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Book Reviews of The Hero of Ages (Mistborn, Bk. 3)

The Hero of Ages (Mistborn, Bk. 3)
The Hero of Ages - Mistborn, Bk. 3
Author: Brandon Sanderson
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ISBN-13: 9780765316899
ISBN-10: 0765316897
Publication Date: 10/14/2008
Pages: 560
Rating:
  • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
 36

4.5 stars, based on 36 ratings
Publisher: Tor Books
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

7 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

ophelia99 avatar reviewed The Hero of Ages (Mistborn, Bk. 3) on + 2527 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is the third and final book in the Mistborn Trilogy. It was a wonderful conclusion to this epic fantasy and I really enjoyed it.

Elend and Vin have left the city of Luthadel to find the remaining hidden caches of the Lord Ruler in hopes that these caches will give some hints as to how to save the land. The mists that have been consuming the land are getting worse and claiming more lives every day. But it is the falling Ash that will be the end of the people, as it covers the land and blocks out the sun things are getting more and more desperate. Elend, Vin, and their crew are up for their greatest challenge yet...how do you stop a God of Ruin from destroying your world?

If you liked the first two books you will enjoy this one. Many of the small events that didn't quite make sense in the first books are all drawn together in this book. There is a lot of war, strategy, and explanation behind the origins of the metal based magics. We also get a lot of explanation into how the different races were created. The theme that seems to underlay this book is one of faith; faith in each other and in our beliefs.

There is significantly less characterization in this book and the reader is switched between four or five different points of view throughout the story. This doesn't detract from the story though, although the book does get a bit slow mid-way through it quickly picks up pace again. In the end this book features Spook and Sazed more than Vin and Elend, although Vin and Elend still play prominent roles throughout.

All in all it tied up the series nicely. The plot kept me guessing and took twists and turns that were unexpected, which was refreshing. The way everything tied together was masterful and intricate. Sanderson is an excellent writer and this book shows that. The ending was definitely bittersweet and may bring on a few tears and sniffles.

Overall another exceptional book by Sanderson. I look forward to reading more books from him in the future! I have The Way of Kings on my shelf waiting for me to pick it up.
Arelsea1990 avatar reviewed The Hero of Ages (Mistborn, Bk. 3) on + 25 more book reviews
It started out so well. The first and second books in the trilogy were masterful, astonishing, unpredictable, and completely amazing. Sadly, I do not feel that the ending lived up to their promise. I'm not sure exactly what I wanted from this book, but whatever it was, it wasn't delivered.

I hate writing negative reviews. The book was amazing. Up until the last six or so chapters. And I'm sure that in the right frame of mind I'd love the ending as much as I loved the first two books, but it just didn't seem right to me. It fit, sure. It was interesting. But it just wasn't... I can't describe it, really. Anyway, enough rambling.

This book was excellent, exciting, and profoundly disappointing. I'd recommend the first two books in the series highly, and I'd recommend this. Just don't expect too much.
mikeylou avatar reviewed The Hero of Ages (Mistborn, Bk. 3) on + 9 more book reviews
I had trouble getting into it at first. I read a few chapters, put it down, read a few other books, came back, and doggedly started reading. A third of the way through the book, I couldn't put it down. I'd managed to figure out what had happened in the previous two books and the story was no longer so hard to figure out.

Yes, the ending wasn't what we would have considered "right". It was still moving, and appropriate for the story. The trilogy wasn't just about the main characters, it was about the people, the fight, the world, the balance.

In the appendix, there are summaries of the previous two books. I laughed when I saw that. I needed them when I started the book, but there, at the end, where I no longer needed them, there they were. If you find you need the summaries, head to the end.
nrlymrtl avatar reviewed The Hero of Ages (Mistborn, Bk. 3) on + 297 more book reviews
This whole series has been amazing. So much of what the readers learned in the first two books comes to a crazy, galloping, bloody, transcendent ending in this book. It takes clues and heroes from all the races to save the world, but can they do it? Honestly, I was biting my nails until the end, hoping they could pull it off.
reviewed The Hero of Ages (Mistborn, Bk. 3) on + 496 more book reviews
Seriously, if you read the first two you must read this on, but I didn't like it near as well. I won't say more, so as to spoil it and we will hope that you enjoy it more than I did. I am not a true fantasy reader and I had a hard time with all the weird happenings and the fact that relationships took to the far background in this sequel.
BaileysBooks avatar reviewed The Hero of Ages (Mistborn, Bk. 3) on + 491 more book reviews
This is Book 3 of the Final Empire trilogy.

Brilliant. This book was absolutely brilliant.

Coming into the final few chapters, I had absolutely no idea how Sanderson was going to pull off the ending with any measure of plausibility. Needless to say, it was one of the best endings I have ever read. Not only was the resolution fantastic, but it was one that I never saw coming.

Sanderson managed to tie up many loose ends, answer questions, and provide closure in such a way that was neither rushed nor forced. Once I knew what happened, I found myself skimming back through the first two books so that I could take in all of the nuances that I missed the first time. Sanderson crafted this entire trilogy with absolute precision and my only complaint is that it's over.

Sanderson has indicated that he plans to write two more Mistborn trilogies (one with 1980's tech and one with more futuristic tech), but has not yet started on them. There is also a spin-off trilogy that begins with The Alloy of Law, and the next two books in that series are set to release starting in late 2015. Since Mistborn is now one of my all-time favorite trilogies, I am thoroughly looking forward to anything Sanderson creates that gives me an opportunity to spend more time in this incredible world.

Note: While all of Brandon Sanderson's books take place on different planets at different points in time, they are all tied together in a fictional universe that he calls the Cosmere. One common thread throughout all of the books is a character that makes a named or cameo appearance in every single book. When named, he is called Hoid. His overall story arc is still a mystery, but he is obviously important. In The Hero of Ages, he makes a named appearance on page 231 of the mass market paperback.

Recommended Sanderson reading order (should you be interested): Elantris > Mistborn 1-3 > The Emperor's Soul > Warbreaker > Stormlight Archives 1-2 > Alloy of Law trilogy (Alloy of Law + Shadows of Self + Bands of Mourning)
reviewed The Hero of Ages (Mistborn, Bk. 3) on + 15 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this series. Anyone who liked Robert Jordan's series will like this series.