Books & Reading

Mistborn: Ripped Out My Heart (In the Best Way)

Just D 
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson book cover featuring a silhouetted figure leaping against a red moon, surrounded by dark city spires. The book is laid on top of reading journal pages with character notes about Dockson, Ham, Breeze, Yeden, and Kelsier visible in the background.

I’ve read my share of fantasy books. Some good, some great, some that didn’t quite hit the mark. But Mistborn? This book didn’t just raise the bar – it launched the bar into orbit.

Starting the Journey: Why I Almost Didn’t Read Mistborn

Let’s be real: starting a new fantasy series is a commitment. When I first stumbled upon Brandon Sanderson and his universe, I hesitated. It’s a hefty load. Another magic system to learn? More complex world-building to track? But something about the way people talked about his books felt different.

The First Few Chapters: When Everything Changed

Look, I’ve read plenty of fantasy books with magic. Wands, ancient spells, mystical powers – you name it. But Allomancy? This was different. Sanderson didn’t just create another magic system; he built something that made me think, “Wait, why hasn’t anyone done this before?”

From the first chapter, I was hooked. Burning metals for power? Using iron to push and steel to pull? It just made sense. No complicated spell words or hand gestures – just pure, metal-based logic that felt real. And watching Vin learn about her powers felt like discovering them myself.

The world itself pulled me in too. Ash falling from the sky, mists that come alive at night – it all felt uncomfortably real. But it was Vin who really got me. Here’s this street kid who doesn’t trust anyone (for good reason), and I couldn’t help thinking, “Yeah, I get it. I’d be the same way.”

Tracking the Adventure

I started journaling my reading experience, creating spreads to track characters, plot points, and burning questions. What began as simple note-taking turned into a detailed record of theories, reactions, and emotional responses. Looking back at these pages now, I can trace my transformation from curious reader to complete superfan.

The Moment Everything Changed

About halfway through, something shifted. This wasn’t just another fantasy novel anymore. The story had wrapped itself around my heart. I found myself thinking about the characters during the day, wondering about their choices, worrying about their fates.

The Final Push: Those Last Few Chapters

The ending broke me – in the absolute best way possible. I finished reading in the wee hours, tears stinging my eyes, completely blown away by what I’d just experienced. Some books you read. Others become part of who you are. Mistborn is definitely the latter.

Why This Book Hits Different

Mistborn succeeds on every level:

  • Character development that feels real and earned
  • A magic system that makes perfect sense while remaining magical
  • World-building that draws you in completely
  • Plot twists that shock you but feel inevitable in retrospect
  • Themes that resonate long after you finish reading

Beyond the Final Page

Finishing Mistborn felt like saying goodbye to friends. But here’s the beautiful thing about books – they’re always there, waiting to be revisited. And with more books in the series waiting, this isn’t really goodbye at all.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next

The next book in the series is already in my possession. My reading journal is ready for new spreads, new theories, new emotional reactions. I can’t wait to dive back into this world.

For Those About to Read

If you’re considering starting Mistborn, do it. Just clear your schedule first. Trust me on this one. It’s more than worth the time investment.

Some tips for new readers:

  • Take notes if that’s your thing – there’s so much to discover
  • Don’t rush – let yourself sink into the world
  • Avoid spoilers at all costs
  • Have tissues ready for the end

Book Club Excitement

The best part? This was our book club pick for the month, and I can’t wait for our meetup. I’ve got so many theories to share, and about a million questions I need answers to. There’s something special about reading a book knowing you’ll get to discuss it with friends. I’ve been jotting down discussion points all month, and my journal is bursting with “Wait, did anyone else notice…?” moments.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes a book comes along that reminds you why you fell in love with reading in the first place. Mistborn is that book for me. It’s not just about the fantastic plot or the amazing magic system – it’s about how a story can completely transform your world. And getting to share that transformation with other readers? Even better.

Ready to start your own Mistborn journey? The mists are waiting. And if you’re in our book club, bring tissues to the meeting. Trust me on this one.


What was your experience reading Mistborn for the first time? Or are you getting ready to start? Let me know in the comments below!

Two journals. One named "This Is My Book Journal" and the other names "My Book Club Log".

P.S. Journal Love

Been getting lots of messages about the journals I used to track this reading journey. I used “This Is My Book Journal” for my personal reading notes and “My Book Club Log” to prep for our discussions. If you want to grab either one for your own reading adventures, you can find them in my shop at https://vodkaandtonicdesigns.com/collections/exclusive-experience They’re perfect for keeping track of all those “wait, what just happened?!” moments!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

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