8 Harsh Realities Of Reading The Original Mistborn Trilogy, 16 Years Later

The original Mistborn trilogy is an essential addition to the fantasy genre, but there are a few harsh realities about the series that come up 16 years after The Hero of Ages' release. The first three Mistborn books are among Brandon Sanderson's best works, and they're must-reads for anyone who appreciates detailed magic systems, excellent world-building, and complex characters. There's a reason Mistborn is one of the best-known titles in Sanderson's Cosmere, and you can argue that the fantasy series is already a modern classic.

But even with so much going for it, Mistborn Era 1 has its shortcomings, just like any other series. Sanderson's work stands the test of time overall, but revisiting the books years later sheds light on a few harsh realities surrounding the narrative. It also forces readers to confront truths about the series itself and the possibility of it being adapted for the screen.

8 Kelsier Dies Way Too Early In The Original Trilogy

His Absence Leaves A Hole In The Story

Kelsier is a highlight of Mistborn: The Final Empire, and his death leaves a noticeable hole in the story. Although Vin and Kelsier are both leads in the first Mistborn book, Kelsier is the beating heart of the revolution that unfolds in Era 1. Vin grows into her own during The Final Empire, and it's inevitable that she takes over the narrative in the later installments. Even so, Kelsier's absence is very much felt, and it does lead to the sequels having a much different feel than the first installment.

Kelsier's death is necessary — albeit challenged later in the Cosmere — but that doesn't make it any less disappointing to experience it upon a re-read. No matter how great the original series continues to be after Kelsier's encounter with the Lord Ruler, it's always an adjustment to say goodbye to his character. It proves how essential he is to Mistborn Era 1, and even the presence of his memory doesn't really suffice in the sequels.

7 Mistborn's Heroine Falls Into The "Not Like Other Girls" Trope

Vin Tries Too Hard To Reject Feminity

Vin's biggest criticism in Mistborn is that she falls into the "not like other girls" trope, and this becomes more noticeable as fantasy books continue to evolve and leave behind such messaging. Of course, Vin's characterization is a product of Mistborn's time. She's far from the only heroine to reject feminity and isolate herself from other women in a 2000s fantasy story. And the fact that Vin sort of comes to terms with that part of herself in The Well of Ascension gives her a leg-up over other female leads from the time, even if her journey isn't perfect.

Vin also doesn't get a lot of opportunities to interact with other women in Mistborn Era 1, with Tindwyl being one of the few female characters she gets close to. Her relationship with Allriane never fully takes off — though Allriane proves to be more than Vin expects — and there are obvious reasons Vin doesn't form a connection with Shan Elariel. The lack of women around Vin provides a possible explanation for her attitude towards them, though that pinpoints another harsh reality about the original Mistborn trilogy.

6 There Aren't Enough Important Female Characters In The Mistborn Trilogy

Brandon Sanderson Himself Admitted This

Although Mistborn Era 1 has plenty of great characters, it doesn't have a lot of female ones. The majority of the people in Kelsier's crew are men, and the villains and supporting characters they interact with are also primarily male. This is one of the biggest problems with the original Mistborn books, which could easily have added another prominent female character or two. Sanderson himself even admitted he could have added more female characters during a book signing for Arcanum Unbounded (via The Coppermind).

Fortunately, the author fixes this issue in Mistborn Era 2, which does a much better job with its women (despite having a male protagonist). And having fewer women doesn't ruin the impact of the original trilogy, especially with Vin in the leading role. It's simply one of those things that's hard not to notice in hindsight, especially with more and more fantasy books — even some from Sanderson — featuring diverse casts and powerful women.

5 Some Of The Relationship Dynamics In The Early Mistborn Books Are Off

Age Gaps Between Characters Are Common

Relationships are hardly the point of the original Mistborn trilogy, but Sanderson tends to include romance subplots in his fantasy series. These can be hit or miss, but some of the relationship dynamics in Mistborn feel a little off. Vin and Elend have the healthiest and most compelling bond of the series, but even they fall prey to some odd writing choices. Their age gap is something that won't sit well with every modern reader, even if it's just a few years. They also suffer from the miscommunication trope in The Well of Ascension, which can be frustrating to read.

The uncomfortable relationship between Breeze and Allriane features a pretty significant age gap as well — one that's way larger than Vin and Elend's, if the suggestion that she's around half his age is anything to go by. The repeated suggestions that there could be something between Vin and Kelsier are also uncomfortable for this reason, even if they prove untrue. While Mistborn nails its found family dynamics, its romances aren't always as enticing as they should be.

4 Mistborn Era 1's Villains Could Have More Depth

Characters Like The Lord Ruler & Straff Venture Could Have More Depth

Although the stakes feel adequately high throughout Mistborn Era 1, the original series would have benefited from more complex villains. Many of the trilogy's antagonists feel a bit one-note, with Sanderson leaning into them being totally evil and tyrannical. This makes sense for a god like Ruin, but villains like the Lord Ruler and Straff Venture could have been more interesting with more nuanced characterization. While readers don't need to sympathize with them, it would have added layers to their stories, particularly Straff's and how it relates to his relationship with Elend.

Even villains who don't seem as wholly evil as the Lord Ruler or Straff don't get enough attention or explanation on the page. Jastes Lekal is a minor antagonist, but his former friendship with Elend opens the door for all kinds of interesting possibilities. His betrayal could have been far more emotional if Mistborn Era 1 dedicated more time to it. And while Zane is probably the most complicated villain we see in Era 1, even he gets a somewhat lackluster ending. It's a shame, as he really is an intriguing antagonist.

3 The Well Of Ascension Doesn't Take Enough Time To Mourn Its Big Losses

Its Character Deaths Get Glossed Over In The Action

Mistborn Era 1 features plenty of big deaths, and most of them are treated with the weight they deserve. While it's disappointing that Kelsier disappears so soon, his fate in The Final Empire has a believable impact on everything that comes after. Tindwyl's death haunts Sazed for much of The Hero of Ages, and Vin and Elend obviously change the world with their big sacrifices in the last book. For the most part, death is handled well in Mistborn Era 1. However, this makes the couple that are glossed over in The Well of Ascension even more noticeable.

Clubs and Dockson both die during The Well of Ascension's big battle, and they're the first prominent crew members to perish after Kelsier in book one. It's somewhat surprising the books never take a beat to mourn these losses, even after the action-packed finale of book two is finished. Things move quickly from The Well of Ascension into The Hero of Ages, but that doesn't mean Clubs and Dox shouldn't have had their moment. Dox's death, especially, warranted a bigger impact on the story, as he was crucial to managing the crew and Elend's kingdom.

2 The Final Empire's Sequels Are Great, But They Never Top The First Book

There's Something Special About The Final Empire

There are no bad Mistborn books, and the entire first series stands the test of time. However, The Final Empire remains the strongest installment in the saga, confirming a harsh truth about it: that Sanderson has yet to top his first Mistborn book. While the stakes of the original trilogy continue to rise with each sequel, none of them fully recapture the excitement and magic of The Final Empire. This is partially because the story shifts from its hopeful revolution to a much grander plot, which is exciting but a bit less relatable for the average reader.

Kelsier's death also factors into The Final Empire being a standout, as does the book's unforgettable villain twist — a reveal that's truly difficult to beat, even if The Well of Ascension and The Hero of Ages give it a run for its money. Additionally, there's nothing quite like stepping into Scadrial and learning about Allomancy for the first time. Even on a re-read, The Final Empire's magic serves as a reminder of why Sanderson's saga is so beloved. The other books continue to do the story justice, but diving into them simply isn't the same.

1 The Mistborn Trilogy's Movie Potential May Not Be Delivered On

It's Getting Harder To Believe An Adaptation Will Happen

It's impossible to read Sanderson's Mistborn books without realizing how cinematic the story is, but this brings up a harsh truth: the trilogy's movie potential may never be delivered on. A Mistborn movie is supposed to be in the works, though Sanderson's update from his 2023 State of the Sanderson post suggests that it's "on pause" for the time being. The Mistborn film has been in development hell for some time, so it's hard to keep up hope that it will ever come to fruition. That's a shame, as Sanderson's series would look great on the big screen.

Of course, even if the Mistborn movie does happen, there's no guarantee that it will do the series justice. Era 1 has a vast and complex story, and it's difficult to see how it could fit into a film's runtime. Budgetary restraints could also make it difficult to bring Sanderson's magic system to life, and getting Allomancy right is critical to an adaptation's success. Therefore, even if the movie does happen, it doesn't necessarily mean fans will see Mistborn properly brought to life on-screen. It's a harsh truth to face, but at least there are more books to look forward to.

Source: The Coppermind, State of the Sanderson