4.01 AVERAGE


An amazing book, as usual Brandon twists the story in a way you can't imagine, a 5 stars book for sure!

The overall premise of this story was really interesting for me. I like how the typical trope of superheroes was turned on its head and there was no hero answer to the villain as many stories typically take. The expectation for the hero to come save the day wasn’t met and so it was the ordinary people who had to respond to the threat working against a seemingly all powerful and controlling threat. Was interesting to see them struggle with the morality of their actions. In theory you know that you want to take out the bad guy because they're bad, but when this will result in worsened conditions for the innocent people living in the city, should you do it? Megan's perspective and general reluctance to go along with their plot added to this and really showed that the good guys don't always do good and that sometimes you can believe in the overall goal, but dislike how that goal is reached. It was also interesting to see how this was managed by David who had previously not considered the results of this actions. I thought that all the characters were well rounded, and added different perspectives and humour. Their sense of mystery surrounding their histories is intriguing and I hope it’s explored more in later books.
World building: A+, from the first second chapter the world was already forming and immersive for my imagination. Although the epilogue is set on modern Earth, the hints towards what is to come, really help set the scene. Although it might have been a bit info dumpy at the beginning, I don't believe that this was at a detriment to the immersion and story, rather it set me firmly into the world and let me further understand the situation. Humorous moments were scattered throughout the book. I partially called the ending and a few other plot points towards the end
SpoilerMegan and Prof being epics and half got Steelhearts vulnerability
; however, this didn’t detract from it all. The way it was written really did it justice.
There was one element specifically I didn't really enjoy; the insta love. For example, when David first met Megan although he admired her style and actions whilst in combat, it felt too much like insta love (like) and he kept mentioning how much he liked her. I didn’t think this relationship was all that bad though. You are given moments where their interactions demonstrate them developing friendship. I just feel like if the mentions of liking her were lessened a little bit and the reader was left to be shown the development it might have been more enjoyable.
Overall, a well written, intriguing story that kept me wanting more from the moment it started.
adventurous dark hopeful inspiring 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


reviews.metaphorosis.com


3.5 stars

After Calamity appears in Eath's sky, people with Epic superpowers start to appear and emplace themselves as tyrants. As a boy, David saw one of the most powerful Epics emerge and kill his father. Since then, the boy has dedicated his life to revenge.

I don't get too excited about superhero stories, but Brandon Sanderson has done his usual thing with the concept - likable characters, decent storyline, and a carefully thought out magic [superpower] system.

The story is competently put together, but the book often feels more like a logic puzzle than a novel. 'If this, then that'.  Unfortunately, the challenges aren't really that hard, and I worked most of them out well before the end. Even the one seemingly real surprise turned out not to be one after all.

At the same time, the characters are engaging, and I can see reading the next installment to find out more about them.

3.5 stars.
medium-paced
emotional mysterious medium-paced

Superhero is not my thing, but this was a fresh take I ended up liking anyhow
medium-paced