Mistborn: The Final Empire Discussion #5

Saloni, from MyFantabulousBookshelf, and I have reached the end of the first book in the Mistborn trilogy. You can follow our journey through this novel by visiting our discussion posts on each section here on my blog or on Saloni's blog. Be warned, there are spoilers ahead so if you have not yet read the novel you may want to wait until then to read this post.

Were you surprised to find out that the Lord Ruler was an Allomancer as well as a Feruchemist? Do you think this will have any impact on the future of Luthadel and the Empire?

Courtney: This did come as quite a surprise to me. We knew he had Allomancy because everyone could feel it, but to find out that he could also use Feruchemy was quite a shock. I did wonder about all of the metal that he wore though, which was explained by this. As far as this impacting the future, I think it will in some ways. I think there is a lot regarding the Lord Ruler that was left open and will continue to plague them, no matter if he’s dead or alive.  

Saloni: I didn’t expect this, but I expected that there was something different about the Lord Ruler that made him so powerful. I think the idea that both are possible at the same time opens a door to a whole other section of the magic system, one which will be expanded on in the second book.

What do you think of the new government the crew is helping to install? Do you think they will face any major setbacks in trying to make Elend king?

Courtney: I think it’s interesting that they’ve placed Elend in charge, but it definitely makes sense. Like he said it gives them more of a legitimate stand since he’s a nobleman. I do think they will face some backlash from the remaining noblemen, as was mentioned briefly. Elend is still very idealistic and I think that could come back at him eventually. It will be interesting to see how everyone adjusts to their new positions. 

Saloni: It’s interesting that Lord Elend is being put in charge simply because they were so suspicious of him throughout the whole book. And while we’ve learned so much about him I wouldn’t think it would be enough to entrust a whole kingdom upon him. I think it’ll be good for the public since nobility would still be in charge, but it would definitely create some tension between the houses.

Which character do you hope to see more of in book two?

Courtney: There are many characters that I want to see more of, but the two most prominent are Elend and Marsh. I loved Elend’s character in this book, but I don’t feel like we really spent enough time with him. I want to see more of him and from his perspective in book two. I also think it will be interesting to see his growth as he takes on being a king. As far as Marsh goes, I just find him fascinating. I would also like to see how he is reacting to being an Inquisitor and if that will have any negative affects on him. 

Saloni: I love Elend, so of course Elend. I want to know more about his curiosity and his personality and delve a bit more into his mind. But I think another great character would be Sazed. Throughout the first book he’s always been the side character and looked at as almost secondary to the Mistborn. But his powers as a Terrisman fascinate me and I would love to learn more about them in the second book.

In your opinion which character has had the most development?

Courtney: While I think almost all of the characters have had some development, I feel that Kelsier had the most in this novel. Vin grew, but at the same time she was constantly reverting back to old habits and ways of thinking. Kelsier made a lot of mistakes and learned from those mistakes. We also got some information about who he had been in the past and I feel like where he ended up was so much beyond what he’d been. I will miss having his character around.  

Saloni: I’m caught between Vin and Kelsier. Vin’s growth was fairly cliche. She went from someone who didn’t know how to trust and love to someone who did. But Kelsier, on the other hand, matured in a more poignant way. He saw the effect his actions had and became a little less impulsive, or at least impulsive in a smarter way.

How do you think Sanderson will expand on the magic system in book two?

Courtney: A lot of potential development was left open regarding the metals. Vin discovered things about the Eleventh Metal that they hadn’t known or expected. There are also more metals out there it seems and they just don’t know which ones or how to use them yet. I think this will be explored more in book two. Knowing Vin she will be determined to track down all Allomantic metals and figure out their secrets. 

Saloni: There were so many things they introduced at the end of the first book it would impossible not to expand on the magic system in the next book. We’ve learned that Feruchemy and Allomancy can be used together and that there are more metals than the original ten/eleven we knew about. There’s so much more to learn in book two.

Do you think the logbook will play an importance later on or was its main purpose to expose the true identity of the Lord Ruler?

Courtney: While the logbook did play an important part in Vin’s discovering the Lord Ruler’s true identity, I don’t think we’re done with it yet. I think there are still secrets about the Lord Ruler and his reign over the Empire that can be answered or at least explored through the experiences recounted in the logbook. I’m not sure how that will happen, but I don’t think it has expended all of its usefulness yet.  

Saloni: I think the ultimate purpose of the logbook for the first book was to reveal the Lord Ruler’s true identity, but perhaps in the second book it will be used to uncover more secrets regarding Feruchemy and Allomancy. I’m not sure who will find the secrets and how, but I think it is very possible.

Overall, how did the book compare to your expectations?

Courtney: I can give two answers to this question, kind of. The first time I read it I know it completely blew me away. I had no expectations going into it that time around and ended up completely loving it. This time around is not much different. It definitely lived up to my memories and reminded me why I had loved it so much in the first place. It’s just a beautifully written novel and the world and characters are so real.   

Saloni: When I first started it I was a bit skeptical simply because high fantasy is usually not my thing. But once the main plot was introduced, I found it impossible to put down. There is something about Brandon Sanderson’s writing that pulls the reader into the story. I’ve been in a slump for the last couple of months since I just couldn’t find a book I really loved, but now I think I found one.

If you could change one thing about the ending, what would it be?

Courtney: Honestly, I think I would change Vin a little bit. I don’t feel like the ending was a good place for her as a character. While she had gone to Elend (which I think was great), I don’t feel like she had actually learned enough about love and friendship based on where her mental state was at that point. She is trying and I really like her, I just think her emotional and mental state was a low point for the novel to end on.   

Saloni: Honestly, I have no idea. I’d say I wouldn’t want Kelsier to die, but I understand that his death was necessary to galvanize the full rebellion, but I really liked him and his relationship with Vin. He served as a father figure/ older brother; the dependable kind that Vin never had. I understand why he needed to die and everything, but I really wanted more of Vin and Kelsier’s relationship.