Reviewed by ladygrey on
So straight away, this is a well written book. The names are a bit odd but whatever. A lot of authors aren’t good with names. Almost everyone had pretty decent nicknames though so it worked out. The style reminds me a lot of Dune. I mean there’s mentats and mahdi and houses and, ok those are the major parallels but they’re striking. I like the world, still, and the fantasy elements. And it’s fun to read something fresh that draws from less than typical sources and is also pretty original.
The writing is so accessible, it’s not as emotionally vibrant as typical YA but it’s engaging enough that you quickly fall into the story. And otherwise it pretty much feels like a YA book, maybe a bit edgier than some but not that far off from Six of Crows or Quitana of Charyn. Maybe it’s Vin’s age but I think more it’s the pace—this is a book that moves really well—and also how it dips into characters emotions and attitudes without dragging down the story. It’s a good balance.
Kelsier is a fabulous character. All swagger and cavalier foolhardy but with the skills to back it up. I love that character every time. And really I liked all the characters. They kept the story going and they kept it interesting beyond politics (which were really barely a thing) and beyond the heist (I know it was a rebellion but it really felt more like a heist).
And it was gratifying that I knew the bad guy’s secret. I didn’t see the two twists at the end so it was kind of fun to be both right and surprised. And it’s mildly heartbreaking and still fulfilling. Really good book.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 25 May, 2020: Finished reading
- 25 May, 2020: Reviewed