The Final Empire: Mistborn Book 1

Review originally posted on The Book Addict's Guide 9/26/14: I’ve been getting a lot more into adult fantasy — little by little — and the more I heard about Mistborn, the more it sounded pretty amazing. Then Nikki (There Were Books Involved) basically told me it WAS amazing and I should read it immediately. I needed a new audiobook and since this was a longer one, I decided it would be great for audio since I was a bit behind on my print copies. Anyway… enough about me. Let’s talk about MISTBORN. So admittedly… it started of juuuust a bit slow for me. I haven’t delved into a ton of adult fantasy yet (honestly all I’ve read as far as adult fantasy goes is A Game of Thrones and The Lies of Locke Lamora) but since I’ve really been getting into young adult fantasy lately, I was guessing that love would transfer no matter what the target age was but I still wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I think the reason it went slowly at first was merely because my most recent read with the Genteman Bastard series (that’s Locke Lamora for those of you unfamiliar) was so pleasant because there’s so much comedy strewn throughout and I love a good heist book. While MISTBORN has similar themes with thieves and a general fantasy world, they’re definitely two very different books so my expectations were just a bit off. Once I adjusted my perspective in the book, things really started to come together. Firstly, the characters are fantastic. It took me a while to get acclimated to Kelsier and Vin and exactly what roles they’d play in the book and how they relate to each other. Once I got in the groove, I absolutely loved it. Vin and Kelsier have an amazing relationship in this book and no, it’s not a romantic one. Kelsier is much older than thankfully it wasn’t romantic. No, they had a relationship that I find even more special sometimes than watching two characters fall in love — Kelsier really became a mentor to Vin and even a father figure at a time in her life when she had no one to trust and no one to rely on. He not only helped her come into her own, but also helped her learn how to trust again and provided her with a group of people who became her new family. As much as I love all the feels when witnessing a romantic relationship, I got a different set of feels from watching these two characters form an amazing bond of friendship and trust. The secondary characters were also wonderful. I feel like I only got to know them a little bit but I think in future books, I’ll get to know them even better. The way Sanderson shapes characters was so impressive. There are so many times when you see both the light and dark sides of each person — even with the side of evil, there are still hints at the more humane aspects and how even when two sides are warring, the lines start to blur every once in a while. The world building was absolutely fantastic. I feel like I created a picture in my head cobbled together from other fantasy worlds I’ve read but it was still very much its own place and its own story. The explanations and integrations of Allomancy and Feruchemy were amazing and as complicated as Allomancy can be with the number of metals involved and how they work, I never really felt overwhelmed or confused trying to understand which did what. Everything was explained in context as Vin was learning and as other characters were using their Allomantic powers so it was easy to follow along, and this continued throughout the whole book — not just as each one was introduced. I’m SO happy that Brandon Sanderson chose to keep naming the metals as they were being used because I could have easily gotten lost and forgotten the properties of each as I read. It was handled just perfectly, not to mention what an amazing magic system this is. I feel like the closest I’ve read is elemental powers but I absolutely love the concept and originality of “burning” metals that allow extra abilities. The whole plot for the book was just excellent and it’s amazing how things can get set up so early on the story and yet the reader has no realization of hidden motives or intentions (no spoilers. Some things you just can’t guess) as well as setting up the story line for future books. I was already hooked by the time I finished MISTBORN but now I really can’t wait to dive into book two as soon as possible! There were quite a few surprises and the ending was positively shocking so I can’t wait to see what else Brandon Sanderson has in store for readers with the rest of the series. This is one I don’t want to delay!

My favorite entry in both Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series and his broader Cosmere universe. Mistborn follows an eclectic cast of thieves, revolutionaries, and nobles whose fates the reader will quickly become invested in. Without revealing who they are or what happens, Kelsier, Vin, and Sazed are legendary figures whose struggles against the oppressive Lord Ruler continue to have consequences far beyond their own ash-covered dystopian world of Scadrial. Well-written by Sanderson, with a complete plot that can stand on its own (or draw readers into the sequels and his massive Cosmere universe) and featuring one of Sanderson's unique and cool magic systems, Mistborn is a must-read for any Fantasy fan.

I have to say that I was captivated by this book. Incredibly, although it is said by many followers of Sanderson’s books and affirmed by Sanderson himself that “Elantris” was sort of a starter book or a not so polished storyline compared to the others, I liked it just as much as “Mistborn.” Actually, I liked it even more in some areas and, possibly less so in others. Regardless, Sanderson’s ability to us creative language, interweaving what seems to be a never-ending vocabulary (in a very accurate, not so pompous sense) and character development that draws you into the characters minds is truly captivating. I rated this 4/5 stars strictly due to personal enjoyment for me. As a fan of Sanderson’s work from the perspective of someone who does not typically read a lot of fiction, I will, of course, continue on my Sanderson journey. My hope is that as I read more of his works, I will realize that this is actually a 2.5 or 3 instead compared to what I encounter next. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the politics, characters, twists, turns, and creativity of Elantris and personally just didn’t feel as though this had the same zeal to me. However, some of the pros of Mistborn are that: 1. The magic system is very unique and well-developed, 2. The characters complement each other well and make sense (I favor Kelsier - quite typical maybe), 3. Although the ending seemed a bit more simplistic that I hoped for, it set the stage well for the continuation of the storyline. Ready to continue on to the rest of my Brandon Sanderson journey.

Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn is one of those rare fantasy novels that delivers everything. An intricate world, an inventive magic system, and characters you actually care about. The story takes place in the Final Empire, a land ruled by the immortal Lord Ruler, whose thousand-year reign has crushed hope out of the people known as the skaa. When a charismatic thief named Kelsier decides to challenge the impossible, he recruits a crew of rogues and a young girl named Vin, who discovers she has powers that may change everything. What follows is a masterclass in storytelling. Sanderson balances action, world-building, and character development with precision. The unique Allomancy system, where users burn metals to gain specific powers, feels both logical and exhilarating, turning every fight scene into a carefully crafted dance of strategy. But what truly makes Mistborn shine is its heart. Vin’s transformation from mistrustful street thief to confident leader is compelling, and Kelsier’s charisma makes him impossible to ignore. The supporting cast adds humour and humanity, ensuring that even amid rebellion and despair, there’s warmth and camaraderie. Sanderson’s writing is purposeful; every chapter builds the world organically without overwhelming the reader. And when the twists come (and they do), they land with the force of revelation rather than shock for shock’s sake. If you’re a fan of richly imagined fantasy with emotional stakes, intelligent plotting, and a magic system unlike anything else, Mistborn deserves a place on your shelf. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5/5)

This was an amazing read! I loved how creative and well thought out the magic system was, with its influences stretching from everything to the economy, fashion, and militaries of the people of the world! It's been quite a while since I've seen a magic system so thought out, so that was an amazing choice! Alongside that the story was amazing! I loved how complicated the plans were, they had many moving parts and that was a lot more enjoyable than just having one specific action that worked perfectly. Speaking of that plan, Kell was an amazing character. He was my favorite throughout the book and I loved how confident and creative he was mid combat! He was always fun to watch, and his ending plan was absolutely heartbreaking. Vin, speaking of heartbreaking characters, was an amazing protagonist for the story. She was just as creative in combat as Kell was, and seeing her move and figure things out on her own was amazing! Her backstory was absolutely tragic, and watching her slowly learn to trust and care about the rest of the group was amazing. The twist with The Lord Ruler was also amazing! It was fun to see unfold, and I was able to guess the general gist correctly! I didn't get the character correct, but I had the action right and I'm pretty proud of that! Overall a 10/10 read and I would absolutely recommend this series to others

Mistborn was a fantastic read. Brandon Sanderson creates a vivid world filled with unique magic, strong characters, and an atmosphere that pulls you in from the very first chapter. The allomancy system was unlike anything I’d seen before and added a fresh twist to the fantasy genre. I especially enjoyed the balance of action, intrigue, and character development. The pacing kept me engaged, and the ending delivered both surprises and satisfaction. This is a great introduction to the series, and I look forward to continuing with the sequels to see how the story and characters grow.

Stars: 🌟 🌟🌟🌟 Title of Review: Amazing Title: Mistborn: The Final Empire Author: Brandon Sanderson Series: Book 1 - The Mistborn Saga Date(s) Purchased: Kindle (K) – December 15, 2024 Paperback (P) - December 20, 2024 Audio (A) – August 13, 2024 Amount Paid: K – $7.99 P - $23.00 A – 1 credit K - Page number: 558 P - Page number: 578 A - Length: 24 hours, 39 minutes Genre: High or Epic Fantasy Date Finished: March 17, 2025 Date of Review: March 26, 2025 Book Review: Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn: The Final Empire, the first book in the Mistborn trilogy, is a stunning blend of world-building, character depth, and gripping storytelling. From page one, it pulls you into a bleak, ash-covered world ruled by the immortal Lord Ruler, where the oppressed skaa barely scrape by under his brutal reign. What makes Mistborn: The Final Empire truly stand out is its ingenious magic system, Allomancy. Certain people can ingest and "burn" metals to unlock unique abilities, leading to some of the most thrilling, strategic action scenes in fantasy. Sanderson crafts this system with such precision that it feels both natural and exhilarating—never overpowering, always cleverly used. At the heart of the story is Vin, a tough yet wary street thief who discovers her hidden Allomantic gifts. Watching her transformation from a distrustful survivor to a formidable Mistborn is both powerful and rewarding. She’s joined by a cast of unforgettable characters, especially Kelsier, the bold, charming leader of the rebellion. His relentless optimism and audacity make him impossible not to root for. But Mistborn: The Final Empire is more than just magic and action. It’s a story about hope, rebellion, and the true nature of power. Sanderson weaves tension, humor, and emotion seamlessly, keeping you hooked until the very last page. The plot twists are genuinely jaw-dropping, and the ending packs an emotional punch. If you love epic fantasy, this book is a must-read. Whether you're new to the genre or a longtime fan, Mistborn: The Final Empire delivers an unforgettable adventure that will leave you eager to devour the rest of the series.

This was my entry novel into the Cosmere series by Brandon Sanderson. It took me a while to get into this book, and if I'm being honest, I imagined a normal world and not a red world, but this series is absolutely a gem. Not only this, but the whole cosmere is genuinely the best world building I have experienced in any series at all. This is a GREAT place to start the Cosmere and you really should. You are missing out if you're not checking out the cosmere! This first trilogy of Mistborn sets up a lot of world building for the entire series and brings in a lot of very important characters. Era 2 Mistborn is even better, and its because of this first era trilogy that it is as good as it is. Going through Mistborn: The Final Empire, Mistborn: The Well of Ascension, and Mistborn: The Hero of Ages is worth it. There are several great reading orders with graphs on Reddit, or even websites suggesting what books to read when and I can't recommend these enough. I've convinced many of my friends to grab up all of these and listen to audio books or read them. The best thing about the cosmere is that the more you read, it only gets better. I've read 23 of these books so far, and it is still blowing my mind. People call the big lore bombs and surprises "Sandersavalanches" (combination of Sanderson and Avalanche) and I couldn't agree more. There is so much excitement and interesting stuff going on that it really does feel overwhelmingly positive and exciting at times. By far my favorite series in the Cosmere is the Stormlight Archive series, but Mistborn Era 2 comes right after that, and this book is the start of all of mistborn. Era 1 Book 1! This book has a sort of heist feel to it, and the next two that come after it only improve and expound upon everything in this book. It's great, check it out. I bought the kindle edition, so to rate the product as I received it, it was very easy to read. Kindle allows great customization so the experience was solid, and the book itself is fantastic. The start to the best series I've ever encountered anywhere, an easy 5 star for me.