Fantasy Aficionados discussion
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November 2013 Epic Read--Mistborn--Roll call and Initial thoughts
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carol. , Senor Crabbypants
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Oct 23, 2013 04:43PM
Led by carol. Who is joining in?
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I'm in. Think it's about time I read this. I'm actually a it baffled as to why I never seem to have gotten around to it. =/
I have it in audio. My son told me not to listen to it. I think I'll ignore him. ;) If I cry - who will hold my hand? :D
I read this and went on to read the trilogy. Enjoyed it a lot. I've also read all but the last of WOT. So it occurred to me a couple of days ago that I really should read more of his.This has a really interesting magic system unlike any I'd come across. Enjoy it.
I have read this already, but I do like talking about Mistborn, so I'll try to join in the discussion. "The Final Empire" is one of the best fantasy novel's I've ever read. I even remember the feeling of reading the blurb--it's like the book was directly targeted at me.
I am in! I've this damn book sitting on my kindle begging for attention for a long time now.
I just finished the second book in the series. I really enjoyed this first one.
I read this so I will definitely join the conversation.
I guess I'm lucky this book is being read in a couple days. I started this back in August and really liked it. Problem was I got busy with other things and the book got left. Now I can jump back in (I'm on p. 200 or so) and hopefully we can get some good discussions.
It's a little while since I read the trilogy (bit of a gap between the first and latter two), but I mostly enjoyed it.
It was a revolutionary series. Now, L.E. Moddesit had done some stuff with metal in the Recluce series, but I'm not sure of another with metals. Maybe I'm wrong?What I also liked about the story was how simple it started. Many of the scenes are quite compact, such as the ball scenes, or those where the people are talking in the tavern.
And the little flashback sequences are great at the beginning of each chapter. We really feel that there's some wrong been done to the main character, is his wife really dead, what happened in the pits - Sanderson does a good job of pulling us along with suspense.
I'm so glad Mistborn is the Nov pick. I voted for the book I nominated, but secretly wanted Mistborn to win :) I read it two years ago, and loved it, but didn't feel like reading the next at the time, and as time went by I figured I should probably reread the first, but never felt like that either. The the library got the audio book, and I already had it on hold before the November poll :)I've hit a really bad reading slump this fall, but I'm doing a bit better with audio. Started a couple of days ago, and it's fun to be back in Sanderson's world. I still don't listen nearly as much as I usually do, so my problem now is finishing the book before the loan expires - it's 20 parts and more than 24 hours.
Aelliana wrote: "I'm so glad Mistborn is the Nov pick. I voted for the book I nominated, but secretly wanted Mistborn to win :) I read it two years ago, and loved it, but didn't feel like reading the next at the ti..."That's the same problem I had with Lions last month - my loan expired, although that was just the book.
I bought the boxed trilogy of the Mistborn books, unfortunately the last two got lost in a box when I was moving this summer. I would not recommend using China Post!
I finished--it was addictive. I didn't mean to finish in a day, but couldn't really help it. I can't really do audio. I know people listen while they walk/run/clean/etc, but I can't for very long before my mind starts wandering. It would take me a month or more do 'read' a 24 hour book!
I actually started this book about a month ago but never finished it. I was only reading a little bit at a time, due to my busy schedule, then set it down one day and didn't pick it (or any other book for that matter) up again. Now I'm torn because I just bought 3 books (Kindle editions that radically dropped in price) and I was going to start one tonight....
Carol. [Only Unicorns and Rainbows] wrote: "I finished--it was addictive. I didn't mean to finish in a day, but couldn't really help it. I can't really do audio. I know people listen while they walk/run/clean/etc, but I can't for very long b..."I'm with you .....audio either puts me to sleep or distracts me.
I don't seem to imagine the book as well.
(Although...My audio copy of The Hobbit is interesting. They have actors acting out the book....even sing the songs.
Mistborn has been on my shelf for months....so long, I lent the series to my mom. : )
I don't have many audiobooks, but I do think they can be quite good. The problem I have is sometimes falling asleep whilst listening, which makes it very hard to find where I was.Anyway, I found the book easy to read, and I really liked the world-building involved. However, I did feel that the secondary cast was a bit flat.
The flashbacks at the start of each chapter were very well done.
I'm not sure I'd listen to Final Empire if I hadn't already read it. My mind doesn't wander as much now as it did when I first started listening to audio, but I still have to use the back button now and then. The more complex a book is, the easier it is to miss something.
I liked this quite a bit. I didn't find it complex, but Sanderson is getting much better at storytelling. Strangely, it reminded me of Elantris, character-wise.
I've heard his books are all in the same universe.
I am so completely enamored with "The Thousand Names" that this one has been a slower read. BUT:Allomancy has to be one of the most finely crafted magic systems I have ever read. The engineer in me revels when reading about coinshots, tineyes, and smokers...just brilliant!
I liked the magic system a lot, although an interesting point was raised by, er, someone (I forget where I read it): does such a well-defined system of magic effectively cease to be magic and become scientific? Does magic need an element of mysticism/uncertainty?
Thaddeus wrote: "I liked the magic system a lot, although an interesting point was raised by, er, someone (I forget where I read it): does such a well-defined system of magic effectively cease to be magic and becom..."LOL...this made me laugh because, as any D&D player (who does not play a mage-type) knows, magic needs rules: big, explicit, overbearing, keep-the-annoying-demi-god-mage-under-control RULES. Otherwise it's the vilest deus ex machina known to man.
Too many fantasy writers play fast and loose with their magic systems and use "magic" as their plot/character problem "get out of jail free" card.
Care taken in the foundation of how magic works in a world is not for the characters in the book - they can surround the system with all the mysticism and ritual the author wants- it is for the reader. For me, an author's well-crafted plausibility of divine and/or arcane magic makes the suspension of disbelief easier.
*side note* The same holds true for Science Fiction - there had better be plausible science in the fiction or I lose the ability to immerse myself in the world.
I don't read nearly as much sci-fi as fantasy, but I don't mind a free pass for certain aspects (faster than light travel, teleporters etc). Stuff that is blatantly anti-science (ie in Outcasts a virus was transmitted by sound, and when the soundwaves stopped everyone who was ill recovered) is another matter.Anyway, I do like the Mistborn system.
I bought the box set about a year ago, but just started Mistborn a few days ago. So, I'll be joining in as well.
I read the trilogy and went on to read the spin off one which I didn't enjoy as much. I think it was because we were in the future and time had changed it so that there were not a lot of similarities to the trilogy left, trying to avoid spoilers here. I read that Sanderson has/is writing a second part so now I'm torn as to whether I want to read it.
I'm halfway trough part 18 of the audio, and it's been easier to listen to than I thought. I was afraid such a long audio book would have me going *who's that?*, but it's only happened once. Probably because there isn't a large cast of characters, and they mostly appear in the same setting every time.The narration is pretty good, but some parts drag a bit, and I'm not sure if it's the narrator or the writing. The narrator sounds bored/lecturing when there's not a lot of dialogue. When something is explained, or in some of the fight scenes for instance. Of course, I know how the fights end this time around, so it may be me.
I'm enjoining myself, but I'm not quite as enamoured as I was when I read it two years ago.
Helen, I'm guessing you're talking about another of Brandon Sanderson's books?Which one I'm curious.
:)
Aelliana--I can see that there are parts that would sound more like lectures. I think Sanderson loves his magic systems, and loves to share details on it. I was able to skim those sections!Brenda, I'm betting Alloy of Law. Same universe, but more like the 1850s. But my understanding is that most of the books are the same universe (written and projected).
Carol. [Only Unicorns and Rainbows] wrote: "most of the books are the same universe"You're talking about the Cosmere, right?
And Carol, if your "only Unicorns and Rainbows", you surely read about Ponies!
"Ponies" is awful. Heartbreaking.
Agree Carol, didn't get past the picture.:'(
I think Kij is an amazing author, but one who is perfectly willing to break the reader's expectations and heart.
For me, it was more funny. In the sense of a Raold Dahl story. And full of social criticism, should be read by every school girl. The picture is already half of the story, don't lem it! :D
Here is the other half:
Thanks Andreas, that was amazing, and disturbing. I have the Five years of Stories ebook Tor gave away, but since I don't read a lot of shorts, I don't know where to start. Have to check if there is more of Kij Johnson there :)
Yes, Alloy of Law, couldn't remember the title. I'm reading a short by him now that is quite interesting The Emperor's Soul. Definitely going to read more by him this coming year.
I read Mistborn earlier this year and loved it. Great world building and magic system. Some of the characters I loved but others felt a bit flat, my one quibble where it could have been better. I've been trying to get the next book from the library but every time I'm there it's out. Will probably need to special order it. Our library has a pitifully small SF/fantasy section.
How sad, Cindy. My library went to an electronic system that allows for 'holds,' in order of request. So I had requested Mistborn but there were STILL about 17 people ahead of me. I ended up buying the ebook. I agree, world building and magic shines.
I kind of like when an author fleshes out only certain characters. It's like a painting....if you had the same amount of detail throughout, your eyes won't know where to rest.'Course, if it's your favorite character it can be disappointing not to have the details.
:)
Really struggling to get into this audio. I dunno if it is the world building that makes it seem so slow . . . or if it is (view spoiler)
Carol. [Only Unicorns and Rainbows] wrote: "How sad, Cindy. My library went to an electronic system that allows for 'holds,' in order of request. So I had requested Mistborn but there were STILL about 17 people ahead of me. I ended up buying..."Our library has an electronic system also, I just have to figure out how to use it. We can borrow from any library in the county (most are bigger than ours) so I'm sure one of them must have book 2!
Snarktastic Sonja wrote: "Really struggling to get into this audio. I dunno if it is the world building that makes it seem so slow . . . or if it is [spoilers removed]"I can see that, Sonja. There were parts I skimmed through, because I'm just not as interested in the logic of the magic system. Sanderson seems to want us to know it works. I actually don't care, as long as it intuitively holds together.
Don't let the rep fool you; Sanderson isn't Martin.
Read several times now. Will likely pop back in for discussion.
Carol wrote: Sanderson seems to want us to know it works. I actually don't care, as long as it intuitively holds together."It's worth trying to care about. As you get deeper into the series, understanding the magic systems is key to understanding the plot.
