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Mistborn

Mistborn is an epic fantasy series by Canadian-American author Brandon Sanderson, set primarily on the planet Scadrial.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Mistborn is an epic fantasy series by Canadian-American author Brandon Sanderson, set primarily on the planet Scadrial. The series began with *Mistborn: The Final Empire* and follows characters who use Allomancy, a magic system based on consuming metals to gain powers. It is part of Sanderson’s broader Cosmere shared fictional universe.

Overview

Mistborn is a fantasy book series by Brandon Sanderson published by Tor Books. It is best known for its structured magic system, political intrigue, and long-form worldbuilding.

Setting and premise

The series is set on Scadrial, a world shaped by ash, mist, and a powerful oppressive regime in the original trilogy. Its stories often centre on social hierarchy, rebellion, and the consequences of power.

Magic system

Allomancy allows certain people to gain abilities by burning specific metals. The series also features related forms of magic, including Feruchemy and Hemalurgy, within the broader cosmology.

Publication and series structure

The series began in 2006 with *Mistborn: The Final Empire* and expanded into multiple eras over time. The first two eras are complete, while additional eras have been planned or discussed.

Key facts

Mistborn is an epic fantasy series by Brandon Sanderson, set on the planet Scadrial.
The series’ signature magic system is Allomancy, which involves ingesting and burning metals.
The original trilogy consists of *The Final Empire*, *The Well of Ascension*, and *The Hero of Ages*.
Later installments include *The Alloy of Law*, *Shadows of Self*, *Bands of Mourning*, *The Lost Metal*, and the novella *Mistborn: Secret History*.
The series is organised into multiple eras with large time skips between them.

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Canadian context

Mistborn is widely read in Canada, and Brandon Sanderson’s fantasy work has a substantial Canadian audience through English-language publishing and genre fandom. No specifically Canadian setting or origin is central to the series.

Frequently asked questions

What is Mistborn?

Mistborn is an epic fantasy series by Brandon Sanderson, centred on a world called Scadrial and a metal-based magic system called Allomancy.

Is Mistborn a single book or a series?

It is a series. The first book is *Mistborn: The Final Empire*, which is often shortened to *Mistborn*.

What is Allomancy?

Allomancy is the main magic system in Mistborn, where users ingest and “burn” metals to gain powers.

How many books are in the original Mistborn trilogy?

Three: *The Final Empire*, *The Well of Ascension*, and *The Hero of Ages*.

Is Mistborn part of the Cosmere?

Yes. Mistborn is part of Brandon Sanderson’s broader Cosmere shared fictional universe.

References

Brandon Sanderson — https://www.brandonsanderson.com/pages/the-mistborn-saga-the-original-trilogy
Supports: Identifies Mistborn as Brandon Sanderson’s trilogy and lists the original trilogy titles and publication years.
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistborn
Supports: Describes Mistborn as a series of epic fantasy novels, notes the Scadrial setting, and outlines the series’ era structure.
The Coppermind — https://coppermind.net/wiki/Mistborn_(series)
Supports: States that Mistborn is a fantasy series by Brandon Sanderson, part of the Cosmere, and set mostly on Scadrial.
Fantastic Fiction — https://www.fantasticfiction.com/s/brandon-sanderson/mistborn/
Supports: Lists the books in the Mistborn series and their publication order.
Macmillan — https://us.macmillan.com/series/themistbornsaga
Supports: Describes The Mistborn Saga as an epic fantasy series and identifies key books in the series.