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I have finally entered the world of Brandon Sanderson after spending years pushing it off repeatedly. My best friend has been studiously recommending the Mistborn Trilogy for years now and I kept hesitating to start it. It just wasn’t the right time, I was busy with college, I was exhausted, Brandon Sanderson just didn’t pique my interest, etc. I came up with all of the excuses. So, entering 2024, one of my biggest goals was to pick up Mistborn and stop giving excuses as to why I shouldn’t.
I’m happy to report that I have finished The Final Empire and am halfway through the Well of Ascension. I am addicted to this series and all it entails. I can’t put it down, I think about it nonstop, and most of all, I keep kicking myself in the back for having not read it sooner. All of my excuses seem unimportant after having entered the world of Brandon Sanderson.
So, without further ado, let's get into this book review.
There are a lot of notable facets of The Final Empire. First of all, the magic system. Brandon Sanderson introduces us to a world of Allomancy and Feruchemy. A magic system that revolves around the use of different metals such as Iron, Tin, Gold, etc. At the beginning of the book, we get an in-depth dive into what Allomancy is and how they use these metals, also learning that Vin, the main character, happens to be a natural at it. Throughout the rest of the novel, after we are introduced to Sazed, the Terrisman, we discover what Feruchemy is, and how a Terrisman still uses metals, they store and use them for different results.
Second, Brandon Sanderson does an amazing job of creating a found family. We get introduced to deeply flawed but loveable characters that make up Kelsier’s crew. Breeze and Ham are reminiscent of two siblings, constantly bickering but deeply caring about each other. Clubs, the grandfatherly figure that helps hide away the crew from any prying eyes, occasionally offering stern feedback in meetings, Dockson, Kelsiers closest friend, and the one who appears to be the most sane out of the crew. Sazed, the Terrisman, is the most reliable, and devout character in the crew, keeping track of all the research needed for the job and offering philosophical and religious advice when needed. Spook, Club’s nephew and greatest assistant ever. I could go on and on, but suffice it to say, that the crew is amazing, they all love each other, they all have flaws, but they build on those and fight against their biases. They are good people just trying to make a better life for themselves and I appreciated seeing that.
Third, Elend Venture. I didn’t know what to think when we first got introduced to Elend. But as time wore on I fell head over heels for this guy. He after all, falls in love with Vin, he’s educated, he loves reading, so much so that he brings books to the balls. He doesn’t listen to his father, who is a certified asshat, and he is just a wholesome, caring, multifaceted character. I love getting to watch Vin and Elend’s relationship develop without feeling like it is taking over the plot. Sanderson does an amazing job of building up their relationship in the background while keeping you focused on all of the other parts of the story as well.
“That other man, whoever he is, might have a lead on me because of my foolishness. However, I am not so foolish that I would pass up the chance to give him a little competition.”
Fourth, Kelsier. Kelsier is my favorite character, and while that may not be a surprise, here is why. Kelsier takes Vin under his wing and trains her in Allomancy, he welcomes her into the crew as one of his own, and while he wants her to stay, he doesn’t force her to and instead gives her multiple opportunities to leave if she wishes to. He went through hell and back again in the pits and all he wants is to see a better world for the Skaa. His relationship with Vin is very much a fatherly one, and there are multiple instances where he discusses how his wife would have loved having a daughter just like Vin. He holds to his plan throughout the whole novel, while all of the crew express distrust in his plan at various times throughout the book. Through Kelsier’s chapter, we get to see his uncertainty and how much all of this pains him. But we also get to see firsthand, the determination and drive to do what is right.
“I knew this was coming. I climbed down inside those caves every day for a year, and I always came back out. I beat them. They have no power over me.”
Fifth, the dynamics of the Skaa and Nobleman. The Skaa are slaves, courtesy of the Lord Ruler himself. They are never allowed to be more than that and they spend their lives trying to find what little happiness they can, wherever they can. The biggest reason Kelsier planned to be successful was the fact that he was playing off the hope that it brought. The hope for a life where the Lord Ruler didn’t reign above everyone, feeding their depression and suffering. The nobleman, on the other hand, was an extension of the Lord Ruler’s control over the Skaa. They were there to handle the small upsets and manage the farms and other insignificant parts of ruling a country. While being made to feel like they were so much more than that. Both of the Skaa and Noblemen were tricked into believing one thing, and that is what maintained the Lord Ruler’s control over everyone for so long. We get to see this control slip as Kelsier’s plan takes place. But we also get to see Kelsier and the other part of the crew learn that all Noblemen aren’t bad. That they are in chains and the actions they take are for survival not just power. This is not to say that most Noblemen aren’t complete assholes. Straff Venture, for example, is a dick.
“You know… it amazes me sometimes that we even try. With everything they’ve done to us—the deaths, the tortures, the agonies— you’d think that we would just give up on things like love and hope. But we don’t. Skaa still fall in love. They still try to have families, and they still struggle. I mean, here we are… fighting Kell’s insane little war, resisting a god we know is just going to slaughter us all.”
Sixth. The Steel Inquisitors. These guys are terrifying. They all have Allomantic abilities, they are super powerful, and they have steel spikes through where their eyes once were. We don’t get to learn how Steel Inquisitors are made, which I had hoped we would have. One of the biggest things that got me about the Steel Inquisitors, was that they all had a very dry sense of humor. Something unexpected and even more terrifying in the interactions in which they were involved.
Overall, I completed this book with a newfound adoration for Brandon Sanderson’s writing. He does an excellent job of world-building. Everything connects in one way or another, and there are always more secrets. His characters continue to be lovable but also flawed in ways that leave you questioning what exactly they were thinking. I highly recommend reading this to those interested in entering the world of Brandon Sanderson. Now if you will excuse me, I’m going to go dive back into The Well of Ascension.
Thanks for reading!