Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

Mistborn: The Final Empire (Cosmere Universe) (Mistborn, #1)

by Brandon Sanderson

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson, the Mistborn series is a heist story of political intrigue and magical, martial-arts action.

For a thousand years the ash fell and no flowers bloomed. For a thousand years the Skaa slaved in misery and lived in fear. For a thousand years the Lord Ruler, the "Sliver of Infinity," reigned with absolute power and ultimate terror, divinely invincible. Then, when hope was so long lost that not even its memory remained, a terribly scarred, heart-broken half-Skaa rediscovered it in the depths of the Lord Ruler's most hellish prison. Kelsier "snapped" and found in himself the powers of a Mistborn. A brilliant thief and natural leader, he turned his talents to the ultimate caper, with the Lord Ruler himself as the mark.

Kelsier recruited the underworld's elite, the smartest and most trustworthy allomancers, each of whom shares one of his many powers, and all of whom relish a high-stakes challenge. Only then does he reveal his ultimate dream, not just the greatest heist in history, but the downfall of the divine despot.

But even with the best criminal crew ever assembled, Kel's plan looks more like the ultimate long shot, until luck brings a ragged girl named Vin into his life. Like him, she's a half-Skaa orphan, but she's lived a much harsher life. Vin has learned to expect betrayal from everyone she meets, and gotten it. She will have to learn to trust, if Kel is to help her master powers of which she never dreamed.

This saga dares to ask a simple question: What if the hero of prophecy fails?

Reviewed by Renee on

4 of 5 stars

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I was in a reading slump while reading this book, so my star rating may be a bit more negative due to that. I honestly think I would have given it 5 stars if I hadn’t been in a reading slump.

The characters were amazing, the magic system was very unique and entertaining, and the world was definitely interesting. However, I was so annoyed by Vin’s romance. My girly and childlike side was like ‘awhh yess this is so cute!’ but my adult side was frustrated because I don’t believe that Vin would trust anyone that quickly and let down her guard after what she’s been through in life.

Also, the journal was interesting yes, but it took over half the story and it was so obvious for me that something happened to him and that he wasn’t the person who is the Lord Ruler at this moment in time. How could no one in this book think of that?

Besides this, the story was incredibly detailed with grey characters that felt absolutely real. I am curious how this story continues.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 2 October, 2019: Finished reading
  • 2 October, 2019: Reviewed
  • Started reading
  • 24 April, 2021: Finished reading
  • 2 October, 2019: Reviewed