- Fiction
- Fantasy
- Magic
After reading the first three Mistborn books, I was instantly hooked on Brandon Sanderson’s writing and couldn’t wait to dive into his Cosmere collection. Starting the Cosmere can be confusing in itself—everyone seems to have a different opinion on the “right” reading order—but honestly, I think you should just pick whichever order makes the most sense to you.
Mistborn: Secret History is a companion story that takes place during and after the events of the original trilogy, particularly following Mistborn (Book 1) and continuing through The Well of Ascension and The Hero of Ages. This review contains spoilers for the first three Mistborn books, so please read those before continuing.
The novella picks up immediately after the death of one of the main characters, Kelsier. After dying, he finds himself in the in-between—a realm between life and death—where he meets Preservation, a god who is about to pass into the spiritual realm. Instead of moving on, Kelsier convinces Preservation (or “Fuzz,” as he likes to call him) to let him stay, ultimately becoming trapped within the Well of Ascension.
Kelsier remains imprisoned there for quite some time until Ruin escapes—thanks to Vin, who is tricked into releasing him. From this unique vantage point, we follow Kelsier as he attempts to help his friends defeat Ruin and save their world.
I really enjoyed getting to follow Kelsier again—he was one of my favorite characters in the original trilogy, so having him back was a great touch. Seeing events unfold from his perspective added an interesting layer to the story, and the fact that he outright refuses to properly die? Very on-brand for Kelsier. However, I did find some parts a little repetitive, and while it was enjoyable, it didn’t add a massive amount to the Mistborn saga overall.
Since this is a novella, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but I ended up really enjoying it. As always, Brandon Sanderson’s writing is impactful yet easy to follow, packed with rich detail and essential world-building.
I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone who has read the first three Mistborn books and enjoys Sanderson’s storytelling. If you’re planning to explore his full Cosmere, this is one you’ll want to include in your reading journey.
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