Book 3), The Hero of Ages (Mistborn

I enjoyed the first book of the Mistborn trilogy considerably but the breadth and depth of what Sanderson was going for only unfolded in the final two. The first book was excellent at setting up an apparently fairly simplistic scenario which would repeatedly be deconstructed and turn on its head in the books to come. Each is satisfying, exciting and mesmerizing in its own right, but together they build to a completely original twist on the usual fantasy tropes. Wow!

Favorite book of my favorite series by my favorite author.
Brandon Sanderson does a perfect job at keeping you continually entrenched in the story and wanting more at the end of each chapter. The 'twists' that come into play have subtle foreshadowing throughout the story where a detailed reader can pick them up. But if you aren't much of a detail person (like myself), Sanderson gives you some great surprises.

A must read for anyone who likes Fantasy books.

Loved the Mistborn trilogy! Like most great novels (or series), the Mistborn trilogy had several subplots with a number of mysteries. Unlike many series, however, The Hero of Ages does a great job of tying up loose ends and bringing all of the subplots and mysteries to a satisfactory conclusion. The Hero of Ages was a great ending to a wonderful and engrossing series.

This final installment wrapped up all plot points introduced in earlier books, which made for a satisfying conclusion. I must say though that I found the ending, indeed the whole point of conflict, a bit contrived. I found the author's effort to make the series a commentary on social conditions to result in a plot that I felt was overwrought. I also found the ending resolution to be a bit on the deus ex machina side.

The Kindle version also had a fair amount of typos and grammatical errors, enough for them to stand out and stick to my memory. I also found some expository monologues of POV characters to appear hurried, and sometimes contained contradictory elements for the sake of quick resolution.

Sanderson's highly-original fantasy saga regains top marks with the final volume, THE HERO OF AGES. While the lack of a central antagonist, political squabbles, and loosening of restrictions on the magic system had resulted in a disappointing book two of the series, this one met the high standards we've developed for works of Brandon Sanderson. In THE HERO OF AGES, the politics are over and the heros are faced with a near-impossible challenge. Ruin has been released from his prison in the Well of Ascension, and has begun his work to destroy the world. Ash clogs the air, earthquakes and volcanoes destroy the land, and the mist kills. As a sentient force, Ruin once again fulfills the role of the story's Great Antagonist, a spot left empty since the death of the Lord Ruler. The Mistborn series truly comes full circle In this final volume of the trilogy, and by the end of the book you'll feel that you've heard the whole story. Very few loose ends and a final-seeming conclusion after a solid and resounding finale leave you rewarded and satisfied.

Like most Sanderson books, THE HERO OF AGES keeps you guessing with unexpected twists and surprising changes that shift the direction of the story. The characters continually change, and the challenges they face are not static, but endlessly evolving. In this book, Vin, Eland, Spook, and Sazed all fully mature, accepting their destinies and the people they need to become if the world is to survive. Sazed's quest to find the true religion takes center stage in THE HERO OF AGES, and while parts of that effort become repetitive, the masterful weaving of religion into the core of the story gives this final book something unique from the rest of the series. Still, strong characters and a wonderfully-developed setting are what earn the Mistborn trilogy a place in the very top of epic fantasy sagas. Overall, THE HERO OF AGES ranks well ahead of The Well of Ascension and slightly behind The Final Empire.

Allomancy, the magic system first described in The Final Empire, helped define Sanderson's new world and vault him up into the top-tier fantasy authors. The system was so compelling and well-developed as to be described by myself and others as the best magic system in all of epic fantasy. A system that was defined by strict rules and an almost scientific nature, allomancy was no mystical power that the hero must simply master in order to save the world, but a tool that certain people could use in predictable and limited ways. In The Well of Ascension, Sanderson focused on the uses and "science" of feruchemy, the previously-mysterious ability of Terris Keepers to store powers or memories in metal objects. He also expanded the used of Allomancy, notably with the discovery of duralumin, which in a way removed much of the limits from the magic and made Vin seem completely unstoppable. In THE HERO OF AGES, a third magic takes the spotlight, that of hemalurgy. This is a dark magic focused on the transfer of allomantic abilities from one individual to another by the use of a metal spike. It partially explains the spikes in the eyes of the steel inquisitors, and also gives Ruin the tool he needs to influence the world. Hemalurgy is another wonderfully well-developed system, and completes the magic system as a whole while explaining some of the mysteries that had persisted since the beginning of the series.

While this marks the conclusion to the Mistborn Trilogy, there is another book, The Alloy of Law, set in the same fantasy universe, but taking place a few hundred years in the future of the events from THE HERO OF AGES. I have not had the pleasure of reading it yet, but judging from the reviews, it is well worth adding to your list of Brandon Sanderson books to read.

So well written. No plot loop holes; no wondering why the heck some character isn't doing something very obvious. Everything plot, characters, setting is very well developed. Action keeps moving and isn't boring.

Thieves challenged an immortal tyrant and won. They formed a new kingdom, and almost lost it when three armies besieged their city. Now the land is dying, choked by mist and ash, armies of koloss search for human settlements to destroy, and Ruin watches on. After untold centuries he may finally get his wish, the end of all things.
Against such odds Vin & Elend fight on, defeating the koloss and the Inquisitors, but struggling with how to defeat Ruin. How do they fight the embodiment of destruction? Even Ruin points out, all things must come to an end. But Vin sees through Ruin’s half-truths. Recognizing what Ruin is, Vin develops a plan.
But Vin is not alone. Sazed returns, weakened by grief and self-doubt over his recent tragedy. Spook steps out of the shadows to become a hero in his own right, infiltrating a city, stirring up rebellion, and inspiring many to compare him to Kelsier. Tensoon returns to his people, hoping to convince them that Ruin has returned; that their only hope is to join the fight. Individually these stories pale in comparison with chapters about Vin and Elend. They can feel disconnected but they remind the reader of the global scale on which Ruin is working, and they provide essential foundation for the ending which unites all the threads.
The story begins with a strong fight, then bogs down as characters debate their next move, but once a plan is chosen the story quickly regains momentum in a series of epic fights, before drawing to a close with an ending that rivals the original in its potency.

+Strong Plot
+Strong Characters
+Epic conclusion
*Fragmented storylines
-Slow at times

4.5/5

Wrapping up an epic fantasy story is rarely done well - the blunt Deus ex Machina can often appear, neatly wrapping up the various threads of plot in a barely plausible happy ending.

Sanderson avoids this with a poetic, bittersweet transition from traditional fantasy tropes to a unique, well-designed bit of world building, leading the remaining characters (and the reader) to a new world full of promise and redemption.

Highly recommended.

It was a long journey through these 724 pages, but it was well with it. So many answers to questions I didn't even know I had! Surprises, cool fight scenes, touching moments -- just a thrill ride through and through. Now that's how you write a trilogy! Well done, Mr. Sanderson, well done.

Ive never read such a satisfying conclusion to a series. This has exceeded all of my expectations. Brandon Sanderson is a master of his craft. I wish the store would allow you to do half stars, because i would give this a 4.5 star rating.

Great story. Brandon Sanderson never fails to entertain. His characters are never quite what they seem. I enjoyed the structure of this book and the final twist at the end. Great action scenes, kept the heart rate going.

Again, took a little bit to get going. Initially I thought there was too much focus on Spook, but it turned out to definitely be warranted. When I got to the end of the book, I was a little bit disappointed, but the very end made up for it. It was something that you really didn't expect, and he really waited until the VERY end. It was an incredible book, and an amazing series. My favorite book of the series was still the first one, but this definitely ended the series nicely. One of the best book series I have ever read.

It was a long journey through these 724 pages, but it was well with it. So many answers to questions I didn't even know I had! Surprises, cool fight scenes, touching moments -- just a thrill ride through and through. Now that's how you write a trilogy! Well done, Mr. Sanderson, well done.

Ive never read such a satisfying conclusion to a series. This has exceeded all of my expectations. Brandon Sanderson is a master of his craft. I wish the store would allow you to do half stars, because i would give this a 4.5 star rating.

Great story. Brandon Sanderson never fails to entertain. His characters are never quite what they seem. I enjoyed the structure of this book and the final twist at the end. Great action scenes, kept the heart rate going.

Again, took a little bit to get going. Initially I thought there was too much focus on Spook, but it turned out to definitely be warranted. When I got to the end of the book, I was a little bit disappointed, but the very end made up for it. It was something that you really didn't expect, and he really waited until the VERY end. It was an incredible book, and an amazing series. My favorite book of the series was still the first one, but this definitely ended the series nicely. One of the best book series I have ever read.

What a fantastic ending to a fantastic series. I finished this in the middle of the night, unable to put it down, and then unable to sleep afterwards because I couldn't stop thinking about it. The few minor nitpicks I had were completely negated with the ending, which may have been one of the most heart-wrenching things I've read yet in the fantasy genre. Trust, indeed.

Thank you for the ride, Mr. Sanderson. I'm looking forward to picking up Mistborn's sequel series.

What a gripping story. This triligoy has been a wonderful read and its sad to see it end. Sanderson is a great long term planner with his story lines and it never fails to flow wonderfully and draws you in. Characters are well written and diverse and very likeable. The ending is amazing and was quite unexpected. I would say this is a must read for fantasy fans.

Who needs sleep when you can be reading this book? I don't think I have been so happy and sad to see a book end. It's full of magic, love, adventure and so much more. The magic system that he has is extensive and new! He makes you love the characters. You truly want to see them succeed. I couldn't get enough. I can not wait to read more from Brandon Sanderson.

Book three of the Mistborn trilogy has an amazing end! If you have never read these books, I highly recommend them. Book one is Mistborn: The Final Empire. Strong female (and male) characters, amazing fight scenes - Sanderson's specialty - and great characterization, these books are wonderful for any fantasy reader.

As always Brandon Sanderson captivates. The suspense has built through the three volumes of Mistborn. Often when I think I've got it all figured out he drops in another clue that changes my mind. His subtle forshadowing did allow me to see far enough ahead to be entirely satisfied with the conclusion; and to immediately start looking for anything else written by an author who has earned his place in my list of favorites.

Original, gripping. This is a truly thoughtful piece with an ending you'll never expect. This whole series has become one of my favorite books. It takes a great mind to world build on the scale that Sanderson achieves, delving into geography, culture and theology of the land's inhabitants.

Brian Sanderson's third volume in the Mistborn trilogy elevates the entire work to a higher level. I think this is probably one of the best fantasy series I have ever read, and there is really not much more that needs to be said. Very well done, and my congratulations to the author.