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adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Torture, Blood, Grief, War
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racism
Minor: Rape
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Classism
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, Classism
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Trafficking
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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:
Yes
Brandon Sanderson's writing immediately pulled me into his world. Sanderson masterfully introduced us to the world and its magic system. Viewing the world from multiple perspectives gave me a broad understanding of everything that went on and made it easy to get attached to the characters.
Kelsier is such a fun character. I feel like his archetype is usually more serious and broody but he’s so funny and charismatic which makes for a super fun reading experience and a light feel in between more serious parts of the story.
Seeing Vin grow more trust for the people around her despite her past was very healing. I also loved how Vin gets to explore more feminine things while also feeling safe because she sees it as a disguise. She’s not too ‘Not Like Other Girls’ about the fact she has to pretend to be a noblewoman and wear make-up and frilly dresses.
The only thing I didn't like was the age difference between Elend and Vin. Vin was 16 when she met Elend, who was 21 at the time. While Vin acts more mature due to her traumatic past she often also comes across as the teenager she is.Her and Elend ending up in a romantic relationship is a bit uncomfortable.
Kelsier is such a fun character. I feel like his archetype is usually more serious and broody but he’s so funny and charismatic which makes for a super fun reading experience and a light feel in between more serious parts of the story.
Seeing Vin grow more trust for the people around her despite her past was very healing. I also loved how Vin gets to explore more feminine things while also feeling safe because she sees it as a disguise. She’s not too ‘Not Like Other Girls’ about the fact she has to pretend to be a noblewoman and wear make-up and frilly dresses.
The only thing I didn't like was the age difference between Elend and Vin. Vin was 16 when she met Elend, who was 21 at the time. While Vin acts more mature due to her traumatic past she often also comes across as the teenager she is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, War
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Rape
adventurous
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, War
Minor: Rape, Torture, Grief
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Infertility, Racism, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Classism
Minor: Body horror, Rape, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My first foray into the universe of Sanderson novels and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
As with any high fantasy series, this book had a good amount of world building with a fairly large cast of characters with a variety of roles to get to know. That part can feel like a bit of a slog, even in the best of novels, but Sanderson does it well. It feels natural and he builds on the information in a way that is digestible and intriguing.
I really like the magic system - it doesn’t feel too overdone - and the flaws of our heroes feel “real” instead of manufactured as they sometimes do.
I was kept fairly on my toes about what would come next and appreciate the fact that Sanderson doesn’t shy away from putting his characters in tough situations - or killing then when necessary (I love an author unafraid of hurting his audiences heart with a good murder, what can I say?).
I was seriously hooked the last 40% especially where I found it hard to put down as I waited to see if our band of rebels would be successful in pulling off this huge feat. While the writing is nothing spectacular, Sanderson can keep his readers hooked and the writing style worked for me surprisingly well.
It was a satisfying ending and I can’t wait to pick up the next book in the Mistborn series!
As with any high fantasy series, this book had a good amount of world building with a fairly large cast of characters with a variety of roles to get to know. That part can feel like a bit of a slog, even in the best of novels, but Sanderson does it well. It feels natural and he builds on the information in a way that is digestible and intriguing.
I really like the magic system - it doesn’t feel too overdone - and the flaws of our heroes feel “real” instead of manufactured as they sometimes do.
I was kept fairly on my toes about what would come next and appreciate the fact that Sanderson doesn’t shy away from putting his characters in tough situations - or killing then when necessary (I love an author unafraid of hurting his audiences heart with a good murder, what can I say?).
I was seriously hooked the last 40% especially where I found it hard to put down as I waited to see if our band of rebels would be successful in pulling off this huge feat. While the writing is nothing spectacular, Sanderson can keep his readers hooked and the writing style worked for me surprisingly well.
It was a satisfying ending and I can’t wait to pick up the next book in the Mistborn series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent
adventurous
dark
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:
Yes
Jumped on the Sanderson bandwagon to see what it was all about. This was an enjoyable, if very violent and pretty dark read. Not sure if I'll continue the series or not, but didn't regret reading this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Genocide, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Murder, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
OVERALL: 9/10, or 4.5/5, rounded to 5 stars.
This is everything a fantasy adventure epic should be. The plot is gripping, the characters are likable, their development meaningful, and though it is dense it is by no means slow or meandering. And the magic system... oh, the magic system! Learning about the ways allomancy and feruchemy work in tandem with the world around it is an absolute delight. I'd read a book on the study of Scadrian magic <i>alone</i>.
I found myself quickly endeared to this group of characters who, on a first glance, seem like nothing special as far as fantasy character tropes go. And to be fair to a few critics- these characters are not spectacular because they reinvent the wheel. These characters are as likable as they are because the way they grow and develop over the course of the novel is handled incredibly well. Vin is, by all means, poised to become the cliche whiny-YA-chosen-one heroine that we've all come to dread in our fiction, but Vin's insecurities, anxieties, and weaknesses are handled tactfully. Her instincts- her natural wit and ability- are what propel her forward, and it is refreshing to see a main heroine who stumbles realistically in the pursuit of her goals. Kelsier develops a brotherly/fatherly relationship with her after taking her under his wing and it really does tug at your heartstrings, especially when shit starts to get insane in the last 20% of the book . Sazed is my favorite of the characters introduced so far; I'm fascinated by the Terrismen Keepers and his collection and suggestion of faith is very endearing to me.
Sanderson's biggest strength here is the magic system, which is so meticulously designed and defined by its limitations- discovering these limitations alongside our protagonist is a joy. Choosing to primarily follow a character that is simultaneously learning how to use magic alongside the audience is a great way to place us both on an even playing field, and I was theorizing and playing with ideas in my own head on how certain allomantic actions may play out. I'd gleefully write books about the study of allomancy if I could. This magic system blends flawlessly with his action sequences, too, which are delightfully cinematic and had me at the edge of my seat.
Where the book suffers, though, is its dialogue. The characters may be endearing, but they are endearing in spite of Sanderson’s clunky, unnatural dialogue, not because of it. Actions speak louder than words here. I can see why people may be put off of this first book for that reason. I also think thatVin’s romance with Elend lacked a proper build, because while there is chemistry, it had an unsatisfying rising action that led to this book’s conclusion .
I had a blast reading this and I felt deeply for the crew and their antics. I cannot wait to continue the series. Consider me hooked!
”Men rarely see their own actions as unjustified.”
This is everything a fantasy adventure epic should be. The plot is gripping, the characters are likable, their development meaningful, and though it is dense it is by no means slow or meandering. And the magic system... oh, the magic system! Learning about the ways allomancy and feruchemy work in tandem with the world around it is an absolute delight. I'd read a book on the study of Scadrian magic <i>alone</i>.
I found myself quickly endeared to this group of characters who, on a first glance, seem like nothing special as far as fantasy character tropes go. And to be fair to a few critics- these characters are not spectacular because they reinvent the wheel. These characters are as likable as they are because the way they grow and develop over the course of the novel is handled incredibly well. Vin is, by all means, poised to become the cliche whiny-YA-chosen-one heroine that we've all come to dread in our fiction, but Vin's insecurities, anxieties, and weaknesses are handled tactfully. Her instincts- her natural wit and ability- are what propel her forward, and it is refreshing to see a main heroine who stumbles realistically in the pursuit of her goals. Kelsier develops a brotherly/fatherly relationship with her after taking her under his wing and it really does tug at your heartstrings
Sanderson's biggest strength here is the magic system, which is so meticulously designed and defined by its limitations- discovering these limitations alongside our protagonist is a joy. Choosing to primarily follow a character that is simultaneously learning how to use magic alongside the audience is a great way to place us both on an even playing field, and I was theorizing and playing with ideas in my own head on how certain allomantic actions may play out. I'd gleefully write books about the study of allomancy if I could. This magic system blends flawlessly with his action sequences, too, which are delightfully cinematic and had me at the edge of my seat.
Where the book suffers, though, is its dialogue. The characters may be endearing, but they are endearing in spite of Sanderson’s clunky, unnatural dialogue, not because of it. Actions speak louder than words here. I can see why people may be put off of this first book for that reason. I also think that
I had a blast reading this and I felt deeply for the crew and their antics. I cannot wait to continue the series. Consider me hooked!
”Men rarely see their own actions as unjustified.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Death, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence
Minor: Body horror, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood