Reviews with content warning for Racism - The Final Empire

Content Warnings:
Graphic: Slavery, abuse, murder, executions, torture, attempted murder, and death of a loved one.
Mentioned: Rape, death of a loved one, and infanticide.

A few months back one of my gaming friends rekindled their love of reading and we started talking books. When they brought up the idea of starting a book club I was all in. A bit apprehensive as I tend to binge through books and have never attempted to tandem read, [other than reading one non-fiction while also reading one fiction book at the same time] I wasn’t sure I’d be able to pace myself for a book club.

Though we agreed we’d have a laid-back, no-pressure, book club I thought it was time to attempt to read multiple fictions books at once. Then I could spread out my Mistborn read while continuing to read other books at the same time. This was also the first time that instead of just highlighting passages, while I read, I decided to also write notes in the margins to keep track of my thoughts while reading. And let me tell you, there are many notes, questions, and highlights throughout my copy. 😅

Having heard amazing things about The Cosmere, the world Sanderson has created, I was excited to jump in.

Throughout the book, we get multiple perspectives, seven if I counted correctly, which I love in fantasy novels. We see two perspectives the most, that of Kelsier and Vin, which gives us a mentor and mentee perspective. I absolutely adored the relationship between Kelsier and Vin, from complete strangers to, [at least from Vin] wary teacher/student, to friends/family. Watching the evolution of their relationship grow, throughout the book, was probably my favorite part, aside from all their bantering.

Like many fantasy stories, we get a lot of deep and heavy topics discussed and the story is full of so many shades of gray when it comes to decisions the crew needs to make. While reading, although I knew the main goal of the journey, I loved how I really couldn’t see, or guess, all the many different directions we took before getting to the end.

While reading every time I finished a section/part I found myself more invested than the last. Throughout the book I found myself going through…I want to say EVERY emotion, furious to giddy, overwhelmed with sadness, and then filled with hope…this book hit so many strong emotions.

My one regret is that I didn’t already have book two on hand to jump directly into upon finishing this book. If you’re looking for a fantasy with amazing world-building, found family, strength in the face of hopelessness, and so much more…I highly recommend diving into this book!

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superstars111's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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awxiee's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

the world-building is great and the mysteries are there but not to the point that i can't understand anything. the characters are flawed and realistic, and i love them sm. The storyline is amazing, especially the last few parts.

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ashlyn's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really liked the magic system in this book and the mythos of the world really drew me in. It would make a fantastic animated series. I did find some of the narration through inner monologue repetitive and odd at times and the romance didn't really seem earned.

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oliverreeds's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.25

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ailsaod's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense slow-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

This book would definitely be a five stars for me if it was a little shorter! Sanderson put ALL the good stuff at the end so there is about 400 pages to slowly push through before you are hit by the really good stuff. I will admit that I'm not entirely sure what I would cut if it were me shortening it as it is probably the insane amount of groundwork that happens in the first 400 pages that makes the last 200 so compelling but I almost didn't get that far, luckily one of my work colleagues had also read the book and occasionally asked how I was doing so I got there in the end!

I have never read a Sanderson novel before and I heard Mistborn was the place to start. The world building felt kind of basic initially (though it became much more interesting as more was revealed!) and while the main character, Vin, is a version of the 'half-wild street kid that doesn't need friends' trope at the beginning I feel like Sanderson portrays her in a much more accurate way than most examples - for instance she takes forever to trust anyone (though she then has her mentor, Kelsier, despairing over who she decided to trust and I found that hilarious!). Kelsier was the best part of the book in the beginning: he is mysterious, a little unhinged and charismatic and this combination of traits makes people question his true intentions towards the rebellion they are aiding which made the more boring parts more interesting.

The romance subplot of this book is fine. Elend is very much a rare specimen of 'not like the other boys' because he likes to read books at social gatherings and has a conscience. It is very predictable that they will like each other. Admittedly he's not too bad and him not realising Vin's double identity when she keeps on messing up in small ways is entertaining.

This book is very much on an exponential curve. When the plot twist happened I had to reread the last few pages because I was so shocked. Sanderson does the big twist well as initially it makes no sense but then all these little things that happened or were said all begin to fall into place and you realise what has really been going on. I would like to say more but I do not wish to even get near spoiling it!

I am now trying to summon the courage to get book two but I am unsure how it can be better than this!

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daniellecheri's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-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

A slow start, but the pace picked up about a quarter through. Very solid ending. Could easily stand alone, but sets up for the rest of the trilogy well.

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