Disappointing at two stars

Science Fiction Fantasy

643 (small typeface) paperback pages

Publisher: TOR Fantasy

2006

Have you ever read a book just because everyone was raving about it?

I like the genre, the cover art is appealing, and the author slips just inside the periphery of what I know of him, so yes, I duped myself into thinking I would enjoy this adventure. I didn’t.

Reading it was a struggle, but I had to keep reading. After all, didn’t everyone practically fall over themselves recommending it? For me, it was tediously boring, and I was always waiting for something to, well …. actually happen.

The narrator is a 16 year old girl named Vin. She is a Mistborn (I had a difficult time liking her) who is discovered by Kelsier, another Misborn. He gathers a team of thieves, including Vin, and embroils them in a plot to kill the Lord Ruler, whom everyone believes to be immortal. Together, with a group of rebels, they conspire to overthrow the Final Empire.

There are some intriguing characters, and a fascinating system of magic called Allomancy. Allomancers are able to ‘burn’ certain metals from within, and use them as fuel for magical abilities. A Mistborn, however, is the only one who can burn more than one metal at a time. Other than this, it didn’t hold my attention. At all.

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