Date of Completion: 22/10/2021
I had been told that the correct way to start Brandon Sanderson’s works is with the Mistborn series. As the first book in the original trilogy, ‘Mistborn: The Final Empire‘ is an epic tale deserving of the hype that surrounds this series.
Everything about the world Brandon constructs is very unique and fascinating; from the intricate magic system to the rich, detailed history. This does mean that there is a lot of information for readers to take in at the beginning of the story. However, Brandon tries to break down this information into bite-sized chunks and creatively infuses them into the story. He also does a great job of keeping this information really simple, making it easy for readers to follow and understand.
Power is a heavy burden. Seek not to be bound by its chains.
The characters that Brandon creates are just as complex as the world. Every character is given a distinct personality which makes identifying and connecting with each one very easy. This is even more impressive when you consider that there are more than five key characters and all of them are well-defined after just a few chapters.
I especially loved that most characters in this story are not all good or bad. If anything, their glaring imperfections make them very likeable and relatable. I also loved the wit and banter displayed by the characters as this makes them even more engaging and entertaining. Their interactions generally had me smiling or laughing and proved to be a great source of comic relief following intense events.
Never trust a man who tells you good news
Unfortunately, the romance aspect of this story lacked the easy, natural flow present between the core characters. Yes, the characters involved have a great initial meeting, but the time-jumps in the story prevent readers from being shown how their connection actually progresses. This left the “romance” feeling forced and awkward. Thankfully, it does not take up much of the story but it did leave me unhappy with part of the story’s ending.
The plot that unfolds in this story is completely entertaining! Brandon even manages to pack in various twists that caught me by surprise. These twists kept the tension high and really had me invested in how the plot would come together. While there is a bit of a slow start as the world and characters are introduced, these were far too interesting for me to be bored.
In summary, I definitely enjoyed this story far more than I expected! ‘Mistborn: The Final Empire’ is an entertaining read set in a unique and rich world. Its strong cast of characters and the twist-filled plot kept me fully invested in the story and how things will play out. I will certainly be picking up the next book and making my way through the rest of this series!
Do you agree or disagree with anything mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below.
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