Genre: Fantasy, Magic
Series: Mistborn #1
Publisher: Tor
Publication Date: July 2007
Wendy's Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Anyone familiar with Brandon Sanderson's prolific writing knows that he puts a lot of time and energy in to his world building. It's truly amazing how detailed his worlds are and how he can possibly keep it all straight with all the books that he writes. He also has a penchant for magic and each of his realms has its own unique form of magic. In this case, it is Allomancy, the ability, unique to only a precious few, to use certain metals to produce certain effects.
Most Allomancers are only able to burn one of the eleven metals, but Kelsier, the survivor of the deadly mining caves of Hathsin, and Vin, the young thief, are Mistborn, able to utilize all of the metals to deadly effect. As members of the downtrodden race, the Skaa, they will use their abilities, Kelsier's persuasive skills, and his reputation as the only survivor of Hathsin, they set about with an elaborate plan to free the Skaa from the god-like Lord Ruler.
Sanderson spends a lot of time on his world building and on detailing his magic. I'm usually able to forgive the tell don't show - and am mostly able to do so here, but the over indulgence on these details is usually balanced out by interesting characters and a more intriguing plot - both of which are missing here. Kelsier and Vin simply failed to endear themselves to me. I felt nothing for their inner monologues and their pain and loss of loved ones, or for their ultimate goal.
I was somewhat interested in the logbook entries that precede each chapter, detailing the Lord Ruler's journey to save the planet. That was an interesting character with depth and a story that intrigued me, though we only got to see him in sparse moments, and only through the point of view of Vin and Kelsier.
Still, I do own the other two books in the series, and am curious to see what happens next, despite most of the story being surprisingly tide up at the end Mistborn.
I did like this one the best, the next was good but book 3..nah
ReplyDeleteHmm. I have the box set, so I hope to read them all eventually, but I'm not in a rush.
DeleteI thought this was a pretty solid read, but the other two books in the trilogy (I haven't read the new series) just didn't work for me. Like you said, there's a lot of effort invested in world building, and you really need a strong protagonist to anchor that - unfortunately, between Kelsier and Vin, I think he chose entirely the wrong one to continue the series.
ReplyDeleteYes, I would have preferred more Kelsier. I didn't really enjoy the carefully orchestrated martyrdom.
DeleteI like there to be a lot of world-building in my books, but I find the Fantasy genre has a tendency of going a little overboard in that department. And, your three star review doesn't bode well. I don't think this one is for me.
ReplyDeleteCarmel @ Rabid Reads
Sanderson absolutely goes over board, but he usually balances it with stronger characters and over all story. This one didn't work for me. I think I still like Warbreaker best, of the ones I've read so far. I don't think it was as bogged down with world building.
DeleteI've always felt Sanderson's Mistborn books are a bit raw, this first book actually took me two tries until I was able to complete it. I liked it in the end, but I also have to agree with others that the later books didn't work quite as well, and the ending to the third book even made me very upset. I wanted to punch him in the face!
ReplyDeleteI feel like I would have skimmed a lot had I not mostly listened to the audiobook.
ReplyDeleteAnd wow the end was that troublesome??
Oh no you didn't fall in love with Vin? I totally understand on Kelsier but Vin I really totally adored.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious though what I would think now years later if I were to do a reread.
Vin just annoyed me as a character. I suppose I started to like her less when she got into her role as the upper class and then dealing with Ellend Venture and falling in wuv and... It played a little too cliche through those parts and I got bored.
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