Brandon Sanderson, fantasy’s newest master tale spinner, author of the acclaimed debut Elantris, dares to turn a genre on its head by asking a simple question: What if the hero of prophecy fails? What kind of world results when the Dark Lord is in charge? The answer will be found in the Mistborn Trilogy, a saga of surprises and magical martial-arts action that begins in Mistborn.For a thousand … Mistborn.
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.
Readers of Elantris thought they’d discovered someone special in Brandon Sanderson. Mistborn proves they were right.
At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
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This was a really fun read. I loved the magic system used in this world. The plot generally moved quickly and had some good twists and turns. I don’t read much fantasy, but I can give this a solid recommendation even if you’re just dipping your toes into fantasy.
You know the feeling when you’re really into a book so you start reading faster and faster, to the point where you might be missing things, but you literally can’t slow down because you HAVE to find out what happens? That’s what happened to me with Mistborn: The Final Empire. What a fun ride.
I’d recommend it to A Game of Thrones fans because of the way it tries to explore a darker side of fantasy (it begins in a world where evil has won and has been in control for a thousand years) and for its mixture of bloody action and courtly intrigue. It also reminded me a bit of The Lies of Locke Lamora because of its main characters: a crew of thieves with a charismatic leader who are all really good at banter.
Thanks to @thegreatape for recommending it to me when I asked for suggestions of books with interesting magic systems (https://www.bookbub.com/buzz/3678248627). Just downloaded book two in the series, hoping it’ll be as satisfying as the first!
This is my new favorite fantasy series. A gang of unlikely individuals band together to overthrow a terrible ruler. A wonderful world is created by people who are born with the abilities to control certain metals. Imagine having super powers that are powered by the different forms of metal around you. Different metals allow you to control others emotions and actions, gain strength and speed, allows you to fly through the air. There are so many twists and turns. This story grabs you from the beginning and takes you on a wild unpredictable ride. I couldn’t wait to start the next book in the series to find out where their journey goes from here.
Not really going out on a limb recommending this one. It’s one of the highest rated books I’ve seen. Epic fantasy is not my preference but a friend insisted I read it. I was curious so I did. It’s pretty clear why Sanderson has so many fans. It’s world-building at its finest. The mythology and rules are logical and well laid out. The story unfolds nicely with a decent enough turn at the end. I didn’t find Sanderson’s wordsmithing to be on par with the his world building but it didn’t have to be. If epic fantasy is your gig, this is a ride you want to take. And it’s just the first book.
This book is one of my favorite sci-fi fantasy books. It follows the story of a young girl who has had a rough start through her eventual transformations into a powerful mistborn. I love Sanderson’s writing style and his ability to create such an engaging world.
I have finally gotten around to reading some Brandon Sanderson, and now I understand why he is one of the modern-day masters of fantasy! His Mistborn: The Final Empire book got me totally hooked, and I worked my way through the massive book at record speed. Imagine Ocean’s 11 set in a fantasy world and you have an idea for the book’s set-up. That’s all I’ll say about it. Check it out for yourself if you love fantasy.
Heaps of fun, great magic-system and action sequences, a few surprises I saw coming and a few I certainly didn’t 🙂
After Vin learns she is a Mistborn, and is capable of doing so much more than influencing peoples emotions, she is recruited to join Kelsier’s skaa thieving crew for a big job he is planning. Little does Vin know, or the rest of the crew for that matter, that the “job” is SO MUCH bigger than they signed on for. Kel is planning to overthrow the Lord Ruler. He is the all powerful, immortal God who rules over them. Unfortunately, he is not the most benevolent ruler, in fact he is quite to opposite, and Kel has had enough.
I was skeptical to read this, and worried I wouldn’t like it. I never trust books that I think are over-hyped, I tend to get disappointed. This was not over-hyped. It is as good as people said it was.
I loved all the characters, especially Vin. I loved how she changed and grew with everything she learned. It would have been easy for her to be stubborn and misanthropic given everything that happened to her, but she didn’t.
The magics in this world are so imaginative. I loved how they worked, and cannot wait to learn more about them in the books to come.
MIstborn was the first of Brandon Sanderson’s books. The world and magic system in the Mistborn world fascinated me because it had rules that made it both more believable and deep without droning on with pages and pages of exposition. I highly recommend all of his books.
Awesome book. Good intro into Sanderson
Just started Mistborn was recommended to me on Buzz hope it’s good!
It took me a while between starting to finishing this book– mostly because my sit-down time is limited. I finally gave in and bought the ebook and used text to speech! I flew through the book pretty fast and loved every page. As a writer, I envy the unique magic system and level of world building Sanderson has developed. He created a world with complexity and a magic system unlike any I’ve ever come across. Then he put believable characters in and they move the plot, and story, forward in a way that always made sense. Vin is a street urchin with a buried gift- and through her gift of magic, her life transforms– and she impacts the world, and people, around her– profoundly. A must-read for fantasy lovers!
Noble Ball Shocker! Upstart Skaa Thief Infiltrates Polite Society!: “Well, Ms. Valette Renoux, if that is her real name, attempted to steal my future husband with her feminine wiles.” – Lady Shan Elariel – The Luthadel Lacunae
Thief Crew Scandal! Master Thief Heist Plot Masked Revolution!: “Yeah, well, we all thought Kelsier planned on making us all rich, but instead he was targeting the big Kahuna – the Lord Ruler” – Breeze – The Thief’s Tattler
Simply a brilliantly crafted story. Everything works, this is really special – hence I have few words. However, the word Immaculate comes to mind.
Sanderson is an inspired artist of the story telling craft – genius level ability.
I only have one question: Was this a heist story or a revolution story? Perhaps a bit of both.
Absolutely Recommended! 5+ ‘There’s Always Another Secret,’ STARS!
I greatly enjoyed this epic fantasy. The magic system was fascinating and I loved the characters. I only wish the middle hadn’t felt so slow.
As you can tell, I am on a fantasy kick, and I kept getting recs to read this series–it is good. It took me a little bit to get hooked, but once I was, I was full in. The wide array of characters and stories, along with the world building and action kept me riveted. Now onto the rest of the series!
Oh how I loved this book. I read “The Reckoners” series, which I loved, but nothing prepared me for how awesome this book is. I can’t wait to read more from this world.
“Mistborn: The Final Empire” is a girl-meets-powers coming of age story set in a steampunk-ish, dystopian, medieval-period world full up with weird goings on.
The larger picture is one of proletariat revolt against a ruthless upper class that holds all the cards. It’s Robin Hood meets Cinderella, with a unique system of magic involving physical and sensory powers that tie to metal reagents a practitioner swallows and then “burns” in her stomach.
I admit that I didn’t know what to expect, which made it super interesting to follow the heroine’s story as she learns how to master her fascinating abilities. Good plot. Good world building. Great read. There’s a reason so many people recommend this book.
My Rating:
Type: Series- Book 1
Genre: Fantasy, Magic World, Action & Adventure
Primary Characters: Kelsier, Vin, Elend, Sazed, Dockson, Hammond, Breeze, Spook, Clubs
Narration: limited third person
Me being still amateur to this big Fantasy genre, I wasn’t sure what to except when I picked up this book. This book has a wonderful depth of imagination, masterful plotting, vivid, haunting settings along with artful twists.
The Final Empire is the first book in Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn trilogy. Anything can happen in this dystopian world of Scadriel, Ashes fall from the sky and Mists take over the night. A dark lord rules the empire for thousand years with an iron grip. In the city where corruption among the nobility chokes the air almost as much as the ashfall, some skaa thumb their noses at the system. A small oppressed group called Skaa Plan a heist and enroute they plan to kill the dark lord.
The opening is strong and engaging. The world building is tremendous along with a unique magic system and exceptional character development.
Magic system
The magic system is where this book truly shines. Magic system is so unique, complex but yet so simple to understand. Allomancy is the power to control different metals. Allomancy, the inherent ability that allows the Allomancer to burn specific metals, offering powers that can enhance physical and mental capacities. Using of metals to generate power is completely new where magic systems go, and provides a rather unique touch to this setting.
Plot
The plot of this may sound very generic at first glance, but I assure it most certainly isn’t. The political aspect and the society of the Final Empire are reminiscent of several current societies. I loved the rich histories of Luthadel and the intricate weave of political webs. I liked the complexity, effects, and the ways it was used were cunning, clever, and ingenious.
Characters
The characters definitely make up one of the greatest strengths of this book. All characters fit together like the pieces of a puzzle. Each of them bought a unique talent and strength to the team. They were funny, loud, devoted family. Characters that have been developed so beautifully and keep growing from the beginning till the end.
Kelsier! He is one of the most amazing fantasy characters and a true great leader. I loved his caring, charismatic, reckless and fearless character. Vin grows from an unconfident street urchin to Kelisar’s protégé and eventually becomes one of the leaders of the rebellion against the Lord Ruler. Sazed is a wonderful compelling character, who won me over so quickly!
This tale is filled with wonderful character development, captivating world-building, unique magic system, endless twists, action and adventure along with an engrossing plot. I loved this book and I’m excited to continue on!
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Sanderson can write great fantasy, and “Mistborn” is one of his best. The magic system is fascinating, the characters are memorable and the story keeps you riveted. I enjoyed the whole series, which means if you like the this first one, there’s lots more to read. I hope you like it as much as I did.
If you are on a deadline, DON’T READ THIS BOOK. It is far too good.
It has kept me up waaaaaay past my bedtime, delighted and enthralled with the plot twists and turns. Brandon Sanderson creates characters I’ve fallen in love with, AND he keeps me guessing, AND he has a way-cool magic system.
Gotta run … the last few pages are calling my name! 🙂