Book Review: Mistborn: The Final Empire - Brandon Sanderson

Mistborn: The Final Empire - Brandon Sanderson

In a world where ash falls from the sky, and mist dominates the night, an evil cloaks the land and stifles all life.  The future of the empire rests on the shoulders of a troublemaker and his young apprentice.  Together, can they fill the world with color once more?

In Brandon Sanderson's intriguing tale of love, loss, despair and hope, a new kind of magic enters the stage---Allomancy, a magic of the metals.

4/5 stars (really like it)

Although I haven't read many books by Brandon Sanderson I have read enough to tell me that I love him!  I love his writing style and his characters.  I love the way he tells you a little bit but just enough to get you to read more.  Although not everything is answered in the book I still walked away from it satisfied with the ending.  Although I am glad the store continues in a another book.  I was not crazy about Vin when she was fist introduced but by the end of the book I loved her.  I love the way she grew, not just her allomancy but her as an individual.  I loved Kelsier form the beginning and I wish we could have learned more about his past.  A character that really surprised me was Elend Venture, a noble that was introduced later in the series.  His character really grew on me and I hope he's in the next book.  Seems like so much happens in the last few pages of the book.  Definitely reading the next one.

Book Review: Elantris - Brandon Sanderson

Elantris - Brandon Sanderson

Elantris was the capital of Arelon: gigantic, beautiful, literally radiant, filled with benevolent beings who used their powerful magical abilities for the benefit of all.  Yet each of these demigods was once an ordinary person until touched by the mysterious transforming power of the Shaod.  Ten years ago, without warning, the magic failed.  Elantrians became wizened, leper-like, powerless creatures, and Elantris itself dark, filthy, and crumbling.

Arelon's new capital, Kae, crouches in the shadow of Elantris.  Princess Sarene of Teod arrives for a marriage of state with Crown Prince Raoden, hoping--base on their correspondence--to also find love.  She finds instead that Raoden has died and she is considered his widow.  Both Teod and Arelon are under threat as the last remaining holdouts against the imperial ambitions of the ruthless religious fanatics of Fjordell.  So Sarene decides to use her new status to counter the machinations of Hrathen, a Fjordell high priest who has come to Kae to convert Arelon and claim it for his emperor and his god.

But neither Sarene nor Hrathen suspect the truth about Prince Raoden.  Stricken by the same curse that ruined Elantris, Raorden was secretly exiled by his father to the dark city.  His struggle to help the wretches trapped there begins a series of events that will bring hope to Arelon, and perhaps reveal the secret of Elantris itself.

4/5 stars (really liked it)

The book is from the three main character's point of views, Sarene, Raoden and Hrathen.  We meed Raoden as he becomes cursed by the Shaod and thrown into Elantris.  There he makes a friend, Galladon who has been in Elantris for a few months.  He helps Raoden and shows him around.  Raoden tries to learn all he can so that he can heal Elantris.  Sarene is a princess and has just moved to Kae and learns her betrothed is dead.  By the laws of the land she is considered married and a widow.  So she decides to learn as much as she can and help the people.  Hrathen is a high priest who is in charge of converting the people to his religion.  All is not what is looks like and all three characters learn things and in the end I really ended up liking this book.  The ending gave it an ending but also left it open.

Book Review: Calamity - Brandon Sanderson

Calamity - Brandon Sanderson

When Calamity lit up the sky, the Epics were born.  David's fate has been tied to their villainy ever since that historic night.  Steelheart killed his father.  Firefight stole his heart.  And now Regalia has turned his closest ally into a dangerous enemy.

David knew Prof's secret, and kept it even when the Reckoners' leader struggled to control the effects of his Epic powers.  But facing Obliteration in Babilar was too much.  Prof has now embraced his Epic destiny.  He's disappeared into those murky shadows of menace Epics are infamous for the world over, and everyone knows there's no turning back...

But everyone is wrong. Redemption is possible for Epics--Megan proved it.  They're not lost.  Not completely.  And David is just about crazy enough to face down the most powerful High Epic of all to get his friend back.  Or die trying.

3/5 stars (liked it)

I really like Brandon Sanderson as an author and was looking forward to a great conclusion to a great series.  I felt like the end just wrapped up a little too nicely and just ended without much closure.  This whole book is leading up to them getting Professor back and then when they get to that point they are unprepared and things don't go as planned.  I do like the journey that David made throughout the book and his acceptance of himself and other Epics.  I feel like the ending left it open to possibly have a follow-up book.

Book Review: Firefight - Brandon Sanderson

Firefight - Brandon Sanderson

They told David it was impossible--that even the Reckoners had never killed a High Epic.  Yet, Steelheart--invincible, immortal, unconquerable--is dead.  And he died by David's hand.

Eliminating Steelheart was supposed to make life more simple.  Instead, it only made David realize he has questions.  Big ones.  And there's no one in Newcago who can give him the answers he needs.

Babylon Restored, the old borough of Manhattan, has possibilities, though.  Ruled by the mysterious High Epic, Regalia, David is sure Babylon Restored will lead him to what he needs to find.  And while entering another city oppressed by a High Epic despot is a gamble, David's willing to risk it.  Because killing Steelheart left a hole in David's heart.  A hole where his thirst for vengeance once lived.  Somehow, he filled that hole with another Epic--Firefight.  And he's willing to go on a quest darker, and more dangerous even, than the fight against Steelheart to find her, and to get his answers.

4/5 stars (really liked it)

This book picks up a few months after Steelheart.  With the Reckoners in Newcago taking care of people.  They finally decide to go to Babylon to take care of the High Epic, Regalia that keeps sending epics after the Reckoners.  Prof has David come with and he is eager since Megan (aka Firefight) is there too.  David is torn between his hatred of Epics and his love for Megan.  While in Babylon he learns many things about Epics and the team he works with.  I thought the ending and all the twists were great and I can't wait to read the conclusion to this trilogy!

Book Review: Mitosis - Brandon Sanderson

Mitosis - Brandon Sanderson

Steelheart may be dead, but Epics still plague Newcago and David and the Reckoners have vowed to fight back.

4/5 stars (really liked it)

Short story that takes place after Steelheart.  The Reckoners are helping to rebuild the city after the events of the first book.  In this story Mitosis, an Epic comes to try to take over Newcago.  But of course David and the Reckoners are on it.  A great story to lead to the second book.

Book Review: Steelheart - Brandon Sanderson

Steelheart - Brandon Sanderson

Ten years ago, Calamity came.  It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers.  The awed public started calling them Epics.  But Epics are no friend of man.  With incredible gifts came the desire to rule.  And to rule man you must crush his wills.

Nobody fights the Epics...nobody but the Reckoners.  A shadowy group of ordinary humans, they spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them.

And David wants in.  He wants Steelheart--the Epic who is said to be invincible.  The Epic who killed David's father.  For years, like the Reckoners, David's been studying, and planning--and he has something they need.  Not an object, but an experience.  

He's seen Steelheart bleed.  And he wants revenge.

4/5 stars (really liked it)

I finally started reading some Brandon Sanderson books and love them.  He keeps me on the edge of my seat.  This book series is aimed at older teens.  There are innuendos and violence.  That did not stop me from reading this book, my husband and my 12 year old son.  All of us loved this book.  I kind of guessed something about one of the characters.  Also I had many theories on Steelheart's weakness.  I can't wait to finish the series.

Book Review: Warbreaker - Brandon Sanderson

Warbreaker - Brandon Sanderson

Sisters Vivenna and Siri are princesses of Idris.  Susebron is the God King one must marry.  Lightsong is the reluctant minor got of bravery.  Vasher is an immortal still trying to undo mistakes of centuries before.  Magic from individual breath from everyday objects can perform all manner of miracles and mischief.

4/5 stars (really liked it)

Took me a long time to read this since it was a free PDF version I read on my phone and I prefer to read actual books.  Also it's not the fastest paced book at the beginning, but it did keep my interest.  This book focuses on 4 main characters, Vivenna and Siri, who are sisters.  Vivenna is supposed to marry the God King Susebron but their father instead sends Siri.  Siri is a bit rebellious and immature and has no clue what to do when she meets Susebron.  I love the development of Siri and Susebron's relationship.  Then there is Vivenna, who was raised to know how to be the wife of the God King and suddenly finds herself not being that.  She goes to save her sister Siri from the position she is and.  On the way there she learns how to survive.  There is also Vasher, a mysterious character with a mysteriously deadly sword.  I was always happy when the story came back to him and I really found him intriguing and wanted to learn more about him.  Also there is Lightsong, a minor god who is always questioning his priest and questioning the whole system.  He's a god that doesn't believe in gods.  I loved his story and I loved what happened to him and it was so fitting.  Overall a great stand alone book but left it open for a sequel, which I would definitely read!

Book Review - The Rithmatist - Brandon Sanderson

The Rithmatist - Brandon Sanderson

More than anything, Joel wants to be a Rithmatist.  Rithmatist have the power to infuse life into two-dimensional figures known as Chalklings.  Rithmatists are humanity's only defense against the Wild Chalklings.  Having nearly overrun the territory of Nebrask, the Wild Chalklings now threaten all of the American Isles.

As the son of a lowly chalkmaker at Armedius Academy, Joel can only watch as Rithmatist students learn the magical art that he would do anything to practice.  Then students start disapperaint--kidnapped from their rooms at night, leaving trails of blood.  Assigned to help the professor who is investigating the crimes, Joel and his friend Melody find themselves on the trail of an unexpected discoery--one that will change Rithmatics--and their world--forever.

4/5 stars (really liked it)

I have not read many books by Brandon Sanderson but my husband has and he recommended this book to my 12 year old son.  After he read I and raved about it I read it too and loved it.  Joel is so likeable and I feel so bad for him.  His father, the Chalkmaker died and so it is just him and his mother living on campus.  All the professors and staff have known him all his life.  His mother is working non-stop cleaning the school.  Joel has a hard time finding friends and any he does make are not very nice to him.  But Joel is very intelligent and he uses that in this book.  The ending although I had guessed some of it really wanted me to read the next one, which isn't out yet.  I never would have thought a story about chalk drawings would be so compelling.