I really liked this book. It was my first introduction to B. Sanderson and I can already tell that he's an awesome writer. He created wonderful characters, interesting world and one of the most unique and intriguing magic system I've ever encountered in any fantasy book. 
 It takes some time to get used to the magic in this book, but I like how B. Sanderson explains things and how it's all very logical. Refreshing. While I love big spells and things like that, most of the time they just happen because the author wrote things that way. Allomancy actually feels very realistic. 
 B. Sanderson created some great characters and it was very easy to love them. My absolute favourite was Kalsier, but Vin was also wonderful. And Eland...it's impossible not to like this guy. 
 The rest of the crew is also cool, especially Sazed. I really enjoyed seeing the gang interacting with each other. And Kelsier's teaching Vin was one of my favourite parts of the book. 
 I enjoyed the story. It was very interesting and there were some plot twists I definitely didn't expect, especially in the end. And I liked the humor in the book. 
 So, why not 5 stars? Well, I didn't really like the ending. It was very unexpected and I'd never have guessed it but still, I was disappointed and it ruined this book a little for me. I guess I wanted something else...I'm going to read the rest of the trilogy for sure, I'm just not that enthusiastic any more.... 
 (view spoiler)[ It has a lot to do with Kelsier's death. But I wouldn't take away a star from my rating because of that, that is not the main reason I didn't give The Final Empire 5 stars...but still it annoys me because he was one of the main reasons I was loving this book. Awesome character. And I don't react well when authors kill my favourite characters, at least not that fast. I had a feeling he was going to die, but I was expecting him to last longer and be present at least in the next book...I mean, I just started loving this guy and then he was just gone...no, you just don't do that to me... 
 But putting that aside, Lord Ruler had some awesome powers and in the end, when he got killed by Vin...it was just...weak, lame, simple? I don't know. But I was expecting some really cool fight (after all the talking about 11th metal) and I was disappointed. It made Kelsier's death even more pointless...I know it wasn't really pointless but still... 
 And Vin got to powerful and clever to my liking. Too quickly. I really like her but I felt like the story centered too much on her in the end. She had help but...like I said, I was expecting something else. After all the troubles Kelsier and the others had with Lord Ruler and Inquisitors, in the end it was way too easy... 
 Oh and I absolutely don't buy the idea about the religion and that Kelsier had to actually get himself killed for skaa to really start to fight...maybe his plan was unexpected, heroic, brilliant etc but...everything seemed a little exaggerated. And he could have at least try to fight Lord Ruler...not just stand there, waiting for him to strike...weird...Kelsier had some issues, that's for sure, but it was strange even for him... (hide spoiler)]