Mistborn

Mistborn: The Final Empire (Mistborn #1)

Author: Brandon Sanderson
Review By: Courtney
Published By: Tom Doherty Associates
Date: July 25th 2006
Genre: Fantasy or Epic Fantasy
Pages: 541 pages

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, Kelsier'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 Kelsier is to help her master powers of which she never dreamed.


Okay I totally understand that this is not a YA book. It is a Fantasy book that I fell in love with and I have to share it with all of you.This book was recommended to me from non other then my older brother whom is a very big fantasy reader (currently working on his very 1st Fantasy Novel). But what really made me want to read this book was when my brother explained Vin and Kelsier to me. The way he explained them made me give this book a chance it very much deserves.


I was kinda iffy about this book because I'm not a fantasy reader, back when I read this I was into romance novels and V.C. Andrews books (Didn't even pick up my first YA yet). But the moment I started was the moment I became mentally involved with these characters. I couldn't put the book down. I was up all night till 4 in the morning reading, which was bad because I was in college then getting my associates degree in Mechanical Engineering  :)


To begin Kelsier is the main character and he is a Allomancer, which I will explain. He is seeking revenge on the immortal Lord Ruler (Thousands of years), whom he blames for the death of his wife and is gathering a crew. This is a world so unlike ours there are special people who have powers when they consume Metals. Such as Copper, and burning one or more, of the metals & draws abilities from them. Kelsier is special he is a Mistborn  (can consume and use more than one metal), while the others (Mistings) can only do one metal at all. How you figure out your a allomancer is by being "Snapped" and to snap you have to be beaten to a point where your body snaps to save yourself from dying. The Nobel family's will try to snap their children on purpose in hopes of them being a allomancer because that means power for the family, but it can be dangerous.

There is also some weird parts to the book. Like the Ash falling from the sky??? Of course I can't say why but I can say it's important, and then there's the fact that nothing of color grows in this world. It's like the world is broken. Then there's the Mist. No one goes into the mist (Which arrives at night fall), and if they do, then they die...why?? I cannot explain to you these things for it would spoil the whole series to you. Also the coins :) I love the coins....and the jacket Kelsier wears...*SNAP okay back on track, got lost there.

Kelsier is making plans and gathering allomancers. He finds Vin in Luthadel while he's recruiting. She has no idea what she is and why she can do the things she can do. Kelsier tells Vin that she is a allomancer and that she has the power, though weak, to sooth emotions. He notices this when she trys to sooth Marsh and doesn't do to well, shes noticeable. There's a lot of back story to each character that is extremely important but I can't tell you because it would be a spoiler :). But Kelsier takes Vin in and helps her understand and learn to control her power or powers if shes lucky. She begins to look up to Kelsier as her guide and joins them in their crew.

Vin, since growing up in a tough background has a very hard time trusting anyone. Her brother Reen, who deserted her, is always in her mind reminding her not to trust. Only to survive there are some people she needs to learn to trust. To do her job in the crew she needs to attend balls as Valette Renoux, a noblewoman. This process is a very funny and interesting part of the book because shes so awkward. but anyways she mistakenly falls in love with Elend Venture (screams like a 16 year old girl), a nobleman, and heir to the strongest noble house. The way they meet and everything is just amazing and the whole time your like COME ON get it through your head Vin and KISS HIM.

Just when Elend and Vin are almost there something happens and ________________ teaser...can't tell you!! I am being 100% honest here. All you YA Paranormal readers, grab this book. It can't hurt right?  If you give this a try you will not be disappointed (I hope).

Vin grows a lot in this book and she and the other characters just pull you in. Brandon Sanderson is a amazing writer. He does such a great job at creating this whole new world and all these new rules and his characters are so in depth and real that you are forever rooted to these people. The book takes your emotions and pulls you into the characters world and then breaks you and picks you up again. The way Brandon captures you and wont let you go is amazing. Like so many other reviewers I can say something so emotionally pulling happens and you just shut down and CRY your heart out. Only you have to read to figure out that thing.

I give this book a well deserved 5 out of 5 stars. Till this day (Read 3 years ago) I am still infused with these characters and enjoy thinking of this book series. There are 3 books and the 4th is like hundreds of years after telling how Kelsier and his crew influenced the future. They are currently working on a video game :) I can't wait for it (Geek :P) and it has been picked up to be made into a movie, although no new news has been told yet...Hopefully soon there will be.

Anyways I hope this is enough...There is just so much I could say about this book I could probably go on for hours with this and probably have a book written about this book :) So I'm gonna end with this...and hopefully you all take the chance and read this book!!