Mistborn Trilogy

Mistborn: Final Empire, Well of Ascension, and Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson (647, 796 and 760 pages, 2203 total)

I first came across this series while looking for additional "epics" to work my way through as I continue to wait for more Song of Fire and Ice. The Mistborn trilogy came highly recommended on several book recommendation sites, though some cautioned or complained about the length. Being a veteran reader seeing page totals in the 700's did not even faze me.

In the realm built by Sanderson certain people are born with hidden abilities to use or "burn" certain metals to give them powers. This ability, even if they are born with it, has to be activated by extreme stresses at some point in their life. For the noble born, this is a ritual their children are forced though during puberty. While the majority of people can only burn one metal, there are those that can burn all of them, they are known as the Mistborn.

This trilogy follows Vin, a Mistborn who is living on the streets of Luthadel and surviving as a common thief. Her entire life changes when Kelsier, a legendary Mistborn, reappears in Luthadel and recruits her thieving crew for a dangerous job of overthrowing the Lord Ruler. A supposed god who is not only immortal, but who is also protected by men nearly impossible to kill.

On a whole this series was quite good. I would consider it to be a borderline or introductory epic. It did not quite have the massive world building or character scope that some others are known for. But for that same reason it was an easier read.

Sanderson eventually continues this world with another trilogy set a couple hundred years later.

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson, 386 pages.

I brought this book with me for a flight to Europe.  It was so awesome, I'd read it by the by the time I'd reached my first stop-over in Houston.  Ever watched a movie or read a book, and thought, "mmmm, if this had ninjas, or pirates, or dinosaurs fighting Nazis, then this movie/book would be perfect".  Well, for me, this book was that perfect storm. 

The book starts after an event called the Calamity - a huge explosion in the sky.  For unknown reasons, the Calamity gives a select number of people super powers.  These powers run the gamut - invincibility, luck on steroids, ability to control night and day, you name it, someone has it.  But, just like I've always suspected these "superheroes" don't use their powers for good.  I've always suspected if Superman was real, he'd be a tryanical fascist or government lackey.  Some commit petty crimes, others go on mass rampages, and a select few decide to take over the world.  The story starts in a world 10 years after the Calamity, most governments have fallen to the might of the Epics, and the human race lives as slaves.  All except the Reckoners, a group of humans whose sole purpose is to study, then assassinate these fascist superheroes.

Steelheart is an action-packed ride.  It has Epic (no pun intended) battles, car chases, and a multitude of villianous superheroes.  It has a deeper message that explores power and its effect on those who gain it.  My only gripe is that it's a trilogy, and the second book doesn't drop until Q4 2014 - damn you, Brandon Sanderson.

If you like your superheroes served up with a healthy dose of fascism, with a sprinkle of assassinations, and a dollop of blockbuster action - then Steelheart is right-up your alley.  Also, I have no idea why I used food analogies to sum up this book - go figure!