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A review by jhbandcats
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
Like other epic fantasy series (The Poppy War, Red Riding, Star Wars), the Mistborn Trilogy features a lower-class teenager overcoming terrible odds to ultimately become deadly, fearsome, and powerful. There are friendships and rivalries, loves, and betrayals. (I’m not really revealing anything here as these are classic tropes.) The Final Empire, the first of the trilogy, is so well crafted that it’s clearly the foundation of a legendary saga.
The author explains the uses of the eight metals that afford allomancers special powers, and repeats the explanations several times as it’s complicated. During Vin’s training, when we see the powers in use, it all begins to make sense. That said, I needed to refer back to the descriptions several times. Only after I finished the book did I see the quite helpful glossary; I wish it’d been at the beginning rather than the end.
The Inquisitors, the enforcement arm of the state’s religion, are absolutely terrifying. Every time the heroes and their crew come up against these monsters, the fights are vivid. The reader always knows exactly what’s happening. It’s the equivalent of superb fight choreography onscreen.
I especially liked the story arc of a filthy street child becoming a beautiful well-bred lady. Vin’s scorn of anything related to the nobility is gradually replaced by awe and then appreciation. The politicking at the balls is every bit as dangerous as the physical confrontations.
I loved the characters and was fully invested in their success. I’m about to start the second in the trilogy - and I can’t wait.
The author explains the uses of the eight metals that afford allomancers special powers, and repeats the explanations several times as it’s complicated. During Vin’s training, when we see the powers in use, it all begins to make sense. That said, I needed to refer back to the descriptions several times. Only after I finished the book did I see the quite helpful glossary; I wish it’d been at the beginning rather than the end.
The Inquisitors, the enforcement arm of the state’s religion, are absolutely terrifying. Every time the heroes and their crew come up against these monsters, the fights are vivid. The reader always knows exactly what’s happening. It’s the equivalent of superb fight choreography onscreen.
I especially liked the story arc of a filthy street child becoming a beautiful well-bred lady. Vin’s scorn of anything related to the nobility is gradually replaced by awe and then appreciation. The politicking at the balls is every bit as dangerous as the physical confrontations.
I loved the characters and was fully invested in their success. I’m about to start the second in the trilogy - and I can’t wait.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism