Review of Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson, the Mistborn series is a heist story of political intrigue and magical, martial-arts action.

For a thousand years the ash fell and no flowers bloomed. For a thousand years the Skaa slaved in misery and lived in fear. For a thousand years the Lord Ruler, the "Sliver of Infinity," reigned with absolute power and ultimate terror, divinely invincible. Then, when hope was so long lost that not even its memory remained, a terribly scarred, heart-broken half-Skaa rediscovered it in the depths of the Lord Ruler's most hellish prison. Kelsier "snapped" and found in himself the powers of a Mistborn. A brilliant thief and natural leader, he turned his talents to the ultimate caper, with the Lord Ruler himself as the mark.

Kelsier recruited the underworld's elite, the smartest and most trustworthy allomancers, each of whom shares one of his many powers, and all of whom relish a high-stakes challenge. Only then does he reveal his ultimate dream, not just the greatest heist in history, but the downfall of the divine despot.

But even with the best criminal crew ever assembled, Kel's plan looks more like the ultimate long shot, until luck brings a ragged girl named Vin into his life. Like him, she's a half-Skaa orphan, but she's lived a much harsher life. Vin has learned to expect betrayal from everyone she meets, and gotten it. She will have to learn to trust, if Kel is to help her master powers of which she never dreamed.

This saga dares to ask a simple question: What if the hero of prophecy fails?

Other Tor books by Brandon Sanderson

The Cosmere

The Stormlight ArchiveThe Way of KingsWords of RadianceEdgedancer (Novella)Oathbringer (forthcoming)

The Mistborn trilogyMistborn: The Final EmpireThe Well of AscensionThe Hero of AgesMistborn: The Wax and Wayne seriesAlloy of LawShadows of SelfBands of Mourning

CollectionArcanum Unbounded

Other Cosmere novelsElantrisWarbreaker

The Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians seriesAlcatraz vs. the Evil LibrariansThe Scrivener's BonesThe Knights of CrystalliaThe Shattered LensThe Dark Talent

The Rithmatist seriesThe Rithmatist

Other books by Brandon Sanderson

The ReckonersSteelheartFirefightCalamity

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Sometimes, I just crave a good epic fantasy. I mean, world building and magics, and loads of characters, good guys, bad guys, I just eat that shit up. Of course, it took one of my friends becoming a fan of Brandon Sanderson on Facebook for me to actually pick up and read my copy of Mistborn: The Final Empire. Thank goodness. Honestly I don’t know why I didn’t pick up Mistborn sooner, especially because I was dancing around the room with pure joy after finishing the book. What? You don’t dance like an idiot after reading an awesome book?

Mistborn is set in a fictional world where a race of people, the Skaa are enslaved. The whole world is ruled by this dude called ‘Lord Ruler.’ All snickers aside, the back story of the Lord Ruler is rather interesting. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson doesn’t focus on the Lord Ruler though. Rather, the focus is on a Skaa girl named Vin. Basically Vin doesn’t trust anyone, because she’s had a hard life. She grows dynamically, though. Sharing Vin’s spotlight, is another character, Kelsier, who is basically a criminal genius. Oh, and Vin and Kelsier are allomancers, which basically means they metabolize metal and can do all kinds of cool things.

I love a nice long adult fantasy book. I do enjoy world building and becoming immersed in an imaginary place. I love books as long as Mistborn because I feel like the characters are real people afterwards. Also, I loved the scope of Sanderson‘s imagination. I loved the idea of mistwraiths and of allomancy. I loved the small details Brandon Sanderson puts in, such as the tenets of religions which were destroyed when the Lord Ruler basically took over. I loved the characterization, and the band of thieves. I liked that for once, a long fantasy book has a female kicking ass and in such a prominent role. And can I fangirl a bit over the secondary characters. I loved Elend, I loved Sazed the terrisman and his stories of the religions.

Also, I think the progression towards revolution shown within Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson was pretty viable. I read a review of Mistborn where it was stated that Sanderson gets society, as in he understands how and why people do what they do, which reflects in his writing. I have to say, I agree. The events of this book didn’t feel contrived to me at all. Every thing didn’t work out perfectly, although I have to say, the character of Kelsier was a total genius, and ahhh. I want to say more, but since people don’t look very kindly on being spoiled, mum’s the word!

While reading this most amazing book which just makes me want to jump up and down or run around in circles, that’s how physically excited I got over it, you really do need to drink some wine. I think some chilled Riunite Lambrusco is in order. I know not many people enjoy Lambrusco, but personally, I love it and to me, it goes down nice and easy, much like Mistborn.

OTHER REVIEWS OF MISTBORN BY BRANDON SANDERSON:

The Book Smugglers
Poisoned Rationality
Brenda Loves Books

Series Order:

Mistborn (Book One)
The Well Of Ascension (Book Two)
The Hero Of Ages (Book Three)

Purchase or Preview Mistborn:

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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