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Mistborn Era 1 (The Original Trilogy) Reading Order.

Quick Answer

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.

Official Verdict

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

Low Debate

"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."

Key Reddit Advice

No specific advice regarding the Mistborn reading order can be derived from these comments, as the series is not mentioned.

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.

Curator's Strategy

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

Publication Reading Order1 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
Best Start Here
1

Mistborn

Pub: 20114.5

This discounted ebundle includes: Mistborn: The Final Empire, The Well of Ascension, The Hero of Ages From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson, the Mistborn trilogy is a heist story of political intrigue and magical, martial-arts action. For a thousand years the ash fell and no flowers bloomed. For a thousand years the Skaa slaved in misery and lived in fear. For a thousand years the Lord Ruler, the "Sliver of Infinity," reigned with absolute power and ultimate terror, divinely invincible. This saga dares to ask a simple question: What if the hero of prophecy fails? Mistborn: The Final Empire — Kelsier, a brilliant thief has turned his talents to the ultimate caper, with the Lord Ruler as the mark. Kel's plan is the ultimate long shot, until luck brings a ragged girl named Vin into the fold. But she will have to learn to trust if she is to master powers of which she never dreamed. The Well of Ascension — Evil has been defeated; the war has just begun. Vin, the street urchin who has become the most powerful Mistborn in the land, and Elend Venture, the idealistic young nobleman who loves her, must build a healthy new society in the ashes of an empire. The Hero of Ages — The Deepness has returned, along with unusually heavy ashfalls and powerful earthquakes. Humanity appears to be doomed. Vin and Eland investigate the past to save the future, and in the end, sacrifices must be made.

Curation Note:This novella relates to a hidden side of the events of Era One. Although it is chronologically concurrent with the original trilogy, it was released in 2016, marking it as supplemental material whose recommended reading placement varies based on avoiding potential spoilers for the wider narrative.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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.