5/5 - Full review at emileereads: http://emileereads.com/blog/2017/4/25... 
 Brandon Sanderson's books have been on my To Read list for ages and I finally checked out a copy of The Final Empire, which is the first installment of his praised Mistborn series. 
 In Sanderson's world of darkness and ash, the Lord Ruler controls the population with an iron fist. A small group of skaa rise up to topple his empire, led by Kelsier, who brings street urchin Vin along for training. The final battle had me sad, frustrated, and content while the rest of the story kept me intrigued - I can't ask for more in a fantasy novel! 
 The Allomancer's abilities are the coolest. And so detailed! They can "burn" metals after ingesting - basically, using the energy these metals give them. (Most Allomancers only use one metal, Mistborn use all eight.) Each metal gives something different: increased physical powers, the ability to manipulate emotions, or awareness of other Allomancers. Most importantly, perhaps, are iron and steel, which allow Mistborn to Push and Pull on pieces of metal around them using their own physical strength. Small coins become weapons, clothing becomes dangerous, and metal can be used to fly through the air. All of this made the book a fun read, because it put my brain to work imagining the fight scenes. 
 (view spoiler)[Kelsier and Vin, the two main characters, had great chemistry and I enjoyed the mentor/mentee relationship. I liked Kelsier a little better, mainly because he was more complex. His motives for rescuing the skaa and bringing down the empire were both altruistic and selfish; he was a charismatic leader not afraid to use those around him. As a street urchin whose new life revolved around finally being able to understand her gifts, Vin was a little easier to figure out. (hide spoiler)] 
 Simplistic as the writing in this series may be, I loved the worldbuilding and characters so it's an easy 5 stars for me.