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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
 Posted - 26 Sep 2012 : 01:22:15
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Recently finished re-reading The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson. Warning: The following review contains some major spoilers.
The Hero of Ages culminates Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn trilogy. The god Ruin was loose. The ash fell more heavily. The volcanoes were erupting. The land trembled... The sun grew hotter. Cities were burning. The world was falling apart... Vin and Elend must get to the atium cache---their last hope---that the Lord Ruler had hidden well. And they had to fight their way through armies of koloss and Inquisitors, and the subtle but dangerous mental influence of a destructive god that Vin had unwittingly set free...
This last installment of the series answers many of the questions in its predecessors, while throwing a few new ones. It is as powerful, action-packed, character-driven, and wonderfully-rendered as The Well of Ascension. Some flaws it has, yes, but the overall rendering of the characters (their souls are almost literally bared), the well-tied plot and subplots, and the many surprises (expected from Sanderson's writing) make this finale one of the most memorable books I've ever read.
Most of my musings below are glimpses on the exploits of the characters that make this book shine...
Vin. Blunt, honest. She's dichotomous that she always appeared simple and complicated at the same time. She may not be exactly intelligent, but she's smart and followed her instincts wherever it led her. What enabled her to do the impossible were not just miracles or divine interventions, but mainly her strong willpower that never waned. Indeed, the true Hero of Ages.
“You don't know what I do for mankind,” the Lord Ruler had said (in Book I, The Final Empire). He actually saw the future, or the possibilities of the future, and cleverly created contingencies for mankind, in the event that Ruin, the god of destruction, breaks free from his prison. He was a tyrant, but not exactly evil. In a way, he's proven to be a hero, albeit a misguided one.
Elend still retained a shred of humor that helped lighten the mood when things looked dire enough, though not quite as effectively as Kelsier used to. His trust in Vin is one of his redeeming qualities. One may say it's too ideal to be true. However, when it comes to love, almost nothing is impossible. Having seen and understood their background, I say such kind of trust is both ideal and true.
Sazed's shaken faith in religions were made manifest: “In the past, Sazed had taught religions without feeling a need to believe in each one. He'd accepted each as being special in its own way, and offered them up, as a waiter might serve an appetizer he himself didn't feel like eating. Doing so now seemed hypocritical to Sazed. If this people needed faith, then he should not be the one to give it to them. He would not teach lies, not anymore,” (p. 152). And Sazed's thoughts: “How did men believe in something that preached love on one hand, yet taught destruction of unbelievers on the other? How did one rationalize belief with no proof? How could they honestly expect him to have faith in something that taught of miracles and wonders in the far past, but carefully gave excuses for why such things didn't occur in the present day?” (p. 441). It is easy to deal with the study of any subjects when it remains on the abstract, when it stays aloof. But when things happen to us that do not only relate to our studies, but also contradict them, we begin to question...to doubt... Here, we see that it wasn't that easy to Sazed, especially that he spent most of his life on his studies. It was not only his lover's death, Tindwyl, that made him doubt the dead religions he unearthed, studied, and 'preserved,' but the reality of wars, deaths, and chaos that became his constant companion. And it was ironic that in the end, the very religions he doubted were the ones that provided him the knowledge on ways to save the world, to restore it to what it was once before the Lord Ruler's ascension.
Sazed mused, “Perhaps I will determine why I was able to take the powers myself. For now, I only wish to make a simple acknowledgment of the woman who held the power just before me. Of all of us who touched it, I feel she was the most worthy,” (p. 743). He may be the prophesied Hero of Ages, the God, but he owed it to Preservation (Ruin's opposite force), the Lord Ruler, Elend, and more so, to Vin, the one who fought with passion and performed the ultimate sacrifice for the good of all the people she cared about.
As Breeze got busy with Allrianne in their mission to Urteau with Sazed, the Thug Ham was stuck with King Cett. They are a cute tandem, notwithstanding Cett's (feigned?) irritation with Ham. It's the little things like this that add more flavor to the story.
There is also a little bit of focus on TenSoon, the kandra who came to trust Vin and whom Vin trusted. We get to see the society of the kandra, and glean on their simplistic, human-like politics. The choices that TenSoon made seemed absurd at first glance, but eventually made sense. Vin's honesty, courage, and true desire to set the world right apparently rubbed off on him.
The Inquisitors are probably the most brilliant creation of Sanderson, if one wouldn't count Mistborn. Dark, brutal, eerie, and who can be either near-mindless or highly intelligent---an unpredictable, almost perfect villain.
Ruin, the god of destruction, presented a moral dilemma: "This work I do, it's about passion, Vin. It's about dynamic events; it's about change! That is why you and your Elend are so important to me. People with passion are people who will destroy—for a man's passion is not true until he proves how much he's willing to sacrifice for it. Will he kill? Will he go to war? Will he break and discard that which he has, all in the name of what he needs?" (p. 357). Often, it's not really a question of what is right and what is wrong. People follow their hearts, and simply let others decide what to make of it.
There are, fortunately, a few stumbling blocks that (slightly) ruin my reading experience...
This doesn't make sense: the mists were growing stronger and spreading wider each day; Elend and his army had to take Fadrex City as soon as possible, yet he and Vin were wasting precious time spying on the city and trying for diplomacy, when either he or Vin, being Mistborn, could simply threaten or assassinate the city's king, Yomen. He was ready to sacrifice so many of his own men to the mists for the greater good, yet he couldn't kill one man for the same cause? Ha! Nonsense! Here's something from p. 250: “There was another reason going into the city had been bad for Elend. It had been better for Elend to think of Yomen as an evil tyrant, a corrupt obligator loyal to the Lord Ruler. Now, unfortunately, he knew Yomen to be a reasonable man. And one with very good arguments. In a way, his indictment of Elend was true. Elend was a hypocrite. He spoke of democracy, yet he had taken his throne by force. It was what the people had needed from him, he believed. But it did make him a hypocrite. Still, by that same logic, he knew he should send Vin to assassinate Yomen. But, could Elend order the death of a man who had done nothing wrong besides getting in his way?” Seriously? Worrying about one man while the world was crumbling in pieces around him? It's not just misplaced honor nor hypocrisy; it's plain stupid.
There is great focus on Spook, the Tineye who spoke Eastern street slang which might be funny at times but utterly irritating at most. I appreciate Sanderson's effort to flesh out Spook, and create within him a tension inherent in a man torn by loyalty and betrayal. But even Sanderson's deft hands didn't manage to make Spook an outstanding character. The troubled Tineye is simply too boring to even bother devoting a few chapters to him. Breeze and Ham, now they are the supporting characters whom Sanderson should have spent those chapters for.
The balls at Fadrex City are a welcome respite from the seemingly endless spying and battles in the book. Sadly, the man behind it is hardly that. King Yomen was set to appear clever, but ended up becoming nerve-grating. Faith may sometimes blind people. In Yomen's case, his devotion to the Lord Ruler didn't only blind him, it made him ignorant too. The world was obviously falling apart outside the illusory safety of his inane balls, yet he refused to acknowledge it, let alone do something to help fix it...until it was already too late.
Despite these, I still enjoyed most of what the novel offers, and gladly recommend this and the whole series to all fans of fantasy. Sanderson, without a doubt, is a very fine addition to the fantasy firmament.
Out of ten possible stars, I give this book 9.5. |
Every beginning has an end. |
Edited by - Dennis on 26 Sep 2012 01:24:18 |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 26 Sep 2012 : 19:42:13
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| Finished Book 2 of Conn Iggulden's Conqueror series, Genghis: Lords of the Bow. I loved this one just as much as the first! There are some great military strategy sections detailed in this book. |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2012 : 14:20:00
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| Starting Book 3 of Conn Iggulden's Conqueror Series, Bones of the Hills |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
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DragonReader
Senior Scribe
USA
371 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2012 : 18:12:50
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Finished A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Now reading A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2012 : 18:19:55
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quote:
Originally posted by DragonReader
Finished A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Now reading A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
Fantastic books! What did you think? |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
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Ada
Acolyte
USA
25 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2012 : 20:08:15
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| I have just finished reading Gauntlgrym and getting ready to read The Shield of Weeping Ghost, I believe the third book to read if you want to go by order of time period. |
Gul Ada Ruin - The Wizard Elf |
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SirUrza
Master of Realmslore
USA
1283 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2012 : 20:53:13
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I'm using the Kobo that was bought for me for $50 as Borders was being closed to catch up on Star Wars novels I've neglected and the Realms which I stopped reading.
Recently finished Star Wars Choices of One and working on rereading The Orc King. |
"Evil prevails when good men fail to act."
The original and unapologetic Arilyn, Aribeth, Seoni Fanboy. |
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DragonReader
Senior Scribe
USA
371 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2012 : 00:37:34
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quote:
Originally posted by Entreri3478
quote:
Originally posted by DragonReader
Finished A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Now reading A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
Fantastic books! What did you think?
I agree. Really fantastic book. I had seen the HBO series and really liked it, but the book is better. |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2012 : 01:48:44
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| The HBO series is very well done and enjoyable, but you are right that the book(s) are so much better...but that's usually the case with these things. |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2012 : 02:49:39
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quote:
Originally posted by SirUrza
Recently finished Star Wars Choices of One and working on rereading The Orc King.
What did you think of Choices of One? Never really enjoyed Allegiance all that much, as from what I've heard, this new book is a sequel of sorts. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2012 : 05:33:21
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quote:
Originally posted by Ada
I have just finished reading Gauntlgrym and getting ready to read The Shield of Weeping Ghost, I believe the third book to read if you want to go by order of time period.
Shield is an amazing book. I loved it, and am looking forward to re-reading it soon. If you like Rashemen, mysteries of the fallen empires of Narfell and Raumathar, and wizards as main characters, then this novel will not disappoint you.
If you're interested, you may read my review here. Though be warned of spoilers. |
Every beginning has an end. |
Edited by - Dennis on 28 Sep 2012 05:36:56 |
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Ada
Acolyte
USA
25 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2012 : 22:00:43
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
quote:
Originally posted by Ada
I have just finished reading Gauntlgrym and getting ready to read The Shield of Weeping Ghost, I believe the third book to read if you want to go by order of time period.
Shield is an amazing book. I loved it, and am looking forward to re-reading it soon. If you like Rashemen, mysteries of the fallen empires of Narfell and Raumathar, and wizards as main characters, then this novel will not disappoint you.
If you're interested, you may read my review here. Though be warned of spoilers.
Thanks Dennis, I will have to read your review after I finish reading the book. If you would like to see what I think of the book as I progress, please feel free to read my input in the book club sections for The Shield of Weeping Ghost. |
Gul Ada Ruin - The Wizard Elf |
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skychrome
Senior Scribe
713 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2012 : 03:00:22
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| Just finished "Thud" by Terry Pratchett. Liked it as I like everything with the Watch, but it was also kind of strangely serious... |
"You make an intriguing offer, one that is very tempting. It would seem that I have little alternative than to answer thusly: DISINTEGRATE!" Vaarsuvius, Order of the Stick 625 |
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Thauranil
Master of Realmslore
India
1591 Posts |
Posted - 29 Sep 2012 : 15:50:37
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
quote:
Originally posted by SirUrza
Recently finished Star Wars Choices of One and working on rereading The Orc King.
What did you think of Choices of One? Never really enjoyed Allegiance all that much, as from what I've heard, this new book is a sequel of sorts.
I read that recently myself. I enjoyed it, it was better than Allegiance. It is indeed a sequel, with the story focusing once more on Jade and the Hand of Justice. The highlight for me were the parts with Grand Admiral Thrawn and the villian though shadowy was a better one than some corrupt Governor. |
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Captain Grafalcon
Learned Scribe
Brazil
131 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2012 : 18:39:45
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| Started Crusade, book 3 of the Empires trilogy (James Lowder). |
"Surely you recognize that armies carrying banners are almost always thieves—until they win."
Jarlaxle, mercenary leader of Bregan D'aerthe. |
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Clad In Shadows
Learned Scribe
Canada
158 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2012 : 23:15:51
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| Just started Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2012 : 02:08:15
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Finished Conviction last night. And before I left for work this morning, I briefly glanced over my unread stacks and started wondering about what to read next.
It'll likely take me the whole day to decide on that. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Dennis
Great Reader
9933 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2012 : 03:03:03
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Finished Conviction last night. And before I left for work this morning, I briefly glanced over my unread stacks and started wondering about what to read next.
It'll likely take me the whole day to decide on that.
You might want to let FATE decide. Cover your eyes and blindly grab one. |
Every beginning has an end. |
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LastStand
Learned Scribe
130 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2012 : 09:33:14
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I've been quite productive on the reading front:
Finished Dune a while back - it was a great read. Oh! how sweet I found the revenge. I have the second Dune novel somewhere, but from what I hear, everything after the first books isn't worth reading? I may give it a shot anyway though.
Also finsihed Downshadow - Eric...great stuff. Love your way with making interesting characters which I keep wanting to know more about. Alas! to my dismay I did not catch all the "tie-ins" and characters from your previous novels for I have not read them yet. I will have to do something about that.
Currently busy with Alloy of Law (Brandon Sanderson) and loving it so far as well. Gunslinging. Steampunk? Fantasy! I'll take some more of that!
I will be getting the original Mistborn novels for I have not read them yet. I hope they have the same breed of wit, interesting characters and interaction. |
"Don't. The battlegrounds that you and I have returned from alive are too different."
~ Claymore ch106 |
Edited by - LastStand on 04 Oct 2012 07:26:56 |
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Artemas Entreri
Great Reader
USA
3131 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2012 : 14:56:26
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| Finished Book 3 of Conn Iggulden's Conqueror Series: Bones of the Hills. Fantastic! Starting Book 4: Empire of Silver |
Some people have a way with words, and other people...oh, uh, not have way. -Steve Martin
Amazon "KindleUnlimited" Free Trial: http://amzn.to/2AJ4yD2
Try Audible and Get 2 Free Audio Books! https://amzn.to/2IgBede |
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Ada
Acolyte
USA
25 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2012 : 21:25:51
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| Just finished up with The Shield of Weeping Ghost, which I will recommend to anyone. Going to begin reading Realms of the Elves. Jumps around in terms of years per short story, but it pertains to the beginning. |
Gul Ada Ruin - The Wizard Elf |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2012 : 03:32:46
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quote:
Originally posted by Dennis
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Finished Conviction last night. And before I left for work this morning, I briefly glanced over my unread stacks and started wondering about what to read next.
It'll likely take me the whole day to decide on that.
You might want to let FATE decide. Cover your eyes and blindly grab one.
That might be the best idea. I didn't have much time to decide yesterday, but today's proving to be easier for me to delve into my stacks. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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canikoblivan
Acolyte
Turkey
43 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2012 : 09:40:02
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Let's see; I've read Sword of the Gods and its sequel Spinner of Lies back to back in a week's time and I have just started reading Prince of Ravens.
Lots of books are waiting for me to read them as well; I purchased The Gilded Rune, The Rose of Sarifal, Venom in Her Veins, The Masked Witches, Bury Elminster Deep and Neverwinter last week. Too many books, so little time..
ARRGHHHH!! |
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Thauranil
Master of Realmslore
India
1591 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2012 : 10:36:36
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| Started reading Cloud atlas. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 05 Oct 2012 : 02:26:38
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Funny story... I was going through my large stack of unread DRAGONLANCE novels, and I found an original copy of The Second Generation anthology.
Now, I can't even remember when I read that book, so I'm assuming it's inclusion in the unread stack means I have indeed never read it. Which is so strange, because I distinctly remembering using the RPG material for the Knights of Takhisis/Neraka included in the book for a game almost a decade ago. And that suggests that I've at least had the book with me on a regular basis at some point in the past.
Ah, well. Looks like I've found my next new [old] read. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36971 Posts |
Posted - 05 Oct 2012 : 03:29:48
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Funny story... I was going through my large stack of unread DRAGONLANCE novels, and I found an original copy of The Second Generation anthology.
Now, I can't even remember when I read that book, so I'm assuming it's inclusion in the unread stack means I have indeed never read it. Which is so strange, because I distinctly remembering using the RPG material for the Knights of Takhisis/Neraka included in the book for a game almost a decade ago. And that suggests that I've at least had the book with me on a regular basis at some point in the past.
Ah, well. Looks like I've found my next new [old] read.
Been thinking of re-reading all the Weis & Hickman Dragonlance books, myself. I've not read any of them in years, and I don't recall when the last time I went thru the Chronicles and Legends was.
Of course, the next book I'm reading after this one (The Hot Gate, book 3 of Troy Rising) is going to be The Hobbit. And I've got to work in the new Stephen Colbert book, too.  |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 05 Oct 2012 : 04:07:58
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
Been thinking of re-reading all the Weis & Hickman Dragonlance books, myself. I've not read any of them in years, and I don't recall when the last time I went thru the Chronicles and Legends was.
If you can both find and afford them, I'd recommend seeking out the "Annotated" compilations for both trilogies. They really are a lot of fun and provide a great deal of insight into the original mindsets of both Weis & Hickman when they were writing those books. |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Clad In Shadows
Learned Scribe
Canada
158 Posts |
Posted - 05 Oct 2012 : 19:12:25
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| Jim Butcher - White Night |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36971 Posts |
Posted - 05 Oct 2012 : 22:42:42
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quote:
Originally posted by Clad In Shadows
Jim Butcher - White Night
Love the Dresden Files!  |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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What are you Reading? 2011
Topic Locked
