Book Review: Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

Title:     Mistborn

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Genre:   SFF

Rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

 

 Review:

Let me have first a quick acknowledgment before I start. Thanks to Aaron for the awesome recommendation of this book and thanks to Kwesi, my book sponsor, for buying me a copy of this. I doubt I could have read this book if those two great people don't exist. So, hands down to both of them.

In a world where ashes to ashes fall from the sky; where mist scares common people; where slavery is abused; and where metals serve as their source of power; a god-like emperor reigns over this utopia called Underworld. Under the roof of kredik Shaw, dwells the evil rumored immortal Lord ruler.

Skaa, predecessor of people who never supported Lord Ruler during the ascension. Unfortunately,after thousand of years they become slaves. Kelsier, half-noble half-skaa master robber, is the only one who survived Hatshin--Lord Ruler's version of Hell. Despite of knowing that he was a Mistborn and gaining the title Survivor of Hathsin, which makes him an image of hope for skaa people, he vows to himself a revenge against Lord Ruler for the death of his wife.

Upon Kelsier's gathering of elite Allomancers and allies, he stumbles on meeting Vin. Same as him, half-skaa half-noble but unaware of being a mistborn who later becomes Kelsier's apprentice and becomes potent that everyone thought she couldn't be.

New is indeed the first word that came to my mind when I finished this book. These days, It is rare for me to ransack High Fantasy pieces in my book repertoire. However, dropping my eyes over this book was never a regret but instead worth it. I accidentally kept on picking books that follow the same formula as Lord of the Rings. Contrary, it is I think inevitable for authors not to bite up the formula of a farmer-boy-who-turned-hero if the genre is Fantasy. But as a reader, what matters for me is how the formula executed in a very original equation. This book, I tell you adapted the formula, too, but brilliantly altered the rest of it. New might be weak word if basing my statements above but believe me if J.K. Rowling has her Spells, Cassandra Clare has her Runes, make way for Brandon Sanderson for he has his Metals.

Creative is the best adjective to describe Sander's world-building. A vivid picture of Underworld with consistent supporting descriptions and strong detail. Underworld itself is a picturesque of doomed world and thus Sanderson gives it a proper justice. To add positive things up, the world's description is new that first catches the the readers' attention. Instead of a constant image of a hellish world, a translucent live images of a world under darkness.

Dumbfounding is in a state of being astonished. Therefore, I claim to be dumbfounded. Everything about this book is no doubt astonishing. Impressive is still understatement. The twists are absolutely great that it actually let me keep up reading till morning. If they say that the book is not realistic, in consideration with fantasy, I dare object it.

Genius truly Sanderson is. Instead of spells, he used metals. Instead of wizardry, he used Allomancy. In lieu of apparition, he used mists. His magic system is incredibly believable, not to mention that he's an effective story-teller.

Highly recommended has what Robin Hobb said. Orson Scott Card has stated his praises, too. Who are you waiting for to say something about it, Santa Claus? Don't wet you butt sitting there, go delve the bookstores for a copy of this for I assure you I will risk my neck if you won't like it.