Mistborn books in order: which to read and which to listen to

The Final Empire, The Well of Ascension and The Hero of Ages, then Mistborn: Secret History, then the Wax and Wayne books: The Alloy of Law, Shadows of Self, The Bands of Mourning and The Lost Metal.

Seven novels and one novella so far, plus two short stories. A third era, a new trilogy, is planned.

All three books of the first trilogy are reads at 66% (leaning). Each moves between several points of view that one narrator reads, and the print books have maps and the Ars Arcanum, a table of the metals and what they do. If you follow a big cast easily by ear, Michael Kramer reads every book, and listeners rate his performance highly.

Michael Kramer reads every Mistborn novel and Secret History on Audible UK. Kate Reading joins him on the Arcanum Unbounded collection.

The first trilogy runs 82h 1m on Audible UK, about 54h 41m at 1.5x (calculated). The four Wax and Wayne books run 57h 32m.

It is optional, but it adds to the first trilogy. Read it after The Hero of Ages, because it is set during the trilogy and assumes you know it. Audible numbers it 3.5.

GraphicAudio has made dramatised full-cast adaptations of most of the books. They are not the full text and are not on Audible UK, so the verdicts score Michael Kramer’s unabridged readings.

The first book of the third era is projected for December 2028, with no title announced (as of November 2026).

Apple has the rights, and Brandon Sanderson finished a first draft of the screenplay in July 2026. No director, cast or release date had been announced as of November 2026.

Yes. It is part of the Cosmere, Brandon Sanderson’s shared universe, and Audible lists every Mistborn book in The Cosmere series.