Read every series in the right order
Wax and Wayne Books in Chronological Order – Complete Reading Guide
Table of Contents
The Wax and Wayne books in chronological order represent the second era of Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn Saga. Taking place 300 years after Vin, Elend, and Sazed reshaped the world, this quartet blends epic fantasy, detective noir, and Wild West adventure into one of Sanderson’s most entertaining creations.
With new heroes, new threats, and ties that reach across the wider Cosmere, the Wax & Wayne series (sometimes called Mistborn Era Two) is essential reading. If Era One was about overthrowing gods, Era Two is about holding society together in an age of rapid modernization.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Novels (Era Two) | 4 (Alloy of Law, Shadows of Self, Bands of Mourning, The Lost Metal) |
| Average Page Count | 450–550 pages per book |
| Total Word Count | ~900,000 words |
| Estimated Read Time | 90–100 hours (at 250 WPM) |
| Genre | Fantasy-Western, Gaslamp fantasy, Detective noir |
| Difficulty | Moderate (lighter tone than Era One, but still layered) |
| Content Warnings | Violence, political corruption, religious tension, grief |
| Ideal Age Range | 15+ (YA through adult) |
| Media Adaptations | In talks for film; strong Cosmere connections make it part of long-term plans |
About the Book Series
Mistborn’s second era begins in a society that mirrors the late 19th to early 20th century: skyscrapers rise, electricity lights city streets, and trains connect distant settlements. But magic is far from gone.
Here we meet Waxillium “Wax” Ladrian, a Twinborn nobleman and sharpshooter who returns from the frontier to manage his family’s house in the city of Elendel. With his eccentric partner Wayne, brilliant lawkeeper Marasi, and pragmatic wife Steris, Wax uncovers conspiracies that threaten not just the city, but the balance of the world itself.
Where Era One was about revolution and prophecy, Era Two is about modernization, morality, and the clash of progress with ancient powers.
Books at a Glance
| Book | Year | Amazon Link |
|---|---|---|
| The Alloy of Law | 2011 | Buy on Amazon |
| Shadows of Self | 2015 | Buy on Amazon |
| The Bands of Mourning | 2016 | Buy on Amazon |
| The Lost Metal | 2022 | Buy on Amazon |
Wax and Wayne Books in Chronological Order
1. The Alloy of Law
Three centuries after the fall of the Lord Ruler, Waxillium Ladrian returns to Elendel after years as a Roughs lawman. Balancing noble duties with a flair for gunfights, he and Wayne uncover a string of kidnappings tied to a shadowy group called The Set.
2. Shadows of Self
As Elendel flourishes with industrialization, corruption and unrest simmer. Wax, Wayne, and Marasi confront political assassination plots that threaten civil war. Harmony himself may be losing his grip on the world.
3. The Bands of Mourning
Rumors spread of the Lord Ruler’s mythical Bands — metalminds granting godlike powers. Wax’s search takes him south to New Seran, unearthing truths about his uncle, the Set, and connections to powers beyond Scadrial.
4. The Lost Metal
The final book of Era Two. Wax, now a senator, faces the Set’s ultimate plan. Bilming falls under the influence of the god Trell, foreign agents intervene, and the fate of the entire Cosmere looms over Scadrial.
Series Timeline & Character Development
Unlike Era One’s epic revolution, Era Two is driven by personal growth and moral dilemmas:
- Waxillium Ladrian: Lawman-turned-noble, Wax wrestles with his duty to his house versus his drive for justice. His journey is about reconciling faith, duty, and personal loss.
- Wayne: Comic relief and master of disguise, Wayne evolves from rogue sidekick into a character of surprising depth and sacrifice.
- Marasi Colms: Introduced as a young constable, she matures into a confident leader balancing law, politics, and off-world realities.
- Steris Harms: Often overlooked at first, Steris becomes one of Sanderson’s most beloved characters. Her pragmatic approach to disaster-planning turns her into Wax’s equal partner and emotional anchor.
The timeline escalates from local lawkeeping (The Alloy of Law) → city-wide conspiracy (Shadows of Self) → legendary myth and exploration (Bands of Mourning) → cosmic-scale stakes (The Lost Metal).
Novels Sorted by In-Universe Events
- The Alloy of Law
- Shadows of Self
- The Bands of Mourning
- The Lost Metal
Novels Sorted by Publication Order
- The Alloy of Law (2011)
- Shadows of Self (2015)
- The Bands of Mourning (2016)
- The Lost Metal (2022)
Companion Works
- Wax & Wayne Boxed Set (2023): A collection of all four books, ideal for binge reading.
- Mistborn Adventure Game (2011): Expansions allow players to roleplay in Era Two’s industrial setting.
- Mistborn: House War & The Siege of Luthadel Expansion: Board game tie-ins that indirectly reference events leading up to the modern world.
- Cosmere Crossovers: The Lost Metal heavily connects with the broader Cosmere, introducing offworld factions like the Ghostbloods.
Editions & Formats
- Hardcover Boxed Sets: All four novels in uniform design.
- Paperback & Mass Market: Affordable editions with consistent branding.
- Audiobooks: Narrated by Michael Kramer; fan-favorite for Mistborn.
- Collector’s Editions: Dragonsteel editions with illustrations, annotations, and special binding.
Why Read Wax and Wayne Books in Chronological Order?
Reading Wax and Wayne books in chronological order ensures you follow the natural arc from smaller-scale mysteries to world-shattering revelations. The series builds momentum, with each book deepening the stakes while keeping the detective-Western energy alive.
Author Spotlight: Brandon Sanderson
Brandon Sanderson is one of fantasy’s most prolific authors, having sold over 40 million books worldwide. Known for The Stormlight Archive and his work finishing The Wheel of Time, Sanderson is also the creator of the Cosmere, a shared universe where Mistborn plays a central role.
Notable highlights:
- Launched the most successful Kickstarter in publishing history (Secret Projects).
- Beloved for innovative magic systems and satisfying endings.
- Teaches creative writing at BYU and shares lectures online for free.
Media Adaptations
Mistborn adaptations have been in development for over a decade, and Wax & Wayne is expected to benefit once Era One gets traction.
- Film Rights: Licensed by DMG Entertainment (2016). As of 2023, projects are paused.
- Board Games & RPGs: Indirectly tie to Era Two.
- Cosmere Plans: Sanderson has stated that Mistborn is central to his multimedia Cosmere roadmap. Era Two’s more modern setting makes it ideal for TV adaptation.
FAQs About Wax and Wayne Books in Chronological Order
Do I need to read Era One before Wax & Wayne?
It’s strongly recommended. Era Two references the original trilogy’s history and gods.
Is Wax & Wayne finished?
Yes. The series concluded with The Lost Metal (2022).
Is this series lighter than the first Mistborn trilogy?
Yes. While it tackles big stakes, it balances them with humor and character-driven stories.
How does Era Two connect to the Cosmere?
The Lost Metal contains some of the strongest Cosmere tie-ins of any Mistborn book.
Conclusion
The Wax and Wayne books in chronological order are a perfect bridge between the raw, mythic storytelling of Mistborn Era One and the modern, Cosmere-spanning epics yet to come. Blending mystery, gunfights, and heart, they show Sanderson at his most inventive and accessible.
Which Wax & Wayne book is your favorite — the detective mystery of Shadows of Self, the epic quest of Bands of Mourning, or the climactic finale in The Lost Metal? Let us know in the comments below!
