Cosmere Explained: Everything to Know About Brandon Sanderson’s Shared Fantasy Universe

A universe built from Shards

The Cosmere is a shared literary universe created by Brandon Sanderson. Its story began with Elantris, his debut novel, published in 2005. The setting’s central history begins thousands of years ago, when the god Adonalsium was shattered into 16 pieces called Shards. They spread across the galaxy, with each settling in a particular solar system. Most stories focus on a single planet, and Shards have shaped the magic systems found on many of them.

Some Cosmere stories take place on worlds without Shards. Sanderson has identified all 16, but only a select few have been accounted for; their locations and effects on their worlds remain unclear.

Worlds with distinct identities

The planets differ in both geography and magic. Sel, the setting of Elantris, is relatively Earth-like, while Taldain, featured in the White Sand graphic novels, is tidally locked: one side remains in daylight and the other in darkness. Other settings include Roshar, a barren, windswept world; Canticle, a burning planet; and Lumar, a highly alien world that does not technically break the laws of physics but resembles no known real planet.

Many genres and formats

The Cosmere ranges across fantasy subgenres. Elantris leans toward medieval fantasy, while other works include steampunk, romantasy, space fantasy, urban fantasy and epic fantasy. The universe includes more than 30 entries across short stories, novellas, novels, graphic novels and children’s picture books, with more planned. Tabletop role-playing games have also been added, though their status as canon is debated.

Hoid connects the stories

A recurring figure named Hoid is the main link across the wider Cosmere. He appears in nearly every story, sometimes helping protagonists and sometimes only briefly appearing in the background. His identity and aims are still unknown, and he seems able to use many kinds of magic.

Hoid calls himself a Worldsinger, a magical bard who tells stories, plays a flute and inspires others. He has also worked as a carriage driver, a pirate and a coat hanger.

Other characters can travel between worlds, and shadowy groups appear to pursue goals spanning the galaxy. Their motives have not been explained, leaving mysteries to unfold across the interconnected stories.