• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Challenges
  • Reviews
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Books of Amber

Latest Posts

Debut Author Interview & Debut Giveaway: Dana Swift, Cast in Firelight

Book Review: Siri, Who Am I? by Sam Tschida

Book Review: The Survivors by Jane Harper

The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

07/01/2015      12 Comments

The Final Empire by Brandon SandersonThe Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
Series: Mistborn #1
Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: October 1, 2009
Publisher: Gollancz
Add it: Goodreads
Rating: five-stars

In a world where ash falls from the sky, and mist dominates the night, an evil cloaks the land and stifles all life. The future of the empire rests on the shoulders of a troublemaker and his young apprentice. Together, can they fill the world with colour once more?

In Brandon Sanderson's intriguing tale of love, loss, despair and hope, a new kind of magic enters the stage - Allomancy, a magic of the metals.

This is a story about how my life was ruined forever by a fantasy book that was not Harry Potter. I knew The Final Empire was going to be good, but I didn’t know just how brilliant it was going to be until I finally started reading it. Prior to buying it, I hadn’t heard too much about it. I know, I don’t know where I’ve been. And once I had bought it, it sat on my shelf for about a year before I finally decided to pick it up. And picking it up was one of the best decisions I made in 2014.

Brandon Sanderson is a fantastic writer. Since discovering his work, I have read a good few books by him, and all of them have been great, but The Final Empire is the one that truly stands out due to the setting and the characters, plus the heist storyline that so many people adore.

The story mostly focusses on two main characters, Kelsier (<3) and Vin, although there are a bunch of other characters who also get page time and who are incredibly important. Kelsier is the leader of a crew of people who want to take down the Lord Ruler, aka the guy who is in charge of the Final Empire and keeping rich people in business with slavery, fear, and a metal called Atium. And then Vin is the young woman who stumbles into Kelsier and joins his crew, and later helps them on their mission to end the bad guy and free the Empire. And I totally shipped these two together even with the age difference and if you find that creepy then you would definitely hate most of my other ships. They have chemistry! I regret nothing.

Metals are very important in this book because they’re what give people their powers. Some people, that is, because not everyone has the ability to weild metals, and fewer people still can actually use all the metals like Vin and Kelsier can. This power is called Allomancy, and the people who have it are called either Mistlings or Mistborns, depending on how powerful they are. This is the foundation of the magic system in this book, but it’s so much more complex than that. Sanderson has done a phenomenal job of creating a system here that works; one that has power and also limitations. It’s probably one of the best magic systems that I have ever read about, and I love that there is so much more to explore after this first book.

Kelsier and Vin are both amazing characters. Kelsier is the bestest person, even though he is morally grey at times because some of the things he does are like, woah. But he has an amazing backstory that I like to compare to Spartacus, and he wants to take out the Lord Ruler who has been oppressing and killing innocent people for years. Kelsier is a force to be reckoned with, and he’s my favourite character out of all of the ones I’ve met through Sanderson’s books so far.

Vin is also a very complex character, although she doesn’t really come into her own until towards the end. She has spent her whole life being controlled, oppressed, and abused by either her family or her elders. She’s had a shit life, but she’s still come out of it strong and determined. I love her, and I love the way her character is heading by the end of this book. All the Vin, guys, all the Vin.

While this is an epic fantasy with entirely new world-building, it wasn’t a slow read at all. It took me no time to get into it and to get used to the characters and their personalities, and the world was explained patiently and clearly, while also leaving you wanting to know more. Unlike a lot of epic or high fantasy (looking at you, ASOIAF) there was no slow moment or any moment that I felt could have been explained a lot better. I was hooked from the start and, while The Final Empire is over 600 pages long, I didn’t want it to end once I’d started. I could read about this world and these characters forever, and I’m incredibly sad that it’s only a trilogy because I want ALLLLL the books. All of them.

CAN I JUST TAKE A MOMENT TO SHOUT AT YOU ALL ABOUT THE ENDING BECAUSE IT IS THE MOST SOUL DESTROYING THING I HAVE EVER READ AND I WASN’T EXPECTING IT SO FUCK ALL THE PEOPLE WHO LET ME GO THROUGH IT WITHOUT WARNING ME (I’m joking, I don’t actually want to know what’s going to happen or have any warnings at all) I WAS A SOBBING MESS AND I WILL NEVER EVER RECOVER I HAVE BEEN SCARRED FOR LIFE MY HEART HAS BEEN RIPPED OUT OF MY CHEST AND I WILL NEVER FORGIVE ANYBODY FOR DOING THIS TO ME

Ehem.

My one complaint would be the lack of female characters. Vin is the only one. Although one (or two?) more get introduced in the sequel, I’ve noticed that Sanderson’s books in general lack female main characters and it’s hard to ignore. That said, I haven’t read Warbreaker yet, which sounds promising, and also The Alloy of Law. Fingers crossed for more diversity and improvement!

I could ramble on about The Final Empire to you all day, or you could just take my (flawless) advice and go and buy a copy right now. I would recommend it to fans of Sarah J. Maas, because the level of feels felt for Heir of Fire and this are just about equal. Also consider reading this if you love Fire and Thorns, because the world building is everything you could have ever wanted. Just… just read this book, guys. It’s one of the best things I’ve read in the past year, and I don’t think you will regret it.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Carla says

    07/01/2015 at 1:39 pm

    It’s one of the best things I’ve read in the past year, and I don’t think you will regret it.

    I AGREE WITH THIS. I don’t regret reading this but I STILL hate you all for recommending it to me. At the risk of sounding like a complete and utter mard; I had to sleep with a silk eye mask on for TWO NIGHTS and use brightening eye drops to get rid of the redness and puffiness that was caused from excessive crying aka being a book drama queen. (don’t mock me for the eye mask when you are a cry baby these things are crucial.)

    Reply
    • Amber says

      07/01/2015 at 9:12 pm

      Would you like to see my eye mask collection? Rofl I cry over EVERYTHING. A couple of months ago I stayed at Tatum’s and we watched Ten’s final episode of Doctor Who, Pearl Harbor, and The Notebook ALL IN A ROW BECAUSE WE ARE MENTAL and the next morning my eyes were sooooo swollen. Tatum says she couldn’t tell but I think she’s lying.

      Reply
  2. Michelle (Fluttering Butterflies) says

    07/01/2015 at 2:26 pm

    You’ve convinced me. I really need to read this!

    Reply
    • Amber says

      09/01/2015 at 8:34 pm

      Proud of myself!

      Reply
  3. Maddy E says

    07/01/2015 at 9:43 pm

    THIS BOOK. I totally agree. I loved the Allomancy. I’ve never been able to so clearly visualize the way magic works, and this system is so unique and creative. I want to be a Mistborn. I want my fancy flappy cloak and my vials of metal flakes. I WANT.

    I totally agree about the ending. Crushed. I can’t even use caps because I’m still too emotionally devastated, even though I read this several months ago.

    Reply
    • Amber says

      10/01/2015 at 10:53 pm

      Yessss! His descriptions of Allomancy are amazing. And I would totally accept being a Mistborn if someone offered it to me. Where can I find a Kelsier?

      Reply
  4. Gem says

    09/01/2015 at 9:44 pm

    I love this book so much! Thank you for making me read it! I love your shouty paragraph about the ending. You really should have warned me about that. I was not ready for the emotion! And Vin and Kelsier are the best ship ever!!! Meant for each other. Makes sense.

    Reply
    • Amber says

      10/01/2015 at 10:55 pm

      You are most welcome 😀 I feel like it’s best to go into it knowing nothing XD

      Reply
  5. Bec @ Readers in Wonderland says

    10/01/2015 at 5:41 am

    I was going to write something thoughtful and coherent but my brain just AJKSHSJKLSBJKWBEDJKSBJJKBJKBRLKEB

    The world and the characters make this book. ANd the action scenes and the plot and the feels just EVERYTHING. It definitely needs more female characters though, and I can’t wait to see where Vin and the crew go in future books (though I am terrified because I KNOW THE SOUL DESTROYING TWISTS SANDERSON CAN THROW IN). The sequels need to find their way into my possession.

    P.S. I just made my dad read this and he keeps coming out to tell me how awesome it is. I can’t wait to see his reaction to the feels inducing plot twist we wish we could reverse at the end 😀

    Reply
    • Amber says

      10/01/2015 at 10:52 pm

      Who needs to be coherent when Sanderson is involved?! He’s freakin’ fantastic. I can’t believe it took me so long to pick his books up. At least now there’s a backlog? Haha. VIN IS AMAZING I LOVE HER WITH ALL MY HEART.

      Good job on getting your dad to read it! I wish my parents would but I can’t remember the last time they picked up a book haha.

      Reply
  6. Dreams says

    10/01/2015 at 6:37 am

    “This is a story about how my life was ruined forever by a fantasy book that was not Harry Potter.” Yup this book is a life ruiner. THAT ENDING! I’m still suffer from the feels just thinking of it. Great review, now lets see who runs off and buys it like you commanded. 🙂

    Reply
    • Amber says

      10/01/2015 at 10:46 pm

      The entire series is horrific and I never want to be traumatised like this again

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe via Email

Join 4,581 other subscribers

Current Giveaways

None

Currently Reading

Currently Reading

Upcoming Reviews

None yet!

Blogroll

  • All About Books
  • Artsy Musings of a Bibliophile
  • I Should Read That
  • Lisa is Busy Nerding
  • My Friends Are Fiction
  • Recaptains
  • The Daily Prophecy
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Hello!

Hello!

My name is Amber, I'm 27 years old, and I've been a book blogger, reviewer, and Tuber for ten years. When I'm not reading, I love gaming, exercising, cinema trips, hiking, and exploring.

Welcome to my blog!

Subscribe!

Blog Archive

Categories

Follow us on Instagram

(This book was sent to me by the author as a gift) (This book was sent to me by the author as a gift)

Happy release day to The Effort! I'm so excited to read this apocalyptic story about people coming together to prevent a global crisis. Like I said the other day, I'm really into disaster stories lately 😊

#books #booktube #smallyoutuber #smallyoutubercommunity #bookstagram #bookblogger #bookworm #bookish #debutauthors #21ders #debutbooks #debutshowcase #dac21 #the21ders #reading #igbooks #booksofig #igreads #book
* ad - book provided by publisher for free in exch * ad - book provided by publisher for free in exchange for an honest review *

I'm smashing through my physical ARCs this week, which means it's almost time for me to read This is Not the Jess Show! I'm excited for this one, if a little cautious about how similar to The Truman Show it's going to be.

#books #booktube #smallyoutuber #smallyoutubercommunity #bookstagram #bookblogger #bookworm #yabooks #bookish #youngadultbooks #booksofig #igreads #currentlyreading #igbooks #bookstagramuk #bookstagrammer
The first week back at work put me in an unfortuna The first week back at work put me in an unfortunate reading slump, but I'm hoping Hold Back the Stars will get me out of it! I'm going to be reading this one today and hopefully forgetting about real life.

#books #bookstagram #bookblogger #bookworm #bookish #sff #sffbooks #holdbackthestars #bookstoread #currentlyreading #reading #igbooks #booksofig #igreads #bookstagramuk #booksbooksbooks #bookgram
* ad - book provided by publisher for free in exch * ad - book provided by publisher for free in exchange for an honest review*

I absolutely blasted through The Girls I've Been by Tess Sharpe this week! I was worried I was getting slumpy from too much sff so I switched to a YA thriller and WHEW, it was excellent. 

The Girls I've Been is about a girl called Nora who is the daughter of a con artist (and also bi!). She's living her own life now away from her mother, and then someone tries to rob a bank while she's inside it.

This was so fast paced and I love that it was told in a non linear format. Trigger warnings for lots of things, though. You can find the full list on the author's website but the main one for me was domestic violence.

#books #bookstagram #bookblogger #bookworm #yabooks #thegirlsivebeen #yathrillers #yathriller #thrillerbooks #booktube #smallyoutuber #smallyoutubercommunity #reading
Because I like to read about other apocalypses dur Because I like to read about other apocalypses during pandemics, apparently.

 I've just started The Lightest Object in the Universe and I'm intrigued! Have you read it?

#books #bookstagram #bookblogger #bookworm #bookstagramuk #currentlyreading #dystopia #dystopianbooks #apocalypse #sff #sffbooks #bookish #booktube #smallbookstagrammer #booksbooksbooks
*AD - book gifted by publisher in exchange for an *AD - book gifted by publisher in exchange for an honest review* 

Siri, Who Am I? was my final read of 2020 and it was a fun one. While I didn't love how the main character treated others, particularly her attitude towards sex workers, I did like how fast paced this one was and the slight mystery element mixed with Rich People Drama kept me reading. Will I reread it? No. But I enjoyed my time with it well enough.

#books #booktube #smallyoutuber #smallyoutubercommunity #bookstagram #bookblogger #bookworm #bookreview #smallbookstagrammer #booksbooksbooks #siriwhoami #romcom #reading
I'm supposed to be starting The Bear and the Night I'm supposed to be starting The Bear and the Nightingale on Tuesday for my weekly buddy read, but I want to read it now! I should probably finish some of the books I've already started though.

#books #booktube #smallyoutuber #smallyoutubercommunity #bookstagram #bookblogger #bookworm #booksbooksbooks #bookstoread #tbr #tbrpile #toread #readingpile #reading #bookaddict #igbooks #booksofig #igreads #thebearandthenightingale #winternighttrilogy
Yes, I'm still reading this 😂 I'm trying to fin Yes, I'm still reading this 😂 I'm trying to finish it by the end of the year but who knows if that'll happen? I'm enjoying buddy reading it with @ishouldreadthat though, and I'm sure she's appreciating my rants and fangirling.

#books #booktube #smallyoutuber #smallyoutubercommunity #bookstagram #bookblogger #bookworm #wordsofradiance #thewayofkings #Stormlight #stormlightarchive #brandonSanderson #fantasybooks #sff
I am so unbelievably excited to try this YA thrill I am so unbelievably excited to try this YA thriller this month. I am tempted to drop everything and pick it up right now but, ya know, commitments.

#books #booktube #smallyoutuber #smallyoutubercommunity #bookstagram #bookblogger #bookworm #yabooks #youngadultbooks #thrillerbooks #smallbookstagrammer #booksbooksbooks #tbr #toberead #tbrpile #agoodgirlsguidetomurder
I just HAD to feature one of my favourite books of I just HAD to feature one of my favourite books of the year, and the start of one of my all time favourite series before the end of 2020. I adore The City of Brass so much, and I recommend it to everyone I come across. I've reread it three times now, and in 2021 I plan to make it four!

What's your favourite fantasy series?

#books #booktube #smallyoutuber #smallyoutubercommunity #bookstagram #bookblogger #bookworm #daevabad #daevabadtrilogy #thecityofbrass #fantasybooks #fantasyreader #fantasy #reading #booksbooksbooks #booksofig #igreads #favoritebooks #christmasbooks #vlogmas #bookmas

Copyright © 2021 ·