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.

Who is the Hero of Ages?

To end the Final Empire and restore freedom, Vin killed the Lord Ruler. But as a result, the Deepness--the lethal form of the ubiquitous mists--is back, along with increasingly heavy ashfalls and ever more powerful earthquakes. Humanity appears to be doomed.

Having escaped death at the climax of The Well of Ascension only by becoming a Mistborn himself, Emperor Elend Venture hopes to find clues left behind by the Lord Ruler that will allow him to save the world. Vin is consumed with guilt at having been tricked into releasing the mystic force known as Ruin from the Well. Ruin wants to end the world, and its near omniscience and ability to warp reality make stopping it seem impossible. She can't even discuss it with Elend lest Ruin learn their plans!

Review:

“Somehow, we'll find it. The balance between whom we wish to be and whom we need to be. But for now, we simply have to be satisfied with who we are.”

In this epic conclusion of glorious highs and devastating lows, The Hero of Ages offers a bittersweet but ultimately satisfying end to what is a truly incredible fantasy series. In this third and final Mistborn installment, you will realise with certainty that Brandon Sanderson is a master of his craft. Following two outstanding predecessors, the finale had some very high expectations to live up to, and I’m so happy that it went above and beyond what I hoped for. This is a series that will worm its way into the heart of any fantasy lover, and it’s one that I’ll recommend to everyone. 

Taking place roughly one year after the catastrophic cliffhanger of the previous book, The Hero of Ages embarks on an emotional journey as the crew grapples with the aftermath of Vin releasing the power contained within the Well of Ascension. With the malevolent force, Ruin, now free to unleash chaos upon the world, the new Emperor and Empress Venture must confront relentless challenges. They race against time to decipher clues left behind by the Lord Ruler, striving to save their world from impending destruction.

This series is truly epic, with its complex worldbuilding and fascinating magic system, but one of the standout features is its jaw-dropping conclusion. By meticulously crafting a narrative that interweaves numerous hints and clues, Sanderson delivers a mind-blowing finale. It's only upon reaching the last page that you can fully appreciate the intricate planning behind this ending. Every part of the series contributes to a larger picture, and I'm still in awe of how everything came together. There is no stone left unturned in The Hero of Ages, making it one of the most satisfying conclusions to a fantasy series I've ever read.

By this point in the story, it’s clear that Sanderson has been building up to something massive. Each installment has introduced new mysteries, and in this book, we finally get the answers we've been eagerly awaiting. Why do the mists behave the way they do? Why has the crew been unable to find the missing Atium stockpile? What’s the deal with Vin’s earring? And most importantly, who is the Hero of Ages? We receive answers to all these questions and even some we never thought to ask. Sanderson's ability to tie up loose ends while keeping us second-guessing makes this conclusion exceptionally enjoyable.

Of course, this book is so much more than its final act. The Hero of Ages delves into themes that resonate deeply, making it a profound and touching read. Each book in the series employs powerful motifs and imagery, but it's not until this installment that you fully realise what it has all been building towards. A prominent theme in this book is faith, primarily explored through the eyes of Sazed. He undergoes a major transformation, grappling with a crisis of faith following the death of Tindwyl in the previous book, and his journey to find meaning and truth in one of the religions he has studied is a major driving force for his character. It is difficult to witness his struggle, especially since he has often been an optimistic voice within the crew. However, seeing him grow and find his purpose adds significant meaning to his challenging journey.

Other characters like Vin, Elend, and Spook also undergo brilliant development. Vin continues to overcome her issues with trust and her own destiny, Elend learns that leadership is a balancing act where his principles won't always prevail, and Spook transforms from a timid young man into a confident leader in his own right. I also loved learning more about TenSoon as he embarked on his own journey of self-discovery, and finding out how the Kandra fit in with the other creatures in this world was genuinely interesting. These characters become dear to you, and witnessing their growth was incredibly rewarding as a reader. 

I also appreciated the deeper insight we gain into the Lord Ruler’s character, as it becomes clear in this book that his motives and actions stem from unexpected places. I'm glad I read these books within a few weeks because there are so many callbacks to early story elements that I’d have likely forgotten over time. Just as the world-building and magic evolved with the plot twists and reveals, so did my perception of such a major antagonist. This is a true testament to how well thought out Sanderson’s world is.

There are many other aspects I could touch on in this review, but to put it simply, I couldn't cover everything without turning this into a book of its own. It would be an understatement to say that this series left me a little misty-eyed, and although the ending was bittersweet, I can't find it in myself to be even slightly disappointed with how everything played out. I've never finished a book feeling both overjoyed and devastated, but I think it's okay to let those two emotions coexist. After all, just as we can't have ruin without preservation, we can't experience highs without the lows.

The Mistborn series will go down as one of my all time favourites, so I’ll end my review by saying this; if you haven’t already gotten to this outstanding story, what on earth are you waiting for?