Book Review: The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn #3)

Brandon Sanderson’s The Hero of Ages is the third and final installment of the original Mistborn trilogy, marking the conclusion of the series’ first era. As a passionate fan of fantasy literature, I found this book to be an absolute masterpiece, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves the genre. In this blog post, I’ll share my detailed thoughts on the novel, covering its plot, characters, pacing, and how it ties up the mysteries of the Mistborn world. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed the book!

My Thoughts on The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson

Let me start by saying that The Hero of Ages is an epic fantasy novel that completely captivated me. It’s an enthralling, fast-paced story that pulls you in from the first page and never lets go. As the final book of the original Mistborn trilogy, it delivers a reading experience that, for me, surpassed the first two books in terms of excitement and satisfaction.

One of the standout aspects of this novel is Sanderson’s brilliant storytelling. His intricate world-building, complex plot, and the way he gradually unravels the mysteries introduced in the earlier books are nothing short of genius. From the ash that falls constantly from the sky to the mysterious mists that envelop the world at night, and from the terrifying Mistwraiths to the powerful Allomancers, every element of the Mistborn world is given a clear, logical, and satisfying explanation. No question is left unanswered, and no thread is left dangling. By the time you finish the book, every piece of the puzzle falls into place so perfectly that it’s clear Sanderson has meticulously planned every detail since the first book. This sense of resolution makes The Hero of Ages an incredibly rewarding read, elevating it above its predecessors.

Without giving away spoilers, I can say that the ending is both shocking and masterfully executed. It’s the kind of conclusion that leaves you stunned but also makes you think, “If it had ended any other way, it might have felt too predictable or overdone.” The finale, combined with the rich narrative and the resolution of the series’ mysteries, solidifies this book as a true epic fantasy.

When I compare The Hero of Ages to the first book, Mistborn: The Final Empire, I notice a significant difference in pacing and complexity. The first book, while excellent, moves at a slower pace with less action, focusing on a single, clear goal: overthrowing the Lord Ruler. This is understandable, as it’s tasked with introducing the world and characters. In contrast, The Hero of Ages weaves a far more intricate plot, tackling the series’ mysteries head-on and delivering a more dynamic and engaging story. I loved the entire trilogy, but this third book is the crown jewel. It’s so compelling that I’m already eager to dive into the novellas, the second era, and the upcoming third era of the Mistborn saga.

See also: Book Review: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn #1)

The Plot of The Hero of Ages

As the third book in the series, The Hero of Ages picks up where the second book left off. In the first book, our protagonists, led by the powerful Mistborn Vin and her crew, managed to defeat the Lord Ruler, a tyrannical figure who ruled the world as a god for a thousand years. However, his death created a power vacuum, sparking new conflicts and challenges. The second book explored these struggles, with the capital city under siege and Vin, Elend, and their allies fighting to maintain control. But a greater threat emerged when a mysterious power was unleashed from the Well of Ascension, endangering not just the empire but the entire world.

See also: Mistborn Book 2 Review: Inside Sanderson’s The Well of Ascension

In The Hero of Ages, the story centers on the battle against this new threat, a malevolent entity known as Ruin. While Elend, now an emperor, works to unify rebellious cities under his rule, the world itself begins to collapse. The ashfalls grow heavier, choking the land and making survival nearly impossible. The mists, once confined to the night, now linger during the day, killing and sickening people. Meanwhile, Ruin grows stronger, seizing control of the Lord Ruler’s former minions—such as the monstrous koloss and the eerie Inquisitors—to wreak havoc and pursue its ultimate goal: the annihilation of humanity and the destruction of the world.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. The story feels like a desperate race against time, with everything spiraling toward chaos. The Lord Ruler, it turns out, had been preparing for this threat during his reign, leaving behind clues and resources for those who would follow. Vin, Elend, and the surviving members of Kelsier’s crew must navigate political turmoil, battle Ruin’s forces, and uncover the secrets left by the Lord Ruler to save the world. The plot is gripping, and Sanderson’s ability to tie every element together into a thrilling and satisfying resolution left me in awe.

Key Characters and Spook’s Rise

The cast of The Hero of Ages is rich and well-developed, with familiar faces from the earlier books taking center stage. Vin, the series’ central figure, is a Mistborn with extraordinary powers and now the empress, married to Emperor Elend Venture. Their relationship and growth as leaders are central to the story, but I won’t delve too deeply into them here, as fans of the series are already familiar with their arcs.

Other key players include the surviving members of Kelsier’s crew: Breeze, the charming Soother; Sazed, the scholarly Keeper; and Ham, the loyal Thug. General Demoux also steps into a more prominent role in this book, showcasing his leadership. Marsh, Kelsier’s brother, plays a significant part as well, though he’s now a Steel Inquisitor under Ruin’s influence, adding a layer of tragedy and tension to his character.

One character who truly shines in The Hero of Ages is Spook. In the earlier books, Spook was a minor member of Kelsier’s crew, often relegated to lookout duties and overshadowed by the others. He was timid and lacked confidence. However, Sanderson transforms him in this novel, giving him a compelling arc that sees him evolve into a leader. Watching Spook come into his own is one of the highlights of the book.

Another fascinating character is TenSoon, a kandra—a shape-shifting creature capable of mimicking humans or animals like wolves or horses. The kandra play a mysterious role in the Mistborn world, and Sanderson provides satisfying answers to questions about their origins, purpose, and creation by the novel’s end. TenSoon’s perspective adds a unique dimension to the story, enriching the narrative.

Ruin: The Central Antagonist

In the second book, we learned that a powerful entity was unleashed from the Well of Ascension. In The Hero of Ages, this force is revealed as Ruin, a godlike being with a singular goal: to destroy humanity and the world itself. For centuries, Ruin has schemed from its prison in the Well, manipulating events and waiting for its moment to break free. When it finally does, its plans come dangerously close to succeeding.

Ruin’s counterpart is Preservation, another godlike force with opposing goals. While Preservation sacrificed much of its power to trap Ruin, the balance between these two forces drives the story’s conflict. Vin, Elend, Sazed, and the other characters each play crucial roles in this cosmic struggle, and Sanderson weaves their individual journeys into the larger narrative with incredible skill. Every detail is carefully considered, leaving no stone unturned.

Allomancy, Feruchemy, and Hemalurgy

One of the most distinctive elements of the Mistborn series is its magic systems, and The Hero of Ages introduces the final piece of the puzzle. In the first book, we were introduced to Allomancy, a magic system where practitioners “burn” metals in their bodies to gain specific powers, such as enhanced strength or the ability to manipulate emotions.

The second book introduced Feruchemy, a power exclusive to the Terris people. Feruchemists store attributes—like strength, speed, or memories—in metals and can later draw on these reserves to enhance their abilities.

In The Hero of Ages, we learn about Hemalurgy, a darker and more sinister magic system that has been present since the first book but wasn’t fully explained until now. Hemalurgy is the process behind the creation of the Lord Ruler’s most terrifying servants, the Steel Inquisitors—beings with metal spikes driven through their bodies, often protruding from their eyes. These spikes steal Allomantic or Feruchemical abilities from one person and transfer them to another. For example, a spike driven into an Allomancer can take their power and grant it to an Inquisitor. Kandra and koloss are also created through Hemalurgy, making it the most gruesome and feared of the three magic systems. Sanderson’s detailed explanation of Hemalurgy ties together many of the series’ mysteries, providing a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy’s magical framework.

See also: 30 best fantasy books, novels, and book series of all time

Conclusion: The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson

In conclusion, The Hero of Ages is a brilliantly crafted epic fantasy novel that serves as a perfect finale to the original Mistborn trilogy. It answers every question, resolves every mystery, and ties up every loose end in a way that leaves readers deeply satisfied. The intricate plot, well-developed characters, and stunning conclusion make it a standout in the genre. After finishing this book, I’m more excited than ever to explore the novellas, the second era, and the upcoming third era of the Mistborn saga.

Book Details:

• Author: Brandon Sanderson
• Title: The Hero of Ages (Mistborn #3)
• Publisher: Tor Books
• First published: 2008
• Pages: Approximately 600 pages

If you’re a fan of epic fantasy, this book—and the entire Mistborn trilogy—is a must-read!