One of my absolute favorite things about the Mistborn series (era 1, specifically) is the bait-and-switch of the overarching plot.
Like, you go into it and you're like, "Yeah, okay. I'm reading one of the Big Fantasy Trilogies of the modern era. Hell yeah. What's this all about?"
And so you read. You get introduced to the characters, the magic system, and, most importantly, the central conflict: it's an assassination plot.
Clearly, the whole trilogy is going to be about finding a way to kill the god-emperor of the cruel and oppressive regime, and the final book will have them overthrow him and everything will Be Good.
"Of course that's what will happen," you think to yourself. "That's a pretty standard narrative structure."
So you keep reading.
But as you read the book, something doesn't feel right. The pacing seems... Off. Isn't this book moving too quickly?
And then, as you get around the second act of the book, it hits you all at once.
"Are they... Are they gonna successfully assassinate the Lord Ruler?? IN THE FIRST BOOK??"
It sure looks like it.
SO WHAT THE HELL ARE THE OTHER TWO BOOKS GONNA BE ABOUT.
















