ere at Youtini, it’s no secret that we love Star Wars books. We started by reading and sharing our love of stories set in a galaxy far, far away. It may well be why you’re here, too. The lore, the expansive universe, and the captivating characters are just some of the things that have us hooked. They keep us making preorders for new releases, diving back into Legends, or maybe even both.
The Star Wars universe compels us to keep coming back. Still, while we find new adventures to enjoy, new characters to love, and new places to explore, we might also begin to feel comfortable. Safe. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course. However, there’s something to be said for the joy of discovering something entirely new.
That’s why we think that if you love Star Wars, you will enjoy reading Brandon Sanderson’s books. After all, plenty of people in the Youtini community have already jumped into Sanderson’s universe and are loving it! But what makes his work such a great fit for Star Wars fans?
Star Wars and Sanderson Mythology
One of the things so many of us love about Star Wars is its deep and detailed lore. George Lucas made no secret that one of his goals was to create a modern mythology. He built on Joseph Campbell’s extensive work on the topic. After nearly half a century, the universe Lucas created and other creators have expanded upon has grown into a dynamic, multilayered mythos.
The Star Wars galaxy teems with worlds that we know well. It has different societies whose characteristics and rivalries we’ve come to understand. When the Armorer talks about Jedi, anyone who’s played Knights of the Old Republic or watched The Clone Wars understands her tone. We’re familiar with the Force and how it works and doesn’t work.
Brandon Sanderson has done much the same thing. When we read his work, it’s easy to get the sense that he understands his universe inside and out. His magic system is as detailed as the Force. It’s easy to accept that there are reasons for things to happen the way they do, which lets us develop a sense of trust in the storyteller. That trust, in turn, sets us up for exciting discoveries. Sanderson tells us what we need to know when we need to know it and not before. However, even for a new reader, it’s easy to believe that things will pay off and everything will make sense.
Star Wars and Sanderson Characters
For many readers and viewers, characters are key. As fascinating as the Force or magic can be, as exciting as the action, the characters keep many of us coming back. Many Star Wars characters are so iconic that even people who haven’t seen a single film often know who they are. Perhaps one of the reasons is that these characters start with elements of well-established tropes (the scoundrel with a heart of gold, the princess who takes on the political order). Over the unfolding mythos, they expand on these tropes to become multifaceted and memorable fixtures.
Sanderson follows a similar approach, and on a massive scale. For example, in Mistborn, he introduces us to Vin, a street rat who falls in with a group that changes her life. She transcends her origins and finds her purpose, learning about the power, politics, and the fabric of the universe she inhabits. In The Stormlight Archive, we meet Kaladin, a soldier nursing a sense of betrayal who nevertheless harbors an enduring desire to lead. He still believes in the potential for people to be good and is the kind of warrior many would happily follow.
Both Star Wars and Sanderson’s work also emphasize representation. Admittedly, as initially a product of the 1970s, it took Star Wars a while to feature more women and people of color. Still, it’s worth remembering that Leia was never a damsel in distress; she was a leader. And while the Empire eschewed, disrespected, and repressed nonhumans, the protagonist Rebel Alliance welcomed all manner of species and included them in its leadership ranks.
That dynamic has only expanded in recent years with an ever more diverse cast of characters. Every fan belongs in the galaxy far, far away, and it’s becoming easier for people to see themselves represented there. Likewise, Sanderson’s worlds feature a rich tapestry of characters. He writes them with respect and honesty. He uses sensitivity readers to review each book's drafts to ensure that characters representing different backgrounds than his own reflect other people’s experiences accurately. No matter their gender, race, sexuality, or disability, readers can see themselves authentically in his work.
Look no further than young girls dressed as Rey or Jyn Erso: it’s easy for people to get excited about a universe when they can see themselves in it.
Star Wars and Sanderson Universes
We talk about the “Star Wars galaxy” so much that it’s easy to forget the sheer scale of the mythos. To be fair, near-instantaneous hyperspace travel (a handy storytelling device, to be sure) sometimes helps it feel that way. So does the tendency for characters to keep bumping into each other or mutual acquaintances. Yet a galaxy is a large place! Star Wars storytelling encompasses most of an entire galaxy and beyond. It spans thousands of years.
Sanderson’s Cosmere similarly spans multiple books, many planets, and different eras. The stories are interconnected, but his mythos has many legitimate jumping-on points. You can read everything and find connections across different stories, which is always an exciting experience. However, you don’t have to do so to enjoy the story in front of you.
Sanderson’s universe is, so far, the product of an individual mind and a single vision. He has meticulously planned it. While Star Wars is (so far as we know) still open-ended, Sanderson has an ultimate conclusion in mind. He knows how his universe will end.
Conclusion
Fear not, Star Wars fans, we’re not here to talk you out of enjoying the universe we all love. At the same time, branching out in our reading can be a fun and refreshing experience. Just ask any of the Sanderson fans in the Youtini Discord. We have an entire channel dedicated just to his work!
As many of us know from getting into Star Wars books, knowing where to start can be daunting. Fortunately, if you’re ready to begin exploring Brandon Sanderson’s universe, his official YouTube channel has a video with updated recommendations from the author himself. While you’re at it, be sure to check out our companion video to this guide, where Eric shares his own recommendations for enjoying Brandon Sanderson's work!
