Brian G. reviewed on 1/6/2013 + 7 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 2

I enjoy Brandon Sanderson's novels, but I don't love them. Mistborn is a good story with interesting characters. I especially liked the fact that Mistborn's protagonist is female, something that's still too uncommon in fantasy and science fiction novels. Mistborn's system of allomancy is creative and unique. Sanderson writes simply, concisely, and directly. As a result, the book has good pacing and the story moves along at a good clip. But his writing style creates two problems. First, his books read as though they're written for a junior high audience. I would compare Sanderson to John Scalzi; they both are direct and to the point. But only Sanderson's books feel like they're a bit beneath you. Second, the climactic scenes always feel rushed and not that climactic. In Mistborn, the tension never builds to the point where you feel like something really BIG just happened. Most of the key events are over before you realize it and the importance barely has a chance to sink in. It keeps Sanderson's books from being as good as they could be.

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