Tamara Smith asked this question about Mistborn Trilogy Boxed Set (Mistborn, #1-3):
What age is this book appropriate for? 11 yo old?
Damian I just read the first book, so while it is fresh in my memory I'll chime in here.

I would say an 11 year old who was reasonably mature for his age shou…more
I just read the first book, so while it is fresh in my memory I'll chime in here.

I would say an 11 year old who was reasonably mature for his age should have no problem with the violence. While it can be somewhat graphic, it really does not get any worse than the level of violence in some popular YA literature (the Hunger Games comes to mind as a good example of this). So, if you would allow your 11 year old to read the Hunger Games trilogy, then Mistborn (at least the first book, which is all I've read so far) should not prove to be an issue, as far as violence goes.

Language is not an issue in this book, at least not for the average 11 year old. There are a few instances of "damn", and a few more of the phrase "bloody hell", but they are very infrequent. Crude humor is either extremely rare, or nonexistent, depending on how you define it--the worst I've seen so far is one of the characters subtly (and jokingly) suggesting that his friend had been fleeing an approaching army because he had been caught with the king's daughter. Ultimately, though, you will hear worse language and far worse crude humor in your average PG-rated movie these days.

Sexual content is the thing that would give me pause here, but not in the way you might think. There are no "sex scenes" at all as far as I have read. However, as someone else mentioned, there are multiple references and allusions to nobles taking skaa (slave) women to bed, and killing them later, sometimes once they are already pregnant. It is very strongly implied if not outright stated that these women have no choice in the matter. I must emphasize that Sanderson always presents this practice as an atrocity, and never for titillation or shock value.

Ultimately, I would recommend the Mistborn series for a reasonably mature 11 year old, with the caveat that the parent has to be the type of parent that regularly engages with their child on the media they take in. If that is you, then you will definitely find many opportunities for excellent conversations with your child as they read the series.(less)
Image for Mistborn Trilogy Boxed Set
by Brandon Sanderson (Goodreads Author)
Rate this book
Clear rating

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more