Background
Published in 2016, “Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection” by Brandon Sanderson is an anthology of nine novellas and short stories set within the shared universe of the Cosmere. The collection includes works from several of Sanderson’s distinct series—Mistborn, Stormlight Archive, Elantris, White Sand, and others—each introduced with background and planetary information that ties them into the larger cosmere mythology. The stories expand on minor characters, present key events not covered in the main novels, and provide additional context that enriches the worldbuilding across series. While the pieces can often be read independently, they are interconnected by recurring themes, worldbuilding elements, and a few shared characters that move across worlds.
My Thoughts
This was a must read, but I’m glad I read it well after most of the books as there are many spoilers and explanations. It also included several stories I had already read; The Hope of Elantris, The Emperor’s Soul, Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell, and Edgedancer. I enjoyed them again through this collection and caught a lot more this time around.
The Eleventh Metal, Allomancer Jack and the Pits of Eltania, White Sand, and Sixth of Dusk were all new to me. That just leaves White Sands 2 and 3 to go before I have read his entire collection. (To this point that is.)
Recommendation
Fun read. However, be sure to read Elantris, The Mistborn Series, and the first two books in the Stormlight Archive before you read it.