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A review by spootilious
The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is my first interaction with Brandon Sanderson outside of The Wheel of Time. I have to say I was not disappointed. I was curious to see how well Sanderson did at his own world building and after my husband went on rant after rant about The Stormlight Archives and Mistborn I gave in and picked up the first book.
The world building is certainly unique. The burning of metals reminded me of David Farland's The Runelords in a sense, but was also so unique I couldn't help being pulled in. The strange creatures Sanderson creates, like the Inquisitors and Mistwraiths, are so grotesquely wonderful as well.
The characters are all so unique and well defined. Their different dialects and ticks make them beautifully realistic and relatable. The different culture are intriguing as well.
Sanderson hits heavy on religion in this book as well. Between focusing on the Lord Ruler as God and the Keeper's mass information on forgotten beliefs I can't help but see the parallels with organized religion today. It certainly causes the reader to contemplate the world (both real and fictional).
The beginning is a bit slow but I couldn't put this book down once the ball got rolling. Honestly the five stars is less because I absolutely adored this book (I admit it is good just not the best I've read) and more because I cannot fault it. Sanderson provides wonderful descriptions, settings, characters, ideals, and conflict. There isn't much more I can say.
The world building is certainly unique. The burning of metals reminded me of David Farland's The Runelords in a sense, but was also so unique I couldn't help being pulled in. The strange creatures Sanderson creates, like the Inquisitors and Mistwraiths, are so grotesquely wonderful as well.
The characters are all so unique and well defined. Their different dialects and ticks make them beautifully realistic and relatable. The different culture are intriguing as well.
Sanderson hits heavy on religion in this book as well. Between focusing on the Lord Ruler as God and the Keeper's mass information on forgotten beliefs I can't help but see the parallels with organized religion today. It certainly causes the reader to contemplate the world (both real and fictional).
The beginning is a bit slow but I couldn't put this book down once the ball got rolling. Honestly the five stars is less because I absolutely adored this book (I admit it is good just not the best I've read) and more because I cannot fault it. Sanderson provides wonderful descriptions, settings, characters, ideals, and conflict. There isn't much more I can say.