The Sunlit Man: A Cosmere Novel

Brandon Sanderson

Oct 2023 · Secret Projects Book 4 · Sold by Dragonsteel, LLC

About this ebook

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. Illustrated by Ernanda Souza, Nabeste Zitro, and kudriaken.

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

Great book like always. Only 3 stars because I feel like Sanderson spoiled Stormlight Archive now. How the main character goes by a different name, but he knows, Kaladin and Wit, really ruined the story. I can almost hypothesis that Nomad is going to turn out like two other characters. One from Mistborn and the other from Wax and Wayne. Hypotheses: Sidecharacter becomes hero/God that saves their world.... has happened on Mistborn and wax and Wayne. From me knowing who "Nomad" is just ruins the story for Stormlight. A) I know Nomad changes orders, so what happens with the Windrunners? B) Does Nomad betray Kaladin? C) is Kaladin dead or a God now? Considering Nomad is OLD and he calls out to "Kal." It's a really good cosmere book, but disappointed for Stormlight Archives to come....

To anyone considering this- it should not at all be considered a standalone novel. I would highly recommend reading Sanderson's other Cosmere books before this, as many allusions and some directly referenced lore will come off as garbledygook otherwise. Probably just the Stormlight Archive and Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell- found in Arcanum Unbounded or as an individual novella. Arcanum Unbounded > individual novella.

Scientist Han Solo helps a group of communists evade capture and execution by the hands of a tyrannical despot. An excellent quick read, but with lots of elements from the wider Cosmere that might be lost on newbies, but shouldn't hinder comprehension too much.

About the author

Brandon Sanderson was born on December 19, 1975 in Lincoln, Nebraska. He received a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in creative writing from Brigham Young University. His first book, Elantris, was published in 2005. His other works include the Mistborn series, the Stormlight Archive series, Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians series, and the Reckoners series. In 2007, he was chosen by Harriet Rigney to complete A Memory of Light, book twelve in Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. He has continued the series with Towers of Midnight and A Memory of Light. In 2018 his title, White Sand Volume 2, made the Best Seller List.