The Hero of Ages (3 of 3) [Dramatized Adaptation]

Mistborn [Dramatized Adaptation] #3, part 3

by Brandon Sanderson, Terence Aselford (Narrator), Kimberly Gilbert (Narrator)

Who is the Hero of Ages?

To end the Final Empire and restore freedom, Vin killed the Lord Ruler. But as a result, the Deepness---the lethal form of the ubiquitous mists---is back, along with increasingly heavy ashfalls and ever more powerful earthquakes. Humanity appears to be doomed.

Having escaped death at the climax of The Well of Ascension only by becoming a Mistborn himself, Emperor Elend Venture hopes to find clues left behind by the Lord Ruler that will allow him to save the world. Vin is consumed with guilt at having been tricked into releasing the mystic force known as Ruin from the Well. Ruin wants to end the world, and its near omniscience and ability to warp reality make stopping it seem impossible. She can’t even discuss it with Elend lest Ruin learn their plans!

The conclusion of the Mistborn trilogy fulfills all the promise of the first two books. Revelations abound, connections rooted in early chapters of the series click into place, and surprises, as satisfying as they are stunning, blossom like fireworks to dazzle and delight. It all leads up to a finale unmatched for originality and audacity that will leave readers rubbing their eyes in wonder, as if awaking from an amazing dream.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Magic, Fiction, High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy

7 pages, Audio CD

First published October 14, 2008

About the author

I’m Brandon Sanderson, and I write stories of the fantastic: fantasy, science fiction, and thrillers.

The release of Wind and Truth in December 2024—the fifth and final book in the first arc of the #1 New York Times bestselling Stormlight Archive series—marks a significant milestone for me. This series is my love letter to the epic fantasy genre, and it’s the type of story I always dreamed epic fantasy could be. Now is a great time to get into the Stormlight Archive since the first arc, which begins with Way of Kings, is complete.

During our crowdfunding campaign for the leatherbound edition of Words of Radiance, I announced a fifth Secret Project called Isles of the Emberdark, which came out in the summer of 2025. Coming December 2025 is Tailored Realities, my non-Cosmere short story collection featuring the new novella Moment Zero.

Defiant, the fourth and final volume of the series that started with Skyward in 2018, came out in November 2023, capping an already book-filled year that saw the releases of all four Secret Projects: Tress of the Emerald Sea, The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter, and The Sunlit Man. These four books were all initially offered to backers of the #1 Kickstarter campaign of all time.

November 2022 saw the release of The Lost Metal, the seventh volume in the Mistborn saga, and the final volume of the Mistborn Era Two featuring Wax & Wayne. Now that the first arc of the Stormlight Archive is wrapped up, I’ve started writing the third era of Mistborn in 2025.

Most readers have noticed that my adult fantasy novels are in a connected universe called the Cosmere. This includes The Stormlight Archive, both Mistborn series, Elantris, Warbreaker, four of the five Secret Projects, and various novellas, including The Emperor’s Soul, which won a Hugo Award in 2013. In November 2016 all of the existing Cosmere short fiction was released in one volume called Arcanum Unbounded. If you’ve read all of my adult fantasy novels and want to see some behind-the-scenes information, that collection is a must-read.

I also have three YA series: The Rithmatist (currently at one book), The Reckoners (a trilogy beginning with Steelheart), and Skyward. For young readers I also have my humorous series Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, which had its final book, Bastille vs. the Evil Librarians, released in 2022. Many of my adult readers enjoy all of those books as well, and many of my YA readers enjoy my adult books, usually starting with Mistborn.

Additionally, I have a few other novellas that are more on the thriller/sci-fi side. These include the three stories in Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds, as well as Perfect State and Snapshot. These two novellas are also featured in 2025’s Tailored Realities. There’s a lot of material to go around!

Good starting places are Mistborn (a.k.a. The Final Empire), Skyward, Steelheart, The Emperor’s Soul, Tress of the Emerald Sea, and Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians. If you’re already a fan of big fat fantasies, you can jump right into The Way of Kings.

I was also honored to be able to complete the final three volumes of The Wheel of Time, beginning with The Gathering Storm, using Robert Jordan’s notes.

Sample chapters from all of my books are available at brandonsanderson.com—and check out the rest of my site for chapter-by-chapter annotations, deleted scenes, and more.

Reviews

[Anna [Bran. San. Stan] · Rating 5 out of 5]

That ending never fails to make me cry. This time even more so than usual as the chosen music in this dramatized production enhances what already is an emotional conclusion to the first Mistborn trilogy. Sanderson is the G.O.A.T and GraphicAudio manages to build on his genius. I seriously cannot stress enough how brilliant this series and this adaptation is.

[ZeN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect ending.

[Sumant]

This is how the last book in trilogy should end where in all the jigsaw pieces fall into the place perfectly, and the view it generates leaves you amazed and shaking your head. Because it looks so obvious that the clues were there from the start, and all you had to do were give them some thought. Sanderson has done an admirable job with the last book in Mistborn trilogy he explains everything which was presented to us in the previous two books from the different species in dominance to even the mysterious ear ring which Vin carries with her.

There are many strong points of the book, but I am gonna try to list some below

1.Ruin and Preservation.
2.Species in dominance.
3.Explanation regarding magic.
4.Focus on Sazed and Elend.

Let me elaborate on some of the points above

1.Ruin and Preservation.

I think Sanderson has definitely studied lot of physics before becoming a author because his books always have two forces acting against themselves. Also these forces are described so perfectly that you start thinking them as good or evil, that is one strong points of his writing for me. As you read this book you come to know that the mistborn books are not just about Kelsier and his crew over throwing the lord ruler but it is basically a fight between two opposing forces ruin and preservation.

The summary before each chapter gives you more information regarding the nature of these forces. In last few hundred pages I was more interested in these forces rather than the characters in the book, and some day I hope Sanderson writes a book of how all this started in first place instead of giving us short snippets before each chapter.

2.Species in dominance.

In the last two books we have seen that there a lot of varied species in dominance

In humans we have

1.Nobles
2.Skaa
3.Terris

In non humans we have

1.Inquisitors
2.Mistings
3.Koloss
4.Kandra

Sanderson explains everything about the species in the dominance from why the Skaa more fertile to the spikes present in the inquisitors. We come to know a lot about Kandra and Koloss in this book. To go into details will definitely become a spoiler.

3.Explanation regarding magic.

We know that following magic system was present in this world

1.Allomancy
2.Feruchemy
3.Hemalurgy

We know regarding the first two magic systems from the previous books but the new magic system Hemalurgy is explored in detail in this book. We also come to know how the magic systems are connected to the two forces Ruin and Preservation, besides that how the mists fit with the magic. Sanderson's magic systems always tend to amaze me because they are so simple but yet built on some solid foundation, and the more you come to know about the magic in this world the more science you can see in it.

4.Focus on Sazed and Elend.

If the first book was aboutKelsier and second about Vin this book all about Sazed and Elend.

We know that Sazed is a terris scholar who has been with the crew from the start he has started losing faith once he lost Tindwyl in the previous book. In this book we see that he hits the abyss regarding faith, he seems to find some faith in the religions which he is studying keeps on rejecting them for their fallacies. But in the end how these religions help him is definitely fascinating.

Elend as we know from previous book was a noble born scholar who thought that if he came into power he will able to do everything right. But he starts learning in this book that what leadership is about. It is not about doing the right thing but doing what is necessary, from the hard decisions he has to take he soon starts to see the Lord ruler in a completely different light.

This book definitely left me satisfied with its end, as all the story arcs from the previous books got an ending. Previously I really liked reading Sanderson's books but now I have become a sort of fanboy of his. No doubt this book gets 5/5 stars.

[Nanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is brilliant.

[Teraesia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opäť to bolo genialne. To, ako autor počas celej trilógie vedie čitateľa pozdĺž paralelných liniek a na záver ich všetky dokonale prepletie, sa vidí len málokedy dosiahnuté takýmto očarujúcim spôsobom. Človek je nútený čítať (v tomto prípade počúvať) so zatajeným dychom.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review for the Graphic Audio version of the Mistborn Trilogy.

Review of The Final Empire
Review of The Well of Ascension

I listen to audiobooks all the time. I enjoy them a lot, even if I'm reading along, while listening. When I discovered that Graphic Audio produced these magnificent audios for the Mistborn Trilogy, I decided that I had to listen to them while reading my copies of the books.

For those who don't know what's the difference between Graphic Audio and common audiobook productions, the former has music, sound effects, and a whole cast (Yes! A narrator and one actor per character!)

The cast was great, they matched the character's voices I had imagined pretty well.

I can assure you, they are amazing. I can't explain it with words... just go and try them. They will change the way you think about audiobooks.

[Diogo Nascimento · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I'm so sad that I finished this awesome, beautiful and great trilogy. This is my all time favorite fantasy story.
Wonderful world, lovely characters, interesting magic system, and a story so well written that is almost unbelievable.
I'll miss this world. I already do, actually. 😢😢

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would rate this as 4.5 stars, but naturally that rounds up to 5.

A really strong conclusion to the Mistborn series, but it had its flaws. I felt that it sagged a little in the middle, but from 60% onwards really picked up and the end was pretty much unputdownable.

As always, I was impressed by his world-building. The place felt so real, and logical, that I could guess what was happening in other areas of the world, e.g. with the mist, and Sanderson mapped it out accordingly. I enjoyed the new characters, such as Yomen, and it seems that even within this one series, Sanderson's characterisation has improved.

One 'weakness', so to speak, of the book is that it starts following book two. The characters are all over the place: Sazed is not the Sazed we love, Elend has deviated away from the scholar he is, and there are next to no chapters from Vin's perspective. Thankfully, these things mostly correct themselves mid-way through.

My real bugbear with the book was the over-analysis of religion and faith. There is, in my opinion, too much focus on the survivor, and I didn't always appreciate Spooks being compared to the Survivor. I also grew tired of the biblical nature of Kelsier's story and its effects on the world. However, just as this was becoming too much, the whole focus changed to Ruin and Preservation, which I preferred reading about a _lot_ more.

Now for a few things that I wish Sanderson had spent more time on:
I wish Sazed had got out of his depressive mind-funk a lot earlier in the book. Too many of the characters rely on him.
I wish Vin and Elend had time to say a proper goodbye. Their story ending seemed quite hollow.
I wish Marsh had died to Elend's blow. I realise the symbolism of Preservation's touch on Elend not being able to finish Marsh, whereas Marsh was powered by Ruin, but again, it left me feeling cheated.

Ultimately though, if a series matters enough to me that I am still mulling things over weeks down the line and wishing characters had had different paths, then that is a sign of very good writing. The faults were forgivable, but the story will not be forgettable. For this, it gets five stars.

[erebus K Rushworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a review for parts 1, 2 and 3 of the GraphicAudio version of The Hero of Ages, book #3 of Mistborn.
CW: earthquakes, eugenics, sadism, ultra-violence

This third part of the saga deftly provides backstory (retcon?) for some of the most irritating "flaws" that I found in the earlier books; an explanation as to how plants exist without flowers and why people aren't just all dead because of toxic pollution. Some of the stuff about genetics is a little problematic.. talking about "better" races and things always gets my hackles up. There is some real philosophical silliness, as the characters struggle to find absolute Truth, and religious Faith in a world where the audience has absolute proof of divinity. (I could quote Douglas Adams..)

This story arc gets bleak. There is environmental ruin, and yet more lore as more secrets of the past are uncovered ("there is always another secret"). The world building is pretty cool. At no point of the story do I ever deviate from the conviction that this should be a video game. The rules for the magic forces are a lot clearer than in many stories that I have seen. It's not science fiction, it is mystical fiction.. but the theories are fairly internally consistent. Right up to the end of the book you are still trying to figure out how any of this will possibly be salvageable.

So if you like fluffing about in politics, ethics, and religious philosophy, sprinkled with a touch of battle, and cinematic-style ultra-violence (and some soft-serve romance for padding) then this could be your bag. I do have a soft spot for prophecy stories, but it's the world building and character interplay that's holding it together for me, along with the odd, cute little reveal that ties sub-plots together in pleasing ways. I'm still not sold on the tiresome combat stuff, but as a whole... the world is more-ish.

[Bradford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This clearly could have been a four book series. Brandon didn't cheat us from a grand book 3 though. At the end of book two, you learn of the new evil. Book three tells a tale of how bad that evil is and the sacrifices it took to deal with it.

Again, like the first two books, you have a diary narrative from a mysterious character from the view after the story has ended. It's kinda trippy how you can even reread just those sections for an addition epilogue. Like for each book, you figure out who that character is at the end.

The general theme of this book actually hits on the whole Mistborn series on how there is an opposite to everything. I really enjoyed this story due to the crafty enemies. Just when you thought the heroes of the story could just do what they wanted because of their power. It becomes a bit more complicated when they try to do what's better. I think this is a great message to everyone in power, that the easy route is not always the best way. It was a joy to see how they struggled between the pros and cons of each major decision.

The main thread of the story turns out to be a secret thread even from the first book. I have to admit when it came to closing all the threads in this series had to be quite daunting. Brandon did it though with exception to one. I'm assuming this would be answered in the next series. I'm not mad at him over this, it doesn't take away from the ending.

The ending of this book will have you guessing till the end. Once you get to the a-ha moment you might have to put the book down for a few minutes to recall all the passive hints you have been reading since book 1! Then after a slap on the forehead, you're primed and ready for the master epilogue. This was nicely done, I enjoyed the ride :).

[Romaric · Rating 5 out of 5]

O dear.... This re-read of mistborn has been simply exceptional. Mistborn is the series that made me fall for sanderson and the Hero of Ages holds a very special place in my life (as of now it might be my favorite all time book, ooh that ending still gets me) .

One of the reasons I adore this book is because it has one of Sanderson's best characterizations. Vin simply put is his best character yet, Sazed while frustrating is very relatable and one the most layered characters he has ever put to page and Breeze oh dear Breeze, if he is not the best supporting character I ve read I do not know who else it might be. While all this characters are beyond exceptional what elevates this book for me is Elend, he is officially my all time favorite fictional character, in many ways he may be the generic fantasy protagonist but he has a flair I just cannot help to adore...

All in all this audio book has been excellent and the best I've done so far. Graphic Audio's rendition of the mistborn trilogy is beyond amazing, the production values and the casting are such that I cannot help to be in awe of the result which consequently has allowed me to be more immersed to the story as if I am reading It for the first time. The OST and Vin's, Sazed's and Elend's voice actors are what elevated this whole experience to new hights I didn't think where possible during a re-read . I ve been doing a graphic audio re-read of the cosmere and this by far has been the best.... Cudos to Graphic Audio for elevating mistborn to new hights with their work.

[Amarinske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this ending was good.
Parts of it I did expect and predict (some since the beginning of the well of ascension).
Even with these expected parts, I still really, really liked it and I loooved the twist on the hero of ages.

The focus on balance and religion is very nice. Showing that all religions in existence, or dead, are at least quite similar and that balance is the key to a healthy world was nicely written.

At first I didn't know what to think on the doubts of Sazed, but as time went on, I started liking and agreeing with it.

Meanwhile Tinsoon came around with the genius quote: 'What kind of vain idiot takes a true body of cristal?' I laughed at that one. these kinds of little quotes are hidden throughout the books and made me laugh the entire series, even in more serious parts of the books, something I can really appreciate.

I wish there was more. I want more Mistborn (but not yet the second trilogy, I think).

[Sheccid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Consider me bamboozled

I can barely form sentences rn, that's how much it got me
So... maybe, rtc(?)

Camilo, you mf 🤣 aunque fue bueno vivir el plot twist como se debe 🙃

Definitely keeping an eye out for graphic audiobooks from now on, the experience was incredibly enhanced by them for sure.

5 minutos después 🤣:
the ending has left me spacing out and thinking about SO many things, but at the same time it left me really satisfied and tranquila.
I even felt like going back and starting all over again, that's how much i liked it and i feel like it's a series that you appreciate much more if you reread, there's a lot that now it makes sense which shows how much foresight Sanderson had. Amazing ✨️

[Mya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mistborn was not a good fit for me after all. I kept hoping it would click, but I never liked it as much as I wanted to. I did not care about the cast as a whole, so no matter what happened to them, I simply did not feel anything.

The final battle was not to my taste either, and Ruin felt a bit too cartoonishly evil. I did enjoy the resolution and the final image of the book though. It made me curious about Mistborn Era 2, but Era 1 felt too emotionally empty for me to care enough to listen to Era 2. Maybe one day.

However, I'd sincerely welcome and watch an adaptation.

Fantastic job by GA as usual.

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d forgotten the specifics of how this book ended, so it listening to it felt fresh. I’m still a huge fan of these audio books and the actors who voice these characters. I also love how Brandon Sanderson has clearly thought through his ideas, mythology, and story to create a cohesive and well-constructed world.

[Bruno]

Não esperava que essa história fosse uma história sobre o surgimento de uma religião e sobre o que é uma religião. Achei o final da saga bem satisfatório, apesar de muitos aspectos e eventos não tão importantes acontecerem fora da história. A experiência do áudio livro com tantas vozes e efeitos sonoros melhorou bastante a experiência da história.

[Sandhya Rao · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart.... By the time I finished this it was 1 AM in the night and sure enough I dreamt of Vin and Elend all night, them being together finally.... I dreamt of Sazed and his immense burden. I dreamt of all the crew. This series.... its EPIC

[Abo3skr · Rating 3 out of 5]

my opinion might not be valid as i switched mediums halfway (from book to ebook to audiobook) but i will share it regardless, Whilst the Beggining was a slog the story picks up arround the half way mark and the Ending was amazing truly a suitable well put ending for the trilogy

[Anya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure if I like the ending 🤔 I'm quite conflicted. Maybe I have to let it sit for a bit and write my review a bit later.

[Roy Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best books I've read since LOTR. Superb trilogy.

[Rick Edginton Edginton · Rating 3 out of 5]

It like watching friends growing through challenges and sarrow

[Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best entertainment I have had in a long time. period!

[Shreya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an EXPERIENCE 🧡

[Jessica]

I dunno how I feel about the ending

[Edgar Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sanderlanche + GraphicAudio = Fantastic.

[PT · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best endings in a trilogy I've ever read.

[Basil Burger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fuck I love this series! This one hurts, but is so worth it. Always the pronunciations are a little odd.

[Pinky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic series

[Milan Žila · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great ending to the trilogy.
So many twists. I was surprised at every turn and always there was some uncovered information that made sense in the whole story and not only for the sake of a twist.
I can't imagine anyone reading the first two books in the trilogy and then not reading this one but if you are somehow on the fence, definitely finish it. Also, the Graphic Audio production is great, as always.

I could do without the lovestories in this trilogy but I guess they were ok even if very predictable. Also, sometimes I felt the focus on religion is unnecessary and I was worried the author is trying to put religious messages in his work but I think my worry was misplaced as it fit with the world where gods may be real.

[garg.an2nn · Rating 5 out of 5]

90 % listened as Graphic Audio, wonderful performance

listening to Graphic Audio, báječná záležitost

story graduje a pořád dává smysl, bohužel asi neodolám pokračování 4. knihou