Isles of the Emberdark

A Cosmere Novel Secret Projects, Book 5

By: Brandon Sanderson

Narrated by: Kaleo Griffith, Jennifer Jill Araya

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson comes a legendary standalone novel that navigates the seas and the stars of a far-future Cosmere. Narrated by Kaleo Griffith and Jennifer Jill Araya.

All his life, Sixth of the Dusk has been a traditional trapper of Aviar—the supernatural birds his people bond with—on the deadly island of Patji. Then one fateful night he propels his people into a race to modernize before they can be conquered by the Ones Above, invaders from the stars who want to exploit the Aviar.

But it’s a race they’re losing, and Dusk fears his people will lose themselves in the effort. When a chance comes to sail into the expanse of the emberdark beyond a mystical portal, Dusk sets off to find his people’s salvation with only a canoe, his birds, and all the grit and canniness of a Patji trapper.

Elsewhere in the emberdark is a young dragon chained in human form: Starling of the starship Dynamic. She and her ragtag crew of exiles are deep in debt and on the brink of losing their freedom. So when she finds an ancient map to a hidden portal between the emberdark and the physical realm, she seizes the chance at a lucrative discovery.

These unlikely allies might just be the solution to each other’s crisis. In their search for independence, Dusk and Starling face perilous bargains, poisonous politics, and the destructive echo of a dead god.

Sanderson expands his thrilling novella “Sixth of the Dusk” into a mythic novel of legends, lore, and warring galactic superpowers.

©2025 Dragonsteel, LLC. (P)2025 Dragonsteel, LLC.

For When Your Soul Needs A Journey

Brandon Sanderson accomplishes greatness once again. I have listened to nearly everything in Sanderson's Cosmere and somehow he manages to break my heart at the first page and mend it by the last page, this is no different. Unlike the rest of the Cosmere, the characters are new to us but they quickly grow into old friends as we join on their adventure. If I write any more, I'll spoil it, but this is a great read for any fan of Sanderson on any point in their own journey, especially if their soul needs a little adventure.

Brando Sando doesn't miss

Absolutely love the world of the cosmere and am always impressed by his abilities to introduce new planets and magic systems into it.

New Favorite Secret Project

This is by far my new favorite among the secret novels. This could honestly be the start of a new series! Please Brando, I need more Sixth-of-the-Dusk.

Cosmere stuff is still interesting

All of the Cosmere stuff is great, but Sanderson has to get away from young quirky characters. They are getting pretty cringe.

Future Cosmere

As a huge sci-fi and Cosmere fan, I’m so excited for the next era!!! One of my new favorite Cosmere books and I enjoyed the new narrators, although the audio mixing was a little off at some points.

Rewarding and thrilling

This Sci-Fantasy is perfectly executed and I’m so excited for the future of the Cosmere as a result. Loved the new characters was blown away by Dusk’s continued story. Very grateful to Brandon for writing stories that reward continued study of these worlds.

Always wonderful

My favorite author for so many reasons! I love this one as I knew I would!

Slow to start, but

worth while after the two narrators start trading off frequently. Not as good as last year’s secret projects in my opinion, but still good. Also it’s a necessary read if you’re following the cosmere closely and speculating how things develop after the Stormlight Archive.

Love Sanderson Characters

Read other Sanderson books first or this won’t make as much sense. Another great read.

IVE DONE IT!

I’ve officially finished every cosmere book and I already know I’ll be reading all the others in the future.. This story is just as amazing as the rest of the others and just as confusing. There were so many references and callbacks in this book that it is blowing my mind. I feel like I’m trying to do a 1000 jigsaw puzzle with 5 pieces and I love it, I can’t wait to finally have all the pieces one day and this book just like all the other cosmere books are a must read!