The Great Mistborn Read-along of 2019/2020 *Bands of Mourning*

Atarah al'Norahn

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Aduiavas, that hit me too. I love how easy Kelsier seems with everyone, how willing to take them at their word, and it makes me really feel for Vin's situation.

~Edit~ Kind of a general observation on some characters but I'm only halfway through chapter 7.
 
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Leala ni al'Dareis t'al'Caleum

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Guys, can I request that spoilers be clarified? I'm halfway done with the first book, but I know that we're starting from the beginning, so I'm curious to see what you're talking about, but I also don't want to spoil myself.

So, maybe "spoiler for series in general" or "spoiler for [insert book here] Chapter [insert number here]"
 

Leala ni al'Dareis t'al'Caleum

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Thank you! :hug
 

Leala ni al'Dareis t'al'Caleum

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It doesn't have to be super specific, just as long as I know if I've read to that point or not. :P
 

Thaddius al'Guy

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Tonight is the final day of the first week! Tomorrow we move on to the next few chapters!
 

Eliza Al'Shaw

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:dance
Although, it'll be Thursday I'll reed them. Decided to pop it on while I'm relaxing in the bath. . . Kinda wish I had the actual books instead of audible now :cheeseeni:
 
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All right, I finished! First, some thoughts on the annotations for the introductions and the chapters we read. This is my first time reading those, so it's extra fun!

  • It's so interesting to read about Brandon's writing process. He's such a beast.
  • Vin used to be a boy. Her name makes so much more sense now.
  • If I ever publish a book, I'm seriously not sure whether I want Isaac Stewart or Priscilla Spencer to do the map. They are definitely the two most amazing map artists out there. I feel like the Mistborn maps really sell the experience.
  • I love how you can tell this is an earlier work and Brandon hasn't yet started using the term epigraph. "Bump" sounds ridiculous now.
  • He mentions twice that Joshua, his agent (I think) wanted to add action scenes. Both to the prologue and to the second chapter. And I'm glad be didn't, because these opening sections have plenty of suspense to hook the reader, without being bogged down by action and magic building. In fact, Way of Kings does open with an action scene, and while it is great, it is definitely slowed down by the need to explain the way the magic works. I think it helps that that particular bit of magic is more intuitive than allomancy.


Favorite quote:

"Ash fell from the sky."

Though I do find it kind of annoying that it's used twice



Favorite part:

Tresting's fear of the obligator and awe of Luthadel. One of my favorite villains ever is Darth Vader. The reason he works so well is that everyone around him, even those on his side, are scared of him. That's not really spoken, but shown in every behavior and expression when Vader is on the screen. I think it's an amazing decision to have the prologue set from Tresting. It really sets the scene and creates the proper stakes for the rest of the book.

Spoilery discussion bit for those who have read all three books:

In the annotations, Brandon says:

Somewhere in the italicized pre-chapter blurb of the prologue here is the clue one needs to figure out the over-arching mystery of the entire series. If you figure it out, good for you! If you don’t, you’ll have to wait until the last chapter of the final book to get it explained. . .

The epigraph he means reads the following:

Sometimes, I worry that I’m not the hero everyone thinks I am. The philosophers assure me that this is the time, that the signs have been met. But I still wonder if they have the wrong man. So many people depend on me. They say I will hold the future of the entire world on my arms. What would they think if they knew that their champion—the Hero of Ages, their savior—doubted himself? Perhaps they wouldn’t be shocked at all. In a way, this is what worries me most. Maybe, in their hearts, they wonder—just as I do. When they see me, do they see a liar?

Does anyone know what Brandon means? It's been a while since I read these books, but the only thing I can think of is the world on the arms, which doesn't really answer the biggest mystery. In my opinion, the biggest mystery of the series is who the shards are and how they function. This simply answers a minor mystery, which is who the Hero of Ages is. Or is that a bigger mystery than I remember?

And a thingy for... I think the end of the book? Or maybe early in book 2 [EDIT: BOOK 3 APPARENTLY]

I find it super interesting to read this with hindsight and very strongly recognize the voice of Ruin in her brother's statements in her mind. Sanderson really sells that one, even this early on.
 
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Autumn Sapphira

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I do believe I know what he means, but I'm hesitant to even put it in spoilers here, because it's such a major spoiler. I also think it's something that if you're really paying attention and are one of those people who pick things apart and try to guess what's coming -- you'll figure it out as you read. But It's a huge spoiler.

I'd be willing to PM you, Stephen, or you can PM me, if you want to chat about it.
 

Leira Galene

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I realize now how much I have forgotten about these books. I remember the big overall points, but for example while I remembered the Inquisitors, I had forgotten about the obligators.

Also, re the epigraphs
They're written by the Lord Ruler, right?
 

Thaddius al'Guy

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Leira, yes.
 

Leira Galene

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Ok, I was pretty sure, but good to double check. It is nice to remember at least the big things going into it so I can watch for stuff like that said in the spoilers by you guys.
 

Elia LePhant

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Sooo what's up with the title of the first book? :scratch The edition that I have is just "Mistborn" but I'm seeing other places the first book is called "The Final Empire." Did they change it or something?
 

Thaddius al'Guy

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Sooo what's up with the title of the first book? :scratch The edition that I have is just "Mistborn" but I'm seeing other places the first book is called "The Final Empire." Did they change it or something?

Originally yeah, the first book was called the 'Mistborn: The final empire' but I think Sanderson just shortened it to Mistborn.
 

Elia LePhant

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Ahhh ok. The first one I added on Goodreads was called The Final Empire and then I was like wait no my book just says Mistborn. :laugh: Thanks.
 
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