Mistborn: The Final Empire

Another book by Brandon Sanderson that is amazing. Mistborn is the first book that I read of his and I enjoyed it so so much. If you wanted to get into Sanderson's books this is one of the ones that I would suggest first. Like many of Sanderson's novels the ideas behind/concepts of his stories are fresh and new. Who else would think of "burning metals" as a way to have "magical" abilities. For a full description of the novel go to Mistborn on Brandon Sanderson's Website.

There are many things in this book that touch a lot of different hot topics that Sanderson isn't afraid to address. In Mistborn there is a discussion of Religion, Politics, Pain, Betrayal, Trust, and the importance of Hope. While these can be sticky questions, he explores and doesn't exclude ideas about how to cope with these topics.

There are moments that made me realize just how much of a hopeless romantic I can be sometimes. Vin, one of our main characters, was a street urchin who was able to survive so much in her thieving crew because of her Luck. She joins Kelsier's thieving crew, because she was almost found out by the Ministry, and their job to overthrow the Final Empire and the Lord Ruler, who has lived for centuries and is believed to be immortal. She dresses up as a noblewoman to infiltrate the Noble Houses, to gain their confidence,, learn information, and spread rumors among them. But while impersonating a noblewoman she runs into Elend Venture whom she starts falling for. Their conversations made me smile because it had just the right amount of cheesiness that it was cute without being too sappy. I loved it so much.

I also love how Kelsier is still in love with his wife, Mare, though she died. It is because of her that he starts this crew and the job. While he does this for revenge for his wife, even though it is believed that she betrayed him. He still loves her. It goes to show that you "can't help who you love" in that it can very hard to persuade your heart to hate someone who you love.

The idea of trust is a big component in the story as well. Vin, being around these other thieving crews, has learned to not trust anyone. Her brother's voice constantly reminds her that everyone will betray her. Vin slowly learns to trust her new crew. Kelsier's crew  works through trust, not fear like she has known.

I was asked a little bit ago when someone saw me reading this before a class started, if "you have to be a Mormon to understand" where Brandon Sanderson (who is LDS) is coming from. I would disagree. There are many people who enjoy it who aren't part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This book has been read all around the world and has been loved by millions of people. It has been loved so much that they have made a D&D type game based off this world and the concepts there. It is not only for Mormons. Everyone can enjoy this series.

I'll be reading Brandon Sanderson's Well of Ascension next--the next in the series. Read it with me and enjoy.

Reserevation Blues

Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie is a book that I had to read for my Native American Literature class at my University. While I can understand that Sherman Alexie is a well known and much enjoyed author and presenter, I have some qualms with his story.

While it didn't jump around back and forth between past and present time like other Native American Literature I've read, this book still jumps a lot between abstract ideas and concrete ones. There is the constant question of: What is going on here? Characters, who were real people in history, appear and are part of the story, but then at the same time it is a blatant critique on the situation that many of the Native American's are in on reservations.

I know this post was short, but over all I didn't much care for the book. It was more of a political statement than good storytelling. I won't be reading it again (most likely ever).

If someone were interested in learning more about the Native American people and their situation, I'd point them in another dirction, away from this book.