Should I Follow Release Order Or In-World Chronology For Mistborn

My two cents: the ‘best’ order is the one that gets you to keep reading. For 95% of people, that’s the straightforward path of 'The Final Empire', 'The Well of Ascension', 'The Hero of Ages'. If you start digging into reading order guides before page one, you might get analysis paralysis and never start at all. The books are good. Just read them.

Okay, hot take: if you're the type of person who even asks this question, you're probably gonna enjoy it regardless. You're invested enough to care about the optimal experience. So just pick one and dive in. You'll have a great time, and you can always do the other order on a re-read. Overthinking is the only wrong choice here.

Can we talk about how good the titles are? 'The Well of Ascension' sounds so cool. Anyway, order. You've got two main chunks. First chunk: the original trilogy. 'The Final Empire', 'The Well of Ascension', 'The Hero of Ages'. Read these back-to-back if you can; the cliffhangers are brutal. Second chunk: the later series. 'The Alloy of Law', 'Shadows of Self', 'The Bands of Mourning', 'The Lost Metal'. These are shorter, faster books with a fantastic duo at the center. Don't stress about 'Secret History' yet. Just know it exists. Once you finish 'The Bands of Mourning', you'll have a very specific question. 'Secret History' is the answer to that question. So, read it then. It'll feel like unlocking a secret level.

I've never been confused by the lack of a timeline. If anything, it's refreshing. Every story is a new opportunity to see a hunter face down a monster with their wits and weapon. The setting is familiar, but the story is fresh. I don't need to remember if this takes place before or after the 'Apex' crisis or whatever. I just need to know the hunter is out of potions and the monster is angry. That's the good stuff.

Wait, are we including 'White Sand'? Kidding, kidding. That's a whole other Cosmere thing. For Mistborn-only, my two cents: the debate around 'Secret History' is overblown. Both reading points have merit. The 'after Bands' camp is louder online, but I know plenty who read it after 'Hero of Ages' and loved having those mysteries solved immediately. It changes the flavor of Era 2 from 'unraveling a mystery' to 'watching the pieces you already know fall into place.' Both are valid experiences. Pick the flavor you prefer.

The first time I read 'The Hero of Ages,' I stayed up all night. When I finished, I immediately wanted to know what happened next. Era 2 wasn't all out yet. That's the feeling you want—that drive to continue the journey. Starting with Era 2 first wouldn't give you that same urgency to go back, because the earlier story is already resolved. The chronological momentum is part of the fun.

Sanderson really knows how to keep his fans on the edge of their seats! After the thrilling conclusion of the original 'Mistborn' trilogy, I was left wondering what could possibly come next. The universe he created is just so rich and deeply layered that you can’t help but want more. With the 'Mistborn: Secret History' novella giving us glimpses of old characters and threads, it's a sign there could be more tales to tell. Recent interviews with him hinted at a continuation, including a potential fourth era. Just imagine that! A new protagonist navigating the complexities of a world that's evolved from the skaa oppression into something radically different while still holding onto those bronze medals of epic magic. I can't help but get excited about how Sanderson weaves political intrigue and character growth into the fabric of his stories. With each release, each glimpse of his outline on social media, and every update at conventions, it fuels that lingering hope. The teaser he'd mentioned about blending the essence of magic with steampunk elements opens up endless possibilities. I live for the characters—both new and old—that make his worlds feel alive. So, fingers crossed, and I’m looking out for any sign of more 'Mistborn' adventures dropping in the near future! After all, can you think of a better world to dive back into? I fully believe that if there’s a new series, it’ll be packed with the same twists and emotional punch we’ve come to love. Here's hoping Sanderson springs another masterpiece on us soon! Now, on the flip side, some fans wonder if it might be better for him to focus on other series or projects first. Something fresh could mean expanding the boundaries of what readers know and expect from him. Personally, I just can’t shake the feeling that 'Mistborn' still has untold tales waiting for us! “, The anticipation surrounding any new installment in the 'Mistborn' series has been electric ever since the announcement of 'Mistborn: Lost Metal.' For me, it feels like Sanderson is never finished with us. He mentioned in a recent Q&A that every character he’s ever introduced has a story worth telling, and I’m convinced there’s more brewing in his imaginative mind! Sure, there's a part of me that wants to see what happens next with characters we’ve cherished, especially after that phenomenal conclusion in 'The Bands of Mourning.' With each new era, the world gets more intricate, and new themes emerge. The thought of a new series set in this universe just makes my heart race. The blend of magic, politics, and a touch of moral ambiguity put forth in the original trilogy is unmatched. What could a new protagonist encounter? How will the power dynamics shift? These are the kind of reflections that tickle my imagination, and I’m not the only one who feels this way. Of course, some think Sanderson might be stretching too thin with so many projects already underway. My personal take? As long as the quality remains, I’m all in for whatever he crafts! New adventurers with unique perspectives might just give us fresh excitement while cherishing the past characters we adore. Can't wait to see what Sanderson has up his wizard sleeve! The community buzz keeps me optimistic; there’s always chatter about potential spin-offs or sequels, and it’s thrilling to be part of this shared experience while waiting for that next book to drop. I think I’ll just keep revisiting the original trilogy while hoping for news on whatever comes next!

Why is this even a question? The books have numbers on the spines in most editions. But since they don't always, it's: 1. The Alloy of Law, 2. Shadows of Self, 3. The Bands of Mourning, 4. The Lost Metal. Easy.

Alright, here's my take on the 'Mistborn' reading order after reading them all a few times. Start with the original trilogy – 'The Final Empire', then 'The Well of Ascension', finishing with 'The Hero of Ages'. That's the complete first arc. After that, jump into the Wax and Wayne series, which is set centuries later. The order is 'The Alloy of Law', 'Shadows of Self', and 'Bands of Mourning'. There's also a novella, 'The Eleventh Metal', but you can slot that in anytime after the first trilogy; it's a prequel about Kelsier's training. Honestly, just stick to publication order if you're new. Trying to read the later books first would spoil some major reveals from the original trilogy. Some people suggest reading 'Secret History' after 'Bands of Mourning' to avoid a specific spoiler, but I think it's fine to read right after 'Hero of Ages' if you're really into the behind-the-scenes cosmere stuff. It makes more sense that way, even if you get one minor thing spoiled later.