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uncica's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Recommend: Yes, if you like high fantasy.
Content warnings: slavery, murder, torture
_______________________
My Thoughts:
Mistborn: The Final Empire is the first Brandon Sanderson book that I’ve read, and I’m glad I did. One of my closest friends from college suggested that we buddy-read the Misborn series, and let me tell you, we’re having a blast so far. I am currently postponing a bunch of my TBR books in order to make way for the sequel - The Well of Ascension. So, we will definitely finish the series and will most likely buddy-read The Way of Kings next.
The Final Empire was captivating, adventurous, dark, and mysterious. I didn’t know too much going in apart from the book description and stellar reviews, and I was sucked into the world from the first sentence: “Ash fell from the sky.”
I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone, so I will just say that the magic system is unique. I really like the fact that there are required materials in order to produce magic and that each material brings about a different magical effect. The magic system is woven nicely into the world and works well for the plot.
I was rooting for the characters from the get-go, which wasn’t too hard given the political atmosphere and social structure that Sanderson created. The relationship between Vin and Kelsier was heartwarming. I think that Vin is a very strong female lead; however, my favorite character is Sazed. I just wanted to give him a hug at all times.
Brandy Sandy is a wonderful writer, and I can’t wait to enjoy more of his work. Highly recommend!
Graphic: Murder, Slavery, Torture, and Misogyny
bricehartwich's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Blood, Classism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Slavery
Moderate: War
Minor: Physical abuse
mae_is_trying's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, and Violence
Minor: Racism, Rape, Body horror, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Torture, and War
serena_hien's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, War, Slavery, Abandonment, Classism, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, Blood, Grief, Gore, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, and Torture
Minor: Rape
mallorypen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
That said, once the plot really started to get going after the end of Part 1, this was a fantastic political thriller and mystery. Vyn as a protagonist was NOT a Mary Sue - which was great - and I got so frustrated with her lack of empathy in some situations, her selfishness in others, and her decision-making pretty much across the board. I don't know if I liked her character (and I'm pretty tired of the Chosen One trope) but I did root for her. Her inner monologues were ... a bit wooden, for my tastes, but they got the job done.
Once we got into the story and the others were able to develop their personalities a little more, I generally liked all the various members of the crew. They all became distinct from one another, and
I agree wholeheartedly with the general consensus that Brandon Sanderson writes a FABULOUS fight scene. The action is written so clearly, and even with a complex magic system making up 80% of the sequences, I really felt like I was there in the moment fighting alongside the characters.
I'd also posit that Brandon Sanderson writes a mean twist. <spoilers> Marsh actually being alive, and having gone through the process to be an Inquisitor ... I totally didn't see that coming. Or, Kelcier's overarching plot to make himself a legend and then let himself be killed? Mind. Blown.
A few things that gave me pause:
- A white CIS man writing a female protagonist who comes from an enslaved people subjected to torture and subjugation for a thousand years ... I don't know. It hit me in a weird spot how similar some things were between the nobility/Ska and white/Black people; the abuses felt VERY familiar and I'm not sure how I feel about it coming from who wrote it. I don't know. It will take further rumination on how exactly it bothers me.
- The instalove between Ellend and Vyn. Tired, boring, blegh. Why did we need a romance, here?
Anyways. I will read the next two books, but I will be giving myself a break.
Moderate: Death, Xenophobia, Slavery, Sexual violence, War, Murder, and Violence
peasandpancakes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Violence, Murder, and Death
Minor: Racism, Torture, War, and Slavery
bel017's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Murder, and Slavery
Moderate: Death, Rape, Violence, Body horror, and Child abuse
schoha01's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Grief, Murder, Confinement, Genocide, Stalking, Blood, Body horror, and Emotional abuse
knunderb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Murder, Violence, and War
jayinbee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Violence, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment
Moderate: Murder, Gore, and War