Brandon Sanderson's his greater Cosmere. Now that Sanderson has completed the first arc of his Stormlight Archive series, with Wind and Truth hitting shelves back in December 2024, he'll begin working on the next era of Mistborn books.
These will make up his Ghostbloods series, and Sanderson has already confirmed another time jump for Era 3. The story will pick up around 50 years after the Wax & Wayne series. This means technological advancements are on the horizon for Sanderson's saga. And in an interview with WinterIsComing, the author itted that the looming sci-fi elements pose the "biggest challenge" for Era 3. While some sci-fi jargon is probably inevitable, Sanderson doesn't want his books to be too complicated for readers to understand:
"That's actually a challenge for the Ghostbloods. I want people who read the original Mistborn trilogy, who maybe weren't into Wax & Wayne, to be able to jump to this. And I want it to not read like a technical manual. But at the same time, you can read Tom Clancy and not have to understand the technology in specific that he's referencing, that are causing some of the problems in the Cold War thrillers and things. And so there's a line to walk there, right? How much do I explain? How much do I leave to the hardcore Cosmere fans? How much do I put in an appendix for them? You know, Star Trek gets away with a ton of technobabble, but you don't have to understand any of it. Where is that balance?"
It's a fair concern to have, especially when blending sci-fi and fantasy elements. Sanderson's books are incredibly easy to fall into, despite having complex magic systems and backdrops. That's a strength that should continue in Era 3, even if there's more advanced technology to contend with. Fortunately, it sounds like Sanderson is looking to the right sources of inspiration, suggesting he'll find a good balance between the "technobabble" and his typical high fantasy fare.
What Brandon Sanderson's Biggest Mistborn Challenge Means For Era 3
The Next Chapter Will Lean Into Sci-Fi More Than Ever
Sanderson's comments about Mistborn Era 3 confirm that Ghostbloods' world will feel significantly different from the original trilogy and the Wax & Wayne series, leaning further into sci-fi than ever before. That's how it should be with a 50-year time skip, even if the jump isn't as significant as the one between Era 1 and Era 2. Given how much technology exists during the Wax & Wayne era, greater advancements are the logical next step. Fortunately, it sounds like Sanderson is cognizant of the obstacles he faces when introducing sci-fi elements to this world.
Mistborn Era 3 Is Still Years Away, But Expect These 10 Cosmere Connections When It Debuts
Mistborn: Era 3 is Brandon Sanderson's next big series, and I'm expected to see these Cosmere connections happen throughout the series.
His comparison to Star Trek comes as a relief, indicating he's taking the right approach to this shift. Star Trek is known for being more accessible than hard sci-fi stories, placing a greater focus on its characters and themes than the science and technology. Sanderson also cited Dune in his interview with WinterIsComing, noting that Frank Herbert's classic sci-fi novel proves "that you can put guns in something and still have the feel of that epic fantasy that I love." It sounds like Era 3 will take its tech beyond firearms, but the point remains. Sanderson can have the best of both worlds.
Our Take On Brandon Sanderson's Ghostbloods Comments
Sanderson's Sci-Fi Tease Makes The Next Mistborn Book More Exciting
Sanderson may need to walk a fine line between leaning into sci-fi and maintaining easy-to-understand storytelling, but his comments make the next Mistborn book even more exciting. Sanderson doesn't plan to publish the first Ghostbloods novel until all of them are written, but it sounds like it will totally reinvent his Mistborn saga. As he told WinterIsComing, it will also help launch the Cosmere into its "science-fiction era." The author is treading new territory with his projects, giving readers a lot to look forward to. And really, any combination of Star Trek and Sanderson's fantasy sounds like an amazing time.
Source: WinterIsComing
- Created by
- Brandon Sanderson
- Character(s)
- Vin, Kelsier, Sazed, Marsh, Elend Venture, Waxillium "Wax" Ladrian, Wayne, Steris Harms
