Mistborn: Era 1 or Era 2 first?
Start Mistborn with The Final Empire (Era 1). The Alloy of Law is Era 2, centuries later, and spoils the first trilogy. Secret History is a companion, not book 1.5.
Short answer
The Final Empire — Era 1
It is Era 1, book one. Often shelved as Mistborn. Do not start with The Alloy of Law. Sanderson allows Alloy as a Cosmere jump and immediately warns that it spoils the original trilogy.
Era 1 is the Mistborn door
Three books: The Final Empire, The Well of Ascension, The Hero of Ages. There is no contested start inside Era 1. Same first novel whether the cover says Mistborn or The Final Empire.
Era 2 (Wax and Wayne) is the same planet a few centuries later: The Alloy of Law through The Lost Metal. Shorter, more case-shaped. It still assumes Era 1’s history. Starting Era 2 to “skip the slog” skips the ending Era 2 keeps talking around.
This is not the whole Cosmere. For “which planet first?” use Where to start the Cosmere. Stormlight is a different door: Where to start Stormlight.
Secret History is not book 1.5
Mistborn: Secret History spoils Era 1’s ending and leaks a little Era 2. House first read: finish Era 1, read Era 2 through The Bands of Mourning, then Secret History, then The Lost Metal. The older habit of reading it right after Hero of Ages is allowed if you accept a few names leaking backward. Do not read it before Era 1 ends. Arcanum Unbounded is a collection, not Mistborn book 4.
The full Mistborn map
Era tables, the Secret History placement, and extras live on the Mistborn Era 1 and 2 reading-order guide. This page is only which era is book one.
FAQ
Can I start with Era 2?
Sanderson allows it as a Cosmere jump. For Mistborn, start with Era 1. Alloy spoils the first trilogy’s outcome.
Do I need Secret History?
No. Era 2 is readable without it. Era 2 is richer if you have it before The Lost Metal.
Is this the whole Cosmere?
No. This page stops at Mistborn Eras 1 and 2 on purpose.
Full maps
