7 Fantasy Books Like Mistborn to Read in 2025

So you just finished the epic journey that is the original Mistborn trilogy. It was a mind-altering, heart-crushing, soul-expanding reading experience and easily one of the best things you ever read. But… what now?

If you are experiencing a hangover from the Mistborn books, friend, I feel you. I was in a daze for two weeks after I finished The Hero of Ages. The good news is there are still tons of stellar reads you can pick up next to keep that reading glow going. So without further ado, here are 7 fantasy books like Mistborn to read this year based on what you liked most about the Mistborn series.

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If You Want More Brando Sando: Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson

*Note: As of the time of this writing, only books 1-4 are sold together and you have to buy Wind and Truth separately.

If you loved Mistborn, than the first obvious choice for your next read is to read more Brandon Sanderson. Of course, the man’s bibliography is pretty intimidating which may leave you feeling uncertain about which of his books to read next.

In my cosmere reading guide, I suggest reading Warbreaker next, but if you want to dive right into a similarly high octane series with complex characters, interweaving storylines, political intrigue, and immensely emotional moments, then you could just as easily dive right into The Stormlight Archive, starting with book one The Way of Kings.

If there are any books that rival Mistborn for the best series of all time, it is this one. In fact, I suspect that once the series is fully completed (as of now, Sanderson has just released book five of the ten book series), it will likely take the crown as my favorite series of all time.

Yes, this books are long, but don’t let that intimidate you. I am not a speedy reader but I flew through these at warp speed because they were so compelling I was reading them at every spare moment. In fact, I read Wind and Truth, the most recent book, in just four days.

You’ll finish wishing they had been longer.

For more details on this insanely good series, check out my in-depth review of the Stormlight Archive.

If You Want More Lovable, Fun Characters: Shades of Magic by V.E. Schwab

I read the Shades of Magic trilogy just before I read Mistborn, and I absolutely adored it. Like Mistborn, the SOM plot is a character-driven series, with some of my favorite fictional characters of all time.

This trilogy begins with A Darker Shade of Magic and is about Kell and Lila as they navigate the worlds of parallel Londons: Red London, which is prosperous and full of magic, Grey London, which has no magic (our world), and White London, the magic-starved city ruled by brutal leaders. There is also a nefarious Black London, which has been consumed by magic. Kell comes into possession of an artifact from Black London that threatens the safety of all the other Londons.

This series also has my favorite romantic subplot of all time!

If you liked Sanderson’s writing style, chances are you will like V.E. Schwab’s as well. Both authors are masters of their craft, delivering poignant prose without it being flowery or complicated. Many people find the SOM trilogy to be a good entry point into fantasy or crossover from YA fantasy into adult fantasy.

If You Want More Post Apocalyptic Worlds: The Fifth Season By N.K. Jeminsin

If you enjoyed the post-apocalyptic setting of Mistborn, The Fifth Season (which is book one of the Broken Earth Trilogy) will likely be right up your alley. Like Scadrial, the Stillness is a land plagued by extreme conditions, including ash fall, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes.

Written by the incomparable N.K. Jeminsin, The Fifth Season is a highly acclaimed book, being the 2016 winner of the Hugo Awards and the only fantasy book to make NYT’s infamous best 100 books list. And I can certainly see why. The writing and story is highly unique, and the plot has some very clever and satisfying moments similar to the Mistborn’s “Sanderlanche.”

The story follows three different narratives: Essun, a woman who has just discovered her young son murdered and her daughter kidnapped. Next is Dayama, a young girl who has just been exiled from her family for being an orogenist, or someone who can influence seismic activity. Last is Syenite, a seasoned “four-ringer” orogenist who is sent on a mission.

I will warn you that this book is quite bit grittier than Mistborn in terms of language and disturbing content. But if you want something that’s going to make you think and hit you hard in the process, this book is it.

If You Want More Plot Twists and Explosive Endings: Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang

Easily the best standalone book I read all year, Blood Over Bright Haven has everything I love in a book: mystery, plot twists, morally grey characters, and emotionally heartbreaking moments. M.L. Wang is a fantastic storyteller, and I was invested right from the first chapter.

This book is about Sciona, a highly driven mage and the first woman to become a highmage in Tiran’s society. She is tasked with helping expand the great city’s magical barrier that protects them from Blight, a deadly terror that kills all living things, seemingly at random. But as the only young woman on the job, she is not treated kindly by her peers and gets assigned a janitor for an assistant as a joke.

But the assistant – a Kwen refugee and the last of his clan – turns out to be a great partner and they begin making great discoveries together – until they discover one that threatens everything they know.

As a modest-sized fantasy book of 420 pages, it isn’t quite as sprawlingly epic as Mistborn, but I was impressed by how much character development is packed within its pages. There is a romantic subplot and although it is not the focus of the book, I really felt the chemistry – and conflict – between the two characters.

The story also went in a direction I was not expecting, which is the main reason I think Mistborn fans would like it!

If You Want More Intricate Magic Systems: Babel by R.F. Kuang

Babel is another dark academia fantasy, but it also a very unique and intricate magic system – also involving metal!

It’s a heartbreaking story about oppression and the abuse of power set in an alternate version of the 1830s. The main character is Robin Swift, a Chinese boy adopted by the reticent Professor Lovelle, who prepares him to attend Oxford University to study magic and translation.

The magic system involves using the gap in meaning between languages and applying those words to blocks of silver in order to bestow them with magical properties. It’s quite complex and there are chapters in the book that almost feel like a university lecture.

If that sounds a bit intimidating, fear not – if you can handle Sanderson, you can handle Kuang! I read this book two years ago and I still think about it all the time.

If You Want More Character-Driven Plots: The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb

If you love the way Mistborn spends chapters and chapters inside the characters’ heads, it means you enjoy a character-driven plot, and if there is one other author who is a master at this, it’s Robin Hobb.

And Like Sandesrson, Hobb has a staggering bibliography of books. The farseer trilogy is her first series that takes place in the Realm of the Elderlings universe, and the best entry point for her work.

The first book, The Assassin’s Apprentice follows FitzChilvalry Fareseer, the illegitimate son of Prince Chilvalry. But since he is not a legitimate heir, his only place in court is in the shadows – as the assassin’s apprentice.

Over the course of the three books, we’re with Fitz as he grows up from a young boy into a young man, navigating complex life at court while carrying out his even more complex duties with the help (or hindrance) of his friend The Fool, his caretaker, Burrich, and his mentor, Chade.

The second book in this series, Royal Assassin is one of my favorite books of all time as it has some absolutely explosive moments that range from beautiful to heartbreaking to downright chilling.

I cannot recommend this trilogy enough, especially to those who need something to give them all the big feelings that Mistborn did.

If You Want More Thievery-Related Shenanigans: The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

Last but not least we have the first book in The Gentleman Bastard Sequence, The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. This is a newer author for me and I have not completed this trilogy yet, but it is top-shelf fantasy fiction if I’ve ever read one!

And it features a whole cast of morally compromised thieves who run elaborate heists – sound familiar?

The main character is Locke Lamora, who has been thieving since he was orphaned as a young child and has a penchant for trouble (mainly due to not being “circumspect,” as his first master aptly puts it.)

It’s very cleverly written with colorful characters that you can easily visualize. Like the Fifth Season, this is a grittier book than Mistborn, at least in terms of language so if you’re sensitive to that you may want to read something else.

Final Thoughts

Each of these books has great world building, an intricate plot, a unique magic system, and dang good writing. At the same time, they are distinctive enough that you won’t feel like you’re reading the same books over and over. It’s really more about capturing that Mistborn feeling!

Add these to the top of your TBR and you’ll be starting the year off strong with some top-tier fantasy reads!

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