Includes SPOILERS for Mistborn through The Lost Metal and minor spoilers for Wind and Truth.
There’s a lot that I want out of Mistborn era 3, but there’s one character in particular who pertains to the Cosmere at large I’d like to understand better. Like many contemporary fantasy readers, Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere universe has been an addiction of mine for years after I opened The Final Empire for the first time and rediscovered my childhood love of reading. Seventeen full-length novels, several short stories, and a boatload of Wiki rabbit holes later, I’m still as intrigued and in the dark as ever about the broader plot at work.
Brandon Sanderson keeps readers hooked with phenomenal, character-driven storytelling in the Mistborn books and other titles like The Stormlight Archive and Elantris. The benefit of the Cosmere is that each of these tales is as intriguing on its own as they are as a collective whole, but those small, alluring bits of information pertaining to the broader lore of this universe pique my curiosity in a different way. There’s no character who represents that intrigue more than Hoid, Brandon Sanderson’s iconic worldhopper character who’s appeared in nearly every Cosmere book.
I Still Don’t Understand Hoid’s Role In The Cosmere
What Does Hoid Really Want?
Hoid is a fascinating character to me, as I feel like I could know everything I need to know about him from one scene of dialogue, and yet, after all these books, I still have no clue what he’s doing. In book series like The Stormlight Archive, it’s clear that his goal is to keep the Odium Shard in the Rosharan system. In other stories, he’s there to give advice or observe the heroes from afar. It’s interesting to have a character like this who could appear in any book in any world and provide a sense of familiarity.
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That being said, Hoid isn’t just in Brandon Sanderson’s books to make jokes. We know from the author that he’s going to be the lead protagonist in a series titled Dragonsteel, set long before the events of Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive. Those books are still years away, though, and there’s so much material to get through before we have those answers. With nearly two decades since the first Cosmere book was published, I’m hoping the next series gives a better sense of what all of this is building toward.
Why Mistborn Era 3 is A Good Place To Explain More About Hoid
Mistborn: Ghostbloods Will Have More Cosmere Connections
Each leg of the Cosmere journey seems to be more and more interconnected, with Wind and Truth’s ending providing more reveals than ever. There are going to be a few years without much Cosmere content aside from Isles of the Emberdark, meaning Mistborn era 3 is going to be the next major arc, with three books planned to be released over the span of three years. Given that it’s titled Mistborn: Ghostbloods, it’s no stretch to think this trilogy should have even more connectivity than the previous Wax & Wayne novels.
Brandon Sanderson has mentioned that Kelsier will have a bigger role in the next trilogy, which means we’ll get a better idea of what one immortal Cosmere figure is planning.
The Lost Metal’s epilogue saw a critical conversation between Kelsier and Harmony, and with the added context of Wind and Truth, their words are even more important. Brandon Sanderson has mentioned that Kelsier will have a bigger role in the next trilogy, which means we’ll get a better idea of what one immortal Cosmere figure is planning. With him and Hoid having something of a rivalry, it’d be fun to see them reunite for the first time since Secret History, with, hopefully, both characters revealing a bit more about their intentions.
What Could Hoid’s Role In Mistborn Era 3 Actually Be?
Hoid Is Gathering Investiture, But What For?
Hoid worked his way into the Wax & Wayne books as Waxillium’s carriage driver, so it’ll be curious to see what position he’s in for the next trilogy. He seems a bit more invested in what’s happening on Roshar currently, wanting to find a way back, so era 3 could involve him trying to work his way off Scadrial again. As for what he really wants in the Cosmere, I think beginning with what we do know about him is essential. We know he’s been traveling around, gathering different forms of Investiture, which ties to his connections to Yolen.
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There are two major components of him accumulating different magics. One, Hoid wants to accumulate power. Two, Hoid is exploring connections to the Shards, all of whom he knew personally on Yolen (at least the original vessels). With these ideas in mind, his goal seems tied to some tragic event that occurred around the Shattering of Adonalsium. Perhaps Mistborn will reveal Hoid having a long-term vengeance plan or the desire to bring back a lost love, or maybe he’s a secret villain manipulating everything just under our noses. I can’t wait to find out more.
Mistborn
- Created by
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Brandon Sanderson
- Character(s)
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Vin, Kelsier, Sazed, Marsh, Elend Venture, Waxillium “Wax” Ladrian, Wayne, Steris Harms
Summary
The Mistborn series, created by Brandon Sanderson, is a high-fantasy saga set in the world of Scadrial, where magic is powered by metals through a system called Allomancy. The series focuses on political intrigue, heists, and the battle between good and evil. The first trilogy, Mistborn: The Final Empire, follows the struggle to overthrow a tyrannical ruler, the Lord Ruler. Later books in the series, including Era 2, take place hundreds of years after the events of the original trilogy, expanding the story into new settings with new characters, all while maintaining connections to the original storyline.
