I found the book Mistborn at a used book store called Fair’s Fair in Calgary, Alberta years ago. I loved fantasy books but could not always ready them quickly when I was in university. I forced myself to finish school assignments and study for and complete exams before I was allowed to enjoy a new book.
Rather than borrow books from the library and renew them over and over again until I finally had time to read them, I would travel to my favourite used book store. Fair’s Fair originally had three locations within my train and walking area. The fantasy and scifi section was vast and brought me many new-to-me authors to enjoy.
Mistborn was one of those books. Kelsier, a half-Skaa prisoner, ensures the prison’s torture until the one day that he ‘snap’ed’ and his Mistborn talents are awaked. He then takes of the mantle of troublemaker, rebel, forcing his Skaa people into rebellion.
Vin is another half-Skaa her life hard, filled with a bitter betrayal. It is her skill of luck, a skill she does not fully understand, that has kept her alive and who can make the difference in Kelsier’s rebellion.
The story is gritty and dark. Where the only hope for the Skaa is forced upon them. They have toiled too long in the darkness and do not have the spark to start a rebellion themselves. At the end, as with many epic fantasy books, it ends with sacrifice, blood, and tears. But there are many plot threats left open and the idea of a Darkness in prophecy that may still need to be dealt with, not to mention, rebuilding a nation.
Brandon Sanderson left himself a lot to work with for plot threads to run through the series. They remain epic, gritty, and filled with pain and hope. suspect it was this series that showcased his skills and gave him the opportunity to complete the Robert Jordan, Wheel of Time Series.
Anytime a tyrant is taken down, there are new enemies vying for that position and old enemies no longer stopped by that tyrant. Both series have this plot arc. The rise and fall of kingdoms, makes for gritty action-filled pages. If you like one series, you will like the other. It was wonderful Robert Jordan’s wife approached Brandon Sanderson to finish his series. Without him, the Wheel of Time Series may never have ended. I found his continuation of the series to be mostly satisfying. The characters felt like themselves, to the most part his writing and Robert Jordan’s wife’s editing made the transition seamless. There were a few threads left open, but maybe we will see them in a short story or a novella in the future. We never know.
While his each of his series are independent, Brandon Sanderson has created a greater connection, he calls it the Cosmere. His worlds are connected by a greater plan. Or as Kelsier would say, more secrets. He had a character, Hoid, who is connected to the words who do not know each other. There are other easter eggs, other foreshadowing in his books. I for one look forward to finding out what they are as the Cosmere becomes more clear.
If you are new to Brandon Sanderson’s writings, check out his website. He and excerpts from many of his books and free stories as well. He is one of my favourite authors in epic fantasy with a strong female protagonist in his crew. Happy Reading!
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