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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
I generally prefer my world-building the way I prefer spices in my food, sprinkled throughout the story (or dish), without overwhelming it too much.
That said, the world created by Brandon Sanderson, an alternate reality in which some humans known as Epics were gifted with mankind-destroying super powers, completely sucked me in. The genius of STEELHEART lies in its characters, a team of rebels plotting to assassinate one of the most powerful Epics alive. In the tense, tight plotting that had me turning the pages as fast as I could. And most importantly, in the incredible complexity of a story that unfolds in the simplest way possible, while still leaving you guessing until the very last chapter.
STEELHEART isn't quite dystopian YA, and it isn't quite science fiction. It's in a category all by itself, and I'd love to see a dozen more books that fit the same criteria.
That said, the world created by Brandon Sanderson, an alternate reality in which some humans known as Epics were gifted with mankind-destroying super powers, completely sucked me in. The genius of STEELHEART lies in its characters, a team of rebels plotting to assassinate one of the most powerful Epics alive. In the tense, tight plotting that had me turning the pages as fast as I could. And most importantly, in the incredible complexity of a story that unfolds in the simplest way possible, while still leaving you guessing until the very last chapter.
STEELHEART isn't quite dystopian YA, and it isn't quite science fiction. It's in a category all by itself, and I'd love to see a dozen more books that fit the same criteria.
Me gustó mucho el libro y pues es más liviano en profundidad, no se acerca a mistborn ni archivos de las tormentas, lo encuentro más light pero tiene muchas cosas similares a mistborn por ejemplo un tirano malvado y un grupo que se le opone, poderes de algunos que son muy similares.
I understand this one ranks as YA, but it doesn't entirely read like a story aimed at teens. I had a blast with this story, SO much fun!
More realistic, too, in that most humans probably would get power mad if they got super powers. The temptation to seize control would be too much for most people. That is one reason Superman is different - he's not human plus he's pretty much never known what it is like to be truly powerless.
More realistic, too, in that most humans probably would get power mad if they got super powers. The temptation to seize control would be too much for most people. That is one reason Superman is different - he's not human plus he's pretty much never known what it is like to be truly powerless.
Ah, Sanderson. My genius muse, always so consistently jaw-droppingly amazing. I will read anything this man has written. Which is why I picked up this one.
In this post-apocalyptic world, super-heroes with real powers rule the world. Except, not in a positive way. Not heroes, but referred to as Epics. They seem to be mad with power and control, and Steelheart is the worst of them, running "Newcago" with a tight grip of terror. Enter David, who watched his father killed by this Epic. Determined to get revenge, David aggressively finds his way into the Reckoners, a group hell-bent on killing Epics.
It's Sanderson, so the novel is consistent, unique, engaging, and the plot holes are minimal. I love the worlds he creates: so unlike everything else I've read. "Newcago" has been turned entirely into a Steel labyrinth, with an underground system and complete complacency. The characters are rich and varied, EXCEPT (and this is my biggest complaint) Megan, the new recruit of the Reckoners. Why are Sanderson's ingenues so... boring? She's pretty but she's grumpy and the main character positively drools over her. I don't know. I feel like she could have been given a richer, fuller character (although she has an "epic" role to play in the ending, hehe, which ALMOST makes up for it).
Highly recommended for anyone who has loved a Sanderson novel, fans of superheroes, reluctant readers (especially boys).
Warnings:
Violence: Yes, sometimes graphic. It's a superhero novel. Nothing overdone, in my opinion.
Language: As with most Sanderson novels, he creates his own kind of cursing. So it functions well within the society of the novel but would not be offensive to a modern reader.
Sex: Nah.
Drugs: Nah.
In this post-apocalyptic world, super-heroes with real powers rule the world. Except, not in a positive way. Not heroes, but referred to as Epics. They seem to be mad with power and control, and Steelheart is the worst of them, running "Newcago" with a tight grip of terror. Enter David, who watched his father killed by this Epic. Determined to get revenge, David aggressively finds his way into the Reckoners, a group hell-bent on killing Epics.
It's Sanderson, so the novel is consistent, unique, engaging, and the plot holes are minimal. I love the worlds he creates: so unlike everything else I've read. "Newcago" has been turned entirely into a Steel labyrinth, with an underground system and complete complacency. The characters are rich and varied, EXCEPT (and this is my biggest complaint) Megan, the new recruit of the Reckoners. Why are Sanderson's ingenues so... boring? She's pretty but she's grumpy and the main character positively drools over her. I don't know. I feel like she could have been given a richer, fuller character (although she has an "epic" role to play in the ending, hehe, which ALMOST makes up for it).
Highly recommended for anyone who has loved a Sanderson novel, fans of superheroes, reluctant readers (especially boys).
Warnings:
Violence: Yes, sometimes graphic. It's a superhero novel. Nothing overdone, in my opinion.
Language: As with most Sanderson novels, he creates his own kind of cursing. So it functions well within the society of the novel but would not be offensive to a modern reader.
Sex: Nah.
Drugs: Nah.
No es el primer libro que leo de Brandon Sanderson, porque he leído dos relatos suyos...
Pero sí es la primera trilogía que leo de él.
He de decir que me ha gustado muchísimo, que está lleno de acción y de otras muchas cosas.
Que las sorpresas del final y las explicaciones que da me han encantado y que estoy deseando seguir con esta trilogía que me parece muy original.
Y bueno, que la ciencia ficción me encanta, y este autor, también.
Pero sí es la primera trilogía que leo de él.
He de decir que me ha gustado muchísimo, que está lleno de acción y de otras muchas cosas.
Que las sorpresas del final y las explicaciones que da me han encantado y que estoy deseando seguir con esta trilogía que me parece muy original.
Y bueno, que la ciencia ficción me encanta, y este autor, también.
Check out my review of Steelheart on my blog Be More Book .
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
If The Boys were optimistic and actually good at their job.
The prose and dialogue here often felt super clunky, and oddly non-committal. Too many adverbs and uses of the word “just.” None of the characters really stood out to me in individual voice besides Cody. I also wasn’t fond of the running gag with David being bad at metaphors, but maybe I was projecting when it seemed like an author’s insecurity.
However! The action scenes, world-building, and twists are wonderful. Things definitely felt earned.
This is my first Sanderson book. I wonder if my hunch will be correct in that Sanderson seems like he’d thrive doing screenplays or show running. This book had anime vibes, in a good way.
It was a little tiring seeing David constantly “win” without losing anything significant, besides Megan’s “death.” The power plant sequence especially felt too easy. Also, where did Edmund go after his interrogation???
Speaking of Megan’s death. Her death upset me so much that I went and looked up that she had reincarnation powers. I was just like, “No way the love interest dies at the BEGINNING of a new chapter/part, instead of just dying after the motorcycle chase.”
BUT! Although I found out about the reincarnation, I somehow didn’t spoil myself with the Firefight reveal. That put a whole lot of context on her past interactions.
Same with Prof being an Epic. Maybe Prof will actually go by the name “Limelight” now. It was a cool reveal that Epic powers directly bring out the worst parts of the individual.
I also wish I saw way more Steelheart dialogue, rather than him just showing up at the very beginning and end, but oh well. I like that someone with a “Steelheart,” aka one with no fear, had to defeat him. And who better to do that, than the Steelheart himself?
The prose and dialogue here often felt super clunky, and oddly non-committal. Too many adverbs and uses of the word “just.” None of the characters really stood out to me in individual voice besides Cody. I also wasn’t fond of the running gag with David being bad at metaphors, but maybe I was projecting when it seemed like an author’s insecurity.
However! The action scenes, world-building, and twists are wonderful. Things definitely felt earned.
This is my first Sanderson book. I wonder if my hunch will be correct in that Sanderson seems like he’d thrive doing screenplays or show running. This book had anime vibes, in a good way.
Speaking of Megan’s death. Her death upset me so much that I went and looked up that she had reincarnation powers. I was just like, “No way the love interest dies at the BEGINNING of a new chapter/part, instead of just dying after the motorcycle chase.”
BUT! Although I found out about the reincarnation, I somehow didn’t spoil myself with the Firefight reveal. That put a whole lot of context on her past interactions.
Same with Prof being an Epic. Maybe Prof will actually go by the name “Limelight” now. It was a cool reveal that Epic powers directly bring out the worst parts of the individual.
I also wish I saw way more Steelheart dialogue, rather than him just showing up at the very beginning and end, but oh well. I like that someone with a “Steelheart,” aka one with no fear, had to defeat him. And who better to do that, than the Steelheart himself?
ايجابيات الكتاب:
-كأنك تتفرج فلم
-نهاية الكتاب مليان صدمات وبلوت تويست وحده ورا الثانيه
-بعض الاجزاء ممتعه
-كتابة سلسلة خفيفه
سلبياته :
-مشاهد القتال و وصف الاماكن بتقرونه اقل شي ثلاث مرات من التفصيل اللي فيه ولاني اعتبرته شوي صعب التخيل فهذا خلاني اطوّل فالقراءة
-تمطيط شوي
-كأنك تتفرج فلم
-نهاية الكتاب مليان صدمات وبلوت تويست وحده ورا الثانيه
-بعض الاجزاء ممتعه
-كتابة سلسلة خفيفه
سلبياته :
-مشاهد القتال و وصف الاماكن بتقرونه اقل شي ثلاث مرات من التفصيل اللي فيه ولاني اعتبرته شوي صعب التخيل فهذا خلاني اطوّل فالقراءة
-تمطيط شوي
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wow. I love superheroes and reading about this anti-superhero universe was so fascinating! The story was pretty interesting but there were some parts that were a little harder for me to follow (which could be because I was listening to it instead of physically reading it). There were some great plot twists in it - some were expected, others not so much. I’m excited to start listening to Firefight soon!