The Hero of Ages: Mistborn, Book 3

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.

** No spoilers for THE HERO OF AGES but there are DEFINITE spoilers if you haven't read MISTBORN or THE WELL OF ASCENSION yet so readers beware! **If there was one piece of important advice from Nikki while reading this series (and really, all of her advice was important and very true), it was that don't think you know what's going on in this series because Brandon Sanderson will flip everything upside down. This sounds devastating and I'm not gonna lie... at times it was. But it was also SO incredibly amazing to see what happened with this series. Try as I might, I never could have guessed the turns this book or series would take and how it would end and I'M SO GLAD because any time I hear that something astounding is coming, I always wonder and try to think what it could possibly be so I always say KUDOS to an author when they come up with something that never even entered my brain as a possibility.Okay, that being said, let's get into the nitty gritty. I actually immediately started THE HERO OF AGES after I finished THE WELL OF ASCENSION because I could not put this series down. I've only recently been getting into adult fantasy and if you're a fantasy fan in general, I urge you to read this series! The characters are wonderful, the plot is thrilling, and the story is just utterly addicting. My mind was totally blown at the end of THE WELL OF ASCENSION and I was instantly fist-pumping upon beginning THE HERO OF AGES. Okay, so putting my feelings for this book into words isn't the most eloquent review I've ever written because all I can think of to say is: Everything is so awesome. Feelings for the characters multiplied, answers to series-long questions are revealed, characters in mortal peril, the finale of the trilogy approaching -- whew. It's enough to induce panic and joy all at the same time.I think the most exciting thing about this book was not only all of the answers to some HUGE questions (Who is the Hero of Ages? What happened at the Well of Ascension? What's up with the atium? HOW WILL THE SERIES END?) but also all the answers I DIDN'T know I needed. I absolutely love when things pop up from the very beginning of the first book and turn out to be SUPER IMPORTANT and you just didn't even realize the significance.Honestly, the plotting and world building are just amazing. I'm constantly impressed by the magic system (well systemS!) and how each one continues to reveal some secrets as the series progresses as well as different takes on similar magic systems (how Allomancy, Feruchemy, and Hemalurgy all tie into each other and yet are all very different). THE WORLD BUILDING, THOUGH. Honestly, the readers learn SO much more about literal world building and how everything ended up the way it is (the mists, the ashmounts, the Well of Ascension... everything) and the answers just killed me in the best way.The characters continued to grow on me and I wish I could have followed them through endless books and series. There IS a sort of spin-off series that takes place 300 years after the events of this trilogy and I honestly hunted for mentions of this time frame and these characters like a hawk trying to hold on to pieces of them. I just fell in love with absolutely everything.So my final apologies for complete incoherence (and constant updates) about the Mistborn trilogy, but really, this is a series I will recommend for life. I'm already wondering when I'll start re-reads but that's also quite the re-read! I am SO happy that I read these books and that I had a fan-base to flail and laugh and cry with as I read.

This was almost too fast paced,though i believe according to the intro that was Sanderson's intent. It could have been much longer, with a lot more development of side stories and characters but... Well, it was riveting. Hard to put down (i didn't, in fact) but there was still enough there for me to be heavily invested in the characters and wrapped up in the emotions and struggles. I believe he accomplished what he sought to. He created a page turner with great,big ideas and adventure and excitement and I'm very pleased with the ending. It's paradoxical, but I think it's partly BECAUSE it was so exciting and fast paced that I'm left wishing maybe it had gone into more detail or side stories.. Or anything to spend more time with the characters and not end so soon. But no. It was brilliant. And this isn't actually the end of the series so I can't wait to read on.

Ótima série e o final é bom e surpreendente

Bah écoutez, ce livre est une masterclassAchetez le et lisez leMoi je m’en vais attendre Wind and Truth

Everything about this series ties into itself. Nothing is irrelevant, every character and faction has a role to play. Plot twists that fall wonderfully into place and sheds light on the overall story. Great fantasy read. Most consistent worldbuilding I’ve seen to date and all done in 3 books.

Amazon doesn’t bother with packaging anymore, but elsewhere if you care about your books- this set is beautiful otherwise and good value

I am not what one would call an avid reader, I am not a Reviewer that has a lot of knowledge in books. But if you already read the first two books of this saga I don't think you will need me to convince you to buy this one. I will definitely read again in the future this saga, since I still need to explore the rest of Sanderson Universe.