have them all answered or hinted at through The Hero of Ages is an experience you’re not likely to forget. This is one of those few times in a book series where reading the ??final book and the story’s ending won’t leave you wanting more.

4. The Gathering Storm (Wheel of Time #12)

Brandon Sanderson is the kind of author to finish another person’s book series and still manage to do an absolutely brilliant and praiseworthy job. It’s strange to think that out of all the books Sanderson has written, and there are a great many of them—most critically acclaimed�em>The Gathering Storm is still among my favorites. Sure, the world of The Wheel of Time was created by Robert Jordan. Granted, these are not Sanderson’s own characters that he spins on this grand tapestry. And yes, Sanderson had a rough outline for where the series was supposed to be headed thanks to the notes Jordan left behind before his death, but it’s still somewhat absurd for a relatively nameless author to come in and write the next entry ?in a book series that has tens of millions of fans all around the world.

I love The Wheel of Time, and I love Robert Jordan, but my favorite book in the series is The Gathering Storm. That I think should tell you all you need to know about what Sanderson has accomplished with this?? novel.

3. The Way of Kings (Stormlight #1)

Sanderson refers to The Stormlight Archive series as his burgeoning magnum opus. While the prolific novelist never takes a break from writing a new story, Stormlight was always going to be his genre-defining masterpiece. And as far as debuts go, The Way of Kings knocked it out of the park in every regard, serving as a perfect primer into the spiraling and exotic world of Roshar, on whose soil the old gods are waging a battle that no mortal being can yet fathom. The Way of Kings is epic, extensive, ambitious, heartbreaking, and just about everything that fantasy readers want in a big story. This was al??so the book that introduced everyone to iconic characters like Kaladin Stormbless??ed, Dalinar Kholin, and Shallan Davar, who are now each, in their own way, archetypal in the overarching speculative landscape.

2. A Memory of Light (Wheel of Time #14)

For the final book in Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series, Brandon Sanderson brings all of his literary and storytelling chops to bear down on the story of Rand al’Thor, and the continent embroiled in a devastating conflict with the greatest enemy of humanity. As one of the most ambitious works of high fantasy fiction, a lot was riding on the success of A Memory of Light. We all know how painstakingly difficult it is to come up with a decent ending for any great story, and that was doub??ly true for The Wheel of Time since its author had passed away. Brandon Sanderson, however, managed to do the impossible by not only giving fans a satisfying conclusion but turning the prophesied Tarmon Gai’don �The Last Battle �into one of the most epic spectacles that you’ll ever e?xperience in the world of novels.

1. Wind and Truth (Stormlight #5)

It has been over two decades since Brandon Sanderson conceived The Stormlight Archive series. The first book came out in 2010, and now, after 14 years, we've finally come to the end of the journey... well, sort of. Wind and Truth officially brings the first major arc of the series to a close. Think of it like Avengers: Infinity War or Avengers: Endgame, where our cast of characters come together to wage a final battle against the being that wants to enslave their entire world, for reasons that even the most ardent Cosmere fans h?ave not been able to figur??e out.

There are questions to be answered, mysteries to be unveiled, and character arcs to come to a satisfying conclusion. On paper, Wind and Truth is far from the best book Brandon Sanderson has written, but we still have to admire the man for his sheer dedication to this ambitious and complex narrative. The fact that Sanderson wrote a roughly rewarding ending to his magnum opus is something that few other contemporary storytellers manage to do. For that reason, Wind and Truth is arguably his greatest accomplishment to date.

The post Top 15 best Brandon Sa?nderson books, ranked worst to best appeared first on Destructoid.

Sometimes, you really can not have enough. Perhaps you are one of those fans of The Legend of Zelda who have already managed to consume, play and replay each and every game, from the classic A Link to the Past to the more obscure Link's Crossbow Training. Or perhaps you simply?? want to take your appreciation of the series to the next level. Well, here are a few books to read if you like the Legend of Zelda games, for every age and palate.

Books to read if you like The Legend of Zelda games

In this list, whi??le we are goi??ng to explore the fantasy world in depth, that doesn't mean the themes recurring in the series of games might can't be found in other non-fantasy books as well.

The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin

Being a young wizard is never easy, right? Just ask Ged. He will have to try not only to learn how to use magic??, explore faraway lands, and battle evil, but also to deal with his personal problems. In the series of books centered on a young man's journey in discovering his own powers and limitations, and dealing with a world that is often evil, the author explores many of the same themes as The Legend of Zelda, with great character building and many emotional scenes.

The Wheel of Time (series) by Robert Jordan

Going strong since its original release in 1990, the Wheel of Time series follows the adventures of Moiraine Damodred as she? tries to stand against the coming of the age of darkness and the threat of The Dark One. They are locked in a seemingly neverending loop of good and evil, much like Link with Ganon. With relatable characters, and strong world-building, especially in the later books in the series, the Wheel of Time will be sure to p?lease Zelda fans looking for some dungeon exploring, themes of friendship, and epic quests.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

We knew this was coming, if you have not read the book yet then it might be time to do it. The echoes and inspiration in the Zelda series are quite clear, as Bilbo Baggins will have to grow and learn how to use weapons and wield world-changing powers to save the dwarves' country from the evil dragon Smaug. While there is no princess to save, personal growth and heroism are always central themes of the story, along with classic big war scenes. While it does help to have previous knowledg??e of The Lord of the Rings and its characters, this is still great as a stand-alone fantasy experience and highly recommended for Zelda fans of all ages.

The Belgariad (Series) by David Eddings

If you are a fan of the themes of coming-of-age in the Legend of Zelda and want something similar, The Belgariad will definitely please, as it follows the story of young farm boy Garion. As the chosen one to save the world against the evil god Torak, he will need th??e help of his friends to find out how to do it while also staying away from bad influences and temptations. This five-book series is a great read for kids and younger teenagers, but we believe it will also interest adults as well.

Arcane Ascension (series) by Andrew Rowe

Among the many recurring themes in the Legend of Zelda series, one that has ??been going strong ever since the first game is that of trials. Overcoming them to become stronger, to better wield your powers, and to take responsibility for the world you create while growing up. These themes are quite strong in Rowe's series of books, where Corin Cadence leaves his home to go look for his brother. He was supposed to overcome trials in the dangerous Serpent Spire tower but never returned. This journey starts an epic saga of quests, growing up, and meeting peculiar characters. A great read for whoever likes dungeon exploring and emotional action scenes.

The Runelords series by David Farland

If you want a series of books that seem to follow very closely the Legend of Zelda's overall ideas, then it might be difficult to find a closer one than Runelords. In the series, a young prince named Gaborn Val Orden wants to marry a princess but becomes entangled in a global war when the evil Lord Raj Ahten plans to invade Heredon. Before conquering the heart of the princess, Gaborn will have to fi?nd his way toward becoming a true noble and heroic prince. A great read for both young and old, the Runelords series weaves an epic tale of questing, defeating enemies, and finding new friends.

Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

Young curious Elisabeth has grown up in a world of strange and magical things, that she has long recognized as being evil. In fact, she wan??ts to one day becom??e a warden, the ones who protect the world from the mystical and magical power of sorcerers. But then, she is trapped in a curious act of sabotage and forced to work with an actual sorcerer, Nathaniel Thorn, to bring back her reputation. A young adult fantasy novel that will please Legend of Zelda players for its themes of love and friendship between two young, but different, people, Sorcery of Thorns is well on its way to becoming a cult classic.

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

Warbreaker wil??l immerse the reader in a world where magic is fueled by breath, while gods are walking among mortals. The story follows two sisters, Vivenna and Siri, who find themselves embroiled in a political and magical conflict that could change their kingdom forever. With its intricate magic system, many political conflicts plus themes of sacrifice and redemption, the author weaves a story that mirrors many of? the undercurrent themes of power, destiny, and choice found in the Zelda series. This is definitely recommended for both young teenagers and adults alike.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

While the movie is probably more well-known today, the book still weaves an enchanting tale of true love, sword fights, and adventure. Compared to other fantasy classics that we have recommended, Goldman sprinkles much more humor than usual, this style will please those looking for a bit of the whimsi??cal atmosphere from The Legend of Zelda. Also, Westley starts as a poor farm boy and then goes all the way to rescuing a princess, it cannot get any more Zelda than that.

Shannara (Series) by Terry Brooks

The classic fantasy series by Brooks does take place in a post-apocalyptic world, while still following the classic tropes of the genre. We follow Shea Omsford in his quest to recover the sword of Shannara, while also following Prince Balinor while he tries to defend his homeland from both his crazed brother and the attack of the Dark One. While sticking close to classic fantasy, Shannara features modern themes of environmentalism and heroism, as opposed to the classic Lord of the Rings series which might make it more of a current read ?for teenagers and young adults, especially those who love themes of heroism and friendship from Zelda.

The post Ten Books to read if you li??ke The Legend of Zelda games appeared first on Destructoid.

Epic Fantasy is a genre? that encompasses all the other literary traditions inside itself, so when talking about the most popular books shaping its long history, it’s not surprising to be confronted with a plethora of widely disparate stories, characters, and worlds.

Whether it be the rolling hills of Middle-earth, where the Free Peoples fight against the Shadow emerging from the eastern sky, or the high storms of Roshar sweeping across the continent and reminding the world of what it has forgotten, or even the?? petty feuds of the lords and ladies of t??he Seven Kingdoms and the commoners ever embroiled in their conflicts, the Fantasy genre has something to offer to anyone.

But though the number of acclaimed Fantasy books is already beyond count �despite the relatively short time since it rose to popularity in the �0s �there ar??e some names that, through popularity or influence or standing the test of time, have managed to become timeless.

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

Having sold over 500 million copies worldwide, Harry Potter is undoubtedly the most popular and recognizable name in fantasy. The story of The Boy Who Lived finds new fans in every generation of young readers, and the acclaimed movie adaptations have assured J.K. Rowling’s immortality in the speculative fiction landscape. Harry Potter ??might be derivative and, at times, underwhelming, especially for seasoned fantasy readers, ??but there’s a sense of sincerity and warmth within Rowling’s pages that you can’t quite find anywhere else.

The Lord of the Rings (and The Hobbit) by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Lord of the Rings was the much-awaited sequel to The Hobbit and took the world by storm when it came out in 1954. In one of the initial reviews, The Sunday Times praised Tolkien’s achievement by writing: “The English-speaking world is divided into those who have read The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit and those who are going to read them.�Many years later, these words sound almost prophetic. We don’t have Eru Ilúvatar’s omniscience to claim there would be no High Fantasy today without Tolkien, but we do know the ente??rtainment world would not be the same.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was once many a child’s most memorable fantasy read before taking on serious stories. I remember going through the pages and being absolutely enamored by the world C.S. Lewis was spinning into existence. I also remember asking my parents to buy me the sequel before the first book was even finished. In a lot of ways, The Chronicles of Narnia is like the compromise between Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, which built an imaginative world from the ground up, and Rowling’s Harry Potter, which combined the fantastical with the real.

The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan

While there’s no denying that Tolkien’s legacy was mountainous, what followed after The Lord of the Rings was a string of unoriginal, generic rip-offs that all wanted to jump on the bandwagon and imitate the professor’s success. In fact, it wasn’t until writers like Robert Jordan and George R.R. Martin came along to breathe fresh air into the lungs of this tenuous new beast that Epic Fantasy truly began to soar as a genre. The Wheel of Time by the former is one such work that buil?t on Tolkien’s legacy and, having sold close to 100 million copies since its conception, remains one of the most ambitiou?s feats of imaginative worldbuilding ever attempted.

A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin

George R.R. Martin may not have become as successful and prominent as he is today without HBO’s Game of Thrones, but the fact that Westeros is here to stay �whether it be true popular spinoffs like House of the Dragon or the books�own lingering hype despite the decade-long drought �can only be a testament to his power as an author. Martin has changed the game forever, but more importantly, this is exactly what Epic Fantasy needed to stay relevant after Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy in the early 2000s.

Discworld by Terry Pratchett

Terry Pratchett is a voice to be celebrated, and his Discworld series remains one of the best-selling, most popular fantasy books of all time. Now, it doesn’t matter how man??y (or how few) publications decide to write asinine articles about how his literary achievement is overstated (if you know, you know) because there’s always a place in Pratchett’s books f?or people who are looking for a bit of humorous escapist fantasy to lay down some of their burdens.

The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice

This might be a rather odd inclusion, but considering the fact that The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice has sold tens of millions of copies since its release, it should, by definition, have a place in the list of the most popular fantasy books in history. What’s more, there’s no doubt that Anne Rice hugely influenced the gothic and urban fantasy movement with The Vampire Chronicles. The story w??as progressive for its time, and its motifs still play a part in informing many other gothic fantasy books.

The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer

Say what you will about Twilight and its literary value �or lack thereof �but at the very least, the case of Stephenie Meyer and her huge success should be studied. Now, I’ll admit that I dropped the first book a mere 100 pages in, but the story has certainly left a mark in the fantasy space. Several popular and even acclaimed book series, like A Court of Thorns and Roses or the new BookTok sensation Fourth Wing, tra??ce their popularity and stan??ding back to Meyer’s work.

The Dark Tower by Stephen King

While you can always expect to find the fantastical in Stephen King’s works, it wasn’t until The Dark Tower that the author forgot about dipping his toes into the genre and dived headfirst into it with a grimdark tale combining tropes from several genres like fantasy, sci-fi, and Spaghetti Western. The seven-book series has sold 30 million copies and is among the finer works in?? the Epic Fantasy space.

Percy Jackson & the Olympians by Rick Riordan

At first glance, Percy Jackson might come off as a Harry Potter clone due to everything it derives from Rowling’s themes and motifs, but the story has much more to offer thanks to Riordan’s brilliant prose and amazing characterization. Percy Jackson and the Olympians books are ??now am??ong the best-selling fantasy stories in the world, and the new Amazon adaptation is sure to increase that popularity tenfold.

This was our list of some of the most popular fantasy book series out there, but as they say, popularity a great piece of art doth not make. So, to read our picks for the ten best fantasy book series of all time, head to this article.

The post 10 most popular fantasy book series ever appeared first on Destructoid.