Blurb:

Now with over 10 million copies sold, The Mistborn Series has the thrills of a heist story, the twistiness of political intrigue, and the epic scale of a landmark fantasy saga.

For a thousand years, ash fell and no flowers bloomed. For a thousand years, the Skaa slaved in misery and lived in fear. For a thousand years, the Lord Ruler reigned with absolute power and ultimate terror, divinely invincible. Then, when all hope was lost, the scarred, heartbroken half-Skaa Kelsier found in himself the powers of a Mistborn.

A brilliant thief and natural leader, Kelsier recruits the underworld's smartest and most trustworthy allomancers, who each share one of his many powers and relish a high-stakes challenge. Only then does he reveal his ultimate dream: not just the greatest heist in history, but the downfall of the divine despot.

But even with the best criminal crew ever assembled, Kel's plan looks like the ultimate long shot, until luck brings a ragged girl named Vin into his life. Like him, she's a half-Skaa orphan, but she's lived a much harsher life. Vin has learned to expect betrayal from everyone she meets. She will have to learn to trust, if Kel is to help her master powers that she’s never dreamed of.

Review:

“Our belief is often strongest when it should be weakest. That is the nature of hope.”

If you’re a fantasy enthusiast or even just an occasional visitor to the genre, you’ve likely heard the name Brandon Sanderson. His extensive collection of novels is a cornerstone of epic fantasy discussions, and I can’t believe it took me this long to dive into his works. Now that I have, I’m kicking myself for the delay because it quickly became clear why his books are celebrated as some of the finest in fantasy literature. I began my journey with The Final Empire, the first book in the Mistborn trilogy, and I finally understand what all the excitement is about.

Before diving in, you might be wondering where to start exploring Sanderson’s world, given the conflicting opinions online. There are several good entry points to the Cosmere, so you don’t necessarily have to begin with Mistborn. If you want to jump straight into The Way of Kings, go ahead. Personally, I prefer following publication order, which would typically mean starting with Elantris. However, after watching a video where Brandon mentioned he wouldn’t recommend starting there as he considers it weaker than his later works, I’ve decided to leave it for a bit further down the line.

The Final Empire sets the stage by introducing Kelsier, one of the main characters, as he sows seeds of hope among the enslaved Skaa. The high stakes are immediately clear, highlighting the bleak outlook for these oppressed people and the overwhelming odds they face. For a thousand years, the Skaa have suffered under the reign of the Lord Ruler, a figure of divine power and immense terror, and they exist solely to serve others with no hope of change. Enter Kelsier, a man with a heroic reputation and an audacious plan to transform the world. By assembling a team with diverse abilities and personalities, he sets in motion a daring heist to overthrow the Lord Ruler and dismantle his regime.

Like all great heist stories, The Final Empire introduces us to a captivating cast of characters. Led by the charismatic and upbeat Kelsier, the core group is composed of an array of personalities, each bringing unique talents and specialties to the table. You truly get the sense that these individuals have known each other for a long time, and despite the cutthroat nature of their world, there’s an undeniable element of found family among them.

In contrast to the established relationships within the gang, their newest member, Vin, struggles to adapt to a group where trust and friendship are highly valued. As our main protagonist, Vin has endured an incredibly difficult life as a young, half-Skaa street urchin. However, she soon discovers that she possesses extraordinary abilities, giving her an unexpected advantage in the trials she will face. 

One of the most captivating elements of this story is undoubtedly the magic system. Allomancy involves ingesting and then “burning” metals to gain various magical abilities. Those who can wield these powers are divided into two groups: Mistings and Mistborn. Mistings can only burn one type of metal, whereas Mistborn can burn all of them. Through Vin’s perspective, we learn about these different Allomantic abilities and how each plays a part in their cause.

In addition to the fantastic magic system, the incredible world-building throughout this book deserves high praise. From the splendour of the noble houses to the harsh, poverty-ridden Skaa dwellings, The Final Empire allows us to see each contrasting side of this society and those who exist within it. Much like with the magic system, we join Vin in exploring these different settings, gaining a strong understanding of how this world operates.

Tying all these elements together are themes that will make it hard for you to put the book down. From the journey of self-discovery to the profound power of sacrifice, each new layer adds tension and complexity to the narrative. As Kelsier would say, “there’s always another secret,” and each unravelled mystery propels you further along this edge-of-your-seat journey.

If you’re looking for a sign to finally dive into these books, let this be it. The Final Empire is a truly fantastic fantasy read with something for everyone to enjoy. If you love nail-biting heists with unexpected twists and turns, and you’re eager to immerse yourself in a world brimming with content that will fully take over your life, what are you waiting for?