A review by luckyshmo
Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious sad tense medium-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

 “Belief isn't simply a thing for fair times and bright days...What is belief - what is faith - if you don't continue in it after failure?...Anyone can believe in someone, or something that always succeeds...But failure...ah, now, that is hard to believe in, certainly and truly. Difficult enough to have value. Sometimes we just have to wait long enough...then we find out why exactly it was that we kept believing...There's always another secret.”

The Lord Ruler has reigned for over a thousand years through oppression of the people and the brutality of the nobles and Inquisitors who lord over them. A group of the oppressed rise up, led by an enigmatic and ostentatious Mistborn (full magic user), to try and overthrow the kingdom, but at what cost? This novel flips the chosen one fantasy trope on its head by asking the question: what if the prophesied hero actually fails?

Mistborn: The Final Empire is book 1 of the Mistborn Era 1 Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson. Part of the author's overarching greater works in the same universe called the Cosmere, Mistborn is an absolute delight from start to finish. I am pretty late to the Mistborn party but so glad I finally arrived. This is fantasy writing at its finest.

Character development is top-notch, World-building is a highlight, the magic system is wholly unique, and intricate, and incredible, and the plot barrels along at a wonderful pace (especially in the last 200 pages). From hard labor mines, to city slums, to grand heists and grand houses, to nobility intrigues, this book was fantastic start to finish.

For any fantasy fan, this is must read. The Cosmere Universe is vast and can be intimidating, but should be read. Mistborn is the perfect intro into that world. I can not recommend this novel enough.

For parents, there is no language and no sexuality, but does have some violence. Great for teenagers and older. So excited to finally have gotten into this world and, with the amount of novels within it, I won't be leaving anytime soon. Happy reading everyone!