The Hero of Ages (2 of 3) [Dramatized Adaptation]

Mistborn [Dramatized Adaptation] #3, part 2

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, Fiction, Magic, 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]

My dearest ambition in life is to convince others how amazing these GraphicAudio adaptations are. And I promise I don’t just want others to share my addiction. 😉

[Nanu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't like where this is going, but I did love to finally get some explanations as to how things work!

[Phoebe Jeziel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully done, as always.

I LOVE Elend's voice actor omg <3 <3

Also, I remember when I first read this book I was like "ummmmmm why is Spook so important?!?!?! WHERES VIN?!?!?!"

But I grew to really love and enjoy Spook's sections. I really love who he's becoming. Ugh. Brandon's character development is always so on point.

[Amarinske · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow the action, the twists.
the pacing almost perfect and the way story is going...

This is going to end darkly. Who is going to die? Vin? Elend? Both? The entire Final Empire?

This part was strongest so far.
Time to finish this series by listening to the final audiobook.

[Bruno]

A experiência desses GraphicAudio enriquece e muito a experiência.

Essa segunda parte define melhor os stakes e fala mais do mundo, que sinto que é o novo personagem principal, ao lado do Elend e em detrimento da Vin, que agora parece mais a coadjuvante.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished my first re-read of the Mistborn (Era 1) trilogy and decided to do it via the fantastic Graphic Audio version! Loved it! Really makes it come to life!

[Sheccid · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5

Don't be a dumbass spooooooook 😭 he's controlling youuuuuuu🤸🏻‍♀️

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m back in baby, let’s do this finaleeeeee

[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.

[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 4 out of 5]

85 %; listening to Graphic Audio, báječná záležitost