Reviews

Mitosis by Brandon Sanderson

vidhi26p's review against another edition

4.0

A hilarious, vivid storytelling of David’s life after Steelheart, packed with his horrid puns, it was an adventure following his reckless journey. This continued on Sanderson’s trend to write “smart” books, stories with deeper understandings and great detail, whose purpose isn’t as shallow as pure entertainment. I never really got bored of the story or characters, despite having discovered them thoroughly in the previous novel.

silverseren's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

3.0

It's a novella so for me it's over too quick at 40ishpages. 

lanternatomika's review against another edition

3.0

Pretty much a teeny bit more of the Reckoners trilogy. The book is set between Steelheart and Firefight, though I wound up reading it out of order. It's a quick read about an attack on the Newcago Reckoners by Mitosis, an Epic who wants to know how an 18 year old boy managed to wax the great and powerful Steelheart. It later turns out that Mitosis has ties to Regalia, the villain of Firefight

If you enjoyed Steelheart, you'll enjoy this. It is every bit a chapter of Sanderson's Reckoners saga, one that might even fit into one of the books seamlessly. The events of Mitosis are referenced a few times in the early going of Firefight, so that might be something to keep in mind. It isn't more than an hour of reading, so if you're invested in this story, then why not?

naomihuisman's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No

4.0

writer_gabby's review against another edition

4.0

Read this in audiobook.

It was fun, the main carather is so silly sometimes, but I always laugh.
Can't wait to see what's gonna happend.

4,2*

crypticspren's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Normally, novellas are a bit of a miss. They struggle to deliver much in such a short span of pages. However, Sanderson's novellas are top quality. The characters were so consistent and Mitosis was the perfect follow up to Steelheart. Not only did it give a wonderful overview of the positive change that came after the events of the first book, but there was still a sense of drama and action and an overtone of hope.
Also the thought of crawling through a tight tunnel and just belting crappy songs is so on point for his character.

liketheday's review against another edition

3.0

We learn a little bit more about the Epics and their powers and weak spots, and we get a decent setup for the upcoming Firefight, and all and all I am entertained.
read more...

megana's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This is way shorter than I remembered. Proof that Brandon Sanderson really can write short? It’s a cute little epilogue to Steelheart. 

missalys's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

heysunbee's review against another edition

tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

 Mitosis is a short installation bridging the final events of Steelheart with the events in Firefight. We follow the Reckoners as they rebuild Newcago after the demise of Steelheart and the succeeding power struggle they need to get through with the titular character of this short story.

I have to preface this by saying that I am not a big fan of the Reckoners trilogy. I wanted to explore all of Sanderson’s bibliography and this was on the list. With that being said, I don’t like this novella. If you didn’t read this, you wouldn’t lose anything since the information we see has minimal effect on our understanding of the world or our characters. 

I liked Mitosis’s character and his powers. The thought that Sanderson put into writing the conditions and limitations of an Epic’s powers was more fleshed out here in terms of execution compared to the first book, which was refreshing since it makes the Epics more human and more likely to be defeated. The ending was a little too deus ex machina for me - it felt like such an easy out, it took away my limited enjoyment of the story.

Personally, it comes as a surprise that Sanderson wrote Mistborn in 2006 and he wrote this in 2013 but the quality and worldbuilding is - excuse my pun - worlds apart. I find it quite difficult to believe that he can produce something as riveting as Mistborn with all its twists and turns, its complex characters, and comprehensive lore but also write Mitosis seven years later. This strongly feels like the work of a new writer still finding their footing.

If you enjoyed the Reckoners series, I feel like this story might be enjoyable for you! I believe that this is more of a matter of taste and expectation which made me give it a low rating and an unfavorable opinion.