Mistborn Era 1 (The Original Trilogy)
Reading Order.
Start Mistborn Era 1 (The Original Trilogy) by Brandon Sanderson with "Mistborn", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.
The foundational trilogy of the Mistborn series, set on the world of Scadrial.
Short Answer:
Start with "Mistborn"
To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.
Community Consensus
"The provided comments do not discuss 'Mistborn Era 1 (The Original Trilogy)' or its recommended reading order. The discussions focus primarily on The Green Bone Saga (Jade Legacy), Babel, Cradle, and recommendations related to Berserk and Murderbot."
No specific advice regarding the Mistborn reading order can be derived from these comments, as the series is not mentioned.
At a Glance
- First Book:Mistborn
- Latest Book:Mistborn
- Timeline:2011 - 2011
Why This Order Is Confusing
Many reading lists for Mistborn Era 1 (The Original Trilogy) conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.
Can I skip the short stories?
Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for Mistborn Era 1 (The Original Trilogy). The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.
I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?
Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "Mistborn" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.
Why do people disagree on the order?
Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.
Recommended Reading Order Strategy
The authoritative way to read the "Mistborn Era 1 (The Original Trilogy)" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.
Complete Series Reading Order
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Is it okay to skip books in the Mistborn Era 1 (The Original Trilogy) series?
We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.
What is the best order to read Mistborn Era 1 (The Original Trilogy)?
The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Mistborn" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Brandon Sanderson intended.
Can I read Mistborn Era 1 (The Original Trilogy) books in any order?
No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.
Are there spin-offs or companion books?
Yes, the Mistborn Era 1 (The Original Trilogy) universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.