The Final Empire (Mistborn) by Brandon Sanderson left us conflicted....

[@verity231]

I must confess I feel a certain amount of satisfaction when I see reviews that don’t gush over Sanderson. It seems a bit surprising that so many people would absolutely love it to death, almost without finding a fault in it. I tried the first book of Mistborn, but dnf-ed it. It simply wasn’t intriguing enough to carry on. I didn’t feel the desire to submerge myself in that world and accompany the characters. I completely agree with Ed that it felt like we are told or hinted at what we should feel about particular characters rather than creating any actual emotions in the reader. Not sure why it's considered adult fantasy. It read very much like a darker YA. Not for 13 year olds, but for 17 yo perhaps. It wasn’t bad by any means, just pretty mediocre. But very easy to read and for the time it was written probably very original. The magic sequences were repetitive and way too long. It read like watching an RPG game. Didn’t feel magical or fantastical at all, more mechanical, but perhaps I prefer softer magic systems. Maybe I'll give it another try one day or try another of Sanderson's series when he'd had more time to develop as a writer.

[@Krisandmads]

I can totally see both your points of view. I do think that Sanderson’s writing style is very simple/accessible, and it can make his characters come across more juvenile. There is some lack of subtlety. His strength is how he weaves plots. It makes the endings of his books really strong. If you’re going to read something else by him, try Stormlight. The stand alones are more sweet and simple. They’re feel-good. Bordering on cozy. Probably not going to hit the spot if I was guessing. -Maddie

[@Speed202]

I appreciate the honest reviews. Booktubers seem to be scared of backlash from the keyboard bullies. The truth is the series were written quite a while ago and have not aged well for an older/mature audience with complex and dynamic tastes but opinions are subjective so there is probably an Oxford professor tucked away in her office reading Mistborn before class starts. 😅

[@carolynsmith5737]

I reread The Final Empire a few months ago, and it didn’t hit the same note as the first time I read it over a decade ago. I do think I get bored with the detailed explanations of the magic system. I am looking forward to reading the 5th book in Stormlight archive though and will probably reread those books soon. Recently, between my fantasy/sci-fi reads, I’ve been reading the Longmire mystery series. It is a modern day western that has excellent storytelling and prose with a little humor thrown in. Since you both enjoy reading about the west and Native American culture, you might enjoy this series between heavier reads. The friendship between Henry Standing Bear and Walt Longmire is a highlight of the books for me.

[@Robatk-s8j]

This was an interesTIN review, and I agree with a lot of what Will says. I completed it and as I was never fully invested in the characters, the finales of each of the books fell a lot flatter for me than a lot of other people find them. I almost felt as though the third book was entirely filler for 500 pages before the climax. I went into it with high hopes because so many people on Booktube raved about it and tbh I don't think I'll pick up another Sanderson again. I've tried it, didn't work out for me.

[@ArlynChanel]

Yep, agreed. I’ve heard so much about how great Mistborn was and when I read it I did not agree. I pushed through the whole trilogy, and read ERA two as well, but have to say they aren’t for me. I do love Stormlight though, and had actually read Stormlight first, so thought that may have also impacted my opinion.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

A shame it did not really click with you either! Hopefully I enjoy Stormlight more, as you have :). Will

[@subjectiveexperiences1072]

It took me over 200 pages to enjoy Final Empire, haha. Eventually I did get invested and I liked Well of Ascension a lot more.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

That gives me more hope for book 2! Thanks for watching. Will

[@Bragglord]

Fair play to you both for voicing what are clearly unpopular opinions. At least you and the other 100 or so people who will comment on this feel validated. Sorry they didn't do it for you.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Hopefully the rest of the series does! Will

[@tylerblack301]

I agree with a lot of what you both have said, don’t really disagree either. Sanderson is hit and miss for me but I enjoy Mistborn a lot. I will say books 2 & 3 get really strong. Many fans dislike book 2 because it gets a little political but I enjoyed all of that.

[@beach_lion]

I think I'd feel the same way about Mistborn, this deep into my reading journey. I'll wait for your review of Stormlight before I try that too. One of my criticisms of Sanderson is the same one I have for Marvel movies: every character's sense of humor feels interchangeable lol

[@StoryGirl1128]

I enjoyed the story of the Final Empire, but for me the battle scenes were almost too repetitive…all the characters do is Push and Pull on things and now that I’ve read The Final Empire and The Well of Ascension I don’t really care anymore, lol. I think I would like the books better without the magic system 😱🤪 I’m going to finish them, but I’m kinda hoping that Allomancy goes away in further series.

[@VicRibeiro777]

Oh well, not every author or book works for everyone. Many people feel the same about the Gwynne books. Other people absolutely loved them all! 🙂

[@bookschocaholic]

I’m with Ed that this book seems to be a bit of an introductory book for fantasy. I would say for Ed that it’s really not worth continuing the trilogy. I am also still hoping to try stormlight at some point though.

[@joan98610]

Fun fact: Sanderson insists and wants to market Mistborn as YA, probably because he sees it as a more introductory series than his other work. I read it like 10 years ago when I was 16 and I hadn’t read a lot of fantasy, so I loved it. My favourite was the second book, though, it gives a more “political” foundation to the revolution (?). I wonder if I would like it as much now, I do love Stormlight. Ever since I’ve read Malazan every fantasy book feels underwhelming…

[@beardfromtadcymru9714]

I quite enjoyed TFE, probably along the same lines as Will. But i DNF'D book 2, pretty early on. I tried again with Warbreaker, and that was a miss for me too. So that is probably the end of my Sanderson journey. Which is a shame as i did really enjoy his ending to the Wheel of Time

[@esmayrosalyne]

Always fun to see how a hyped book meets or fails your expectations, haha. I really appreciated this honest review, and I actually feel very similar to you both (though more towards Will). For me, Warbreaker and Stormlight Archive is where the gold is, but the rest of Sanderson is just very aggressively fine for me tbh... oops

[@brokenyard]

Not that I'm recommending it, but if you ever read Elantris, I think Mistborn will seem sharper and smarter in comparison. Final Empire has many (movie?) tropes, but done well.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Agreed on the movie tropes! And interesting take on how Elantris might highlight The Final Empire. Will

[@OhioEddieBlack]

I have only read the first 3 Mistborn but I liked them and do plan to read the rest. I plan to read Stormlight and have the first 3 but haven't read them yet. I really enjoyed some of the special projects too although Sunlit Man was prob. my least favorite. Frugal Wizard had really great Pratchett vibes at first but then IMO didn't finish strong. One Sando book I REALLY liked a lot although it's definitely YA is a standalone called The Rithmatist. Nobody ever talks about it but I loved it. It never gets mentioned on BookTube. SUPER unique magic system having to do with chalk drawings done very quickly on the spot. Made for a tense atmosphere. Plus set at a school - always love that setting.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

I may have to try out The Rithmatist then! Hope you enjoy Stormlight if you pick it up :). Will

[@castiglionexxx4106]

I love the stormlight archive ❤ more than I like mistborn. The second aera of mistborn is much better than the first. Because Wax and Wayne are ohne of the best couples in books. Like Jean and Locke Lamora.

[@NiceTryGuvnah]

It seems experienced fantasy readers aren't impressed by Mistborn. but first time fantasy readers love it.

[@MrJordanworkman]

That’s how it was for me, one of the first fantasies I read and I loved it, now I look back on it and am a little underwhelmed

[@NiceTryGuvnah]

​@MrJordanworkman Yeah I have seen similar takes. I'll still read mistborn but I'm a pretty avid fantasy reader now.

[@joan98610]

Yes, i always recommend it to people who are getting into the genre, is way more accessible than other books, but for experienced readers it can be underwhelming

[@Bragglord]

Nonsense. I alone know plenty of people who have read dozens if not hundreds of fantasy novels who love the Mistborn books. Sanderson isn't the best writer on Earth but he is a solid world builder, his plots are strong, his characters are enjoyable, and his action sequences are excellent. Power to Sanderson for all he's been doing.

[@RekindledReader]

How dare you boys have a relatively contrarian opinion while respectfully substantiating your gripes! 🫵🏻

[@thebrothersgwynne]

😂😂🫡

[@Dugrath]

I havn't read any sanderson, I'm listening to Warbreaker right now as my first book and I may look into stormlight over mistborn.

[@caewing85]

I enjoyed The Final Empire for the ending. I felt the middle repetitive and formulaic. I dnf’d book 2. It was BORING. I made it 75% through. I enjoy Stormlight. Not much else of his though.

[@JoshLambLP]

I didn’t make it very far into Mistborn, so well played for finishing! I’m currently giving The Court of Broken Knives another go and am (at last!) loving it! Well, swapping between that and the Heroes. Both are bangers. ⚔️

[@JoshLambLP]

TCOBK seems to click with me more as audiobook - big up Spotify!

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Ed loved The Court of Broken Knives, and The Heroes!!! Will

[@masoninho8]

I hated this book, but Stormlight (especially book 2) is one my favourite series. I was tempted to re-read Mistborn, and push through the series, but pretty much agreed with Ed

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Interesting that you have such varied reactions to these two series! It gives me hope that I may still love Stormlight then :). Will

[@safinan8008]

Thank you for review. I’m glad ur honest too!! Happy reading to you!! 😊

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Thanks so much! Will

[@mrgauth]

I dnf'd it as well. My biggest complaint is the over-explaining of the magic system. I do not need to read he pulled on his metal for every frickin move they make. Just say she leapt to the second floor. We get it. She used her metal pulling/pushing ability. I do not need to hear exactly how it was done EVERY time it was done. Treats you like a moron or something.

[@cynthiafialka]

I feel validated now. I read The Final Empire and felt underwhelmed. I did like the sort of twist at the end. I don’t plan to continue.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Shame it did not click with you either, but glad you also enjoyed the end! Will

[@SamPegg90]

Oh cop(per) it off with the awful puns. (Plz never stop). Sanderson is an interesting one. The more I read the more I think he straddles the YA line, whatever that means. I read Mistborn early in my fantasy journey and loved it. I am now reading Stormlight and finding it a bit over average, certainly not quite getting the hype. It wouldn’t surprise me if I enjoyed Mistborn way less on a reread. I would however perhaps suggest leaning away from Tress of the Emerald Sea (the Princess Bride dedication), as judging from your guys’ tastes I think you might find it….annoying, like I did.

[@peteinfernicous5865]

I'm a bit late to the party but i agree with you guys. I finished the trilogy and the first book was my favourite. The second imo is incredibly bland lackluster and repetitive with my least favourite trope in fantasy. Only its ending redeems it in my eyes. The third book was better than the second, which isn't a big feat, but I severely disliked it's main plot (2 of the subplots were very good) and sanderson was way too preachy imo. I couldn't bond with any of the characters in the novels and I find the side characters and the worldbuilding lacking in many aspects. I read warbreaker a couple of months ago and it did many things better than mistborn but was still mediocre. After it i jumped into empire of the damned and especially the prose difference was astonishing to the point sanderson's looks amateurish. All in all I'm not excited to read stormlight and listen to every opinion about it with a granary of salt.

[@misternegative4918]

I found myself disappointed by the book, but mainly because of the hype. Seeing so many people have this series on their top 5 fantasy books really made me think it would be great. I still liked it and the finished the series. I loved how it all ended, and the ending to every one of the books, but besides the endings they do feel very formulaic. I found the magic system interesting, but it I didn’t like how it was explained during action scenes, almost made me want to skip the action just because of how much I kept hearing about a metal being burnt. I’m in the middle of The Way of Kings, first book in Stormlight, and liking it much more, but it still does some things I don’t like, just way more interesting things going on and more complex.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Hope really does impact how a book is received! That may have been an element for our reactions as well. Agreed on the magic system and also the ending! Glad you're enjoying Stormlight more :). Will

[@puzzlingread]

I also wanted to love Mistborn, but ended up just liking it fine. There were interesting and unexpected elements in the story. But I felt like there was too much repetition and the writing style frustrated me quite a bit. I want to try the Stormlight Archive...maybe...no rush.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Very similar thoughts to you! Will

[@ahkkha4560]

I kinda agree. I started with fantasy with Mistborn n it blew my mind. Having read all of Sanderson books and reading so many more books over the years can definitely say his earlier works are rough namely (Elantris, the first 2 mistborn books), Sanderson has definitely gotten much better as a writer. His style is still the same, very simple, straight to the point, but ig he's just perfected his craft better now, coz the newer books feel way better and not clunky, where parts of the books are kinda lame and parts of it amazing (which is how I felt about the misborn era 1 on a reread). Disclaimer: all my subj opinions :)

[@thebrothersgwynne]

I'm looking forward to seeing how he has progressed as a writer! I may end up agreeing with you :). Will

[@Kristenisfullybookd]

Totally agree about the reading journey discussion, and I don't think that's a hot take at all. I think it's a great entry point to fantasy (minus push pull excesses lol) and we all know how nostalgic we can all feel about our first fantasy books... Looking at you fionavar tapestry 🫣

[@thomasgoes1986]

I know some metal puns that are just gold

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Hahah, love it! Will

[@robertpatenaude]

I read it for the first time last year. Was glad to get it off my list. Thought it was good but could not understand what all the hype was about. Those Sanderson fans that think he can do no wrong. I have to get to Stormlight as he is finishing the first Arc this December. The never ending TBR. Be well, stay safe!

[@joan98610]

Stormlight is more mature, even if it has some flaws, and it’s wider in scope, so that helps as well

[@thebrothersgwynne]

The end of phase 1 of Stormlight also has me excited to dive in.... Thanks for watching, and happy reading! Will

[@playermartin286]

I also don’t get the hype around sanderson. I like my fantasy novels nice and grounded and his are pretty silly and ridiculous. Me and Sanderson are not going to be "alloys" (this one´s for you ed) in the future

[@theHen1]

I Zink it is going to be good was just precious 😂

[@thebrothersgwynne]

🤣

[@ernstbrehm1135]

I don’t get the love for Sanderson. The Final Empire was the only book I could get through & it was not that great. The constant explaining of the magic system drove me insane! I DNF 4 other books by him. So I think I have given him a fair chance. He’s just not for me.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Same here in that a magic system is not my main concern, and I do not need to know every detail on how it works. I'll be giving him another few chances though! Will

[@alliebeesreading]

Penny for your thoughts? Can that be included in the metal puns? Or maybe you guys would say “pound” for your thoughts….or is that not an expression in England at all…? ORE is that not an expression!!! Anyways, your videos always make me smile. I liked the candid review….I have put this off forever because this is so beloved and those books always fall flat for me.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Hahah, I love them! You could have taught Ed and I a thing about these puns 🤣. We should've ironed 😉 them out. Will

[@roseNthorn]

This is Misborn Era 1. I actually like Era 2 better but Im in the minority on that opinion.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Very interesting! I'll see how I enjoy the rest of Era 1 before deciding on Era 2 :) Will

[@Comador66]

Mistborn era 1 was very lukewarm for me, where the first was the best and it became worse with every book. I've found that Sanderson is not really my writer. I've read all stormlight books and they are better for sure, but it is not enough to keep me interested.

[@PinkVTours]

I agree. I started reading mistborn with high hopes but it was very much a it-was-fine experience. I cannot understand why it is raved about so much in the community. I'm not saying it's bad but it's just some bubblegum filler to read between other books.

[@paulum6]

I’ve never heard the Silmarillion being called the “Fantasy Bible” 😂… I own it but have never attempted it. I also have The Final Empire but I’m in no rush to read it….even less now 😂😂😂👍

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Hahah, has Ed coined a new term for The Silmarilion..... Will

[@paulum6]

@@thebrothersgwynne 😀👍

[@noname3609]

I liked Mistborn as a noob Fantasy reader so much. ❤❤❤

[@outofcream9694]

disagree with you guys, but still love the review!! I think that the book does shine the most when you finish the trilogy. He wrote all three together and there’s just some stellar foreshadowing because of that.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Thank you! Subjectivity is the wonder of reading :). I will be carrying on with the series, so maybe I will prefer it on reflection! Will

[@EnglishMooseBoy]

It's good to feel not alone. I felt like this was my unpopular opinnion in booktube fantasy. Stormlight is like slightly better, Hoid is good, but too much waffle for me.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Looking forward to trying Starlight out! Will

[@OhioEddieBlack]

I zink 🤦‍♀😄

[@thebrothersgwynne]

🤣

[@noemie8029]

I thought the Final Empire was okay, but when I finished era 1, it really gave me a new appreciation for book 1. I enjoyed the series more as a whole than the individual books if that makes sense

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Hopefully I enjoy that better reflection on book 1 once I finish the series as well :). Will

[@BobbyHall-eu1xv]

I DNF'd this... I found it boring and found the video game style action sequences where the magic system was constantly being referenced tedious. I have no plans to try anything else from Sanderson going off others reviews.

[@Bragglord]

You mean the overwhelmingly positive reviews? Fair enough, you do you.

[@BobbyHall-eu1xv]

@@Bragglord well obviously not, I mean the reviews few as they are, where the reviewers seem to dislike the same elements as me. Also someone can rave about magic systems all they want, if someone doesn't dig that, they don't dig that. I'm much more particular about the Fantasy I read than any other genre - I love ASOIAF because the fantastical elements like magic and monsters are pretty much in the background and the political intrigue takes centre stage.

[@Bragglord]

@@BobbyHall-eu1xv that's exactly what I'm getting at, bet you had to dig deep to find the negative ones. You may not enjoy magic, but that's your preference and you should still be able to appreciate how authors construct magic systems as part of their world. And yeah, ASOIAF is great...if only GRRM could put books out at half the speed Sanderson does.

[@BobbyHall-eu1xv]

@@Bragglord hey I think Sanderson seems like a great guy and really knows his stuff, it's just not for me, I prefer SF and Historical more among other things.

[@Bragglord]

@@BobbyHall-eu1xv that's fair. As I said, I think the ASOIAF novels are some of the best fantasy novels of the last couple of decades.

[@samreads.]

I had similar feelings on Book 1, but enjoyed 2&3 much more. Thanks for your honest reviews.

[@thebrothersgwynne]

That gives me a lot of hope as I continue with this series then :)! Will

[@Lezzyboy87]

Some of the writing in book 1 isnt the best but stick with it

[@thebrothersgwynne]

Looking forward to seeing what book 2 is like! Will