Mistborn Era 2 (Wax & Wayne)
Reading Order.
Start Mistborn Era 2 (Wax & Wayne) by Brandon Sanderson with "The Alloy Of Law", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.
Set 300 years after the original trilogy, this series blends high fantasy with Western technology, following the adventures of magical lawman Waxillium Ladrian.
Reader's Guide
This series spans 7 main titles released between 2012 and 2022. For the best experience, we recommend following the Publication Order below to preserve key plot reveals.
Short Answer:
Start with "The Alloy Of Law"
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 Mistborn Era 2 conclusion, The Lost Metal (TLM), is the pivotal moment where Brandon Sanderson transitioned from subtle 'Easter Eggs' to making the overarching Cosmere plot central to the story. There is widespread agreement that TLM is far less satisfying or comprehensible for readers who have not read other Cosmere works, as the main conflict revolves around world-hopping organizations (Ghostbloods) and characters from outside the Mistborn series. This shift has led to significant division among readers, with some embracing the interconnectivity and others feeling alienated and disappointed that the book prioritized the Cosmere over satisfying Mistborn-specific plots."
To read Mistborn Era 2 successfully, especially The Lost Metal (TLM), it is considered essential (despite previous marketing) to read Mistborn: A Secret History (M:ASH). M:ASH should be read after Bands of Mourning (Era 2 Book 3) and before TLM to understand the core antagonist and major plot reveals. Furthermore, for full context on organizations like the Ghostbloods, reading key entries from The Stormlight Archive is increasingly recommended.
At a Glance
- First Book:The Alloy Of Law
- Latest Book:The Lost Metal
- Timeline:2012 - 2022
Why This Order Is Confusing
Many reading lists for Mistborn Era 2 (Wax & Wayne) 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 2 (Wax & Wayne). 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 "The Alloy Of Law" 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 2 (Wax & Wayne)" 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 2 (Wax & Wayne) 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 2 (Wax & Wayne)?
The final answer for the best experience is to start with "The Alloy Of Law" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Brandon Sanderson intended.
Can I read Mistborn Era 2 (Wax & Wayne) 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 2 (Wax & Wayne) 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.