Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

Hero of Ages - Brandon Sanderson

February 11, 2021.
Requested by Narilka.

Thanks Jenna!

Narilka wrote: "Thanks Jenna!"

You're welcome :)

I may try and jump in on this one so that I can finally finish this trilogy, lol. I've been in limbo with it for a few years now.

I'm surprised to be the first post, I assumed that I'd be adding my thoughts a little late as it's technically the 12th. I started this during my break at work, I just read a little further before bed.

Chapter Five (view spoiler)[ I didn't anticipate another yearlong time jump, I expected this story to begin shortly after the events of The Well of Ascension. Breeze's point of view was terrifying, that and Fatren's POV have been my favorites. Brother Aakash said something in the last thread that has stuck with me, he had hoped for more from this trilogy than just the standard unstoppable evil force you see in fantasy. As I read the Rashek's notes during chapter five that thought was very resonate to me. (hide spoiler)]

In only a few chapters Sanderson has laid the ground work for several interesting storylines. I'm excited to watch them develop, all the while trying (and failing) to decipher the greater mystery.

I started this morning. Two chapters in and we're already off running.

Looks cool. I'm a little (perhaps a lot) swamped at the moment. I hope to join later this month.

Probably not going to read again until after midnight, but got swept up during my morning reading.

Chapter nine (view spoiler)[ The snippets in the chapter headings are very interesting. It feels like they're written by Sazed, but with future knowledge. In each of the last two books, these headings proved incredibly important. So far I've learned a lot from these as well, but they're by far the most confusing. (hide spoiler)]

@Graeme hate to hear that my man. I hope things clear up for you soon.

No problem, Sterling. I'll be back.

Mini work life rant. I'll put behind spoiler tags so it's easy to ignore if you'd prefer.

(view spoiler)[At the beginning of 2020 the org I work in reorg'd as part of a massive company merger. Then pandemic hit and we all relearned how to do our jobs remotely. Then we reorged over the summer. And again in October. First full week of 2021 started with our organization being reorged. And now we're facing another reorg A MONTH LATER!!! Sometimes I hate working in corporate America. Constantly needing to figure out my new job responsibilities is driving me batty. If I go missing here I can almost guarantee it's work madness driving me nuts not something bad in RL. It's mentally exhausting so I don't read as much as normal. Stupid work. Don't they know books are more important??!? :D (hide spoiler)]

@Narilka that sounds like a complete circus 🥺. I remember you mentioning some work frustrations awhile back, but I didn't realize how repetitively ridiculous it has gotten. I'm crossing my fingers that this'll be the last time for a long while!

I'm through chapter twelve now. Not exactly sure where the main storyline is headed yet. It seems like it could go one of several directions. There have been more unique points of view than in the earlier novels. Which for me has been exciting.

I had initially placed a spoiler tag here, but I've removed it. I don't think there's anything remotely spoilery about this post 😂.

Sterling wrote: "@Narilka that sounds like a complete circus 🥺. I remember you mentioning some work frustrations awhile back, but I didn't realize how repetitively ridiculous it has gotten. I'm crossing my fingers ..."

I'm hoping for the same thing.

Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[I just realized something. When Zane died it mentioned he had the point of a spike sticking out of his chest. In this chapter, it was also mentioned that's the spot where Steel Inquisitors had their main spike and the tip sticks out of their chest. Was Zane part inquisitor??? Maybe that's why he was so strong and not entirely due to natural ability. I definitely did not make that connection on my first read through.

Loved this chapter. Vin and Elend are a powerful pair. (hide spoiler)]

Something else I just noticed as I start ch 4. The allomantic symbols dividing the epigraph from the start of the chapter look rough instead of crisp like the previous two books. Pretty sure I missed that in my previous read through. What a wonderfully subtle way to enhance the tone of the story. (view spoiler)[And speaking of the epigraph, holy reveal batman! (hide spoiler)]

Hey, I got swamped with work this week, but I hope to start reading tomorrow! (plan for tomorrow is to do nothing but read and eat, so I hope to catch up with you guys:))

@Narilka chapter three (view spoiler)[ When it was first revealed that Zane had a spike, I assumed that meant he wasn't a natural born Mistborn. It wasn't until Marsh's reveal in the final chapter of The Well of Ascension that I came to another theory. That these spikes were somehow allowing this "god" presence to enhance ones naturals gifts (but also serve as a backdoor for it to effect you.)

Watching the events of the prologue-chapter three, leads me to believe that this theory is no longer accurate (if it ever was). Now that Ruin has been released, it seems like that backdoor is much more powerful. That he can use it to fully take command of your being. If the Inquisitor had managed to spiked Elend, that he would have been turned to the dark side. (hide spoiler)]

@Franziska life happens to us all, we're looking forward to reading your thoughts when you post them!

Sterling wrote: "Probably not going to read again until after midnight, but got swept up during my morning reading.

Chapter nine [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Figuring out who the author is for these is the challenge :) (hide spoiler)]

Finished part 1/Ch 13 (view spoiler)[This situation is pretty dire.

I find Marsh's chapters fascinating. Now that we're starting to see behind the curtain of Hemalurgy, that's pretty gruesome. Did they have to spike through someone else's eyes for the eye spikes?? And how many people per spike? Maybe I don't want to know.

I like Elend's new confidence. I also like that we're finally echoing the first book by gathering the crew together to form a plan, even if it does seem hopeless.

Sazed is breaking my heart. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 14 (view spoiler)[Ahhh, there's Spook! I can't imagine constantly flaring tin is very good for him. He's become a drug addict of sorts. Even though it has it's benefits I bet it's bad when it all catches up to him. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Nineteen in the books, and so much has happened since my last update. I haven't been reading at a very steady pace, so I haven't been making daily updates.

Chapter nineteen
(view spoiler)[ The events of this chapter were so incredible that I had to make a post lol. I don't for a second believe that the figure in the mist is Kelsier. I think it's likely Ruin, but believe it could also be Preservation. There was another force at play trying to stop first Alendi and then Vin from fulfilling the prophecies of the "Hero of Ages". I don't know if that force was the remnant of Preservation or not, but if the chapter forwards are to be believed than Preservation was utilized by Rashek to reshape the world. Since Ruin has the ability to adjust anything written, nothing in ink can be trusted. We have not found the source material yet for these intro's, so I'm unsure how it recorded. (hide spoiler)]

@Narilka chapter nine (view spoiler)[ While the author is a mystery, their written language is extremely similar to how the Terris people speak. They also refer to our our primary character's and their actions from a familiar perspective, leading me to highly suspect that they were written by Sazed. This author has way more knowledge then Sazed currently posses though, some of which that should have been impossible for Sazed to learn. So there is something special in play with this author. My current theory is that Sazed will write a record at some future point in the book, near the end. And somewhere in the interim the crew will gain a vast amount of knowledge. Either from one of the Lord Rulers cache's or from remains of Preservation. We've heard that it's body/power was somewhere in the hidden chambers under Kredik Shaw. (hide spoiler)]

@Narilka chapter fourteen (view spoiler)[ I feel awful for Marsh, but I agree his perspective is fascinating. I've long suspected the body that was found by Kelsier was in fact Marsh's remains. That the process of becoming an Inquisitor kills the person and transports their essence into some form of homunculus/golem. The prequel to this book semi bore that theory out, but it did seem to imply that the essence transfer was to another body. Which would make the construct portion of the theory wrong. Like everything we still need more information!

I loved seeing Lestibournes! He's so warped and mentally unwell. His perspectives are both saddening and thrilling. It seems like he's finally found his voice, even if that voice is a depressing one. (hide spoiler)]

I finally got some free time and read the first part (chapters 1-13) and wow I like this book so much more than Well of Ascension! I'm really enjoying the read - here are some of my thoughts:
(view spoiler)[
I love how Elend has changed - he's much more confident and thus can be the good leader he is - even if he has to sacrifice some of his idealistic ideals. It's like he did a 180-degree turn and changed into a different person while still being himself (don't know how to phrase this better, hope you get what I mean).

And the chapters from Marsh's perspective are so interesting! I like those little insights into Ruins workings and his struggles.

Sazed: It breaks my heart seeing how depressed he is and that he no longer can believe in any religion - he has lost himself and it's hard to see him struggle. Esp. when his friends (thinking of Vin and Breeze here) try to help him but don't really know how... I truly hope he finds back to his believe/hope.

It's so good to see the group back together trying to tackle an impossible task... I liked the scene were Elend asked for storys of Kelsier - reminded me so much of the group meetings in the first book.

What we learn about the kandras is fascinating and I hope we get more chapters from TenSoon's perspective (or from some other kandra, I'm really interested in their social/political structure and loved the scene with TenSoon's ....trial? Is that the right word?)
(hide spoiler)]

Franziska wrote: "I finally got some free time and read the first part (chapters 1-13) and wow I like this book so much more than Well of Ascension! I'm really enjoying the read - here are some of my thoughts..."

Really great thoughts. I think you're going to be pleased :)

Sterling wrote: "Chapter Nineteen in the books, and so much has happened since my last update. I haven't been reading at a very steady pace, so I haven't been making daily updates.

Chapter nineteen
[spoilers removed]"

Yeah, it's a pretty important chapter. (view spoiler)[I remember on my first read through thinking the same as you - that it is not Kelsier reborn but something else. Though which something I wasn't sure. (hide spoiler)]

My reading has slowed. General comments through Ch 24 (view spoiler)[This is such a complicated plot. We have 5 story lines at the moment: Vin/Elend, Sazed, TenSoon, Marsh, Spook. Two of these should be intersecting soon. What I don't completely remember is if they converge and diverge again or if they start to very slowly come together. (hide spoiler)]

Sterling wrote: "Chapter Nineteen in the books, and so much has happened since my last update. I haven't been reading at a very steady pace, so I haven't been making daily updates.

Chapter nineteen
[spoilers removed]"

I just read chapter 19 and I agree with you (view spoiler)[ it can't be really Kelsier. I don't think it's Ruin though.
It's really cool to get so many different perspectives - and it's interesting how Spook's constant consumption of tin has altered his abilities and know he can burn pewter too!
Looks like this is to be my favorite of the trilogy:)

I like the reflections on how religion is created/what purpose religion has and how they deal with Kelsier becoming a god. (hide spoiler)]

*Sighs* I so wanted to read this book but I won't be able to. I have currently put it on hold after reading 8 chapters. My school suddenly felt they needed to conduct exams to see how much students have learnt from online classes(hint: not a single word). My exams are starting from March 5 and I am trying to cram the one year worth of syllabus for five subjects in few days. As a result I won't be able to join in for this BR. I will read your spoilers after I get some time to read the book which tbh will be sometime in mid May(last set of exams of final year High school around early May). I wish you guys happy reading!

Aakash wrote: "*Sighs* I so wanted to read this book but I won't be able to. I have currently put it on hold after reading 8 chapters. My school suddenly felt they needed to conduct exams to see how much students..."

Good luck with your exams! You can always come back to the thread when your schedule allows. We'll still be here :)

Thank you.

I took a short break for a lighter read and am back at it now.

Finished Part 2/Ch 33 (view spoiler)[TenSoon's chapters are the most interesting for me at the moment. He's attempting a rebellion of a sort. Also seems he might be free now to rejoin the main story.

Loved that Elend and Vin finally got their dance. How appropriate he started with a book lol They've come full circle and have grown so much. It's great seeing them both so confident.

Sazed and Spook's threads are merged. We'll see how they handle the Citizen.

Events are slowly building. (hide spoiler)]

@Aakash I hope you're studying has gone well so far. Good luck on those exams.

@Franziska Chapter (19 response) you make a lot of sense there, and I think you're right here.

@Narilka I can't click your spoiler yet, I finished chapter 31 most recently. I'm greatly enjoying this book when I make the time to read, I plan on reading two more chapters tommorow and reading your latest note.

I've missed me friends (:

My bad. That was part 2. Edited my post.

Through 36 (view spoiler)[ What's happening with Lestibournes is just fascinating. The presence in his mind seems to be the same entity as Zane experienced, with it's unreasonable desire to kill everything. The fact that they both have these spikes in their bodies leads me to think that the presence is in fact Ruin.

I'm so happy TenSoon is free and looking for Vin. His people seem to have so much more information about the past and what's happening. I've contemplated for a bit whether he's the author of the chapter intros, but it doesn't seem as if he'd have had as personal a connection as the earlier writings implied.

I don't have any idea as to what the 16 number signifies. I definitely don't think it has anything to do with Kelsier, but It's meaning is alluding me. I really wish Vin and company had talked more with the Koloss, It felt like Human also held some clues to all this. (hide spoiler)]

Sterling wrote: "Through 36 ..."

(view spoiler)[You're going to have an "a ha!" moment when you figure out 16 :) (hide spoiler)]

Finished Part 3/Ch 44 (view spoiler)[I'm getting impatient. All this slow build is killing me lol

I'd forgotten about Vin getting trapped. Which means I have no idea how she gets out of her current situation. This is fun :)

Elend found out some very important information and I don't think just how important it is has hit him yet.

Sazed, Breeze and Spook. That is a volatile situation. Thank god Spook has the help. He needs it. He's grown so much.

Ruin is diabolical. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 39 (view spoiler)[ I'm struggling a bit to understand Hemalurgy. I think it will make more sense when I have the moment of realization about preservation. We've learned that Rashek used Hemalurgy to build the Kollos, Kandra and Inquisitors. And he gained this ability somehow after trapping Ruin in the well of Ascension.

Ruin had a counter part known as preservation, and apparently Rashek used the power of this counterpart to strengthen and change all of humanity. Maybe this was necessary due to his early failures after seizing the power. He also used Preservation to bestow allomancy on some of his followers. I think he used more of Preservation, and that's why he's so much weaker than Ruin. I think Preservation is/was the mists.

The number sixteen is still alluding me. My only guess is that it has something to do with Preservation regaining his strength in some way, and that's why the mists are staying out longer. I'm thinking it could have something to do with the allomatic metals. There are eight base metals, then gold, atium, aluminum, duralumin. Then there are other metals that's names I don't recall. The mysterious ninth metal that Kelsier found and is similar to gold, the metal Vin and Elend mentioned earlier that supposedly counters Atium. That adds up to fourteen, so maybe there are two more metals that either haven't been revealed or that I've forgotten.

I still don't know why Preservation would be limited in this way. I think I just need to learn more about the struggle at The Well of Ascension. How a normal man was able to overpower two gods and use their divinity. (hide spoiler)]

@Narilka Chapter forty-four (view spoiler)[ I don't believe for a minute that Vin is really about to confront her Brother. If when I continue tomorrow I find that it's truly Reen I'm going to be completely shocked.

I'm assuming this is Ruin pretending again, like he did with Lestibournes. But I'm not sure. I'm really enjoying every point of view, but Ten-Soon and Spook have stolen the show in my opinion. Lestibournes was already my favorite character (tied with Sazed), and the additional 'screen time' has allowed him to flourish.

On a complete side note, I don't believe the Quellion is a Mistborn, I think it was really his sister Beldre who interfered with Lestibournes' fight. (hide spoiler)]

Sterling wrote: "@Narilka Chapter forty-four..."

(view spoiler)[Have to admit that the Reen "reveal" was a great way to end a chapter :D (hide spoiler)]

Finished Part 4/Ch 58 (view spoiler)[I'd forgotten it was Spook who figured out the spikes, though it was Ruin gloating that helped him connect the dots. Very brave of him to realize just how wrong things had gone and give up his pewter. He finally got to be the hero he was building up to be.

Vin is starting to understand too. Time for her to break free already.

Even though we never really got to know him, I still found Preservation's ending sad. (hide spoiler)]

I get up early and read before work. I didn't want to put the book down this morning, that was one heck of an ending to a section. I'm in the home stretch now.

Chapter forty-eight (view spoiler)[ It seems too obvious from that letter that Rashek hid Ruins body around the Well of Ascension. So much so, that I doubt it's the truth, as Sanderson has mastered the bait and switch! (hide spoiler)]

I finished. That ending is so emotional for me. Cant wait to read your thoughts Sterling.

Sterling wrote: "Chapter forty-eight [spoilers removed]"

He is pretty good at that in these books for sure :)

Awestruck

~Fin
(view spoiler)[ This was such an evocative ending to the trilogy. Filled to the brim with both sacrifice and triumph. Spook running through fire to stop the flames, the Kandra giving up sentience to buy some time, Elend's honor guard trading their lives to save the world

I solved more of the mysteries of this book than any Sanderson novel before it, but I still couldn't visualize the full picture. He's such an incredible author, and this trilogy is both his darkest and most beautiful work. (hide spoiler)]

Sterling wrote: "Awestruck ..."

Glad you enjoyed it :) (view spoiler)[I'm hoping the kandra can be brought back if their spikes are replaced. They are such a cool species, it would be a shame to lose them entirely.

Sanderson is such a tease at the end with the letter to Spook and there being more metals to discover. That also sets things up for Sazed to be around a long, long time. I wonder if he can world hop if he wanted to? I first read these books before I knew about the Cosmere. (hide spoiler)]

I have resumed reading the book from where I stopped. I have caught upto 32 chapter. *Rubs hands excitedly* time to read some spoilery section.