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

Where has this series been my whole life?

the story was so good with lots of great twists and turns. I did enjoy the narrator although I wish he had more variation to his character voices. Moving on to the next one and ready to find out what happens!

Intriguing world, unique magics. Classic.

Only thing missing was Kate Redding. Vin needs a female voice. Missed Hoid's snarkiness in this book. Would have loved to see more of his story arc unfold in such a powerful story

Mistastic!

I absolutely love this book! Best of the Trilogy.(The others are great too.) Michael Kramer is my favorite narrator and Brandon Sanderson is the King of Magic Systems.

Awesome story

Very good book and I thought for several moments I could predict the outcome but the author makes some nice unexpected twists.

I loved this book!

The only thing I didn't like about this book was the voice. At my house we call it "the farty voice" and it often lulled me to sleep. No audio book has ever done that, especially not one this exciting. The plot is awesome and I love how the author lets you learn about his world on your own rather than beating the rules into your head like so many other fantasy novels. A MILLION POINTS TO SANDERSON! These points are redeemable for respect.

Slow to build up steam, great twist on magic

This book is a great kickoff to a series. It takes a bit to establish setting and character, but once it does that, it follows a consistent and moving pace.

Two things I enjoyed are it's take and spin on magic and the class system that is being struggled against. It's a new take with alomancy.

On the story, not 5 stars because of the slow parts in the story.

On the performance, the low register was hard to hear while commuting when traffic noise was loud.

Recommended! I'm moving on to the next book in the series now.

Oh, Kelsier

Would you consider the audio edition of The Final Empire to be better than the print version?

Personally, I love to listen to fantasy. I find it easier to follow and there isn't any confusion over the spelling and pronunciation of words. So, yes, for me the audio edition is better.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Vin. Strong, strong Vin. Some would say Kelsier--and he is amazing--but it's Vin he is grooming and training for his cause. It's Vin who must control herself while learning her craft.

Have you listened to any of Michael Kramer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

When I first listened to this I had never heard Michael Kramer before. However, prior to writing this review, I have since listened to him narrate quite a few other fantasy novels. Michael Kramer doesn't mess around. If I'm listening to fantasy--especially Brandon Sanderson fantasy--I fully expect to hear Michael Kramer. I've gotten so used to hearing his voice as he drags me into the Cosmere and I couldn't imagine having someone else in this place.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I'm not sure of a tagline--mostly because it's been two years since I first read this book. I'd love to see this on the big screen though. The imagery is out of this world.

Any additional comments?

As soon as I finished this I moved on to The Well of Ascension. This series is on point.

Great!

Enjoyable, interesting . Character's real, engaging.
Narrator made it all come to life!
Next please!

Solid

Don't miss this series, great characters and great fun. Get all three for sure. Love Brandon's work and you will too.

slow going, but got really good!

excellent book. slow going to being for almost half the book, some of that was the narrator trying to find his groove, but once he did, and the story picked up, it was excellent! I'm looking forward to the next book.