I need to make a correction. In the video I state that The Final Empire was Sanderson's first novel and that Elantris was a novella. I thought I had read it somewhere, but I'm wrong on both counts. Elantris is Sanderson's first novel.

I am so aligned with your thoughts on this book! It wasn’t the worst YA-leaning book I’ve read but it was far from good with how simplistic the writing and characters were. Vin in particular felt hollow. She allegedly grew up in a very difficult, political setting and has trauma from that upbringing but conveniently forgets facts about how skaa are treated in multiple conversations with multiple other characters. Her naivety didn’t feel like a character trait so much as a disingenuous need for certain conversational reveals to happen for the reader. Also, Vin being practically the only female character in this book, outside a few previously fridged women who existed only to elevate men’s tragic backstories and an evil noblewoman, was intolerable. This doesn’t even touch the amount of needless misogyny heaped into the world building. In any case, I’m really glad I found this review from you! Clearly I have a lot of big opinions on this book and it was very refreshing listening to someone who also is critical about it. Cheers to you!

@NerdyKathi

Ай бұрын

I have to agree with you on Vin, though to be fair she was very young and the young can be oblivious to what doesn't affect them directly. However, I am going to disagree with you on there being misogyny in the world building. Were women treated poorly? Yes but that doesn't equate to misogyny for me. It was also very common for older fantasy not to include as many female characters though we cant ignore the fact that a major character in this book is female. Thank you for sharing your views, I very much enjoy discussing books with others.

@beebonious

Ай бұрын

@@NerdyKathi re: the misogyny: It’s more than Vin being one of incredibly few women in the entire 500+ book. It’s also the world building leaning hard on the oppression of women without interrogating it deeply. We’re told most skaa women are whores owned by “whoremasters,” one of the key dramatic elements between Vin and Elend is that noblemen sexual abuse skaa women, and the needless world building of “all men are required to attend public executions.” The sum of all of it, to me, says that this author is only using women as dressing and always deeply buried in the background under really harmful circumstances.

I honestly think this is the best negative review I’ve heard of this book. You bring up many valid points and critiques and connect them to yourself as a reader. I also liked how you structured your review so it didn’t feel like a rant. You mixed in little compliments into your negative remarks or pointed out how different readers might actually like those parts. That’s what makes a great reviewer. Even a negative review should make you feel inspired to read. Not just feed into the frustration you might feel from not liking a certain book. (I feel like most negative reviews are structured this way. To give people with the same option a place to be negative) Even though I totally love this series, I will still follow you and see what you have to say on other works. You’re such an eloquent person! I don’t know if it’s the best idea for you to continue the series. Some of your critiques will bleed into the other books. I do think though that the thinks you liked about The final Empire will get explored more in book 2 and 3. If you someday decide to finish this series I will be very interested to hear your thoughts!

@NerdyKathi

Жыл бұрын

My apologies for the late reply but I have been away and haven't had much time to respond to comments. Thank you very much for the great compliment you paid me, particularly as you love the series. I agree that a review should include both the good and bad, though sometimes it can be difficult to find any good in some books. Having had more time to think on it, I will not be continuing with the Mistborn series but do intend to try other books by Sanderson. Though I don't rule it out forever. Again thank you for the kind words.

I didn't get very far into Mistborn, but your opinions mirrored my own in a lot of ways.

@NerdyKathi

22 күн бұрын

If I was the type who DNFs book easily I would have DNF'd this but I'm glad I persisted so I could gauge it's merits and flaws better.

That is an unpopular opinion! 😄 I've not read Mistborn but I've read the first two books in Stormlight Archive (SA), his supposed magnum opus, and I largely agree with your criticisms about the writing. He tends to keep repeating things (I can't recall a writer who is this anxious that his readers will forget things!) and he explicitly states things too much imo (barely any subtlety). Sanderson's main feature is hard magic systems and unfortunately it's not something I care about to the excruciating level he tends to go into. The other thing is his dialogue between younger characters tends to be very cringey imo and the 'humour' feels very flat. His story and plotting is usually on point, agreed. But everything else is why I stopped 2 books into the Stormlight Archive. Your review was very fair. My thoughts are this may not be the author for you. Though the characters in Way of Kings are much better fleshed out so that might be worth a shot. But it's five 1200+ page books (for the first arc, the 5th novel is due in 2024, its going to be 10 overall) and the first doesn’t work as a standalone - so something to consider if committing to long series is a factor and you don't like to quit series. I hope this helps a little. Happy reading!🙂

@NerdyKathi

Жыл бұрын

Hi Paromita! And I know it isn't popular, but we can't all like the same things. Before I make up my mind about Sanderson, I want to read at least one or two more, but think I will try Stormlight Archive next rather than Mistborn. I love long series so that's a draw for me, and hopefully I will enjoy SA. Thank you very much for sharing.

@Paromita_M

Жыл бұрын

@@NerdyKathi Very true. The Way of Kings has many compelling characters (and more internal monologue which is well-done), lots of epic moments and doesn't feel YA at all so hopefully you will like it a lot more! 😊

@woo1818

Ай бұрын

Terry Goodkind is the worst about this. Love him though.

Totally agree, and while I prefer a mean spirited review because I hate Brandon Sanderson’s work ☺️, this was so pleasant and honest, you’re an absolute gem. ❤

@NerdyKathi

Жыл бұрын

Your comment made me laugh so hard, though I understand how you feel about Sanderson. I appreciate the kind words very much. Thank you!

After eventually completing the series, I have come to love it. I interrupted my first readthrough of Mistborn era 1 to read Brandon's Stormlight Archive and after that, it took me forever to come back and complete Mistborn. Reading Stormlight felt like reading a more mature version of Mistborn. Not to say the story is similiar, but Sanderson's writing felt more refined in that series. I eventually completed Mistborn for the cosmere connections.

@NerdyKathi

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your experience. I am going to read the first book in Stormlight Archive next and if I enjoy it, then it's likely I will go back to Mistborn as well.

Glad to find another reviewer with similar thoughts to myself. I thought I was missing something. I read the rest of the trilogy and while book 1 was passable, 2 and 3 were insufferable. If you don't like Vin and/or Elend, you probably won't like the other 2 books. I was quite miffed as he is so popular, as is this series. I was left very disappointed.

@NerdyKathi

7 ай бұрын

I thought I must have missed something as well, and I'm glad I haven't read the others. Nor do I intend to, though never say never. It seems there are a few people who don't like it.

After reading through the first book for the second time I can definitely see where you are coming from. English is not my first language and I just recently got back into reading instead of watching tv so I somewhat appreciate the simplistic language. I suspect it would deter me from reading if the language was too complicated. Also I assume the language is as simple and straightforward as it is because the story is told mostly through Vin and she is just a 16-17 year old skaa in the first book and the language she grew up with is rather simple

@NerdyKathi

Жыл бұрын

I can appreciate why you liked the book. There are times I like an easy read as well, but with fantasy, I much prefer it to be more adult. Thank you very much for sharing.

I read the Mistborn Trilogy. I liked how the 2nd book tells the story many ignore; what happens after you defeat the big bad. The chaos and power vacuums that form it it's wake. As the Trilogy was written together, it as a whole effectively has the same strengths and flaws as the 1st book with subjective preferences in story and plot. But it also has a very tightly written plot thanks to that as well. I do think the Trilogy works better being read all together, but as it was published in 3 separate books each must also stand on its own. When compared to The Way of Kings though, that "simple" prose still remains. However it is definitely more subtle than Mistborn and it definitely was written for a more patient and media-literate audience in mind.

@NerdyKathi

4 ай бұрын

Naturally a series should work better as a whole but if the first part of a book or series doesn't hold my interest, I will have no inclination to finish it. I'm going to read Way of Kings most likely later in the year. It might appeal to me more.

Harsh but fair criticism

@NerdyKathi

Жыл бұрын

I was trying not to be harsh. Thank you Viktor.

I got halfway through it years ago. I did not intentionally DNF it but just did not pick it back up for too long a time. I do wish to retry it soon. I did read Elantris not too long ago and enjoyed it, mostly the ending.

@NerdyKathi

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing. Hopefully you will enjoy it when you retry it.

Hi Kathi, I am new to your channel. I totally agreed with you that I don't care for Mistborn that much. I found Vin so annoying and the book was the big letdown for me. I almost DNF'ed halfway through it.

@NerdyKathi

Жыл бұрын

It seems there are a few of us who didn't like the book, though we are a very small minority. Thank you for sharing Shelli.

Hi Kathi It was so nice you reviews this because I keep seeing in the bookstore and always wondered is I shout pick up a copy. Now I’m thinking I’ll see if the local library has it. I, same as you, am not a big fan of YA but if you get the chance please please read the Unwind by Neal Shusterman. It’s four books but just give the first one a go if you have the time. This is YA book that I read because my daughter recommended it when she was a teen. The plot and some parts of this book left me broken. I cried almost every time I picked it up and I re read it recently and I couldn’t stop crying again. I can’t event talk about it without getting to emotional. I would love to hear from you if you have read it or if any of your fans have. Would love to see what others think about it.

@NerdyKathi

Жыл бұрын

Hi Jovanka, and thank you! I'm going to add The Unwind to my list. You have me intrigued enough to want to try it.

Great review. Thanks for sharing

@NerdyKathi

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure.

Could you recommend some fantasy books/series you enjoy? I too couldn't stand Mistborn, I'm looking to get First Law trilogy but I'm scared it's going to be another Mistborn :(

@NerdyKathi

5 ай бұрын

I have a video listing my top 10 favourite fantasy books.

@stuff3219

2 ай бұрын

First Law is the anti-mistborn, lmao.

I'm sorry to hear you didn't like it, but I do understand your reasoning. I actually really love this trilogy, and for a lot of the reasons you don't like it, haha. I have aphantasia (I can't form mental images), so I prefer minimal visual description. As much as I love Wheel of Time, it makes parts of those books so tedious for me. I adore Vin and they way he beats you over the head with her fear and anxiety helped me connect to her as someone who's dealt with similar feelings. But I get how that can be frustrating for others, even other people who have similar experiences to her. Sanderson's prose is definitely simple here and it does improve. I read all 3 Mistborn books in a couple of weeks, so they bleed together, but his recent stuff is considerably more refined. I don't think it's ever that impressive, but I don't think you would view it as a detriment anymore. As for whether or not you should keep going, I'm not sure. He definitely address your criticisms in the later books, but I don't know if he does it quickly enough (particularly with his writing style, the world and characters gets quickly fleshed out in the next two books). If you wanna try something more recent from him, I recommend the short story The Emperor's Soul. He wrote it while working on WoT and it's more representative of his current writitng style. I don't think you'll be blown away by the prose, but hopefully it's at least adequate.

@NerdyKathi

Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for sharing. We all have different tastes and what appeals to one person, doesn't work for others. I can understand why too much description can be frustrating to some, but I do think this book had too little. I do want to try more of Sanderson's works, but think I am better off reading the first Stormlight Archive book before I decide if I will continue Mistborn.

I would like to hear your thoughts on other books if you would like to read them sometime in the future ) Characters get more fleshed out due to having more time to talk with one another and stuff, revealing some of their past. For me not knowing much about the world and the characters seemed natural, as Vin wouldn't know that and wasn't interested in paying much attention to the others besides whatever was necessary. I usually like to try to sink into the headspace of the character I follow, and following Vin was a bit annoying throughout the series as she isn't nearly as interested in other characters as I was, but it also was easy for me to follow her. I am a younger reader and was a teen at the time of reading The Final Empire and of course flashy and inventive ways to use simple yet in some ways intricate magic was a big hook for me, albeit more interesting uses come in the two later books. Still, nothing as amazingly big and exciting as Kelsier's storm of metal objects, but some things felt pretty smart. I also read The Wheel of Time, and despite feeling like the writing was overly flowery at first I instantly fell in love with often notes about characters having distinct hairdos or clothes denoting their possible nation or sometimes age. I loved the descriptiveness and in time got used to what at first felt like dense flowery-ness, and sometimes I do wish that Sanderson used a somewhat similar style at least in places, and Stormlight Archive, the series of which Way of Kings is the first book, sometimes has little things that invoke similar feeling, if still decidedly minimalistic.

@NerdyKathi

24 күн бұрын

At this point, I don't intend to continue the series but I will read Way of Kings soon. I can understand the magic system being a big hook for readers but I am a reader who is more drawn to characters. Whilst WOT can seem flowery, it is the descriptiveness of characters, customs and cultures that adds depth to the world. Thank you very much for sharing.

I had very similar thoughts reading it, for me it felt very YA, many side characters where gimmicky and simplistic, the instalove thread was really not believeble, given Vins personality. Also in the ending it seemed everyone had a really easy way of getting into the palace which I found hilarious. On the other hand, I had no problem with Vin's character, or the world being not fleshed out more, I mean it's just the first book in a very long series, so there is time to elaborate these things.

@NerdyKathi

3 ай бұрын

For a large /long fantasy novel I expect a bit more world building in the first book to set the scene. As for Vin, she didn't appeal to me and as she is clearly going to feature in the other books, it's another reason why I won't be continuing with the series.

I think I said before that I'm around your age, Kathi, and like you I am not really a fan of YA. It's not that I find it bad or anything, I'm just not that terribly interested. That being said, I loved The Final Empire...while I was reading it. It got me excited for the next two books, but even as I started the second one, the spell that The Final Empire had cast over me was fading a bit. It was like eating junkfood. So yummy and tasty while you're eating it, but afterwards, you realize that there was just not that much substance. I did read both sequels though and to be honest, I found the second one a bit of a slog, the third one a little better with a pretty satisfying ending, but neither had the fast pace or the stakes of the first one, at least not to me. I liked the whole 'heist' aspect of the first one and that was gone in the second two. Not that it would have made any sense to the story to continue that aspect of it, but it was the thing for me that set The Final Empire apart from the other two and made it enjoyable for me. I wouldn't say that I disliked the series overall, but it didn't really get me on Team Sanderson or pumped and excited about reading The Stormlight Archive. Maybe someday.

@NerdyKathi

Жыл бұрын

Hi Spliff. 😊 Interesting isn't it, how sometimes we love a book while reading it, and then on reflection don't like it as much. Junk food is an excellent analogy! The heist part was good, but knowing what happens to one character (not naming them to avoid spoilers) and that another character is going to feature even more in the books is yet another reason I don't have any interest in continuing. Thank you very much for sharing!

Great review, I was given this book but I just can't finish it. Especially after reading the Wheel of Time, it's too similar...

@NerdyKathi

Жыл бұрын

I didn't find it similar to WOT, but definitely not in the same league. Thank you very much for sharing.

finally someone with some sanity

@NerdyKathi

Жыл бұрын

😂

I gave a go at 4 of his books-did not finish any of them, except mistborn book 1, on a second try nonetheless. Did not like it either for pretty much all the reasons in the video. I do feel left out sometimes for not liking his writing, as if I’m missing something.

@NerdyKathi

Жыл бұрын

I understand exactly how you feel, but I think it all boils down to individual tastes. Also, 4 books is a very good indicator whether an author is for you. I usually try 2 before I make up my mind and I'm still intending to try Way of Kings at some point. Thank you for sharing Lila.

I found your video after making my own videos for each of the books of the trilogy. I absolutely hated books 2 and 3. Some of the most predictable, simplistic books I’ve ever read.

@NerdyKathi

Жыл бұрын

Hi Katey. Well that is yet another reason for me to skip them. I'll have to watch your videos on them.

I am driven by character and and world building in my fantasy books and I feel like Sanderson is very weak on those two fronts. Also, for the breezy YA feel I feel like the books should be funner instead of so dour and depressing.

@NerdyKathi

9 ай бұрын

Same, I am drawn to characters and world building, but as I've only read one of his own books I am reserving judgment until I read another. Thank you for sharing.

Certainly an unpopular opinion, I think you're the first person I've come across who doesn't like this book and I'm happy to have finally found someone who share's my opinion! I agree the characters are a bit superficial and really don't like how Sanderson explains and re-explains things over and over. I felt this was part of why his characters lacked depth, as he spent a lot of words reinforcing the couple of key defining traits of the main characters (such as Vin not being trusting) instead of increasing the depth of the characters. When reading this I felt that it was clear Sanderson already knew exactly where the book needed to go at each stage (a strength of his), but this resulted in him achieving the 'milestones' at the expense of actually telling a story and building the characters and worlds. I have finished the second and third books as I wanted to see where the story would end up, however I wouldn't recommend them to you as most of your criticisms apply for the next books as well.

@NerdyKathi

Жыл бұрын

I am surprised that you haven't seen others who don't like this book on YT, but I know we are in a minority. I agree with all you said Sam, and frankly, characters and world should not be secondary to plot. You have reaffirmed for me not to read the other books though I am still intending to read The Way of Kings.

I love your reviews Kathi and I appreciate this review as I've been wondering whether to start the Mistborn series because I read one book by Sanderson that I liked and one I DFN'd but I agree about his YA writing style so I suspect he just isn't for me. A few corrections: Mistborn was not Sanderson's first book; Elantris was his first published book. Also, Elantris is decidedly not a novella with its 622 page count. I don't mean to be a jerk by pointing these things out to you but these were easy to find facts and I strongly feel especially reviewers should get facts about authors and their work right. It's only fair right?

@NerdyKathi

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the correction Daniil. I agree we should try to be as accurate as possible and I thought I had read somewhere that Elantris was a novella and that Final Empire was his first novel. My mistake obviously.

@danii6633

Жыл бұрын

@@NerdyKathi No harm done. Keep the reviews coming. I enjoy them immensely.

i liked the first book a lot then despised books two and three. so much so i wish i had left it as a stand-alone. i’m nervous to pick up stormlight now

@albertlamb4886

Жыл бұрын

First two books are outstanding, a lot of people like the rest, but it peaked at two for me. Its worth the read either way

@kaladongstormguy

Жыл бұрын

For me, the first and third are the best. I like two, but not as much as the others. What changed between the first and the other two that made you despise books two and three?

@philip3572

Жыл бұрын

@@kaladongstormguy lots of stuff but i don’t want to get into spoilers or rant about it. i think the main thing was that i recognized his ‘sanderlanche’ style, which made most of the book feel like filler to me. combine that with reading them back to back, being annoyed with repetition and re-explanation, i only enjoyed the last quarter of each book. i will say i was pretty biased going into the third book. i should have taken a break and reset to give it a fair chance. but i didn’t and by the time i hit the last quarter, especially after hearing people say the third book is a lot better than the second, i was an unhappy camper. which surprised me since i really did think the whole first book was great.

@kaladongstormguy

Жыл бұрын

@@philip3572 Ah, I get that. I had just read WoT before getting into Mistborn, so I guess I had built up my tolerance for repetition and reexplanation, haha. But without that I can completely understand why reading them back to back would feel like a drag. I never got the filler feeling from the setup for a Sanderlanche, but some parts did kinda drag or felt unimportant now that I think back, so I see what you mean. Have you read any other Cosmere stuff or did your experience with Mistborn sour your perception on Sanderson too much? Edit: Just reread your original comment saw that you were hesitant to pick up Stormlight. Yeah, I can see why you would. You should definitely take it slow if you do. You might get a good bit of that filler feeling in the first book, but I think the Sanderlanches are much better in Stormlight. I give my tentative encouragement to try it out. I hope you like them!

@NerdyKathi

Жыл бұрын

I'm more inclined to try Stormlight before I decide whether to finish Mistborn. Perhaps I will like it better. Thank you for sharing Philip.

It took me nearly 2 years to finish this book 😂. It did not grip me at all. It was not bad but I don't get the praise it gets. I genuinely started to question the taste of people who praise this book to the moon.

@NerdyKathi

Ай бұрын

That's a long time for one book and it didn't grip me either. The truth is not every book is for every person.

@yolgezer98

Ай бұрын

I pretty much dnf'd it and read other books. After a while I returned to it and finished it. That's why it took me 2 years.

I actually liked book one. However i feel the same way about Vin and Elland as well. Im done ghe trilogy now and trust me the second and third book are much worse. Elland becomes completely insufferable by the end of the trilogy. You earned a sub from me.

@NerdyKathi

12 күн бұрын

I've decided not to continue with it for now. That might change, if I like Sanderson's other books. Welcome! 😊

@BruceWayne-pf5eb

12 күн бұрын

@@NerdyKathi Don't waste you time. I did because my OCD over having to know how it all ends forced me to and I regret it. Thanks for the great review. Have a wonderful day.

I've read all of the Cosmere and on book 7 of the Wheel of Time. Sanderson and Jordan both repeat themselves frequently and there are a lot of hidden details that aren't relevant until later books. Brandon is setting up a series, not writing a stand alone novel. I know many adults in their 20's, 30's and 40's that enjoy these books. Mistborn was written as an in between age gaps and something that could be read by YA and adults. So the fact that adults and YA both enjoy the books proves he met his intended goal. I think there are a lot of details you overlooked about the book because you were put off by Brandon's simplistic writing.

@NerdyKathi

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your views. I agree that both Jordan and Sanderson can be repetitive but lay a lot of groundwork for future books. Obviously, this was not meant to be a stand alone book and I am aware that it is popular to a mixed range of ages but clearly, it didn't appeal to me. Or to many people I know who are of varying ages. Perhaps there are details I overlooked, but it is inaccurate to state I did not like the book based on only one of the criticisms I have of it.

Great review Kathi i thought i was alone in disliking this. The author is extremely overrated and it's hard to discuss his flaws or criticize without his fans coming after you.

@NerdyKathi

Ай бұрын

Thank you very much and you might be surprised at how many don't like the book.