Book · in order
Mistborn Books in Order
Read Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn by publication: the Era 1 trilogy first, then the Era 2 "Wax and Wayne" quartet set ~300 years later in the same Cosmere world.
Mistborn Books in Order โ complete list
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Why this order?
Mistborn is unusual: it is two connected sagas in one. Era 1, the original trilogy (The Final Empire, The Well of Ascension, The Hero of Ages), tells a complete story about a thief crew planning the impossible heist of overthrowing an immortal god-emperor. Era 2, the "Wax and Wayne" quartet (The Alloy of Law, Shadows of Self, The Bands of Mourning, The Lost Metal), jumps roughly 300 years forward to a world where Allomancy meets railroads and revolvers. The publication and recommended reading order are the same, which makes this the easiest Sanderson series to start.
The default order here is publication order, and it is the right call. Era 1 must come first: it sets up the magic, the cosmology, and reveals that pay off across both eras. Reading Era 2 first spoils Era 1's biggest twists and strips Wax and Wayne of their emotional weight, since the later books constantly reference what came before.
The one real gotcha is Mistborn: Secret History, a novella that recontextualizes the trilogy's ending. It is best read after finishing Era 1 (after The Hero of Ages), and ideally before deep Cosmere reading, because it ties Mistborn directly into Brandon Sanderson's wider universe. We have kept it out of the main list to stay focused on the seven core novels, but treat it as the bridge between the eras.
Mistborn sits inside the larger Cosmere, the shared universe that also contains The Stormlight Archive and Warbreaker. You can read Mistborn entirely on its own, but if you enjoy it, those series reward attention to the connective tissue. Start with Era 1, finish Era 2, and you will understand why fans call this Sanderson's best on-ramp.
Timeline 2006โ2022
Every entry plotted by release year โ see the gaps, clusters and revivals at a glance.
Where to play it today
Affiliate links (Bookshop.org for books, store links for games/films) slot in here.
Cameos & crossovers
Characters from Mistborn who also show up elsewhere โ see the full character atlas โ
- Hoid
Cosmere's immortal worldhopper; appears across nearly every Sanderson series as the secret connective thread.
Frequently asked questions
How many Mistborn books are there?
There are seven core Mistborn novels: the three Era 1 books (The Final Empire, The Well of Ascension, The Hero of Ages) and the four Era 2 'Wax and Wayne' books (The Alloy of Law, Shadows of Self, The Bands of Mourning, The Lost Metal). Brandon Sanderson has planned additional eras.
What order should I read Mistborn in?
Read in publication order, which is also the recommended reading order: the Era 1 trilogy first, then the Era 2 quartet. Era 1 sets up the magic and twists that Era 2 builds on, so do not start with Wax and Wayne.
Where does Mistborn: Secret History fit?
The Secret History novella is best read after finishing Era 1 (after The Hero of Ages). It recontextualizes the trilogy's ending and links Mistborn to the wider Cosmere, so it works as a bridge before the Era 2 books or deeper Cosmere reading.
Do I need to read other Cosmere books first?
No. Mistborn stands completely on its own and is a popular entry point into Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere. Connections to The Stormlight Archive and Warbreaker are bonuses, not requirements.
Is there a gap between Era 1 and Era 2?
Yes. Era 2, the Wax and Wayne books, is set roughly 300 years after the Era 1 trilogy, in a more industrial world with trains and firearms. The eras share a world and history but follow different characters.
Will there be more Mistborn books?
Yes. Brandon Sanderson has long planned Mistborn as multiple eras spanning centuries, including a future Era 3 and Era 4. The Lost Metal closes out Era 2 and sets up what comes next.
Last verified · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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