Connecting the ENTIRE Cosmere with Mistborn Secret History

In this episode of 'Marty & Jaden vs Books,' we're reading 'Mistborn: A Secret History,' a pivotal novella within Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere universe. This story offers readers a behind-the-scenes look at the Mistborn series, providing answers and insights that fans have been craving.

We dive into the revelations brought forth in 'A Secret History,' discussing its implications for the larger Mistborn saga and the Cosmere as a whole. From Kelsier's journey in the Cognitive Realm to the deeper mechanics of Sanderson's magic systems, we explore how this novella enriches the lore and character arcs we've come to love.

Whether you're a seasoned Sanderson veteran or new to the Cosmere, 'A Secret History' is a treasure trove of easter eggs and deeper meanings. Join us as we dissect its significance and theorize about how it connects to future stories in the universe.

Subscribe for insightful discussions on Sanderson's works and more. Have your own theories about 'A Secret History'? We're eager to hear them in the comments below.

#BrandonSanderson #Mistborn #SecretHistory #BookReview

[Ms.Pronounced_Name]

All Hail Stick! For he was mentioned, he shall be worshipped

[unclearmirror]

3:21 Sanderson has said on several occasions, Kelsier in any story other than The Final Empire is NOT a hero. He was the hero they needed then, but otherwise he would be much closer to a villain than anything else.

5:54 The ghostbloods (as an organization, not the upcoming series) while they’re on other planets and worlds, their primary purposes from the very little we know, are on Scadrial. I’m willing to bet Kelsier will be playing a prominent role in that series.

[Wordhopper]

Haha a secret history review by popular demand :)

Marty, I agree on the beta reader thing. While it’s cool to help make the book better, I’d be less inclined to give up on the proper reading experience.

I think two aspects of SH merit some discussion - firstly, the emotional payoff of seeing Vin and Elend after they die and getting closure for them and for their relationship with Kelsier.

Secondly, the amazing characterization tied in with the humor. Kelsier decking both gods. Kelsier recruiting and strategizing with Fuzz. Kelsier and Hoid. Even Kelsier meeting Khriss and Nazh.

I really liked the IRE in this book, because it gave Kelsier his own quest in order to bridge the gap until Preservation’s death. It gave him some agency again, after finding out about all of these gods, here were some people (weird people, but people) he could steal from. I do think that part is important for his character.

Thematically, I think it’s perfectly appropriate for The Survivor to end up surviving his own death. And we can see that it wasn’t easy or automatic. He had to work a lot and figure out a lot on the fly. His actions behind the scenes do not diminish the actions of the protagonists that we’ve seen in the main books. He just bridges some gaps and nudges a bit. Just as essential, but unseen.

As you can see, I really love Secret History, and I hope Brandon will have some time for the sequel at some point!

[datmarshy]

Reading this book before the wax and Wayne series really gives you a good reading experience.

I don’t understand why people say to read this book AFTER bands of mourning. Do people just throw this book under the bus for 5 seconds of a surprise at the end of Bands? … you can just get that surprise at the beginning of this book

[Ms.Pronounced_Name]

I think Hoid is collecting powers for a few different reasons. First just as curiosity, because he wants to see how the different aspects of Adonalsium are expressing themselves, secondly as personal problem solving tools, and third as weapons/tools he can use to prevent Shards from being shattered and/or reconstitute the already shattered Shards.

**SPOILERS FOR RHYTHM OF WAR**
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Regarding point 2, we learn at the end of RoW that he is using Breath or an equivalent, possibly in concert with Feruchemy, to expand his memory.

[VenturesBeyond]

This book blew my MIND when I first read it a couple years ago! Enjoyed the discussion, your Sanderson content is great!

[johnwoolard]

I can't see Wit wanting to be more powerful since he made the choice not to take a shard when Adol. was broken. I agree he is collecting Connection but I think for the purpose to rejoin all the shards not be more powerful than them.

[UncleBerty]

Great vid fellas. My friends are all too macho for these books, and there's not a whole lot of good cosmere discussion out there like this. I appreciate y'all helping me get my fix lol

[robertkruger]

I read secret history after bands and I like that I did it that way, however…. already made the Kelsier connection elsewhere.

[Ms.Pronounced_Name]

As an absolute rating, I give Secret History only a 4.0 out of 10. It's not even a full story, relying heavily on reader special knowledge.
As a Cosmere book where that knowledge is assumed it gets bumped up to a 7.3, and taking into account it's length I land on a final rating of 9.1 - highly worth the time spent.

[chrisrumfellow]

Have you guys read the preview for stormlight 5? I'm hoping we get more details of kelsier's involvement on roshar.

[ArtSnob]

Because it is really dependent on the context of at least the 1st era I can't give this book anything higher than a 7. Its still good and I enjoyed it. I'm glad to see you be more critical and put lower scores. It's annoying seeing just 8s and 9s all of the time.

Personally Im not the biggest fan of the over explaining of Kelsier and the little connections with the 1st era.. I feel like it took away from his epicness from the 1st book.. and muddles the 1st era too. Sometimes not explaining something has more value than going into it.. you can lose the sense of awe and your mind isn't free to imagine and connect the dots itself.. I wish he would have stayed dead because he went out in such a cool way. But hey maybe there's some cool stuff in store for him in the future.

[LeonC]

what if... Hoid ends up being the ultimate villain? And all his good deeds are a way to get that connection...

[JosephtheMerchant]

I 100% agree with Marty about being a beta reader.

[aldan]

Yeah man, Kelsier is Jesus if Jesus wasnt really God. It's awesome :-)