Brandon Sanderson’s next Mistborn book can take his best change from Era 1 to Era 2 and apply it to the franchise’s future. Sanderson has plans to begin writing his Mistborn Era 3 series (Ghostbloods) in 2025, releasing the first in the new trilogy after all three yet-to-be-named installations have been completed. With the first two eras concluded and Sanderson’s writerly proficiencies constantly maturing, he now has the capacity to analyze the most and least successful elements of each storyline to create an even more successful Era 3 with the next Mistborn book.

The Mistborn saga began with the incredibly successful Era 1 (The Original Trilogy) featuring protagonist and Mistborn Vin and continued in its realization with Mistborn Era 2 (the Wax and Wayne series) showcasing the Crasher turned Mistborn Waxillium Ladrian as the lead hero. Each of these storylines unfolds with the primary focus on their respective lead protagonists while constructing their stories with a large ensemble of complex and complimentary secondary characters, adding to the roster of Mistborn‘s complex and powerful characters. With its ever-expanding cast, the Mistborn franchise has an opportunity to continue a positive change that happened from The Original Series to the Wax and Wayne series.

The Next Mistborn Book Should Continue Era 2’s Positive Female Character Changes

Vin Had Some Problematic Female Tropes

Mistborn’s second era positively evolved from the first by expanding the traits and impact of its female characters. The Original Series did have a strong female lead in Misborn Vin, but her character flaws exposed some problematic qualities that Sanderson needed to correct throughout the series. Vin was a resilient female who came into her own but constantly struggled to shrug off the “not like other girls” trope fans often associated with her. Sanderson mostly resolved this shortcoming throughout the series as her character evolved and was complimented by a few other progressive female characters.

The Wax and Wayne series predominantly featured a male lead in Waxillium Ladrian, but surrounded him with several multifaceted female characters whose impact on the story matched or surpassed that of the male leads. Marasi Colms and Steris Harms are just two of the women in Mistborn Era 2 that had more complete personas. These two recognized the expectations placed on them, unswervingly pushing against or outright ignoring them. Sanderson’s Era 2 women were far more aware of themselves and didn’t let outside perceptions negatively impact their story arc.

Why The Women In Mistborn Era 2 Are So Much Better Than Those In The Original Series

Era 2 Featured Women Who Embraced Their Traditionally Feminine Qualities

Although Sanderson redeemed most of the problems associated with Vin in The Original Series, several features and internal conflicts fell prey to her inexperienced character. Vin is a convincing character who represents strength and resilience, but is often conflicted with the things she identifies as feminine (dresses, makeup, and female companionship). As a powerful character, Vin was an exception to other women in Era 1 and disassociated with anything related to the feminine. Sanderson eventually navigated these issues with female characters such as the insightful and progressive Tindwyl. However, strong and supporting women were sparse in this era.

Era 2 focused on the male lead Waxillium and Wayne but bolstered his story with realized and impactful females. Marasi embraced the feminine traits she embodied while wielding a rifle and the ability to form time-slowing bubbles. Marasi never thought herself an exception to femininity as she consistently contributed in effective ways. Another essential lead, Steris Harms, valued many things associated with the feminine while planning and organizing for her group. These characters, though secondary, embraced the collaboration between power and femininity, not compromising or downplaying either, but incorporating them as strengths.

The Next Mistborn Book Can Combine The First 2 Eras’ Strengths For The Best Outcome Yet

Sanderson Can Continue To Improve On His Female Characters To Make Era 3 Even Better

The upcoming Ghostbloods series can combine Era 1 and Era 2’s strengths to produce its most impactful characters yet. With Vin embodying the strong, though somewhat problematic, lead protagonist in The Original Series and characters like Marasi and Steris playing important and realized roles in the Wax and Wayne series, Era 3 can build a roster of women who portray complexity, acceptance, and strength. The Epilogue for The Lost Metal (the conclusion to the Wax and Wayne series) has Marasi interacting with the Ghostbloods. Since the upcoming series is titled Ghostbloods, Marasi could likely play a significant role.

With Vin embodying the strong, though somewhat problematic, lead protagonist in
The Original Series
and characters like Marasi and Steris playing important and realized roles in the
Wax and Wayne
series, Era 3 can build a roster of women who portray complexity, acceptance, and strength.

Era 3 could, and most likely will, revisit having a female lead. It is rumored that the Ghostbloods series will be set in the early computer age of Scadrial and will feature a Terris woman. Brandon Sanderson will continue his trend of strengthening female characters who are becoming the standard in the cosmere, as opposed to the exception (much like Vin was). As someone who has always been praised for how he composes his characters and who consistently endeavors to write women, Sanderson will continue using the Mistborn universe to showcase women who embrace their gender and are stronger because of it.