The Sunlit Man: A Cosmere Novel

Brandon Sanderson

Oct 2023 · Secret Projects Book 4 · Dragonsteel · Narrated by William DeMeritt

About this audiobook

From the #1 Kickstarter campaign of all time—#1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson adds to his Cosmere universe shared by Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive with a new standalone novel that combines fantasy and science fiction. Narrated by William DeMeritt.

Running. Putting distance between himself and the relentless Night Brigade has been Nomad’s strategy for years. Staying one or two steps ahead of his pursuers by skipping through the Cosmere from one world to the next.

But now, his powers too depleted to escape, Nomad finds himself trapped on Canticle, a planet that will kill anyone who doesn’t keep moving. Fleeing the fires of a sunrise that melts the very stones, he is instantly caught up in the struggle between a heartless tyrant and the brave rebels who defy him.

Failure means a quick death, incinerated by the sun…or a lifetime as a mindless slave. Tormented by the consequences of his past, Nomad must fight not only for his survival—but also for his very soul.

Note from Brandon:

I sincerely believe that books don’t live until they’re read. While I would write even if no one were reading—it’s who I am—I thrive because I know the stories are being brought to life by all of you. In this, stories are a special kind of art, particularly when written down. Each of you will imagine this book, and its characters, a little differently—you will each put your own stamp on it, making it yours. I don’t believe a story is quite finished until that has happened—until the dream in my head has become a reality (even if briefly) in yours.

And so this book is yours, as they all are once you read them. Thank you so much for bringing life to my work, and to the Cosmere.

Ratings and reviews

Such a great story! I was floored when I found out who the main character actually was and really like that we will learn more about him later. I rather hope we can learn more about him becoming and the early days of him being Hoid's apprentice. The only reason I've only given it four stars is because the reader was only alright for me. It's always hard to hear a story about characters I know read in a different voice than I am used to.

An exceptional story, written at breakneck speed, but intricately detailed and surprisingly deep with emotion. As a big fan of Sanderson's Cosmere, I was still surprised at how much this book resonated with me. The characters are deep and emotionally intelligent, and the plot is fast paced and layered. A great read.

Amazing Cosmere information that answers questions and, like always, makes so many more that I can't wait to be answered!

About the author

Brandon Sanderson grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. He lives in Utah with his wife and children and teaches creative writing at Brigham Young University. In addition to completing Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time, he is the author of such bestsellers as the Mistborn saga, Warbreaker‚ the Stormlight Archive series beginning with The Way of Kings, The Rithmatist, the Skyward series, the Reckoners series beginning with Steelheart, and the Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series. He won the Hugo Award for The Emperor’s Soul, a novella set in the world of his acclaimed first novel‚ Elantris. For behind-the-scenes information on all his books, visit brandonsanderson.com.

Born and raised in New York City, William DeMeritt is an actor, director, writer, and award-winning audiobook narrator. Some of his previous narration work includes Brandon Sanderson’s Snapshot, Star Wars: Shadow of the Sith, Laird Barron’s Isaiah Coleridge series, and the Audie-nominated titles The Sweetness of Water, The 1619 Project, and Ben H. Winters’ Underground Airlines. William’s onscreen credits include HBO’s The Normal Heart, NCIS: New Orleans, Our Son with Billy Porter and Luke Evans, and HBO’s The Flight Attendant. Onstage, William has appeared on Broadway, internationally, and in regional theaters throughout the United States. William holds a BFA from Marymount Manhattan College, an MFA from the Yale School of Drama, and teaches VoiceOver as adjunct faculty at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, experimental theater wing. You can find William on social at @DeMeritt or at WilliamDeMeritt.com.