MISTALONG discussion

We'll discuss the first 10 chapters here!

Since I read this back in February for the first time, I guess I can begin the discussion by talking about some of my initial impressions from back then.

Honestly speaking, I've always had a strange struggle reading prologues for the first books in series so I didn't get into it until the actual story began. Even then I remember having to take a lot of time reading this first part (Ch1-10) because of how much information is given to us about the magic system of Allomancy, and I even had to bring a notebook with me on the bus to take a few notes here and there xD I was always fascinated by Allomancy from the start though, and to this day I still sorta wish I could become a Tineye Misting. xD

I really loved the way that Vin was introduced. I've been reading the author's annotations on his website to refresh my mind on certain details and he mentions how her introduction was an example of how he sometimes likes to spend too much time in contemplative, in-head scenes. I honestly thought that he made a great choice to set up her character using a couple of in-head scenes because it really helped me to understand what kind of character she was going to be right off the bat, and he did a great job of briefly putting in some of her backstory (view spoiler)[(ie. her relationship with her brother Reen and how he raised her to think a certain way) (hide spoiler)] and weaving it into some of her thoughts.

Allomancy is sooo interesting! The whole magic system is very unique. I love both Vin and Kelsier. Vin reminds me a little bit of Arya Stark (from ASOIAF), which I love.
I'm curious to see who is the external voice narrating at the beginning of each chapter.

Vin is the best! I can't wait for everyone to get to the next few parts. My fave guy hasn't even appeared yet during these chapters

Aahh this makes me very excited for the next chapters!

Just finished chapter 10 last night!

I feel like Vin has a huge capacity to become this super bad-ass Allomancer eventually, and even in her progress so far makes me think there's something else at play here. Such as a prophecy or something else kind of trope-y. I like where she started as a character, as in very reserved and mostly a fly on the wall type of person, and how Kelsier is trying to work on that.

She and Kelsier have an interesting relationship right now, and I feel like it can't change all that much because of the age difference. He will just always be a mentor to her.

I'm REALLY excited to see how Vin does when she is infiltrating the noblemen's houses for information. That's so out of her comfort zone, but I think she might do better than she thinks.

I hope that Reen shows up eventually (like way in the future kind of eventually) because I want Vin to confront him in some way. I like that you hear less and less about him from her thoughts too.

I am really enjoying everyone in Kelsier's crew as well. They all have really fun, slightly brash personalities, but treat Vin so well. And I like when she compares them to the thieving crew she lived with her whole life. (Like the gambiling and drinking being amicable fun among friends, rather than what it was like at Camon's lair).

The Steel Inquisitor is a very horrifying image in my head. Steel pikes through his eyes? What. But I think the point is for them to be utterly terrifying.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the magic system. I really like when they have rules, so like they can only Push and Pull metals in relation to themselves, or the rules about weights of what you Push and Pull off of. I like that each metal has specific benefits, but also they have trade-offs. Like Tin can help your eyesight, but makes your skin more sensitive too, or you can go blind with bright light, etc.

I think the Lord Ruler is shady af. I have a hard time with the idea that he is immortal, and I'm curious as to what Kelsier is up to with this 11th metal for sure. I really don't understand the supposed religion of the Lord Ruler, when basiclaly no one believes it? But I guess it's a fear inducing religion, more so than a faith-based religion - aka the people won't rebel because the Lord Ruler is actually impossible to beat because he is a Sliver of God or whatever. I like that people like Sazed - the Keepers - make it their duty to remember all religions, and how Sazed is really trying to get Vin and Kelsier to find a religion.

To wrap up this very long winded addition to the discussion, I am really enjoying it so far and I'm excited to see where things go from here!!

Also, Michelle - I totally understand your aversion to prologues in the first book of a series, but I like how this one is resolved very quickly. You pretty much immediately find out about who the "rebellious skaa" was - Kelsier. And you see Lord Tresting take the skaa girl, and then he is destroyed by Kelsier.

But, most prologues are not resolved until way later in the book, so I totally get you there. Instead we have all of those pre-chapter blurbs and they are killing me! I don't think they are all the same person either? But I could be 100% wrong on that haha

The scenes when Vin is infiltrating the nobleman's houses are some of my faves!

Katie wrote: "Also, Michelle - I totally understand your aversion to prologues in the first book of a series, but I like how this one is resolved very quickly. You pretty much immediately find out about who the ..."

Yea that's pretty true. Compared to a lot of other prologues I've read this one was the most straightforward and it was a good enough way to introduce Kelsier early on. Though I still had my typical prologue struggles I do admit this prologue was done well.

I won't say anything about the blurbs cuz I'm afraid I'll give too much away. You're all just gonna have to piece everything together yourselves :)

Also does anyone have a fave crew member so far besides Kelsier and Vin?

I think originally I liked Dox but Sazed and Spook both quickly grew on me. I learned to really love every single person in the crew though as I kept reading the series.

I decided to read along with the audio book. Really love the voice of the narrator! But this way it is going to take so long. I am now in chapter 5, and I am intrigued by the whole allomancy magic system. I do need to read this book with my full attention though, or else I get really lost in all the different characters with their allomantic powers and different metals used, haha!

Not really related to the first book but more on the entire trilogy but I'm so close to being done the last book right now and oh man..you are all in for so much of a ride...

Breeze is an interesting character. His perspective, which he describes in chapter 10, that all human interaction is on some level manipulation is interesting and reveals a lot about his character. He is almost rationalising his own powers to himself. The way he works the crowd is like next level Jedi mind tricks. If Vin turns out to be as natural at emotional allomancy as she as pushing and pulling metals it will be interesting to see how the power manifests.

My favourite scene so far is when Kelsier takes on House Venture, can't wait to see Vin in action.