The Hero of Ages

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. If you have read the previous two books in the Mistborn trilogy, how did they shape your expectations for The Hero of Ages? Did the book meet, exceed, or fall short of these expectations, and why? If you have not read those previous books, did this book make you want to read them?

2. Did your perspective on the characters of Vin, Elend, and Sazed change throughout The Hero of Ages? If so, what specific events or scenes altered your opinions, and how did these shifts affect your overall experience of the novel?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Sazed’s journey involves deep questioning of his faith and beliefs. Have you ever questioned or reassessed your own beliefs or values?

2. Have you experienced or witnessed meaningful acts of personal sacrifice in your own life? How does this impact your interpretation of the sacrifices made by the characters?

3. In The Hero of Ages, characters frequently grapple with feelings of doubt, purpose, and identity. Can you recall a moment in your own life when you experienced similar doubts or questions about yourself?

4. Preservation and Ruin represent fundamental opposing forces within human experience, not just of creation and destruction, but of hope and despair. How have these opposing forces played out in your own life?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. What real-world parallels can you draw between the religions or belief systems in the novel and those in our contemporary world or history?

2. The collapse of civilizations due to environmental destruction and resource depletion is central to the novel. How does the narrative reflect current concerns about environmental sustainability and climate change?

3. How do the societal struggles depicted in the novel reflect real-world historical or contemporary issues such as class inequality, oppression, or rebellion?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Consider the role of prophecy and predestination in the novel, especially the Hero of Ages prophecy. How does Sanderson use prophecy to shape readers’ expectations? How does this technique affect your reading experience?

2. How does Sanderson’s use of numerous perspectives enhance or change your perspective on their individual narrative arcs and on the novel as a whole?

3. Sanderson incorporates numerous plot twists and revelations in The Hero of Ages. Which twist or revelation was most impactful or surprising to you, and why?

4. The epigraphs before each chapter add layers of context and foreshadowing. How did they influence your anticipation or interpretation of key story developments?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you could rewrite the ending of The Hero of Ages from the perspective of another surviving character. Who would you choose, and how would their perspective shift the emotional or thematic message of the ending?

2. Write a brief diary entry or monologue from the perspective of Ruin as he observes the unfolding events throughout the novel. How would Ruin justify his actions or interpret the motivations of the human characters?

3. Imagine you could interview Sazed after the events of the novel as he begins reshaping the world. What questions would you ask him, and how do you imagine he might respond, given his newfound perspective?

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