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lilifane'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
I want to scream because I have so many thoughts and feelings and I can't explain them because of spoilers.
I'm just impressed. This is probably the most perfect second book I've ever read? It is the logical continuation of book one. And yes, it prepares the characters for and leads the plot to the third book. But it has a very interesting and well crafted plot on its own, with a satisfying finale.
After finishing The Final Empire, you just don't know what to expect. But the themes explored in this book make you realize how much there still is to consider. Yeah, defeating a villain is hard, but maybe taking over and making life better is even harder? Love the detailed look at the aftermath of a revolution, the changes the characters went through but still have to go through more, the obstacles no one had considered. The character development is phenomenal. Is it fun/easy to read about the struggles and mistakes of the characters? No. But it's so believable and realistic. Wow.
It is also maybe one of my favorite takes on the chosen one trope. And I love love loooove how much books, reading and research are part of the plot. It's my third book by Sanderson and all three have this in common. Characters that love reading and are passionate about doing research. And you as a reader can do it alongside them and even get rewarded for it. It's one of my favorite things in the world.
I'm SO excited for book 3 now.
Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Blood, Self harm, Violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, War, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Addiction
mandaraffe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Misogyny, Animal death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Sexism, Violence, War, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Cannibalism, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, and Stalking
Minor: Xenophobia, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, and Body shaming
anelya's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Slavery
oldladysadie'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
4.75
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gore, War, Body horror, Classism, Colonisation, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Murder, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, and Toxic relationship
boglord's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Blood, Violence, Physical abuse, Murder, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Death, Colonisation, Classism, and War
Moderate: Slavery, Death of parent, and Addiction
Minor: Torture and Sexism
chaitai00's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent and Child death
fanboyriot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: War, Animal cruelty, Violence, Murder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Self harm, Blood, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Animal death, Transphobia, Grief, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Gaslighting, Addiction, and Sexism
vereadsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The last 100 pages were a wild ride. Two years have passed since Vin defeated the Lord Ruler, and now Elend is trying to rule Luthanel the best way he can. But neither he, nor Vin, nor the others know how to achieve it. Not without Kelsier. Things start to go wrong when Straff's army besieges Luthadel demanding his surrender.
“Good men don't become legends," he said quietly.
"Good men don't need to become legends." She opened her eyes, looking up at him. "They just do what's right anyway.”
I was a little hesitant to read this book. Because I was still processing Kelsier's death. After finishing the first book, I felt that his death was really premature and that neither Vin nor we were ready to be without him.
“It was his ability to trust," she said. "It was the way that he made good people into better people, the way that he inspired them. His crew worked because he had confidence in them - because he respected them. And, in return, they respected each other. Men like Breeze and Clubs became heroes because Kelsier had faith in them.”
Sanderson definitely knows what he's doing. The pace was a bit slow, but it turned into something great. The last 100 pages were incredible! I like the political intrigue that went into the story, and I love seeing this group of people working hard to preserve Kelsier's legacy. The book gives us a lot of information about the magical, social, religious, and political system of this world which can be exhausting and challenging to read at times. But it was worth it.
“At first glance, the key and the lock it fits may seem very different," Sazed said. "Different in shape, different in function, different in design. The man who looks at them without knowledge of their true nature might think them opposites, for one is meant to open, and the other to keep closed. Yet, upon closer examination he might see that without one, the other becomes useless. The wise man then sees that both lock and key were created for the same purpose.”
Vin is an unstoppable force and watching her progress and how she learned to trust others is beautiful. His relationship with OreSeur is one of the precious gems of this book. She and Elend are so cute together. It's amazing how they have grown into a better version of themselves.
“You must love him enough to trust his wishes, even if you disagree with them. You must respect him - no matter how wrong you think he may be, no matter how poor you think his decisions, you must respect his desire to make them. Even if one of them includes loving you.”
I'm going to take a few weeks to process everything this story has given me, so I'll be ready to jump into the last book of the trilogy.
Graphic: Mental illness, Murder, Rape, Animal cruelty, Gore, Grief, Slavery, War, Death, Emotional abuse, and Sexual assault
categalafassi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Racism, Violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Murder, and Mental illness
Moderate: Infertility, Misogyny, Sexism, Transphobia, Addiction, and Gaslighting
Minor: Animal death and Stalking
lauwbinx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Self harm, Death, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Grief, Emotional abuse, and Addiction
Minor: Abandonment and Animal cruelty