Mistborn: Don't forget the ash just because you see a little silk.

Image result for mistborn cover     Mistborn is the first in the epic series of fantasy novels by Brandon Sanderson, who is one of the most prolific fantasy authors of all time. The Dark One has ruled the Final Empire for a thousand years. A thousand years of oppression and horror for the skaa and a thousand years of luxury and dominance for the nobility. Vin is a young skaa thief who has yet to discover her allomantic proclivities and joins a group of Mistlings (those with the power to use alloys to perform magic) and one very powerful Mistborn who have a plan to free the skaa and destroy the Final Empire. Raised never to trust anyone because they all leave, Vin learns the value of friendship, trust, and allomancy as they battle to defeat the Dark One and free the Final Empire.                                                                                         This is the first of Sanderson's novels that I have read, but I spent hours in late 2019 watching his BYU lectures on YouTube. If you are interested in writing as a craft, I recommend watching them. I certainly learned a lot. 
     Anyway, back to Mistborn...
     When people discuss Sanderson's work they will inevitably bring up his magic system. Through my research of him and my limited experience with his work, I feel confident in saying that he is unmatched in the area of magic systems. In Mistborn that system is allomancy. Those born with the ability burn metals from their body, which they  purposely ingest, and each metal gives a power. Of those born with the gift of allomancy, a select few can burn all metals rather than one, and they are called Mistborn. It's interesting. I personally did not enjoy the fight scenes where these powers were used, but the idea itself is a good one. More importantly, it's well thought out and makes sense. 
     The plot is solid. At it's core, this is a heist novel. A band of miscreants plans to take over the world/steal something of value and chaos ensues. Great. I enjoy a good heist, especially one where very little of the plan goes accordingly, which is certainly the case here. However, for the length of this book, there could (and maybe should) have been more plot points. That's probably an unpopular opinion, but there it is.
     Now, I am one of those readers who values character and character development above all else. With that being said, I enjoyed most of the characters. True, the characters all fulfilled some trope, but that is to be expected in fantasy. Kelsier, Ham, Breeze, even Spook, were interesting and I  would have enjoyed more time spent with them, but Vin is the main character. What can I say about Vin? She definitely isn't the worst character ever written. In fact, she is well developed and has a solid character arc. My main problem with her is that she is written to be so hard, but too easily gets caught up in the dresses and prettiness of noble life. 
     Vin is a girl who has spent her life trying not to be one, so when she is given the opportunity to pose as a noble woman and attend balls, it doesn't take long before she enjoys the dresses and the attention. I get it. I just don't buy it. I respect that Sanderson made his main character a woman, not super common in fantasy, but I think he allowed her to fall into a femininity trap. At one point the Final Empire is in upheaval, there is a house war, and things are moving quickly. Vin's concern? That she won't get to attend balls and wear pretty dresses anymore. Give me a break! Let girls be the hero! Let girls fall in love! But don't make them vapid once they wear a pretty dress. Give them priorities and convictions that a little ruffles and lace can't change. Dancing in the arms of an attractive man or kissing a mysterious stranger in the corner should not make a girl question her morals and reality. It's just not real. And it's really not fair. 
     I could continue in this vein, but I don't want to give the idea that I didn't enjoy the book. I did. In fact, I am loaning it to one of my students. I just want more from my heroines and more from male authors. I will read the rest of this series over time and I will hope that Sanderson redeems Vin in my eyes, but for now, I'm disappointed. 
On a scale of 1-5 stars, I give Mistborn a solid 3.



Next up: Agnes Grey Image result for agnes grey book cover





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