Reviews

Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

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shreeb's review against another edition

5.0

I finally started this series! After hearing about it for so long, I’ve finally decided to start Sanderson’s Cosmere with Mistborn. As someone who really only reads YA, I wanted to get a start in more fantasy books (I know that technically, Mistborn is YA?) and I’d heard about Sanderson before when I started reading Steelheart back in middle school, but I don’t recall finishing the book so reading The Final Empire was basically a second introduction to Sanderson’s writing for me.

I’ve heard many things about The Final Empire both before and after finishing it, but my experience reading this book was overwhelmingly positive. I couldn’t get over how instantly I was engaged in the book, the world, the characters and the magic system. I loved Kelsier and his gang, and even though Kelsier himself felt a bit cliche, it was really interesting to see the more gray/dark aspects of his character that is balanced well with the morally good and heroic aspects.

My favorite part of this book has to be Vin. I’ve surprisingly heard mixed things about her, saying that she’s not a character people could connect well with or that she isn’t a realistically written teenage girl character. Given the circumstances of the novel, I wouldn’t expect Vin to be realistic in our world’s standards at all. But as a girl that’s Vin’s age in this book, I thought she was so well-written and such a likable character. Her growth throughout the story was done very well, and I loved seeing her opening up to Kelsier and everyone else and how she slowly starts healing from her past trauma (and it’s realistic in the way that she hasn’t fully recovered either).

Anyways, I can even get started on the magic system because I think it’s so unique and such a cool concept to just think about. Overall, I enjoyed this book immensely and I think it’s a great way to start off some fantasy, especially for a younger audience like me.

carlymwallace's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

emster52's review against another edition

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adventurous

4.5

I’ve finally started the Cosmere 🤓
This was amazing, hands down. The world building, the magic system and the character development *chef’s kiss*
Essentially this was a heist book, so a lot of it was build up. Which I did get a little bored in the middle (but that happens a lot to me, so I don’t blame the book)
Vin was a great main character, she had so much character growth and I loved her ❤️ Also the crumb of romance that we got! So cute.
Kelsier was the other main character you follow and he was the heist mastermind and Vin’s teacher. I loved him so much.
The supporting characters were all great! (Elend and Sazed were my favs)
And excuse me, the last 20% of this book!? That was crazy! 😮
I am very intrigued about the next book.

badtom5's review against another edition

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4.0

Slow start, but very entertaining read. Was recommended to me as someone who enjoyed Dishonored and I can really see the connections. The worldbuilding and well-defined magic system felt unique and solid without being overly gimmicky. Some character arcs/growth felt a little awkward or rushed, but overall forgivable. Would recommend as a Fantasy, Action, Heist novel