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The Final Empire  By  cover art

The Final Empire

By: Brandon Sanderson
Narrated by: Michael Kramer
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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

Featured Article: The Best Brandon Sanderson Audiobooks


Brandon Sanderson is one of the best-known and most popular fantasy authors working today. If you're entering his wonderfully magical worlds for the first time, it can be daunting. Never fear! This guide will walk you through the best Brandon Sanderson audiobooks, from his most well-known series to his lesser-known (but equally excellent) standalone novels. So buckle up and get ready for days (yes, literally, days!) of amazing listening.

What listeners say about The Final Empire

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One of the classics at this point

I’ve just finished listening to this book for the third time over the course of about 10 years. Still incredibly entertaining. This such a good starting point into the Cosmere, and Brandon Sanderson continues writing at a crazy pace.

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So epic

For me I can’t stop thinking about this book. Many of the characters where so engaging and the magical system was so creative and well thought out. I cried when one of the characters died. Just wow it’s so hard to beat story wise.

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absolutely captivating!

I've rarely (if ever) written a review but this is one of my favorite books of all time now that I've discovered it. I'm taking 2 minutes off to write this review before I immediately start on book 2!

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New reader here

New reader and this is kinda my first fantasy. It take me a while to though all of it but by the end of this I was very much enjoying and cry 2 times. Can’t wait to read the 2 books.

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I loved this story

Great storyline, good mix of romance, fantasy, and plot. The villain was a nice dilemma until the end.

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Well thought it, fast paced, and intriguing

Started strong with a weak finish. I enjoy the characters and systems though it seems a little teenager novel like to me. Makes me want to read some Robert Jordan for the premium stuff.

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Clever storytelling

I’m always amazed at the creative minds of authors but Brandon Sanderson is on a whole different level. This story has an an entertaining plot and a well-rounded cast of interesting characters that you root for and care about.

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What an incredible magic system!

We were enthralled through and through. A new favorite story and storyteller were found in this listen.

Already downloading the next book!

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Late to the Brandon Sanderson Party…

… but glad I’m here. Truly enjoyed book 1 and off to a great start. Excited for the next book!

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Give it time

As a newly, venturing out to bigger epic fantasy series reader, this one had a slow start and I was doubting if I could get into it. Give it time to unravel the world and build its rules while also giving characters personal moments and you will begin to settle in and enjoy. First Sanderson experience was a success and will be grabbing the 2nd book in this series for sure.

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