As a decade-long Sanderson fan, I have been recommending his books in the Cosmere, the Cytoverse, and his other worlds for quite a long time. I look forward to his god-level magic systems, dense world histories, and complex political systems. Often, all three are at the brink of collapse or dramatic change due to the actions of odd little dorks trying their best. So I seek out authors like Brandon Sanderson to experience the same magic. From the existence of Doomslug to Spren to that one scene where a character compares his love interest to a potato in a minefield, I cannot get enough weird little details and world-building gems. Whenever I read a Brandon Sanderson book, I always feel like I am visiting an old friend. It is equal parts comforting and emotionally devastating and I cannot help but fall in love each time. Brandon Sanderson has talked a lot about his approach to writing and how he got started as an author as a creative writing teacher at BYU and a frequent panelist at book events (including his convention run by his company, Dragonsteel Books) and various online platforms. Before selling a single book, Sanderson wrote 13 manuscripts while working as a night clerk at a hotel. He is known for writing a lot. Since publishing his first book, Elantris, in 2005, Sanderson has not stopped. Sanderson’s Cytoverse includes his YA sci-fi series, The Skyward Series, with three novels and a short story collection. Finally is everything else Brandon Sanderson has written. This includes the collection Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds, the four books in the YA sci-fi The Reckoners Series, the six books in his middle grade Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series, the two books in his game novelization Infinity Blade Series, the five books he wrote in the Wheel of Time Series, and his Magic The Gathering novella. Not to mention The Rithmatist, the first book in a YA series that may never be finished. Also, you may have recently heard about how he wrote four secret novels for fun during the pandemic. Sanderson apparently had free time in the absence of his in-person events and speaking engagements. The Kickstarter did very well, but it was unsurprising coming from someone who is frequently winning awards and on The New York Times Best Seller list. The whole thing made it clear he had the fans (myself included) willing to buy anything he writes. If you are looking for some of the best fantasy books, try these. Maybe this list of the best fantasy series might be more your style. And if you are looking for more specific book recommendations, try Book Riot’s Tailored Book Recommendations Service (TBR). This book recommendation service pairs you with a qualified bibliologist who helps any reader find their next great read.
