When I first picked up the Mistborn series, I didn’t know I was signing up for the Brandon Sanderson pyramid scheme subscription plan. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing, because I do love his writing, but his ouevre is extensive and, as far as I know, I am mortal and will someday not even finish a tenth of the books in my library. The Hero of Ages does tie up Vin and Elend’s side of the story (I believe, things were left a bit…vague…on that front). But also leaves bigger questions that tie the series to previous Sanderson works. And I’m a completist. So if someone has an answer for immortality, let me know, I have books to read.
Spoilers ahead.
Much like every middle book of a trilogy, things were left not looking good for our heroes. Vin had unwittingly unleashed Ruin into the world and Preservation doesn’t seem to be powerful enough to stop it this time. Silver lining, though, Elend is now also Mistborn. Sazed, everyone’s favorite theology scholar, has abandoned his religions collection and spends about half of the book navel gazing on the question of the existence of a high power. Spook gets super weird. Breeze is the same old Breeze.
With Elend becoming Mistborn, I was concerned that he was going to steal Vin’s Hero of Ages thunder, especially with the constant references to his white clothing and her black cloak. And then wouldn’t you know it, Vin’s hero of Ages thunder does get stolen, but by Sazed, who becomes the higher power he has been searching for. I’m happy he got over his heartbreak and found meaning to his life again, but I also didn’t want Vin to hit the fantasy glass ceiling.
It took me less than a year to read his entire published works. It’s easy because they’re all good. You can do it. I believe in you.