The novella "Mistborn: Secret History" by Brandon Sanderson provides readers with a behind-the-scenes look at the last two books of the original Mistborn trilogy while also offering its own narrative. It delves into the cosmere, shedding light on many aspects more directly than other works by the author. The story explores different perspectives, adds context to the original trilogy, and reveals secrets and connections that enhance the overall Mistborn universe. The writing style is engaging, with some readers appreciating the exploration of characters like Kelsier and the intricate worldbuilding that ties the Mistborn series into Sanderson's greater Cosmere universe.
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Note: This novella is included in Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection, now available in print, ebook, and audiobook from Tor (US/Canada) and Gollancz (UK/Commonwealth).
Mistborn: Secret History is a companion story to the original Mistborn Trilogy. As such, it contains huge spoilers for the books Mistborn (The Final Empire), The Well of Ascension, and The Hero of Ages. It also contains very minor spoilers for the book The Bands of Mourning.
Mistborn: Secret History builds upon the characterization, events, and worldbuilding of the original trilogy. Reading it without that background will be a confusing process at best. In short, this isn’t the place to start your journey into Mistborn. (Though if you have read the trilogy—but it has been a while—you should be just fine, so long as you remember the characters and the general plot of the books.) Saying anything more here risks revealing too much.
Even knowledge of this story’s existence is, in a way, a spoiler. There’s always another secret.
Ratings (63)
Incredible (15) | |
Loved It (27) | |
Liked It (18) | |
It Was OK (1) | |
Did Not Like (1) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (98):
Read It (65) | |
Want To Read (23) | |
Not Interested (10) |
2 comment(s)
I have never been disappointed by Brandon Sanderson, and this book has not broken the streak of excellence. This look into the foggier aspects of the original Mistborn trilogy was wonderful to read. I have never felt very close to Kelsier as a character, but this story gave me a much better grasp on his character, and a better appreciation for the decisions he made in life. Reading this book makes me even antsier to learn more about the behind-the-scenes (so to say) happenings of the Cosmere.
Sanderson has always done an exquisite job of incorporating action, spirituality, magic, and mystery into all of his books, and I always look forward to his books' release. This book has heightened my anticipation of his next book even higher than it was before.
4.5/5 Another Mistborn book that I appreciated way more on a second read. So many Cosmere connections. So many behind the scenes explanations. The last act is a tiny bit disjointed so it loses half a star, but the fact that it’s a companion piece, rather than a standalone, makes up for some of that.
What can you read after
Mistborn: Secret History?
About the Author:
Brandon Sanderson grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. He lives in Utah with his wife and children and teaches creative writing at Brigham Young University. He is the author of such bestsellers as the Mistborn® trilogy and its sequels, The Alloy of Law, Shadows of Self, and The Bands of Mourning; the Stormlight Archive novels The Way of Kings and Words of Radiance; and other novels, including The Rithmatist and Steelheart. In 2013, he won a Hugo Award for Best Novella for The Emperor's Soul, set in the world of his acclaimed first novel, Elantris. Additionally, he was chosen to complete Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time® sequence.
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