Books On Board

Mistborn Books in Order

  • 8 Books
  • 2006 – 2022 Published

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Reading order
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The Recommended Mistborn Reading Order

For the absolute best experience with Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn saga, you should read the books in their publication order. The series is divided into distinct historical "Eras" on the planet of Scadrial. Reading them in this sequence allows you to see the world naturally evolve, ensures you do not spoil major plot twists, and lets you experience the magic system as it becomes more complex over time.

Mistborn Era 1: The Original Trilogy

This is where everyone should start. Era 1 is a classic epic fantasy trilogy with high stakes, a dark ash-covered world, and a thrilling heist-style plot in the first book. It introduces the core magic of Allomancy and the central conflict against the immortal Lord Ruler.

  • Mistborn: The Final Empire (2006) – The book that started it all. A young thief named Vin is recruited by the charismatic rebel Kelsier to overthrow a godlike emperor.
  • The Well of Ascension (2007) – In the aftermath of the first book, Vin and her allies struggle to rule a fractured empire while defending their capital from massive siege armies.
  • The Hero of Ages (2008) – The epic conclusion to Era 1, where the true nature of Scadrial's magic, history, and cosmic threats are finally revealed in a spectacular climax.

Mistborn Era 2: The Wax and Wayne Series

Set roughly 300 years after the events of Era 1, Era 2 shifts the world of Scadrial into an industrial, steampunk, and wild-west setting. Guns, steam engines, and skyscrapers have arrived, and the magic system has evolved as characters now only access a single Allomantic and a single Feruchemical power (known as Twinborn).

  • The Alloy of Law (2011) – Introduces Waxillium Ladrian, a lawman from the Roughs who returns to the metropolis of Elendel to take over his noble house, only to get dragged back into fighting crime alongside his eccentric friend Wayne.
  • Shadows of Self (2015) – A darker, more political entry where a rogue agent threatens to tear Elendel apart, forcing Wax to confront his own past and the designs of the planet's god, Harmony.
  • The Bands of Mourning (2016) – A high-flying adventure to find a mythical weapon capable of granting anyone the legendary powers of the Lord Ruler.
  • The Lost Metal (2022) – The explosive finale to Era 2 that officially connects the Mistborn series to the wider Cosmere universe, bringing Wax and Wayne's stories to a definitive close.

Where Do the Novellas and Short Stories Fit?

Sanderson has written several side stories set on Scadrial that expand on the lore, characters, and history of the Mistborn world. While they are not strictly necessary to enjoy the main series, they add immense depth. Most of these are compiled in the anthology collection Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection.

  • The Eleventh Metal – A prequel short story featuring Kelsier before the events of the first book. It is best read after finishing Era 1 so you already understand the magic and characters.
  • Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania – A lighthearted, comedic short story written as an in-universe adventure serial with footnotes. Read this anytime after The Alloy of Law.
  • Mistborn: Secret History – A highly critical companion novella that takes place behind the scenes of the original Era 1 trilogy. Its placement in your reading order is a major point of discussion among fans.

The Great "Secret History" Reading Order Debate

Because Mistborn: Secret History contains massive behind-the-scenes revelations, readers disagree on when it should be read. There are two primary schools of thought:

Option A: The Author's Recommendation (After The Bands of Mourning)
Brandon Sanderson officially recommends reading Secret History after The Bands of Mourning. This is because the novella contains a substantial spoiler that directly affects the ending and a major reveal at the conclusion of The Bands of Mourning. If you read it here, you get to experience the shock of the reveal in Era 2 as the author intended.

Option B: The Continuity Focus (Immediately After The Hero of Ages)
Many fans recommend reading Secret History immediately after finishing Era 1 (The Hero of Ages). Because the novella runs parallel to the events of the original trilogy, reading it while those events, characters, and minor details are fresh in your mind makes the narrative much easier to follow. If you wait until after Era 2, you may forget the specific scenes that the novella recontextualizes.

Ultimately, both paths are valid. If you prefer to avoid all potential spoilers, follow the author's advice and read it after The Bands of Mourning. If you care more about having the Era 1 story fresh in your head, read it right after book three.

Mistborn Chronological Order

If you want to read the series strictly in the order that events occur in the history of Scadrial, the timeline looks like this. However, first-time readers should be warned that starting with chronological order is not recommended due to formatting and spoiler concerns.

  1. The Eleventh Metal (Prequel short story)
  2. Mistborn: The Final Empire (Era 1, Book 1)
  3. The Well of Ascension (Era 1, Book 2)
  4. The Hero of Ages (Era 1, Book 3)
  5. Mistborn: Secret History (Runs parallel to Era 1, but covers cosmic events extending slightly past it)
  6. The Alloy of Law (Era 2, Book 1)
  7. Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania (Takes place during Era 2)
  8. Shadows of Self (Era 2, Book 2)
  9. The Bands of Mourning (Era 2, Book 3)
  10. The Lost Metal (Era 2, Book 4)

What to Know Before You Start: The Cosmere Connection

The Mistborn series is part of Brandon Sanderson's shared universe called the Cosmere. While you do not need to read his other works (like The Stormlight Archive or Elantris) to understand Mistborn, they all share the same overarching rules of magic, and characters occasionally cross over. While Eras 1 and 2 stand well on their own, The Lost Metal features the most explicit connections to the wider Cosmere of any Mistborn book to date. Entering the final book of Era 2 with some knowledge of the broader universe will make those connections much more satisfying.

The Future of Mistborn: Era 3 and Beyond

Brandon Sanderson is actively developing Mistborn Era 3, which is officially titled Ghostbloods. This next subseries will jump roughly 50 years forward in time into an era resembling the 1980s, focusing on early computer technology and corporate espionage. Sanderson has stated that he plans to write the entire trilogy before releasing the first book to ensure tight plotting. The first book of this new era is currently projected for a December 2028 release. Following that, a futuristic space-opera Era 4 is also planned, which will bring the Cosmere's overarching narrative to its grand finale.

Frequently Asked

Can I read Mistborn Era 2 without reading Era 1?

While Era 2 features a self-contained story set 300 years later, it is highly recommended to read Era 1 first. Era 2 builds heavily on the history, mythology, and magic systems established in the original trilogy, and contains major spoilers for the outcome of Era 1.

When should I read Mistborn: Secret History?

You should read it either immediately after The Hero of Ages (to keep Era 1 fresh in your mind) or after The Bands of Mourning (Brandon Sanderson's official recommendation, which avoids spoiling a major reveal at the end of Era 2).

Where are the Mistborn short stories collected?

All the Mistborn short stories and novellas, including The Eleventh Metal, Allomancer Jak, and Secret History, are collected in the anthology book Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection.

What is the difference between Era 1 and Era 2?

Era 1 is a high-stakes, classic medieval-style epic fantasy trilogy centered on a dark rebellion. Era 2 is an industrial-revolution, western-themed detective adventure set 300 years later, featuring guns, trains, and a more localized scale.

What is the next Mistborn book and when will it release?

The next book will be the first entry in Mistborn Era 3, officially titled Ghostbloods. Set in an era with 1980s-level technology, it is currently planned for release in December 2028, with the author writing the entire trilogy before publication begins.