Steelheart

The Reckoners, Book 1

By: Brandon Sanderson

Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews

Length: 12 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

From the number-one New York Times best-selling author of the Mistborn Trilogy, Brandon Sanderson, comes the first book in a new, action-packed thrill ride of a series - Steelheart. Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics.

But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his will.

Nobody fights the Epics...nobody but the Reckoners. A shadowy group of ordinary humans, they spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them.

And David wants in. He wants Steelheart - the Epic who is said to be invincible. The Epic who killed David's father. For years, like the Reckoners, David's been studying, and planning - and he has something they need. Not an object, but an experience.

He's seen Steelheart bleed.

And he wants revenge.

©2013 Dragonsteel Entertainment, LLC (P)2013 Audible Inc.

Great story!

I was waiting to see what happens next through the whole book. it is definitely worth reading even if you don't normally read super hero themed books.

great book

I loved it. my favorite book so far. narration was superb. most memorable moment: don't wanna give spoilers so the ending.

Gripping adventure leaves you pining for more...

I stumbled upon this book while in a hurry preparing to leave on a car trip. I was craving an audiobook and merely saw Brandon Sanderson's name. Knowing him as the acclaimed fantasy writer who completed the Wheel of Time series after Robert Jordan's death and the writer of many books I've enjoyed, I didn't need to know anything else about this book. I purchased it, told my kiddos they could play their devices because I was going to listen to a book as we travelled, and I began the book. I was hooked almost immediately as the listener was brought into a world where "Calamity" had appeared in the night sky and changed our world by bestowing special powers on select humans...humans who were then warped by that power. The story begins with a flashback from 8 year old David Charleston as he witnesses one of these empowered humans, an "epic", terrorize a bank in Chicago where he and his father were seeking a loan to buy a home. After tragedy, the story is picked up ten years later as David works to join The Reckoners, a group of capable humans who seek to remove the Epics.
What I didn't realize, though, was that my boys (age 10 and 14) were also hooked as early as the prologue. These hard to entertain children were no longer interested in their iPads and handheld game systems. They were enthralled by this audiobook...to the point where they didn't actually want to arrive at the beach, our destination. We all wanted to continue listening to the book. This audiobook became the highlight of our trip, and we listened to it whenever we were in the car and each evening after the day's activities. It warmed this mother and bibliophile's heart when the boys said this audiobook was their favorite part of our trip. It was only later after researching the book that I realized it was a young adult book. To me, it was just fantastic story telling. Macleod Andrews performs this book in such a way that you truly feel the main character is speaking to you. He captures the humor and personality of the characters, especially David, in such a way that you actually feel you are watching a movie in your mind. I highly recommend this audiobook and the entire series. I have thoroughly enjoyed it. And, if you know any tweens and teens, they would probably love it, too.

"Epic" Read

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I would. The story line of this book is not only unique, but entertaining as well. There is the perfect amount of intrigue, surprise, and humor to keep you listening and wanting to reach the end. I was immediately engaged with the main character of the story and MacLeod Andrews does an excellent job portraying him and the rest of the characters.

What did you like best about this story?

Andrews, the Narrater does an amazing job portraying the characters in the story, giving them each their own unique sound. I knew immediately which character was speaking at any given point which made an already entertaining book even better.

Which scene was your favorite?

Without giving anything away the ending of the book was probably my favorite.

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

The story opens up with an "epic" showing off his super powers in a particularly awful way. Although it was not my favorite part of the book as it was terribly sad, it was very moving and got me caught up in the book right away.

Any additional comments?

Sanderson does it again. What an amazing author. Every book I read of his becomes my new favorite.

Phenomenal story in a saturated genre

very well done tale of a world with superhumans. Worth the read and the preformance was amazing, every character sounds unique and distinctive.

David is a new favorite character of mine, a wonderful mix of innocence and child like nativity, harash upbringing and cynical outlook on life. His mind is his greatest strength.

Nothing less then expected.

The story is a great "twist" on the simple super heroes story, full of action, humor and emotion, I recomend it fully to anyone.
Sanderson doesn't disappoint.

the best I've ever read

I love this epic series, and amazing story. I hope they could create a movie one day

One of the best series you will ever experience

Take the opportunity to listen. Performance is amazing and content is incredible. I recommend to everyone I meet.

Great Story

I mostly listen to books while I drive, I found myself sitting in the car listening to this book even after arriving at my destination. Excellent book, good story telling performance.

Awesome

Amazing story, quality reading. overall amazing experience​!! I would totally recommend this book (and actually have😂)