Fantasy Novel

5 Responses to “Mistborn Trilogy Boxed Set”

1. 
   Timothy Doke Says:
   April 10th, 2010 at 5:10 pm

   I am a new fan of Brandon Sanderson; I never heard of him until I read book 12 from WOT, the Gathering Storm. After that book, I just had to go find out more about this author. I enjoyed his writing style in the Gathering Storm; it was very engaging. Then, I read Elantris, and really enjoyed it as well. After that book, I found out about Mistborn. I picked up this trilogy and I was hooked!

   It is hard for me, in retrospect, to believe how good this series was, especially considering how fast Sanderson writes (how many large books ~700pg can one man write in one year??). To me, this is one of my favorite fantasy series I’ve read. And I hadn’t heard of him two months ago! This series has something for everyone: a well developed and very well thought out, and original, magic system; the characters are complex and have different personalities; the story line itself is epic and gives scope to everything hanging in the balance; there is romance, lots of action; it was honestly hard to do anything else in my spare time while I was reading this series…

   Some of the traps other fantasy authors tend to fall into — dragging out climactic events over too many books — did not plague this series. This trilogy was very well put together and the events were obviously preplanned. I have to give him credit because he did not shy away from not only killing off major characters, but he also had a powerful conclusion to each book. I kept waiting to be let down, but never was. This book series is quite tremendous. It should be a model for how to write a fantasy series.
   Rating: 5 / 5

2. 
   S. Farrell Says:
   April 10th, 2010 at 6:58 pm

   Ordinarily, I will buy the first book of a series and then, depending on how it was, either buy the next book or abandon the series for dead. My advice to you, prospective Mistborn readers, is to cast that mindset aside and save yourself a few dollars by buying all three books in a box set. You will NOT regret it.

   I will step out on a limb here: Mistborn: The Final Empire is, with the possible exception of A Game of Thrones, the best opener to a fantasy series I have EVER read (Particular apologies to The Blade Itself, The Lies of Locke Lamora, The Name of the Wind, Fellowship of the Ring and Assassin’s Apprentice). Here’s why.

   No exceptions this time, Mistborn has the best, most well-thought-out, most original magic system ever written. Nothing comes anywhere close to rivaling its intricacy and intelligence. Despite its complexity, Sanderson has such a firm grasp of his magic system and is so clearly enjoying himself when he writes in it that it comes off the page so beautifully, so fluidly. Even if said magic system were in a stereotypical, recycled fantasy story, it would make for great reading, but the story is original and enrapturing, too. Sanderson has said that he meant to turn the fantasy genre on its head with the story – the dark, evil lord WON – with Mistborn, and he does it oh so effectively. Character development is strong, the world – a land of dismal browns and greys where ash regularly falls from the sky – is fascinating, plot twists are many times absolutely unexpected (NOTHING is obvious) and the characters are both lovable (Kelsier is one of the coolest characters ever written) and hatable. Not to mention, each book has an extremely satisfying ending – no cliff-hangers here. I hate to go to extremes but, in a word, the Mistborn trilogy is perfect.

   It is one of the great mysteries of the world how Sanderson can kick out so much excellent material in so short a period of time, but his books are nothing but the best. I still consider the Mistborn trilogy to be his finest work, and I encourage you all to buy the books, get lost in his world, and proceed to embrace the 9-year-old inside you and spend the rest of your days wishing that YOU were Mistborn.
   Rating: 5 / 5

3. 
   Dustin B Says:
   April 10th, 2010 at 8:55 pm

   This is the best/most entertaining fantasy series I’ve read to date. When I picked this book up I was really was just trying to be supportive since I had been listening to the podcast Brandon is involved in (Writing Excuses). He made a few minor mentions of it so I put it on my shopping list.

   I probably would have never picked these books up on my own but after reading Mistborn I loved it so much I bought the box set and the next two books only got better. Each book is intertwined with a sub-story that occurred 1000 years in the past which could have been there own books. I think a checklist will make my point more easily.

   1. Two fantastic original creatures and no dwarfs or elves. (CHECK)

   2. Three well thought out and imaginative magic systems. (CHECK)

   3. A creative and mysterious fantasy world. (CHECK)

   4. 2000 pages that you’ll have to drag yourself away from. (CHECK)

   5. Such a wide range of characters your almost guaranteed to find one you’ll love. (CHECK)

   6. Assassins that make ninjas look like cripples. (CHECK)

   7. A well that grants you….. I guess that I shouldn’t mention that but I’ll (CHECK) it anyway.

   8. A neat bookmark or poster that comes with the box set. (Nope)

   Buy this series, if your not convinced buy Mistborn, the first book and read that before you commit to three. Then buy the box set (it’s the same price as two of the books separately) and loan a friend your second Mistborn.
   Rating: 5 / 5

4. 
   R. Osmond Says:
   April 10th, 2010 at 11:23 pm

   Like the prior reviewer, I read all three books after I read The Gathering Storm. Sanderson did a nice job with the Mistborn series where he created a new and interesting world, with interesting powers/abilities, and interesting characters. This is not a great American novel. It is a fun and interesting read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

   Great work and I look forward to more books from him.
   Rating: 5 / 5

5. 
   Zac Says:
   April 11th, 2010 at 1:31 am

   Robert Jordan has always been my favorite fantasy author. When he died, I was heartbroken that he was gone as well as terrified that The Wheel of Time series would be finished by someone unworthy of Jordan’s mantle. I had never read anything by Brandon Sanderson before reading The Gathering Storm, and I had no idea what to expect. It turned out that my fears were unfounded, however, as I quickly found myself enraptured by Sanderson’s easy and exhilarating flow. He has a perfect balance of tangential description and plot movement. At no point during The Gathering Storm did I find myself thinking “Come on! Come on! Get to the good stuff!” I’m sure you are thinking that right now, however, so I’ll get to the point.

   I bought the Mistborn trilogy because of how impressed I was with Sanderson’s writing in The Gathering Storm. I just finished the third book about ten minutes ago, and I am blown away. I have never read a fantasy series this well crafted before. I am trying to think of something to complain about, but I can’t. This trilogy is simply fantastic.

   Whether or not you enjoy the fantasy genre, buy this.
   Rating: 5 / 5

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