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

The Cosmere is Brandon Sanderson’s connected fantasy universe, in which separate stories unfold on different planets within the same galaxy. Its central premise is that a god, Adonalsium, was shattered into 16 Shards, whose influence has shaped worlds and their distinctive magic; the scale and continuing growth of the project have helped draw attention to it, including through an Apple TV adaptation deal.

The stories span more than 30 books and other works, including novels, short fiction, graphic novels and children’s picture books, with more planned. Planets range from Earth-like Sel to tidally locked Taldain and the unusual world Lumar, while the fiction crosses several fantasy subgenres. Hoid, a recurring and mysterious traveller, links many stories, though the article says only some Shards and their locations are currently accounted for.