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Title: The Final Empire
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Epic fantasy
Length: Series
Rating: 5/5
As some of you might know, I live in the Netherlands, specifically in the countryside. One of my favorite natural features of where I live is the mist. In the early evening, as the sun sets, the mist creeps up from the ditches and slowly appears. This moment always feels and looks magical.
I experienced a similar feeling while reading this book, "The Final Empire" (Part 1 in the Mistborn Saga). I have to admit, I'm a bit late to the hype. The book has been out since I was two years old, and I'm just reading it now! I'll confess I was intimidated, not by its size but by all the praise Brandon Sanderson has received. Well, as you can see from the rating, I ended up giving this book five stars. To top it off, I officially declared this book a "Midnight Read," since I got very little sleep the night I finished it. But it was worth it. Anyway, enough with the introduction—let's get into my review.
Summary
The story takes place in a world cloaked in ash and ruled by the iron fist of the Lord Ruler. The nobility are rich and live for parties, while the common people, the Skaa, are enslaved and forced to work until exhaustion leads them to a slow death. In this world, hope is lost. People go about their daily lives with the grey, ash-covered horizon in the distance, without a spark of rebellion.
“And Vin liked solitude. When you're alone, no one can betray you” ― Brandon Sanderson, The Final Empire
In the capital city lives Vin, a nobody—just a street urchin doing everything she can to survive. Every day, she has a little bit of luck that helps her through. She's part of a crew, living a dangerous criminal life with danger and betrayal lurking around every corner. Can she survive the strong grip of the Lord Ruler when her luck starts to run out?
My Thoughts
This is what the Fantasy genre is all about. This book is epic, with amazing worldbuilding, dynamic and interesting characters, and one of the strongest and best magic systems I've ever encountered. The book is about 650 pages long, and I flew through it. It took some time for me to get fully drawn into the story. At the beginning, there's a lot of worldbuilding, and the magic system is quite complex. But it was explained so well and clearly that it made the story even stronger. Because the magic system was complex, there was a need for a very clear foundation to make everything work, and that was definitely the case.
“I never wanted to be feared. If I regret one thing, it is the fear I have caused. Fear is the tool of tyrants. Unfortunately, when the fate of the world is in question, you use whatever tools are available.”― Brandon Sanderson, The Final Empire
Sanderson did an amazing job bringing this world and story to life. And once I was in, I was all in. I think I read 500 pages in two days—I just couldn't put it down! Sanderson doesn’t just tell a story; he builds a world so real and a plot so intricate that you feel like you’re living it. If you love epic fantasy, this is the book to lose yourself in.
My Rating
As you might have gathered by now, I absolutely loved this book and had no hesitation in giving it a 5-star rating. This is the kind of story that reminds me why I fell in love with the fantasy genre in the first place. It has everything you could possibly want in a strong fantasy read: a richly imagined world, unforgettable characters, with strong character development, and a plot that keeps you engaged from start to finish. Want to have more recs with strong character development?
I truly believe that if you’re a fantasy lover, this book will captivate you. You’ll find yourself completely swept up in its pages, eager to uncover more. There’s so much here to love and lose yourself in. It’s the kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page, leaving you hungry for more of Sanderson’s incredible world. (Sadly my TBR is quite long and need to finish some other books first before I can dive into part two)
This is the perfect book to curl up with on a chilly evening, wrapped in a blanket, with candles glowing softly around you letting the world of Mistborn carry you away. There’s something so special about sinking into this story and letting its magic take over, page by page. Another book with a world that captivates you is Shades of Magic by V.E. Schwab
“There's always another secret.' -Kelsier” ― Brandon Sanderson, The Final Empire
If you’re looking for a book that will transport you, inspire your imagination, and remind you of why you love fantasy. Treat yourself to the adventure and savour every moment!
Have you ever read a Brandon Sanderson book?
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On my TBR
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