Most Helpful Customer Reviews
76 of 80 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
great read, 2 Dec 2008
I too, picked up a Sanderson book to judge his worthiness of finishing Robert Jordan's work. Having read Elantris and liked it a lot, I thought I'd try Mistborn and I am thrilled to say that it was brilliant. The main character of the book is Vin, a young girl that has grown up on the streets of Luthadel and that very soon gets thrown into the middle of events that shake up the society she lives in. Several other strong characters as well as a great supporting cast all have a great influence on the person Vin becomes over the course of the story. The book and Vin are both defined by the magic that we meet and how it is used. The actual world setting is quite depressive, with a tyrant, an enslaved underclass and not to mention the lack of colour due to constant ash falls all painting a pretty grim picture. However, into that picture a magical sort of magic gets introduced and lifts the characters and thereby the story out of that gloom. Think Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and those actors running up walls and flying through the air and you won't be far off the image that came to my mind a lot during the reading of Mistborn. It has a different source but is equally as beautiful to envisage. This was a real 'can't put it down' book and as a Wheel of Time fan, I now feel very confident that Brandon Sanderson will do a good job at finishing the series. My star ratings are the result of the following breakdown: How difficult was it to put the book down: extremely difficult = five stars Would I buy the hardcover of this one: definitely (had the Hero of Ages hardcover on pre-order) = five stars Am I likely to read it again: definitely = five stars
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best thing I've read in ages, 4 Dec 2008
I have always been a huge fan of fantasy novels but have always found myself not daring to stray too far from my favourite authors (Feist, Jordan, Gemmell) after a few rather disappointing experiences. I too like the other reviewers picked up Mistborn on the basis of him being picked to finish the Wheel of Time saga and boy am I impressed. The story at first doesn't stray far from the the usual fantasy stereotype of the young character coming from nothing and being developed to challenge the powers of evil. What is new and original is the way in which the metal-based magic system is portrayed, making for some interesting paradoxes and entertaining action sequences. The development of the 3 main characters is also very well done, Vin is beautifully brought on through the novel, Kelsier's flawed overconfidence comes to a satisfactory twisted finish and Elend develops in a comfortingly quirky manner. The book is well written with the little preludes to each chapter making a nice mirror which unweave parallel with the main plot. I have certianly been impressed with Sanderson's skills as a writer and I look forward to part 2 of the trilogy and also greatly to A Memory of Light which all being well should be with us at the end of 2009. Good work.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of those books one cannot let go, 5 Mar 2008
I enjoyed Elantris a lot and waited eagerly for new Sanderson book. Somehow I nearly missed it and only now read it. On the other hand, book was worth the wait, and I read it in one day, barely let it off my hands to eat. It's written very well, the story flows and even when there is not much happening plotwise, there is no dull moments in the storytelling. Characters are interesting and deep enough, even if main character Vin is not my favourite character ever. But everyone is detailed person with their own habits, nature, hopes and fears and they make fine teachers, friends, enemies and even love interest for her. The ending has few surprises, but mostly it's guessable. That's not a bad thing, since the events are described colourfully and at least I wanted to turn pages faster to find out what really happens next. I really love his writing style and the idea of using metals as 'mana' is interesting - I haven't seen it anywhere else. The political situation, everyday life and different people, everything is thought out and drawn well into a great story.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
