Brandon Sanderson’s nextMistbornbook can take his best change from Era 1 to Era 2 and apply it to the franchise’s future. Sanderson has plans to begin writing hisMistbornEra 3 series (Ghostbloods) in 2025,releasing the first in the new trilogy after all three yet-to-be-named installations have been completed.With the first two eras concluded and Sanderson’s writerly proficiencies constantly maturing, he now has the capacity to analyze the most and least successful elements of each storyline to create an even more successful Era 3 withthe nextMistbornbook.
TheMistbornsaga began with the incredibly successful Era 1 (The Original Trilogy) featuring protagonist and Mistborn Vin and continued in its realization withMistborn Era 2 (theWax and Wayneseries)showcasing the Crasher turned Mistborn Waxillium Ladrian as the lead hero. Each of these storylines unfolds with the primary focus on their respective lead protagonists while constructing their stories with a large ensemble of complex and complimentary secondary characters, adding to the roster ofMistborn’s complex and powerful characters. With its ever-expanding cast,theMistbornfranchise has an opportunity to continue a positive change that happened fromThe Original Seriesto theWax and Wayneseries.
The Next Mistborn Book Should Continue Era 2’s Positive Female Character Changes
Mistborn’s second era positively evolved from the first by expanding the traits and impact of its female characters.The Original Seriesdid have a strong female lead inMisborn Vin, but her character flaws exposed some problematic qualitiesthat Sanderson needed to correct throughout the series. Vin was a resilient female who came into her ownbut constantly struggled to shrug off the “not like other girls” trope fans often associated with her.Sanderson mostly resolved this shortcoming throughout the series as her character evolved and was complimented by a few other progressive female characters.
The Most Underrated Part Of The Mistborn Books Will Help The Movies Succeed
The most underrated aspect of the Mistborn books will help increase the movies’ mainstream appeal, but the adaptation also can’t overdo it.
TheWax and Wayneseries predominantly featured a male lead in Waxillium Ladrian,but surrounded him with several multifaceted female characters whose impact on the story matched or surpassed that of the male leads.Marasi Colms and Steris Harms are just two of the women inMistbornEra 2 that had more complete personas. These two recognized the expectations placed on them, unswervingly pushing against or outright ignoring them. Sanderson’s Era 2 women were far more aware of themselves and didn’t let outside perceptions negatively impact their story arc.
Why The Women In Mistborn Era 2 Are So Much Better Than Those In The Original Series
Era 2 Featured Women Who Embraced Their Traditionally Feminine Qualities
Although Sanderson redeemed most of the problems associated with Vin inThe Original Series, several features and internal conflicts fell prey to her inexperienced character. Vin is a convincing character who represents strength and resilience, but is often conflicted with the things she identifies as feminine (dresses, makeup, and female companionship). As a powerful character, Vin was an exception to other women in Era 1 and disassociated with anything related to the feminine. Sanderson eventually navigated these issues with female characters such as the insightful and progressive Tindwyl. However,strong and supporting women were sparse in this era.
The Lost Metal
June 24, 2025
Era 2 focused on the male lead Waxillium and Wayne but bolstered his story with realized and impactful females. Marasi embraced the feminine traits she embodied while wielding a rifle and the ability to form time-slowing bubbles. Marasi never thought herself an exception to femininity as she consistently contributed in effective ways. Another essential lead, Steris Harms, valued many things associated with the feminine while planning and organizing for her group. These characters, though secondary,embraced the collaboration between power and femininity, not compromising or downplaying either, but incorporating them as strengths.
The Next Mistborn Book Can Combine The First 2 Eras’ Strengths For The Best Outcome Yet
Sanderson Can Continue To Improve On His Female Characters To Make Era 3 Even Better
The upcomingGhostbloodsseriescan combine Era 1 and Era 2’s strengths to produce its most impactful characters yet.With Vin embodying the strong, though somewhat problematic, lead protagonist inThe Original Seriesand characters like Marasi and Steris playing important and realized roles in theWax and Wayneseries, Era 3 can build a roster of women who portray complexity, acceptance, and strength. The Epilogue forThe Lost Metal(the conclusion to theWax and Wayneseries) has Marasi interacting with the Ghostbloods. Since the upcoming series is titledGhostbloods, Marasi could likely play a significant role.
With Vin embodying the strong, though somewhat problematic, lead protagonist inThe Original Seriesand characters like Marasi and Steris playing important and realized roles in theWax and Wayneseries, Era 3 can build a roster of women who portray complexity, acceptance, and strength.
Era 3 could, and most likely will, revisit having a female lead. It is rumored thattheGhostbloodsseries will be set in the early computer age of Scadrial and will feature a Terris woman.Brandon Sanderson will continue his trend of strengthening female characters who are becoming the standard in the cosmere, as opposed to the exception (much like Vin was). As someone who has always been praised for how he composes his characters and who consistently endeavors to write women, Sanderson will continue using theMistbornuniverse to showcase women who embrace their gender and are stronger because of it.
Mistborn
TheMistbornseries, 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, includingEra 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)
