Mistborn: The Final Empire

I picked up Brandon's books in an attempt to learn about his writing, as I'd heard he would be finishing the Wheel of Time series. I was nervous, and went into it with my standards set high.

I came out of it extremely pleased and no longer worried about what would happen to Wheel of Time at all. There were several things I liked about this book and the series in general.

Pros:
-The magic system is amazing. Seriously amazing. It's new, which is always nice in the fantasy market, where everything tends to get reused.
-The characters are very believable. They act as fits their personality, and don't do anything that someone with their character traits wouldn't do just because it's convenient.
-The world is described in great detail, which allows you to immerse yourself and really imagine the story taking place.
-Though it is the first in a trilogy, it gives enough resolution to be very satisfying and leaves the reader wanting more.

Cons: There are some characters who do not get as much screen time as I would like.These characters are developed further in the second book in the series.
-It took me a few chapters to get really involved, though I was interested right from the start.

Overall, one of my favorites, and definitely a keeper. I'd recommend it to anyone, but especially to fans of Robert Jordan, George R R Martin, Robin Hobb, and Terry Pratchett.

Mistborn is part Epic Fantasy and part Superhero Origin Story. Taking place in a unique world, Mistborn delivers action, adventure, and drama.

Plot:
An omnipotent lord rules the land with brutality and terror. Armed soldiers take joy in beating a helpless population into submission. Magic wielding Inquisitors strike fear into their hearts through torture and death. Wealthy aristocratic houses attempt to outmaneuver each other politically and economically. The Skaa, a once proud race, have been conquered, enslaved, and worked to death in slums, plantations, and mines. But hope lies in the mists as rebels plan a revolution.

World:
Brandon Sanderson does an excellent job creating and building an exciting new Fantasy World complete with its own magic system based on consuming metals. In the day, ash falls from blood red skies. At night, the land is engulfed in darkness and mist. Mistwraiths haunt the lands at night, and the Inquisitors roam the city streets in the day. Those who are Mistborne use a magic system called Allomancy and consuming types of metal gives them powers. Pewter enhances physical abilities, Tin enhances perception, Steel pushes metals with tremendous force... Imagine a coin going right through someone's head. This book is worth reading based on the unique universe and magic system alone. The book also features a useful glossary at the end that explains the types of mages and magic.

Characters:
The main character is a street urchin named Vin. She's likeable, clever, and tough. For the most part, the characters are well written. There are some that could use more screen time and the dialogue could have been a bit better at times. But overall, they're good.

Action:
This book contains some very unique action scenes that may be described as a cross between The Matrix and The X-Men set in a fantasy universe. There are some fairly long breaks in the action, but when there is action, it's great.

Balls:
This book has Balls; the expensive, fancy dress, snooty, dancing kind. This is where the political aristocratic house warfare takes place. These chapters could be annoying for angsty fantasy fans that want pure action. These scenes slow the pacing of the book just a bit. But if you're mature enough to enjoy a glass of wine, you'll like these scenes. To the angsty action fans (like me), they're not so bad and trust me; you'll really want to get to the end of this book!

Overall:
This is a refreshingly original fantasy adventure with action, subterfuge, and magic. I'd give it a 4.5 outta 5!

If you like fantasy books that have world building, originality, action, and BALLS pick this one up! You'll enjoy it!

If you want traditional fantasy with elves, dragons, castles, knights on a quest, or you aren't a fan of balls, then you can avoid this one.
(But you'd still probably enjoy it, if you gave it a shot.)

This is the first book I have read by Brandon Sanderson. I was expecting a routine fantasy novel, but this is story has some unique features and some well done characters. Sanderson creates a bleak world devastated by falling ash (though the source of this ash is never explained, perhaps it has something to do with the defeat of the Deepness). At night, the ash-blanketed world is covered by swirling mists which hide strange and dangerous creatures. The world is dominated by an immortal, all power Lord Ruler. Unfortunately, Lord Ruler is completely ruthless and his empire oppresses all the common people, who are called skaa. Opposing the Lord Ruler is a Mistborn named Kelsier, who is half ska, half aristocrat. (This is a bit murky - to imply that someone is halfbreed implies that ska and aristocrat are different species, but clearly it is only their political standing that separates the two classes.) Kelsier has a secret plan for overthrowing the Lord Ruler and liberating the ska.

Enlisted into Kelsier's crew is Vin, a teenage girl who possesses undeveloped magical powers. The magic system in this book is called "Allomancy"; certain people can ingest metals which they then "burn" in their bellies. As long as there is enough metal to burn, the Allomancer can display such powers as super powerful senses (enhanced hearing, sight), super strength, the ability to control metal at a distance (just like Magneto, the X-Men supervillan).

The Allomancy magic system appears to have a lot of thought put into it. Given the established constraints of his magic system, Sanderson sticks to the rules and has thought out some unique ways of using the powers. (I especially liked Vin's novel uses of Allomancy in her attack on the Lord Ruler's castle).

In addition to Allomancy, Sanderson describes a parallel magic system called Feruchemy. The practioners of Feruchemy use metals inside the body as batteries for storing up abilities such as strength. (A Feruchemist will spend days of lying around weakly, while charging his strength battery. This will allow the Feruchemist to use that stored strength at a later date in a time of great need.)

Besides his unique magic system, Sanderson also describes some wonderful intimidating villains in the form of Steel Inquistors. These fearsome servants of the Lord Ruler are powerful Allomancers who somehow survive despite having giant metal tusks driven through their eyes and out the back of their heads. It doesn't make any sense, but it is a nice image that would look good in a movie or graphic novel adaptation of this story.

Other neat creations are the mistwraiths, which seem to be a lot like the gelatinous cube monster from Dungeons and Dragons. Mistwraiths shamble along through the city, absorbing the bodies and bones of corpses; reusing some of the absorbed limbs and faces for its own body.

Although this is apparently the first novel in a trilogy, it works as a stand alone story. Rather than leaving the reader with a cliff hanger ending, Mistborn works well as a complete stand alone tale. Nice of an author to give you a whole story without trying to get you to buy 3 books. Mistborn was good enough that I will now look for the second one in the series.

After first hearing the name 'Brandon Sanderson' in conjunction with the finale of The Wheel of Time, I quickly devoured (and LOVED) Elantris and moved on to Mistborn. Even after loving Elantris and having high hopes for the Mistborn trilogy, I was still rather cautious about starting a trilogy by a new writer whose work I was largely unfamiliar with. Regardless, I picked up the first Mistborn book and was not disappointed!

I am not exaggerating when I say that this is the BEST book by a new fantasy author - indeed, by ANY new author - that I've read in ages. The biggest draw, as other reviews mention, is definitely the magic system, and that only improves as you continue reading the trilogy. Brandon has built a detailed and well-thought-out world that is not quite like anything else I have ever read. It is simultaneously post-apocalyptic and pre-Age of Enlightenment. Very unique and interesting. The characters, however, are probably Brandon's strongest point after the magic system. Over the course of the book, the characters are surprisingly well-developed, which only impresses you further after reading the other two volumes of the series, in which the characters' true story arches are revealed. Brandon handles multiple plots and viewpoints with grace, marking himself as a far more accomplished writer than his resume indicates.

I LOVED this book and the other two books of the Mistborn trilogy. Most of all, I applaud Bradon for taking risks with the fantasy genre - you'll see what I mean when you read his work. All in all, a fine trilogy and I look forward to reading more of his work!

This is my first Sanderson read, and it certainly won't be my last. He creates a very rich and believable world with characters that fit within this superstitious and dreary world. His use of magic is very unique. I think he tried not to fall into many of the "fantasy templates" and I believe he has done a great job. It is a great read and the rest of the series follows suit.

In todays crawded fantasy writers - this guy has fresh ideas on what kind of magic can be used and it's implications - and goes from there to try and create a complete world.

I came across this Sanderson's series after reading Patrick Rothfuss's amazing book, THE NAME OF THE WIND. I soon found the author's blog, began reading through it, and saw a recommendation he made for this series.

This first book of Sanderson's MISTBORN trilogy introduces readers to a world where a hero has already "won" against the evil (called "the deepness") but has, since then, controlled the world for a millennium as its Lord Ruler, maintaining order with an increasingly tightening iron fist. Sanderson has created a complex but well-developed system of magic - a world where the consuming and "burning" of specific metals gives those with the talent for it the ability to do great feats, from pulling or pushing themselves through the air to affecting the emotions of those around them or even seeing the future. While most with such talent - called Mistings -can only use one of the eight metals, there are a few, called the Mistborn, who can burn all eight. One of these Mistborn, Kelsier, gathers a group of talented Mistings - including a young female street "skaa" named Vin - to fight against the oppressive regime. But there's more to his plan - and to his young recruit - than we might expect.

The world Sanderson crafts is distinctive and engaging. His characters and creatures - the charismatic and erratic Kelsier, the quiet yet brave Vin, the reserved, wise Terrisman named Sazed, the horrifying Steel Inquisitors - provide a panoply of personalities and types both new and reminiscent of mythological types in epic tales. It didn't take long for the story to hook me, and I'm now speeding through the second tale - THE WELL OF ASCENSION - and looking forward to reading THE HERO OF AGES. For lovers of new fantasy worlds - and for those who just love great stories! - I'd highly recommend this series.

Mistborn is a solid fantasy book, which is a rare thing in a genre which has so many mediocre books. A standalone novel that starts a series, Mistborn tells of an interesting magic system, exciting action and strong narrative. A pleasant diversion for any fantasy fan.

Mistborn is a solid fantasy book, which is a rare thing in a genre which has so many mediocre books. A standalone novel that starts a series, Mistborn tells of an interesting magic system, exciting action and strong narrative. A pleasant diversion for any fantasy fan.

Great Novel. Brandon Sanderson is a great choice for the author to finish Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time Series. Mistborn: The Final Empire is a well written and takes place in a well thought out world. The magic system that Brandon created for this wold is one of the best and most unique that I've seen. The sequel novel, Mistborn: The Well of Ascension is just as good, if not better.