Sixth of the Dusk Fans, Rejoice: Isle of the Emberdark Lands July 10

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Yes, it’s part of the Cosmere (a sequel to Sixth of the Dusk). Yes, it’s one of the secret projects. And no, you’re not the only one who forgot what Sixth of the Dusk is.

Just when your TBR was starting to look reasonable, Sanderson’s secret projects strike again.

This time it’s Isle of the Emberdark, a full-length follow-up to Sixth of the Dusk, that mysterious little novella from Arcanum Unbounded you may or may not have skimmed on a lunch break in 2016.

You didn’t think he’d circle back to that, did you?

EDIT: SIXTH OF THE DUSK DOES NOT NEED TO BE READ BEFORE ISLES OF THE EMBERDARK. THE NOVELLA IS WOVEN IN AS A SERIES OF FLASHBACKS THROUGH THE EARLY CHAPTERS.

What Is Isle of the Emberdark and When Does It Release?

Yes, Isle of the Emberdark is one of Sanderson’s famed secret projects. And yes, it is absolutely part of the Cosmere. This one expands on the world introduced in Sixth of the Dusk, which first appeared in Arcanum Unbounded and left a trail of magical birds and survival horror in its wake.

Now it’s back in full force with a proper novel treatment and, presumably, more chaos.

Remind Me, What Was Sixth of the Dusk Again?

Sixth of the Dusk is set on a remote archipelago filled with ancient traps, cosmic interference, and one very overworked trapper. The twist? The main character is bonded to a bird that can sense danger, but even that doesn’t stop things from going sideways.

The story was brief but dense, full of hints that Something Bigger was going on. And now we’re getting the rest of the story. Or at least, more bird trauma.

Should You Read Sixth of the Dusk First?

While Sanderson’s books are usually good at onboarding new readers, this one’s a sequel in disguise. If you skip Sixth of the Dusk, you might miss out on key worldbuilding and context, like why the magic system involves birds, or why the main character is so emotionally attached to them.

The good news? The novella is under 50 pages and available in Arcanum Unbounded, which also includes a bunch of other Cosmere side stories. It’s worth the dive.

Why This Secret Project Actually Matters

Even though Sixth of the Dusk is a lesser-known entry in the Cosmere, it drops some major lore bombs about interplanetary meddling, tech evolution, and the spread of Investiture across worlds. If Isle of the Emberdark builds on that, it could become a major puzzle piece in the larger saga.

Translation: this isn’t fluff. It’s vintage Sanderson quietly setting the stage for something much bigger.

FAQs

Is Isle of the Emberdark part of the Cosmere?
Yes. Like Sixth of the Dusk, it takes place on the planet First of the Sun and ties into broader Cosmere themes.
What is Sixth of the Dusk about?
A trapper with a magical bird navigates dangerous islands while unknowingly getting caught in some very high-stakes interplanetary business.
Do I need to read Sixth of the Dusk first?
Maybe? We’d err on the side of caution and say yes. It’s short and may be essential for understanding the setup and stakes of Isle of the Emberdark.
How does Isle of the Emberdark fit into the secret projects?
While it wasn’t part of the original four secret projects from Sanderson’s record-breaking Kickstarter, Isle of the Emberdark is a newly announced secret project continuing his surprise-release tradition.
Where can I find Sixth of the Dusk?
It’s included in Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection, which features a bunch of other novellas from different Cosmere worlds.

Conclusion

Cosmere fans love being overwhelmed, and Sanderson never disappoints. If you haven’t cracked open Sixth of the Dusk in a while, or at all, now’s the time. A whole new story is coming, and if you wait too long, the spoilers (and magical birds) will find you first.