Mistborn

Mistborn, Book 1

By: Brandon Sanderson

Narrated by: Michael Kramer

Length: 24 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

A thousand years ago evil came to the land and has ruled with an iron hand ever since. The sun shines fitfully under clouds of ash that float down endlessly from the constant eruption of volcanoes. A dark lord rules through the aristocratic families, and ordinary folk are condemned to lives in servitude, sold as goods, labouring in the ash fields. But now a troublemaker has arrived, and there is rumour of revolt. A revolt that depends on criminal that no-one can trust and a young girl who must master Allomancy - the magic that lies in all metals.

©2009 Dragonsteel Entertainment LLC (P)2011 Orion Publishing Group Limited

A bit repetitive, but action a plenty!

I don't know how many times I can hear the term 'Vin paused' again, but overall a reasonable story with a few subplots and enough secrets held to hold the attention needed.

Excellent

Well worth listening to.
This book came recommended after reading the name of the wind series (2 of 3). An apt recommendation.

Great read!

After listening to about 5 seasons of 'Writing Excuses' with Brandon Sanderson, I finally finished listening to Wheel of Time and got to listen to the Final Empire. A great read, well paced, plenty of laughs and character development building to a satisfying conclusion.

My first audio book, now I'm hooked

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

I did not read the printed version.

What did you like best about this story?

It's characters and it's explanations of the physical 'mechanics' of allomancy.

What does Michael Kramer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He does an extremely good job at conveying the mood of the environment in which the story takes place. Climaxes are also very well emphasized. Consider me a fan!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Several moments between Kel and Vin, and also a a few moment between Vin and Elend, especially the humorous conversations.

Any additional comments?

I am in awe at what can be accomplished using words. This is truly a piece of art!

Seriously original writing

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

Totally original world and magic system! and Kramer narrating is like sex in your ears... mmm

What other book might you compare The Final Empire to and why?

Possibly sScott Lynch' Lies of Locke Lemora because of the under world vibe and the peoples hero kind of lead characters.

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

Kelsier because he is the man

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES

Great World, Vast Scope, Personal Stories

If you could sum up The Final Empire in three words, what would they be?

Fully envisioned world.

What did you like best about this story?

The sense of scope and depth to the society and the interactions between castes and factions.

What about Michael Kramer???s performance did you like?

You knew immediately which character was speaking without being distracting.

Any additional comments?

This is a sound book and launches a great series. It does feel a bit rushed towards the end. After so much of the book being a well-paced build up of people, events and the introduction to the use of the powers, the end arrives a bit abruptly.

Way darker than I anticipated

The audiobook contains the best narration I've heard! Michael Kramer was amazing!
It turned out to be way darker that I expected to be, I've liked all the characters except Vin (The MC), after finishing the book, I seem to dislike her less, but I still don't really enjoy her character.

The one thing I did not like was the fact the MC is the typical one you see in fantasy books/movies, someone who's so special! what a unicorn! she gets strong and learn things too quickly, she wonders to herself oh why I'm I so different! she even compared herself to the Lord ruler, sometimes it seems so corny.

But overall I've really enjoyed the book and I hope it gets better as I read the rest of the series! (I really hope Vin catches a personality along the way)

Story telling genius

The beginning was a bit slow but then it picked up really well. Sanderson’s story telling is amazing

Sanderson is a wizard

The Mistborn series hit me hard. I have been comfortable with the general template on epic fantasy spellcasting and sorcery, battle scenes... Sanderson opened up my imagination in ways I wasn't prepared for at first. He writes brilliantly. Eager to start his Stormlight Archives series.
Narrator is fantastic. Michael Kramer delivers Mistborn in an engaging but easy to listen to way. His voice is a smooth leather.

Stunning

I've not read a new fantasy in several years and before then, though I tried, often, I'd struggled to find anything to match my first; Raymond E. Feist's Magician. This made me feel the same excitement I did when reading that, 3 decades ago now. A remarkable story that clearly is going to be keep me busy for some time. I relish the thought.