8 Biggest Ways Mistborn Changed From Era 1 To Era 2

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Mistborn - Franchise

Mistborn undergoes significant changes from the original trilogy to Era 2, so readers expecting the latter to feature more of the same are bound to be disappointed. From the way Brandon Sanderson's books evolve over time to the massive time jump Mistborn implements between series, there are multiple factors that contribute to Wax and Wayne's story feeling so different from its predecessor. And while there are reminders that the two narratives are connected, they don't always feel similar.

With the next Mistborn book poised to jump forward in time once again, readers can probably anticipate another massive upheaval from Era 3. Fortunately, it has one significant advantage over Mistborn Era 2: readers won't be expecting the same sort of story as a follow-up. Sanderson has done a solid job of reinventing his saga once already, and some of the biggest changes may carry over or repeat themselves when Era 3 finally arrives.

8 The Setting Of Mistborn Era 2 Is Way More Advanced Than Era 1's

This Reflects The 300 Years That Have Passed Between Stories

A collage of book covers from Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn Era 2 books

With Mistborn Era 2 taking place 300 years after the original trilogy, it's no surprise the world is totally different in the later series. As you might expect, Sanderson's world is more technologically advanced when the Wax & Wayne Series picks up. The characters are able to use inventions like guns, electricity, and even cameras in Sanderson's second series. That means their backdrop looks quite different from Vin's, and that can be felt almost immediately upon entering the new story.

Vin from Mistborn layed over the covers of the Mistborn books

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This affects the ways that Mistborn's metal-based magic system can be used, and it also showcases the impact of Vin's actions in the original trilogy. Era 2's modernized setting reveals how Scadrial has benefited from the Lord Ruler's removal and Ruin's defeat. Unlike the world we see in Era 1, it's thriving — and there seems to be an expectation that it will keep progressing as time goes on. This makes it feel more relatable to the average reader, and it contributes to another Era 2 shift: its tone.

7 Mistborn Era 2's Tone Feels Lighter Than The Trilogy's

The Second Series Doesn't Feel As Bleak Or Serious

Covers from Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn books

Those expecting the same dark, epic fantasy vibes as Mistborn Era 1 may be disappointed when they pick up Era 2. Perhaps because the world is so much better off in the second series, it boasts a lighter tone than its predecessor. The Final Empire establishes a bleak tone when it opens, highlighting the inequality and hopelessness that runs rampant throughout the Final Empire. The original trilogy is about overthrowing the system responsible for these things, so lighthearted moments are harder to come by.

By contrast, Mistborn era 2 feels lighter, even as its main characters investigate serious crimes. Part of this stems from Sanderson's writing style; it simply flows more easily and feels more entertaining in his second series. The interactions between his main characters also contribute to this, as they're more comedic. This could be because these characters aren't struggling with the same devastating socioeconomic circumstances as those in Mistborn Era 1.

6 The Stakes Feel Lower After The Original Three Mistborn Books

They Aren't As World-Shattering As Era 1's

Mistborn book covers with a film reel background

Another reason Mistborn Era 2 feels lighter than the original trilogy is that the stakes are noticeably lower. While the stakes of Era 2 do gradually increase as the series continues, they never reach the heights of Vin's story. The heist to overthrow the Lord Ruler has world-altering effects in The Final Empire, and the impact of the original trilogy only continues from there. By the time The Hero of Ages rolls around, Sanderson is dealing with feuds between gods and long-foretold prophecies. These things are so great, they're still being talked about during Era 2.

Mistborn Era 2's overarching narrative feels more grounded than that of Era 1, with the initial stakes feeling more personal to the main characters.

Mistborn Era 2's overarching narrative feels more grounded than that of Era 1, with the initial stakes feeling more personal to the main characters. They don't start off trying to save the world; they're solving smaller mysteries instead. This isn't necessarily a negative change, but it's one that takes some getting used to, as so many fantasy sagas fall into the higher-stakes category. It's especially jarring on the heels of Era 1, but it helps if readers aren't expecting the two series to be incredibly similar.

5 Mistborn Era 2 Falls Into Different Subgenres Than Its Predecessor

It Blends Fantasy With The Steampunk & Western Genres

Wax and Wayne from the cover of Alloy of Law

Also contributing to the Mistborn's saga's tonal change and shifting stakes is the fact that Era 2 falls into different subgenres than Era 1. While both are technically fantasy series, Sanderson's original trilogy feels like a clear blend of high fantasy and dystopian fiction. The latter is the result of the Lord Ruler's reign and what it has done to Scadrial, leaving most of its inhabitants desperate and powerless. There are also heist elements in The Final Empire, which don't really crop up during later books.

Mistborn: Ghostbloods is the planned name of Era 3, and Sanderson expects to begin writing the next series in 2025.

Mistborn Era 2 leans more heavily into the steampunk and Western subgenres, with everything from the updated setting to the characters' style choices reflecting this shift. The new subgenres keep Sanderson's saga feeling fresh and interesting, and they're likely to shift again in Era 3. The next Mistborn series will be set even further in the future, meaning we could eventually see sci-fi elements come into play.

4 Allomancy Changes From The First Mistborn Series To The Second

Brandon Sanderson's Magic System Evolves

Technology isn't the only part of Mistborn's world that evolves over the 300 years between Era 1 and Era 2. Sanderson's magic system also undergoes significant changes within that time period, something that feels realistic, even if it's a bit confusing. The biggest change to the saga's magic system is the fact that Mistborns are basically nonexistent in Wax and Wayne's time period. With people mixing bloodlines over the years, Mistborns and Feruchemists essentially die out — though this gives way to other interesting developments.

I Hope The Next Mistborn Series Revives The Best Part Of The Original Books

Mistborn era 3 has the opportunity to bring back an essential element of the original trilogy that I found the Wax & Wayne novels lacking.

Mistborn Era 2 focuses a lot on Twinborns, characters with an Allomantic ability and a Feruchemical one. Twinborns don't exist in the original series, so this is a big change of pace in the newer books. Additionally, Allomancy is far more common by the time Wax and Wayne's narrative begins. And the addition of new metals, like Cadmium and Bendalloy, make way for intriguing new abilities in Era 2. This is why characters are capable of manipulating time, something they don't do throughout Era 1.

3 Mistborn Era 2 Does A Better Job With Female Characters

The Newer Series Features More Complex Women

The cover of The Bands of Mourning split with the cover of The Well of Ascension

Vin makes a great heroine in Mistborn Era 1, but unfortunately, she's the exception when it comes to women in Sanderson's trilogy. There aren't many prominent female characters in the first three books, something Sanderson himself noted during a book signing (via Arcanum). Vin is also incredibly judgmental of the women who do exist in the original trilogy. Only Tindwyl ever manages to gain approval from her, and the rest of the female characters are treated as vain and lack complexity.

Sanderson makes up for his subpar female representation in Era 1, even though the newer books don't have a female lead like Vin.

Sanderson makes up for his subpar female representation in Era 1, even though the newer books don't have a female lead like Vin. They do impress with the likes of Marasi and Steris, however, both of whom emphasize how much the author's writing of women has improved over time. They aren't the only female characters to show up in Mistborn Era 2, either, and this makes the second series feel more believable than the first. It also makes Mistborn's romances more enjoyable.

2 Brandon Sanderson's Characters & Relationships Feel More Fleshed Out In Era 2

The Author's Writing Improves As His Scope Narrows

Mistborn Era 2 Shadows Of Self Brandon Sanderson

It isn't just women that fare better in Mistborn Era 2; in general, the characters and their relationships feel significantly more fleshed out in the later series. This can be attributed to two separate things. For one, Sanderson's craft evolved over time, and it's evident that his dialogue and character writing improved from one series to the next. By the time he began Mistborn Era 2, he showcased more mastery over these details, making it far easier for readers to immerse themselves in the characters' personal lives.

Additionally, the smaller scope of Mistborn Era 2 allows more time to focus on character details and relationships. There are a lot of supporting characters in the original trilogy, but there's too much happening to give all of them the attention they deserve. While major players like Vin, Kelsier, and Elend get in-depth characterization, characters like Dockson, Yeden, and even the series' major villains don't necessarily get fleshed out enough.

1 The Cosmere Connections Are Clearer In Era 2

Brandon Sanderson Ties Mistborn Into His Greater Franchise

Elantris, Tress of the Emerald Sea, and The Way of Kings covers

Sanderson's Cosmere connects many of his books, and both Mistborn series are included in his greater universe. However, one wouldn't realize that Era 1 has ties to his other novels upon first read. The connections to the Cosmere are much more obvious in Mistborn Era 2, allowing those familiar with Sanderson's other work to really pick up on them. Hoid's reappearance in Era 2 will clue readers into the fact that there's something greater at play with his character. And the Shards also tie Mistborn into Sanderson's other stories.

Every Book In Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere

Release Year(s)

Elantris	2005
Mistborn Era 1	2006-2008
Warbreaker	2009
The Stormlight Archive	2010-Present
Mistborn Era 2	2011-2022
White Sand	2016
Arcanum Unbounded	2016
Dawnshard	2020
Tress of the Emerald Sea	2023
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter	2023
The Sunlit Man	2023

Although these tie-ins are technically present from the beginning of the Mistborn saga, it's much easier to see how these threads come together while reading Era 2. Reading Mistborn: Secret History — which should ideally be done in the middle of Era 2 — will also shed new light on events from Era 1. All of this makes Mistborn's second series feel more interconnected and thoroughly planned out than the first one, even if this isn't necessarily the case. Again, this is the benefit of Sanderson's career progressing in the years between Era 1 and Era 2.

Mistborn

The Mistborn series, created by Brandon Sanderson, is a high-fantasy saga set in the world of Scadrial, where magic is powered by metals through a system called Allomancy. The series focuses on political intrigue, heists, and the battle between good and evil. The first trilogy, Mistborn: The Final Empire, follows the struggle to overthrow a tyrannical ruler, the Lord Ruler. Later books in the series, including Era 2, take place hundreds of years after the events of the original trilogy, expanding the story into new settings with new characters, all while maintaining connections to the original storyline.

Books:

Mistborn: The Final Empire (2006)
Mistborn: The Well of Ascension (2007)
Mistborn: The Hero of Ages (2008)
Mistborn: The Alloy of Law (2011)
Mistborn: Shadows of Self (2015)
Mistborn: The Bands of Mourning (2016)
Mistborn: The Lost Metal (2022)

Created by Brandon Sanderson

Character(s) Vin , Kelsier , Sazed , Marsh , Elend Venture , Waxillium "Wax" Ladrian , Wayne , Steris Harms

Summary

The Mistborn series, created by Brandon Sanderson, is a high-fantasy saga set in the world of Scadrial, where magic is powered by metals through a system called Allomancy. The series focuses on political intrigue, heists, and the battle between good and evil. The first trilogy, Mistborn: The Final Empire, follows the struggle to overthrow a tyrannical ruler, the Lord Ruler. Later books in the series, including Era 2, take place hundreds of years after the events of the original trilogy, expanding the story into new settings with new characters, all while maintaining connections to the original storyline.

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