Tag: mistborn book review

Brandon Sanderson is arguably the most popular contemporary fantasy author, with a massive body of work. His books tend to feature a large cast of 3+ point of view characters, a hard magic system, culturally diverse and richly developed worlds, and deeply emotional characters. I have no doubt that his work will remain of mainstay of the fantasy genre for generations to come.

What is the Cosmere?

The Cosmere is a shared universe featuring multiple planets, realms of existence, and a common mythos and magic system. Sanderson has written 3 major series (The Stormlight Archives, Mistborn Era 1, Mistborn Era 2) and multiple standalones, short stories, and anthologies in this larger, interconnected universe. You can find more details about his massive universe on the fan wiki the Coppermind (ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK OF SPOILERS).

I’ve read a veritable heap of Sanderson’s books by now, and have had the privilege of meeting both him and his wife at DragonCon and JordanCon! So to get you addicted started, here are mini reviews of 5 major works set in Sanderson’s Cosmere:

1. Warbreaker – Book Review
2. The Way of Kings – Book Review
3. Mistborn: The Final Empire – Book Review
4. Elantris – Book Review
5. Tress of the Emerald Sea – Book Review

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Warbreaker – Book Review

4/5 Stars

This is one of my favorites, and I actually recommend that readers new to Sanderson’s work start here, as it’s a standalone (currently), that still gives readers a great sense of the width and breadth of Sanderson’s worldbuilding and magic systems.

Princess Siri of the kingdom of Idris is sent to marry the God King of Hallandren, a vibrant city full of color magic (inspired by Hawaii and South Asian cultures). Her sister Vivenna chases after her to save her and becomes entangled with a man of mysterious powers. This story has a little of everything – politics, mystery, cultural clashes, a love story against all odds, political and religious turmoil, and of course, a fascinating magic system.

I was disappointed by how abruptly the story ended after its epic conclusion. We didn’t really have any chance to sit with our characters and enjoy their transformations and newly strengthened bonds. A huge plot surprise isn’t enough to create a satisfying ending – there needs to be emotional closure too. This book is the reason I describe Sanderson’s style as a multi-course meal with the final dish exploding like fireworks in your mouth, but with only one bite of dessert – and you’re asked to leave the restaurant immediately afterwards. When you’re in a food coma from a mindblowing meal, you need some more time to sit and savor.

Perhaps Sanderson agrees that Warbreaker is a good place for new readers to start, because he offers it for free on his website.

The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archives #1) – Book Review

4.2/5 Stars

I absolutely love Kaladin, a grieving slave dragged to the Shattered Plains, the location of a war of attrition, who is followed around by an ancient, mysterious spirit called a spren. His arc from despair to loyalty and self-sacrifice is incredibly moving – he’s my favorite character in all of fiction. We also follow a King trying to avenge his brother’s murder, a girl with seriously strange mental issues, and many other actors who all have their own conflicting opinions of how to save the world from impending Desolation.

However, I found it frustrating to get through this book because of how the many POV characters affected the pacing. That’s just a matter of preference – I usually don’t like reading books with more than 2 POV characters, especially when one of them is on the opposite side of the world the entire time (Shallan) – her story arc could have been an entirely separate book. I also found some of Dalinar and Adolin’s point of view to be unnecessary – sometimes less is more. But I am so glad I kept reading, because this world is stuffed full of incredible mysteries, such real people who are deeply broken and struggling to get back up again, and such dramatic magic and fight scenes!

The second book in this series, Words of Radiance, is my favorite (4.7/5 stars), and Sanderson’s writing style only improves from there. I think his handling of multiple POV’s became utterly masterful in books #3 and #4. I have yet to read #5 because I’m honestly afraid of how it’ll end. But that just goes to show how powerfully Sanderson has seized hold of my emotions and imaginations. A great book makes you cry, enrages you (F*** Moash!), blows your mind, and leaves you aching for more – this series definitely does all these things and more!

Mistborn: The Final Empire – Book Review

3.7/5 Stars

This story feels like one of Sanderson’s most daring – how many authors turn their traumatized revolutionary leader figure into a psychopathic, narcissistic cult leader? Unlocking magic by consuming metals – so unique! Through the Inquisitors, secret police with metal spikes through their body, Sanderson also expertly dances along the line between villainy and horror.

This story had a unique flavor that instantly caught me, but it took longer for me to buy in to Vin as a character. She’s a street rat with magic powers who joins a heist crew’s attempt to overthrow an eternal tyrant. In lots of ways she felt like a typical YA character, but Sanderson draws much more nuance from her over the course of the story, letting us enjoy a true found family dynamic on top of the satisfying political webs and mysteries surrounding the nature of their Ruler.

Be forewarned, the second book in this series is hard to get through, and is pretty universally considered Sanderson’s weakest book. But the third one, which ties everything together in a glorious conclusion, is absolutely worth it.

Elantris – Book Review

3.7/5 Stars

It definitely shows that this was Sanderson’s debut novel, as his style, particularly when it comes to how he switches POV characters, was not yet well-defined. Sometimes Sanderson goes over the same scenes again from each perspective, which would be interesting if done once or twice, but gets repetitive.

This story follows 3 POV characters in the city of Elantris – a prince who falls under a magical curse and is exiled to the old city with others who suffer the same fate, the princess betrothed to him who is at a loss when she shows up for her wedding to find him supposedly dead, and a magically twisted ambassador who actually came to start a religious war.

I loved that the story read like a mystery about the nature of the curse, magic, and their land. I found Prince Raoden to be a refreshingly straight-laced “good” prince, and I shipped him with Sarene – I liked their chemistry together. I think a lot more could have been done with Hrathen, whose ending was all “tell not show.” He had a lot more potential and could have had a much more compelling change. But otherwise, the ending had a satisfying reveal and resolution.

Tress of the Emerald Sea – Book Review

3.5/5 Stars

This started out as a rather sweet story, but I DNF’ed about a third of the way through, just because it’s not my personal cup of tea. This is definitely a young adult book about a young woman who sets out on a treacherous sea to rescue the nobleman she loves. The main character was cute, loyal, and brave, but there wasn’t much about her that compelled me to keep reading. As always, this piece was well written and featured fascinating worldbuilding, unique magic, and Hoid running around being ridiculous.

I’ll probably go back and finish it to find the Easter eggs dropped about what (not) on earth Hoid was doing. But for the time being, I’m fine knowing that I just wasn’t the target reader for this particular story. If you like feel-good, lower stakes fantasy with characters that are actually nice people, and still delightful worldbuilding, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this.

Non-Cosmere Works by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson has written many books outside his fantasy universe as well, including some middle grade and YA urban fantasy and sci-fi books like Skyward and The Rithmatist. You can find his whole body of work on his website and follow him on social media, where he posts actively.

Cosplay!

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