The Final Empire

Mistborn Book 1

By: Brandon Sanderson

Narrated by: Michael Kramer

Length: 24 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

From number one New York Times best-selling author Brandon Sanderson, the Mistborn series is a heist story of political intrigue and magical, martial-arts action.

For a thousand years the ash fell and no flowers bloomed. For a thousand years the Skaa slaved in misery and lived in fear. For a thousand years the Lord Ruler, the "Sliver of Infinity," reigned with absolute power and ultimate terror, divinely invincible. Then, when hope was so long lost that not even its memory remained, a terribly scarred, heart-broken half-Skaa rediscovered it in the depths of the Lord Ruler's most hellish prison.

Kelsier "snapped" and found in himself the powers of a Mistborn. A brilliant thief and natural leader, he turned his talents to the ultimate caper, with the Lord Ruler himself as the mark. Kelsier recruited the underworld's elite, the smartest and most trustworthy allomancers, each of whom shares one of his many powers, and all of whom relish a high-stakes challenge. Only then does he reveal his ultimate dream, not just the greatest heist in history, but the downfall of the divine despot. But even with the best criminal crew ever assembled, Kel's plan looks more like the ultimate long shot, until luck brings a ragged girl named Vin into his life.

Like him, she's a half-Skaa orphan, but she's lived a much harsher life. Vin has learned to expect betrayal from everyone she meets, and gotten it. She will have to learn to trust, if Kel is to help her master powers of which she never dreamed.

This saga dares to ask a simple question: What if the hero of prophecy fails?

Other Tor books by Brandon Sanderson

• The Cosmere
• The Stormlight Archive
• The Way of Kings
• Words of Radiance
• Edgedancer (Novella)
• Oathbringer

The Mistborn trilogy:

• Mistborn: The Final Empire
• The Well of Ascension
• The Hero of Ages

Mistborn: The Wax and Wayne series:

• Alloy of Law
• Shadows of Self
• Bands of Mourning
• Collection
• Arcanum Unbounded

Other Cosmere novels

• Elantris
• Warbreaker

The Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series:

• Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians
• The Scrivener's Bones
• The Knights of Crystallia
• The Shattered Lens
• The Dark Talent

The Rithmatist series:

• The Rithmatist

Other books by Brandon Sanderson

• The Reckoners
• Steelheart
• Firefight
• Calamity

©2006 Brandon Sanderson (P)2009 Macmillan Audio

LOVE this storyline!

I highly recommend any Brandon Sanderson books. I've always been a big fan of epic fantasy but so many leave unanswered questions or are too vulgar for no apparent reason. These story lines are simplistic and not overly complex but do have good twists and plots. The characters are relatable even if they do use magic type features. Can't wait to get into the next book in this series!

Buy it, Listen to it, Love it

If it has Brandon Sanderson you can count on 2 things:

1 - Original characters
2 - Completely original worlds

The Mistborn Trilogy is no exception! I'm telling you, you'll get all three if you listen to the first one.

Do it!

Awesome series

Very well written and narrated perfectly I've enjoyed it greatly so far definitely will get the final book

Brandon's Theme

This is the second series of books of Sanderson's (Stormlight Archive being the first) that I've started and I'm seeing common themes: the alternate natural world and the role it plays, the class systems in place and the struggle within them. I wonder if he intends to tell one story with all his worlds. So far, I am very pleased and look forward to reading more.

One of my favorite trilogies so far!

What made the experience of listening to The Final Empire the most enjoyable?

I loved the story and how it progressed through the series of books.

What did you like best about this story?

I like how Sanderson clearly defines whats possible with the powers he characters possess and how the characters use those powers and overcome its limitations.

Which character – as performed by Michael Kramer – was your favorite?

Michael Kramer is a masterful narrator and I'd listen to anything he's done. He brings each character to life with unique accents and voices.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book kept me engaged and interested. I buy audio books to listen to at work, so as to pass the time. Couldn't help but listen to it after work because I NEEDED to know what happens next.

Wonderful

One of the best all around story I have read in the last 5 years. Great characters witty. Smart Assy dialogue. Logical plot. A story that I felt that I was visiting right along with the narrator.

Favorite of the Final Empire Series

I finished the entire series a few weeks ago and I must admit that although all 3 were really good this one was my favorite. The characters were not "superheros" (yet) in this book and therefore seemed more human.

Don't get me wrong I definitely was hooked after this book and quickly listened to the other 2, but his was my favorite.

Sanderson does it again!!!

Wow! Another amazing Brandon Sanderson novel! This novel was not as complex and intricate as The Way of Kings, but it was still amazing! Sanderson has created an unbelievable fantasy world and obviously put a ton of time and energy into every aspect of the Final Empire. I love the depth of Sanderson's worlds. He leaves no stone unturned. From the various peoples that populate the Final Empire, to their historys, religions, and their supernatural powers of allomancy and feruchemy. I love how everything ties together and just works. Sanderson does such an amazing job sculpting, crafting, and describing the Final Empire and everything in it that I can actually imagine a place like this existing somewhere in this great big universe we live in.

Brandon Sanderson is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I'm moving on to book two in this series today.

Michael Kramer, once again, did an amazing job with the narration. I'm amazed at how he manages to create a voice, tone, everything for each character. He really brings the characters to life and adds an immeasurable depth to an already great story.

Unique

Great story from start to finish. Unique ideas to show powers and magic. Entertaining characters and groups of people. I enjoyed it very much. This was the first book I have read from the author. Will be reading all of his books.

Fantastic worldbuilding

An intesting mix of characters in an absolutely fascinating world. Some plot elements were predictable, but enough developments were unexpected to keep me on my toes.