Review: The Hero of Ages

The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you have ever felt the magic of a well-created fantasy world, then you will understand the awe Brandon Sanderson crafts in this magnificent conclusion to the Mistborn trilogy.

The Hero of Ages, set in a dying world, picks up where the previous book left off: Vin, Elend, and their friends are trying to grapple with the fate of Scadrial. With Ruin coming, each of them must search for answers to what the mysterious Deepness is and how it works. Because of this, the stakes in this book are higher than they have ever been. Deeply embedded in the story are themes of sacrifice and leadership, concerning the difficulty of good against evil.

Perhaps one of the most riveting aspects in this book is character development. Vin has grown from a street urchin into a strong leader, but still has monumental challenges to go through. Elend grows so much as he considers the treacherous path of leadership and responsibility. These characters have complicated, interesting dynamics that make their problems feel deeply realistic.

The Hero of Ages continued to develop the truly impressive world-building. Over these first three books in this saga, Sanderson has slowly and painfully built a cosmos with its own history, cultures, and magical systems that feel unique and profound.

His blending of these ideas into the narrative enhanced my whole reading experience. Every element in his carefully created cosmos seemed alive and purposeful. His writing is flawless, allowing me to easily grasp and enjoy the complex magic systems and political nuances.

For all those who love deep world-building, complex characters, and thought-provoking fantasy stories, I definitely recommend The Hero of Ages. Not only does it live up to the expectations of the first two books, but it takes them to an entire new and distinguishable level, as Sanderson is excellent at balancing action with great emotional impact.

Content Warnings

Graphic - Violence, Death, War

Moderate - Confinement, Grief, Gore

Minor - Ableism, Child death, Suicidal thoughts

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