Sci-Fi & Scary

The Final Empire is one of the few fantasy novels that I like. I got it on Audible because the narrator’s voice sounded soothing, and it was a really long audio book so I figured it would keep me entertained several nights in a row as I tried to fall asleep. I was right.

This book is definitely the brain-child of a guy who spent a lot of time role-playing in some form. (I can recognize this as someone who used to role-play.) Its got a pretty epic, pardon the pun, set-up, with typical-yet-interesting characters, and a unique magic system that Sanderson puts to very good use. I don’t think the author comes close to breaking any new ground fantasy-wise, but he does the old plots and material very well.

I did like that the book was very simply written. There wasn’t a lot of huge words or flowery language that you had to wade through to get to the meat of the story. He delivers a massive book, but does so in an easy-to-read and understand format. Who doesn’t like that? Also, his action scenes were awesome. I remember at one point, listening to this book in the car on the way home, I cheered and punched the air in happiness/excitement. He is definitely a talented writer.

I went from this book to Mistborn #2 the next month, and liked that one almost as much as the first one. Mistborn #3 has been purchased, and I swear I shall get around to listening to it eventually.


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