Mistborn: The Final Empire -An Epic Fantasy By Brandon Sanderson

Mistborn is an epic fantasy trilogy by Brandon Sanderson. The Final Empire is the first part of the Mistborn series. It follows a dystopian theme with a unique magic system and an amazing set of characters. After the release of Sanderson’s debut Elantris, the Mistborn Saga was widely applauded by fantasy lovers all over the world.

It follows the story of Kelsier and Vin as the protagonists who want to free the city of Luthadel from the tyrannical leadership of the Lord Ruler. Like many fantasy novels, The Final Empire starts with a world divided into an upper, ruling and a lower, victimized class. But that’s where the similarities end. From the captivating world-building to a beautifully intricate magic system, you are bound to be pushed into a roller coaster of a ride and taken through upside-down loops by Sanderson.

Spoiler-Free Plot

The great city of Luthadel is divided into two classes; the Skaa, slaves and oppressed, and the Elite Houses, rich and favored by the Lord Ruler, who is the tyrannical ruler hated by the Skaa.

A thousand years have passed since the Lord Ruler came over as the absolute ruler of the world. The Skaa, now living in fear and dejection, have lost all hope of freedom. Ash has been falling from the sky. Mists obscure the city of Luthadel at night. But among these dark times of cruelty and oppression, a hero rises.

Streaked with scars from his cruel days in the Pits of Hathsin, Kelsier escapes and is set to destroy all that the Lord Ruler has created. And he will make sure that anybody who comes in his way is crushed. Thus starts a journey of a rebellion aiming to claim nothing less than the Lord Ruler’s life.

Vin, a street con and a girl with trust issues has lived a harsh life. All her life she had unknowingly used her strength of manipulating people’s emotions. She had been living her life in survival mode and her life had been one of a regular Skaa, until she met Kel and learned of her powers.

Kel helps Vin hone her skills at Allomancy, the ability to use metals to produce different responses. Together they plan a revolution along with a group of allomancers filled to the brim with courage.

From his days in the prison, Kel knows about the thing the Lord Ruler values the most. It is what creates the class difference working and present in Luthadel- the Eleventh Metal. Kel returns to the hellish Pits of Hathsin, the place nobody has ever returned and destroys the source of the precious metal.

However, the Obligators and Investigators, puppets of the Lord Ruler are aware of the rising upheaval, and so they have become vigilant, now more than ever before.

But the Lord Ruler is confident no power can ever harm him. After all, a thousand years of ruling is no small victory. With Vin infiltrated into the inner circles of the Elite Houses, Kel and his crew of Mistings fighting on the streets, and Luthadel slowly starting a grand revolution, can the Lord Ruler finally fall? Especially when Vin develops a soft spot for a boy none other than the heir to the greatest and wealthiest Elite House?

My Take on The Final Empire:

The Final Empire had my attention gripped into a fist from the very first page. The emotional growth of Vin from being a girl twisted up and not trusting due the influence of her brother, to maturing and honing all her skills; Sanderson created an exceptional character we can all relate to.

However, my favorite character in The Final Empire was Kelsier. The way he trusted the people around him and helped Vin was amazing. His leadership skills, the way he used to help the Skaa families, and his fearless attitude in the face of the Lord Ruler’s tyranny was what made Mistborn special for me.

“But you can’t kill me, Lord Tyrant. I represent that one thing you’ve never been able to kill, no matter how hard you try. I am hope.”

Kelsier

Sanderson created a beautiful cast of secondary characters, each with their own sets of skills and powers. The characters were remarkable in a way you can’t help but love them.The atmosphere in Mistborn was magical and overcast. It was almost like the world was holding its breath for a change. The change that Kel and his group would bring in the lives of the Skaa.

Although Sanderson’s books are best known for elements of high fantasty, the world building may sometimes become a little overwhelming, especially for readers who are new to this genre. However, the humor and wit of his characters balances out any heaviness of the plot. Sanderson’s a natural at humor.

You should try not to talk so much, friend. You’ll sound far less stupid that way.

Breeze

You will love The Final Empire if you adore a good heist. The Final Empire, with its amazing characters, complicated magic system, and smooth writing will leave your imagination craving for more. Of course, The Final Empire had its own elements of oppression and cruelty too. But nothing seemed to be out of place in this masterpiece by Brandon Sanderson.

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