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timgarris's review against another edition
3.0
Before I go anywhere else with this review, I need to address Zane.
God. Even his name sounds like he should be working the register at Hot Topic. I hated this character and everything about him. He's annoying. Whiny. Self-involved. Boring. A veritable collection of poor character cliches. And, most unforgivable of all, he's completely unnecessary to the story. His only purpose is to serve as a foil for issues that Vin could just as easily have worked through herself. I felt like the story didn't really start to go anywhere until after he was out of it. Unfortunately, even then it never really found its pace.
This is really a story about nothing. There's a lot of political tension that carries on at a snails pace throughout the whole novel, before finally coming to a rapid conclusion in the last hundred pages or so. Meanwhile, Vin and Elend have drama and then eventually make up, even though he was oblivious to her feelings and she was kind of a bitch. Then there's a subplot about the Well of Ascension that doesn't become important until the very end. For most of the book, there's no real -point- to it all. It just putters around in circles, doling out character development now and then. Ironically the structure of it reminded me of nothing so much as the latter Wheel of Time books, which makes me think that Sanderson's volumes should fit right in with that series.
Still, at least the development is interesting. We learn a lot more in this book about some of the supporting cast, as well as the Mistborn world itself. It was enough to keep me going, because I really do like the universe that Sanderson has established. But the third novel had better have a plot I can sink my teeth into.
God. Even his name sounds like he should be working the register at Hot Topic. I hated this character and everything about him. He's annoying. Whiny. Self-involved. Boring. A veritable collection of poor character cliches. And, most unforgivable of all, he's completely unnecessary to the story. His only purpose is to serve as a foil for issues that Vin could just as easily have worked through herself. I felt like the story didn't really start to go anywhere until after he was out of it. Unfortunately, even then it never really found its pace.
This is really a story about nothing. There's a lot of political tension that carries on at a snails pace throughout the whole novel, before finally coming to a rapid conclusion in the last hundred pages or so. Meanwhile, Vin and Elend have drama and then eventually make up, even though he was oblivious to her feelings and she was kind of a bitch. Then there's a subplot about the Well of Ascension that doesn't become important until the very end. For most of the book, there's no real -point- to it all. It just putters around in circles, doling out character development now and then. Ironically the structure of it reminded me of nothing so much as the latter Wheel of Time books, which makes me think that Sanderson's volumes should fit right in with that series.
Still, at least the development is interesting. We learn a lot more in this book about some of the supporting cast, as well as the Mistborn world itself. It was enough to keep me going, because I really do like the universe that Sanderson has established. But the third novel had better have a plot I can sink my teeth into.
topodibiblioteca's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
batrock's review against another edition
4.0
Follow up to The Final Empire starts off slowly and recaps too much of the material of the previous book, and retcons a character dynamic that initially grates before settling into becoming the strongest part.
Sanderson eventually builds up enough steam that it feels like you're reading several books one after another, culminating in the near ultimate book. Then it ends! Time to read the next one. (I'll write a proper review for Batrock later)
Sanderson eventually builds up enough steam that it feels like you're reading several books one after another, culminating in the near ultimate book. Then it ends! Time to read the next one. (I'll write a proper review for Batrock later)
kafoshi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
madisonknight_'s review against another edition
3.75
Very conflicted - did I want to put this book down? No. Did I love the story? Ehhhhhh. Is it overall obviously a good book? Yes.
ribetzi's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
erubrich's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
adavis14's review against another edition
5.0
I love it. I love the characters so much. It’s so much fun. I liked that this one dove more into the lore
kryptonchild's review against another edition
4.0
A little slow going to start, but man, all the characters are so well developed and their journeys are so intricate and real.
Every time I thought, “oh I wish so and so would be better and just ____” they seemed to recognize their fault, or have it pointed out and slowly learn. Nobody in these books is perfect, but I love that Sanderson can keep the integrity of these individuals intact, while allowing for growth and change.
Part 4 … *deep calming sigh* I was nauseous the whole way through, what an incredibly tense and edge of my seat battle.
Sazed had to have the most tragic experience.
“He tried to think of something proper to say—something proper to think—but suddenly, all of his religious knowledge seemed hollow. What was the use in giving her a burial? What was the value in speaking the prayers of a long-dead god? What good was he? The religion of Dadradah hadn't helped Clubs; the Survivor hadn't come to rescue the thousands of soldiers who had died. What was the point?”
Every time I thought, “oh I wish so and so would be better and just ____” they seemed to recognize their fault, or have it pointed out and slowly learn. Nobody in these books is perfect, but I love that Sanderson can keep the integrity of these individuals intact, while allowing for growth and change.
Part 4 … *deep calming sigh* I was nauseous the whole way through, what an incredibly tense and edge of my seat battle.
Sazed had to have the most tragic experience.
“He tried to think of something proper to say—something proper to think—but suddenly, all of his religious knowledge seemed hollow. What was the use in giving her a burial? What was the value in speaking the prayers of a long-dead god? What good was he? The religion of Dadradah hadn't helped Clubs; the Survivor hadn't come to rescue the thousands of soldiers who had died. What was the point?”
laurabeth9's review against another edition
5.0
If you like fantasy, you will love this series. These aren’t standalones, so make sure you read from the beginning. Just like the first, this novel picks up and moves quickly. Although sometimes there is a lot of “research” information, it really does pertain to the storyline. I am excited to get to the next installment.