This trilogy was the weakest of the Sanderson stuff that I've ready. Much of it is too complicated focusing on the metaphysical world he created. The story seemed to have suffered because of it. I also didn't see a lot of continuity between the books. The first book was a heist story but then the second two just got more introverted with exploring the Ruin/Preservation dynamic. The third book provided a lot of detailed explanations for much of what we saw in the first two books. That was good. But to a large degree it was a case of Sanderson having invented a very complicated system and then slowly revealing it to the readers. But in the end, we just look at it an say, "yep, that's a complicated system".I am a huge fan of Sanderson's Stormlight Archive. I consider those books (at least so far) to be some of the best modern fantasy out there. But the Mistborn trilogy falls way short of that. If Mistborn had been the first Sanderson I read (and it almost was!) I probably wouldn't have picked up any more. And that would have been a shame. I should have written individual reviews, buuuuttt, this exists so why not?This trilogy is a bit of a grower. When I started the first book, I was skeptical. There was a lot of explaining going on as Kelsier shows Vin the rules of Allomancy and the one thing that can really take the joy out of a fantasy book is the over explanation of its magic system. Yet, slowly, but surely, Kelsier and his crew endeared themselves to me and I found myself really relating to Vin. Plus, as she grows into her Allomantic powers, they start doing more things and putting their plans into place.So, as you can see, pacing is definitely a problem with these series. However, the physics-based magic system is really interesting and Sanderson does a pretty good job with the thieving crew. Though they lack the flair and spunk of Scott Lynch's gang, Kelsier, Breeze, and Sazed are fun to be around. He's also not afraid to kill people off, which is always a good thing.The best thing about these books is, weirdly, also the worst thing. Fantasy often functions as a space for meditations of utopia/dystopia and this series is no different. What started as a revolution in the first book evolves into an intense discussion of ethics and power in the second-which is nice-but also very heavy-handed. The third book gets into questions about faith and religion...which, again, is very interesting, but the tone is so heavily moralizing that I just found myself thinking, "When is Vin going to kill someone already?"However, the third book is also the part where they're putting all the pieces of the puzzle. I really love that throughout the entire series, it's not been about the accumulation of power or wealth-not really- but rather, the accumulation of information. Knowledge is what's going to help them save the world.Plus, the overtones of climate change and the romantic themes (light, but present) are really nice. Things got a bit love triangle-y in the second book, but it's okay because he saved it.It's quite interesting to watch Vin's character evolve and Sanderson does a good job, I think, of making her a complex woman. She's got negative emotions as well as the ability to empower herself. It's good.Why didn't I like this series more? Well, as I've mentioned, the pacing and the whole philosophical quandary parts could have been done better. This could have also been a little grittier in terms of language (hat tip to Scott Lynch, the most creative curse-word inventor) and while I liked the crew, I think Sanderson had problems balancing all these characters. Elend, Vin, and Sazed are by far the most complicated and real characters, which makes sense considering the ending, buuuuttt...I would have liked to see Ham and Breeze and Spook a little more fleshed out. And though this is unfair, he also lacks the poetry of Patrick Rothfuss or the witty banter of Scott Lynch.A good, solid read and I'm interested enough to think about reading Sanderson's other books-except not that unfinished series. I'm not a fucking masochist. I'm waiting out like three series right now!
What do You think about Mistborn Boxed Set. Brandon Sanderson (2009)?
good books. ending put me off a little but thinking back on it better than being overly predictable.
—Shell
I absolutely LOVED the "magic" system of this series. Definitely going to reread this series!!
—wellieno
Awesome series. I enjoyed the plot, the action , characters and the format of each book.
—Elena
