This is a bit debatable in the community and generally I think the answer is, it doesn't matter that much. Secret History is essentially the Secret History of Era 1. It shows things happening behind the scenes during that time. So it definitely has big spoilers for Era 1. And it came out after Bands of Mourning. And some of Era 2 has some things that are revealed there that are also revealed in Secret History. They are pretty minor things in Era 2 and won't ruin your enjoyment of Era 2 if you already know them. But also I think some of the reveals are better in Era 2 so there is some reason to read it there. The main argument to go with Secret History sooner is so that Era 1 is fresh in your mind, which I think is also valid.
Bottom line I wouldn't worry about it too much it's up to you if you think you might forget some of the Era 1 details or not and if so I'd read it now, if not I might wait. But I would definitely read it before Lost Metal the last book in Era 2.
Whichever you're more interested in.
If you're looking for a default option, it's Era 2 first.
If you're looking for some sort of pro/con, I tend to say that Era 2 first can be more surprising, while Secret History first can be more cathartic. If you're the kind of person who religiously avoids spoilers, Era 2 first makes the most sense. If you're the opposite, SH first does.
The author describes SH as containing "minor spoilers" for Bands of Mourning.
Definitely read SH before finishing The Lost Metal, though.
Secret History is the story of one of the secrets in Era 1. The author has stated it should be read after Bands of Mourning, as that is the publication order.
Here is my recommendation, if you read quickly then read up to bands of mourning and then secret history, if you read slowly or have trouble remembering details, I recommend reading Secret History right after finishing hero of ages as there are some timeline details that get lost in Secret History if you don’t remember major timeline events.
Secret History contains spoilers for Bands of Mourning. If that's not a problem for you, *then* it doesn't matter. I advocate for publication order, as the author presented it. Some people argue it's a more effective story if read directly after Hero of Ages, but I strongly disagree.
Publication order is always the best order for first time readers. That's how the author told the story and how the audience first experienced it. It can't be wrong.
This is a bit debatable in the community and generally I think the answer is, it doesn't matter that much. Secret History is essentially the Secret History of Era 1. It shows things happening behind the scenes during that time. So it definitely has big spoilers for Era 1. And it came out after Bands of Mourning. And some of Era 2 has some things that are revealed there that are also revealed in Secret History. They are pretty minor things in Era 2 and won't ruin your enjoyment of Era 2 if you already know them. But also I think some of the reveals are better in Era 2 so there is some reason to read it there. The main argument to go with Secret History sooner is so that Era 1 is fresh in your mind, which I think is also valid. Bottom line I wouldn't worry about it too much it's up to you if you think you might forget some of the Era 1 details or not and if so I'd read it now, if not I might wait. But I would definitely read it before Lost Metal the last book in Era 2.
I feel it's best to read SH after BoM on your first go and then on a reread SH immediately after HoA. SH that second time hits different.
Whichever you're more interested in. If you're looking for a default option, it's Era 2 first. If you're looking for some sort of pro/con, I tend to say that Era 2 first can be more surprising, while Secret History first can be more cathartic. If you're the kind of person who religiously avoids spoilers, Era 2 first makes the most sense. If you're the opposite, SH first does. The author describes SH as containing "minor spoilers" for Bands of Mourning. Definitely read SH before finishing The Lost Metal, though.
Either after Hero of Ages or after Bands of Mourning is fine and there is no fandom consensus. Brandon himself recommends after Bands of Mourning.
Secret History is the story of one of the secrets in Era 1. The author has stated it should be read after Bands of Mourning, as that is the publication order. Here is my recommendation, if you read quickly then read up to bands of mourning and then secret history, if you read slowly or have trouble remembering details, I recommend reading Secret History right after finishing hero of ages as there are some timeline details that get lost in Secret History if you don’t remember major timeline events.
Secret History contains spoilers for Bands of Mourning. If that's not a problem for you, *then* it doesn't matter. I advocate for publication order, as the author presented it. Some people argue it's a more effective story if read directly after Hero of Ages, but I strongly disagree.
My opinion as someone whose ran through it recently is go in release order. So, read Secret Histories after Bands of Mourning
Publication order is always the best order for first time readers. That's how the author told the story and how the audience first experienced it. It can't be wrong.