Finally -- The Beginning

For years, author Brandon Sanderson had been on my reading list. I enjoy fantasy fiction, he's one of the most recognized names in the genre, so I ought to give him a try -- simple as that. When I finally did get around to Sanderson, I didn't exactly scratch the itch as I've just defined: I began his (excellent) science fiction series, Skyward. But now, I've gone back to where Sanderson began; I've read his first book, Mistborn: The Final Empire.

This first book of Sanderson's career kicked off a series he's still expanding today, set in a world where a dictator rules harshly over a deeply class-divided society. Rebels seek to overthrow the apparently immortal ruler, their best weapon being guerilla tactics employing allomacy, a metal-based magical system.

Mistborn: The Final Empire was first published in 2006. You would expect anyone doing any one job for 16 years to get better at it over time, and this book definitely reflects that. It's not badly written. (Of course it isn't; Sanderson became popular for a reason.) But Skyward is one of Sanderson's most recent creations, and there is a noticeable difference. Not all of the characters in Mistborn are as crisp. Not all of the writing is as tight.

But the setting, the creativity, the ideas? Sanderson had that going for him right out of the gate. The world of Mistborn is a fascinating one, with a unique, intriguing, and elaborately detailed system of magic. (Indeed, there are actually two kinds of magic here, interrelated but distinct in a compelling way. But I leave that for the book itself to reveal.) Metals are literally consumed by the magic-user, ingested and burned off for some particular ability they grant. And seemingly with each new chapter, some new aspect of this is revealed.

There is, of course, a plot here too -- and a decent one. But the way this story operates in a fascist society isn't as vivid as the fantasy elements. Mistborn is a product of its time, I suppose, in which fascism was more distant, a more abstract evil useful for storytelling. It's borrowing heavily from other fantasy staples too, most clearly in it centering on a Chosen One character, anointed by destiny to rid the world of an ancient villain, mentored by a secretive magic wielder. So I center on the setting as the most compelling and different element here -- though it's worth noting that Sanderson does depart from the conventions in meaningful ways as the book unspools.

I would give Mistborn: The Final Empire a B. If you're not an enthusiast of fantasy, it's probably not a book that's going to win you over. But for fantasy readers, it's solid and enjoyable, and seems a strong enough effort for one of the titans of the genre. And I will be proceeding with the series.