Mistborn Reading Order

Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn is set in a world where metals grant magical powers. It's told in two eras: the original heist-and-revolution trilogy, then a second 'Wax and Wayne' quartet set 300 years later. Both are part of the larger Cosmere.

Our Recommendation: Read Both Eras in Order Start with The Final Empire and read Era 1 first, then Era 2. Era 2 assumes you know the ending of Era 1 — reading them out of order spoils the trilogy's biggest reveals.

Era 1: The Original Trilogy

The Final EmpireBuy Now Audible2006
The Well of AscensionBuy Now Audible2007
The Hero of AgesBuy Now Audible2008

Own the Complete Series Buying the whole series at once is usually cheaper than individual books, and box sets make a great gift. See Mistborn box set options on Amazon ›

Era 2: Wax and Wayne

Set 300 years later in an industrial-age version of the same world. Read after Era 1: The Alloy of Law (2011), Shadows of Self (2015), The Bands of Mourning (2016), and The Lost Metal (2022).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to read the Cosmere to understand Mistborn?

No. Mistborn stands completely on its own. It's part of Sanderson's connected Cosmere universe, but you can read it with zero other Cosmere knowledge and miss nothing essential.

Should I read Era 1 or Era 2 first?

Era 1 first, always. Era 2 is set centuries later and treats the ending of Era 1 as established history, so reading it first spoils the original trilogy.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Last updated: July 2026.