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A review by sai_g
The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
"There's always another secret"
A lot of another secrets apparently.
It's difficult to write a review without spoilers for the last book in a series. So this review is going to contain spoilers. The main reason is not that I love this series so much and want to gush about it. Not at all.
Did I think that the pre-chapter notes were a backdoor way to explain things? Kind of yes. But not really? I knew that the pre-chapter notes were in Sazed's voice. That much is obvious from the first few chapters. But I still didn't guess that Sazed would be the Hero.I thought those notes were from a journal Sazed documented in the usual Sazed way after they defeated Ruin and everybody was in the happily ever after. Call me dumb but I fully exepcted Vin and Elend to live (the main source of my reasoning not being a fan art I found of Vin and Elend lying on green grass holding hands with flowers growing around them. Imagine my thoughts when I read the scene the fanart actually depicted) So yes. I didn't call it(Sazed being Hero) but it wasn't suddenly pulled out of the air either. On the other hand, I guessed about Vin's earring because of the pre-chapter notes about Hemalurgy. That didn't make it any less satisfying. I think it made the reveal even more enjoyable and that Brandon Sanderson intended it that way. I also saw the fate of Kandras coming that way long before it happened. But that only increased the dread because Tensoon is beloved to me.
The concept of Rashek being a failed saviour was executed brilliantly. I see the brutal things he did, yet cannot help but admire and pity him for the thousand years long battle he was fighting. Talking about tragic characters, I really sympathized with Marsh. In the beginning, when he decides that his only course of action would be to pull off his spike, I wanted him to have a good ending.
There were amazing character arcs throughout the story. My favorites are of Elend and Spook, followed closely by Sazed and Vin. Sazed's story was an emotionally heavy arc and it was heart warming. He overall is an amazing character. Tensoon is also a well written character. But, I had wanted Tensoon(in wolfhound form) and Vin to meet atleast once in this book. Alas.
The relationship between Elend and Vin was such a beautiful sight to behold. The understanding, the trust, the mutual respect, it was all very matured and beautiful.
I have to admit, there were some things I didn't enjoy. They are: Vin becoming an "entity" sort of thing during the final war with koloss. It felt weird. I wished for her to be in the battle, along with Elend. But I understand that's how the plot goes. The next being repetitive writing. I usually don't mind, because the scene requires it. Usually. I almost didn't mind in this book too. I didn't hate it or anything. I just "noticed" it, like a small pebble in my shoe.
Overall, this book(and series) has it all: action, characters, plot, magic system and the secrets.
There were less action scenes compared to the previous books even though there were battles fought.
A perfect ending to a perfect trilogy.
A lot of another secrets apparently.
It's difficult to write a review without spoilers for the last book in a series. So this review is going to contain spoilers. The main reason is not that I love this series so much and want to gush about it. Not at all.
Did I think that the pre-chapter notes were a backdoor way to explain things? Kind of yes. But not really? I knew that the pre-chapter notes were in Sazed's voice. That much is obvious from the first few chapters. But I still didn't guess that Sazed would be the Hero.I thought those notes were from a journal Sazed documented in the usual Sazed way after they defeated Ruin and everybody was in the happily ever after. Call me dumb but I fully exepcted Vin and Elend to live (the main source of my reasoning not being a fan art I found of Vin and Elend lying on green grass holding hands with flowers growing around them. Imagine my thoughts when I read the scene the fanart actually depicted) So yes. I didn't call it(Sazed being Hero) but it wasn't suddenly pulled out of the air either. On the other hand, I guessed about Vin's earring because of the pre-chapter notes about Hemalurgy. That didn't make it any less satisfying. I think it made the reveal even more enjoyable and that Brandon Sanderson intended it that way. I also saw the fate of Kandras coming that way long before it happened. But that only increased the dread because Tensoon is beloved to me.
The concept of Rashek being a failed saviour was executed brilliantly. I see the brutal things he did, yet cannot help but admire and pity him for the thousand years long battle he was fighting. Talking about tragic characters, I really sympathized with Marsh. In the beginning, when he decides that his only course of action would be to pull off his spike, I wanted him to have a good ending.
There were amazing character arcs throughout the story. My favorites are of Elend and Spook, followed closely by Sazed and Vin. Sazed's story was an emotionally heavy arc and it was heart warming. He overall is an amazing character. Tensoon is also a well written character. But, I had wanted Tensoon(in wolfhound form) and Vin to meet atleast once in this book. Alas.
The relationship between Elend and Vin was such a beautiful sight to behold. The understanding, the trust, the mutual respect, it was all very matured and beautiful.
I have to admit, there were some things I didn't enjoy. They are: Vin becoming an "entity" sort of thing during the final war with koloss. It felt weird. I wished for her to be in the battle, along with Elend. But I understand that's how the plot goes. The next being repetitive writing. I usually don't mind, because the scene requires it. Usually. I almost didn't mind in this book too. I didn't hate it or anything. I just "noticed" it, like a small pebble in my shoe.
Overall, this book(and series) has it all: action, characters, plot, magic system and the secrets.
There were less action scenes compared to the previous books even though there were battles fought.
A perfect ending to a perfect trilogy.