Can I express how much I love Mistborn?
This book consistently blows me away even after all this time. I love it dearly. What a wonderful wonderful book.
The series as a whole is, as is probably common knowledge, definitely my favorite series I've ever read. And the first book kicks it off with a beautiful start.
Here are some of my main takeaways from my fourth readthrough:
SPOILERS ahead for Mistborn (but only for the first book. I won't reference anything from the next two). Please please do not read on if you haven't read Mistborn. It's too good to spoil for yourself. Just go out and read it; it'll be worth it.
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1. I think the biggest thing that was different for me this time reading through the book was the fact that I felt differently about Vin drawing upon the Mists to receive power.
In the past I always felt like the moment was too deus ex machina, and maybe it still is. But for some reason reading through the book this time, the amount of references to how the mists give mistborn power and such stood out to me more. So when the event took place, it didn't surprise me as much, I suppose you could say. It seemed more realistic/believable.
Which is a big plus. I've always been bugged by how much it felt like a simple deus ex machina, so it was refreshing to not feel that way so much this readthrough.
2. I didn't realize until this readthrough just how much foreshadowing there is in regards to Kelsier setting himself up as a religious figure and having to get himself killed in order to accomplish that. It was amazing to see.
3. Part 1 of the book wasn't my favorite for it being my fourth read through.
Part 1 does a lot of world building, magic system explaining, and introducing of characters. For someone who knows the world quite a bit, the magic system practically inside and out, the characters, and the future of all of those said things, it was a little bit slow, haha.
Of course, I recognize how good it is for a first time reader. The intrigue regarding the magic system, and the thought-out explanation of it. The amazing character introductions where you instantly feel like you know the characters well even though you've barely spent any time with them. It's good stuff.
I also particularly love the character development of seeing who Vin is before meeting the crew and after.
I guess why it's not as good in the fourth readthrough is that it is introducing all of the things that a re-reader needs the least refresher on. A lot of the other events that take place, there are various details that may have been forgotten and such -- and the plot itself is always riveting to read. But the exposition/basics of allomancy/basic character traits are harder to forget, I think.
4. For me at least, I love how natural and sweet Vin and Elend's romance in this book was. It just felt right. Not forced in any way. They're pretty adorable.
5. I am surprised at how well this stands as a stand-alone novel, while simultaneously being a beautiful introduction to a fascinating world with so many secrets yet to explore and learn about. It can definitely be read as a stand-alone novel if one really wanted to; I think this is my first time really seeing that.
Of course, that reader is missing out on sooooooooooo much and it would make me terribly sad if they chose to not read the sequels. But I can now comprehend how that choice is made.
But, seriously. Everyone should read the sequels.
6. I love this book. Even though I knew that, I kind of forgot to what extent I love this book. I love it so very much. And I am so excited to get to reread the next two here shortly :)