The Final Empire By: Brandon Sanderson

Reclaiming the Ash: Why You Need to Read ‘The Final Empire’

This is the grim reality of , the setting of Brandon Sanderson’s The Final Empire . For ten centuries, ash has fallen from the sky, the sun has glowed a bruised red, and the immortal Lord Ruler has reigned with an iron fist. But in the soot-stained streets of Luthadel, a heist is brewing that might just topple an empire. The World: Ash, Mists, and Iron The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

Sanderson is often hailed as a master of world-building, and is his masterclass. He creates a society strictly divided between the Skaa —oppressed peasants treated as expendable livestock—and the Nobility , who serve the Lord Ruler. Reclaiming the Ash: Why You Need to Read

If you’re tired of "vague" magic systems where wizards simply wave wands, you will love . This is a "hard" magic system with clear rules: certain people (Mistings and Mistborn) can swallow and "burn" specific metals to gain physical and mental abilities. Pewter grants immense strength and speed. The World: Ash, Mists, and Iron Sanderson is

allows you to "push" against metal objects (essentially flying through the city like a Victorian Spider-Man). Zinc and Brass let you manipulate the emotions of others.

If you want a story about being found in the darkest of places, pick this up. Just be prepared—once you start, you’ll likely find yourself reading the entire Cosmere catalog.

At its heart, is a heist novel . We follow Kelsier , a charismatic survivor with a legendary reputation, as he gathers a crew of specialized thieves to pull off the ultimate "job": stealing the Lord Ruler’s wealth and overthrowing his regime.