The Recommended Reading Order
For the best experience, readers should follow the chronological order of the series, which aligns perfectly with how the books and novellas were released. This path takes you from the initial rebellion in Chicago to the watery depths of Manhattan, through cosmic revelations, and finally to a fresh perspective in Texas.
Here is the recommended reading path for The Reckoners:
- Steelheart (Book 1) – Published in September 2013. The story begins in Newcago (formerly Chicago), introducing David Charleston and his quest for vengeance against the invincible Epic who killed his father.
- Mitosis (Novella, Book 1.5) – Published in December 2013. This short story is set between the events of the first two novels. It shows David and the team defending Newcago from a new threat, serving as a quick bridge.
- Firefight (Book 2) – Published in January 2015. The setting shifts to Babylon Restored (formerly Manhattan), where David and the Reckoners investigate mysterious goings-on and deal with dangerous new Epics.
- Calamity (Book 3) – Published in February 2016. The final book in the main trilogy follows the group to a moving city made of salt, wrapping up David’s primary story arc and explaining the source of the Epics' powers.
- Lux: A Texas Reckoners Novel (Book 4 / Spin-off) – Co-authored with Steven Bohls and released in July 2021. Originally produced as an audio-first release, this novel follows a completely new cast of Reckoners in Texas fighting a floating city run by a tyrannical Epic.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
Because Brandon Sanderson wrote and released the stories in chronological sequence, the publication order and chronological reading order are identical. There are no complicated prequels or timeline jumps to worry about. The only minor decision point is the novella Mitosis. It was published shortly after Steelheart and takes place immediately before Firefight. While reading it in publication sequence is ideal, it is not strictly necessary to enjoy the main series, as the second novel briefly recaps any essential information.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the books, it is helpful to understand the unique premise of the universe. In this world, a mysterious red star-like entity called Calamity appeared in the sky, granting random people extraordinary abilities. However, these superpowered individuals, known as Epics, quickly became power-hungry tyrants because the magic system has a dark twist: using their powers corrupts their minds and strip away their empathy. There are no traditional superheroes in this world—only supervillains. The Reckoners are a group of normal, unpowered humans who use advanced technology, espionage, and planning to study the Epics, discover their secret weaknesses, and assassinate them.
Unlike much of Brandon Sanderson's famous epic fantasy, such as Mistborn or The Stormlight Archive, the Reckoners series is set on an alternate, near-future Earth. Because of this Earth setting, Sanderson has explicitly stated that the series is not part of the Cosmere. Additionally, it is separate from his science fiction Cytoverse (the Skyward series). Although Sanderson originally planned a spin-off called The Apocalypse Guard that would have bridged these worlds, that project was shelved, and the settings remain completely independent. You can read the Reckoners without needing to know anything about his other books.
Subseries, Spin-offs, and Co-authored Books
The original narrative is a tightly knit trilogy consisting of Steelheart, Firefight, and Calamity, centering on David Charleston and his struggle with the Epics. After a five-year hiatus, the universe expanded with Lux: A Texas Reckoners Novel. Co-written with Steven Bohls, Lux features a fresh team of Reckoners working in a different geographic region. It expands the lore and introduces a floating fortress city, maintaining the same high-stakes action while showing how other parts of the world coped with the rise of the Epics. Because it features a new cast, it can technically be read on its own, but it is much more rewarding if you have the background knowledge of the original trilogy.
Practical Reader Advice
If you are wondering whether you can skip the novella Mitosis, the answer is yes. It is a fun, quick read that highlights David's struggle with his infamous bad metaphors, but skipping it won't impact your understanding of Firefight. However, starting anywhere other than Steelheart is not recommended. The main trilogy is a continuous story, and starting with Firefight or Calamity will spoil the major twists of the earlier books. If you enjoy the fast-paced, action-movie style of the series, checking out the audiobook version of Lux is highly recommended, as it was specifically produced with a full cast and sound effects to provide an immersive audio experience.