Fantasy Book Club discussion

What do you think of the System of magic?

I like how precise it is. It's not a willy-nilly magic system. It's more like scientific principles for that world.

Yes, I agree, it was really cool and well thought out. That is one of my peeves and one thing that turns me away from a lot of fantasy is over use of magic and systems that offer little explanation. Here, it's more science than sorcery.

Science fiction is my first love, so I like that Sanderson is taking a science fiction approach to the magic.

Well I think this was probably one of the strongest parts of the whole book and have heard from many people that they thought it was a "different" and interesting system...and no doubt it was.

I do have one complaint in that I think there was "too much" time spent on it. I think he needed to "trust his readers" more. It seemed like he spent too much time describing it - and this part of the book could have been edited better. He needed to give us the idea - then just "use" it as part of the action but it seems like he was constantly reminding us of each metal and what it did.

-- Wife of fantasy author Michael J. Sullivan: The Crown Conspiracy | Avempartha (04/09)

Josh wrote: "That is one of my peeves and one thing that turns me away from a lot of fantasy is over use of magic..."

I agree - I gravitate to books where the magic is used sparingly and it is not rampent and "all powerful".

I enjoyed this facet of the book a lot. I agree with Robin that there was probably a bit too much in-depth explanation of the technical aspects. However, his framing device (lessons for one of the characters) was a lot more believable and less intrusive than a simple info-dump, or an unlikely soliloquy or musing.

I thought that it was great. It was new and refreshing, and like Josh said, it was very scientific. You had to have the alloys just right, or you get sick. You had to be careful what you tried to push and what you tried to pull. And not just what, but also who. Sanderson did a great job with it. You can't do just what you want with it, which i think tones down the powerlevel just enought to make it strong, but not overpowering (unless you're the Lord Ruler, of course, then you can just have it it!)

It's this facet of the book that makes me want to see it as a roleplaying game, lol.

Eric wrote: "I enjoyed this facet of the book a lot. I agree with Robin that there was probably a bit too much in-depth explanation of the technical aspects. However, his framing device (lessons for one of th..."

Ya I thought having the "teach a student" aspect was a great way to tell us what we needed to know without "info dumping" as you so correctly put it. I LOVED the magic system - probably the best use of magic I've seen.

But...I really thought at some point someone would "digest some bad metals"...I kept watiting for that and was surprised it never came about.

Jane wrote: "But...I really thought at some point someone would "digest some bad metals"...I kept watiting for that and was surprised it never came about ..."

Oh I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought that - my husband was reading it at the same time and I told him - watch one of these days Vin's going to get some bad metal - but nope it never happened.

In the next book he tells you that it has happened, but all between books 1 and 2. I do think it would have been a very good scene to have someone digest a bad metal, maybe through sabatoge, and then have to deal with some threat while ill.

I love how scientific and defined the system. It's a very refreshing take on magic!

And yes, i was waiting for Vin to be too eager to skip ahead in her training and digest some under-par metal. But, as mentioned by Robert, we'll read a bit about that in the next book.

Ah - okay so a planting for next book - I'm down with that.

I enjoyed how 'flying' is described in a very relatable way. There are no arcane symbols or special words. It's a series of controlled falls that entail pushing, pulling, balancing, and ties into the practitioners own weight. It's a dangerous and acrobatic feat bound by the laws of physics.

I also enjoyed the magic system that Sanderson incorporated in Mistborn. As has been said a number of times, so many fantasies have an ambiguous system that is rarely described and often all powerful -- and much like others i despise systems like this.

Having read Elantris, another book by Sanderson, I must say that it seems coming up with magic systems is one of his strengths, as Elantris also has a good magic system. If anyone likes Mistborn I would also recommend Elantris, it is a standalone, though he has left it open to becoming a series in the future.

Robin wrote: "I do have one complaint in that I think there was "too much" time spent on it. I think he needed to "trust his readers" more. It seemed like he spent too much time describing it - and this part of the book could have been edited better. He needed to give us the idea - then just "use" it as part of the action but it seems like he was constantly reminding us of each metal and what it did. "

I completely agree, the system is PRINTED in the back of the book, explained every time a misting or mistborn uses their metals. I personally understood the ins and outs of the basics by the end of Vin's lessons. I did enjoy the more in depth knowledge later in the book, but other then that It could have been toned WAY down.

This magic system is the most refreshing i've read about or seen in video games and movies. The use of technical science and pure instinct, layered with the mystery of "unknown metals" makes it wonderfully fresh. I like how he restricts it at the beginning of the book "there are only 8 base and 2 higher metals" but by the end of the book we realize Kelsier is mistaken in the pairing. Which leaves it open to more mistakes and additional metals.

The flight with this magic system is wonderful, so technical and fluid, considering how rigid the motions must be with the restricted movements, push and pull.

I also enjoy the hierarchy of mistborn vs. mistings, magic isn't so much a thing you can "learn" anymore. This makes it even more special then it would be in your typical "generic" fantasy.

I thought it was one of the most clever uses of magic I've ever read, but of course I thought that about Elantris and its system of magic too. Brandon Sanderson is very skilled at creating unique magic systems, and that's what I love about him. :)

I *loved* the magic system in Mistborn. Unlike Elantris, where magic involved intricate symbols and confusing terms, Allomancy is relatively simple to understand and use: it's all about Pushing and Pulling by the means of metals. Even the metals are something a regular reader is familiar with; after all, we all had our basic chemistry/physics classes and we all know about alloys and how laws of physics work. It's actually quite amusing to see how similar to physics Allomancy is.

Either way, there are rules and there are no exceptions from those rules, which tends to be the downfall of a lot of other books involving magic. Even Vin who is painted as the hero of those books, who achieved the unthinkable, is still following the rules of Allomancy, even if that isn't explained until the last book.

I also admire other forms of magic in Mistborn. Feruchemy is another one that works with metals and is based on balance: if one wants more strength, one needs to save some to begin with. Simple yet brilliant. I tip my hat to Mr. Sanderson.

I would suggest that everyone that likes the magic system in Mistborn should read the next book -- The Well of Ascension as it expands on the magic systems and includes a new one. Sanderson obviously puts a lot of time into his systems and it shows.

Though, I do understand what people are saying about the fact that he tends to beat on the system a little too much, constantly re-describing and re-hashing things that by the middle of the book are fairly obvious.

Actually now that I think about it, he doesn't really get in depth with the third magic system of the world until the third book The Hero of Ages...

Well, he really can't, now can he? For those who have read all three, I think you'll agree that describing the third magic in more detail in book 2 would really ruin most of Hero of Ages.

Robert wrote: "Well, he really can't, now can he? For those who have read all three, I think you'll agree that describing the third magic in more detail in book 2 would really ruin most of Hero of Ages."

I agree, esp. since nobody really knows how the magic works (besides people that would be unwilling to explain it) AND it would kill the 'twist' at the very end ^_^

Shan wrote: "Robert wrote: "Well, he really can't, now can he? For those who have read all three, I think you'll agree that describing the third magic in more detail in book 2 would really ruin most of Hero of Ages.

I agree, esp. since nobody really knows how the magic works (besides people that would be unwilling to explain it) AND it would kill the 'twist' at the very end ^_^
..."

Well now I need to get through book two and read book three!! Ya'll just amped me up for book three. :)

I can't wait for books 2 and 3 to arrive! I ordered them from Powell's yesterday :-)

I loved it. Gave it an aspect of reality that most Fantasy books miss. I think one of the reasons I loved this book so much was the Allomancy.

Mr. wrote: "I loved it. Gave it an aspect of reality that most Fantasy books miss. I think one of the reasons I loved this book so much was the Allomancy."

I have to agree. It is a great story without it, but I think the Allomancy really brings it all together into a spectacular piece. I kept finding myself wishing there was a role playing system for it, lol!

I think no question the magic system was one of the best things about this book.

Not only the best, but more original than most magic systems you read about.

I finished Mistborn last night and i was real impressed the hole time i was reading by the magic system. I liked that alot of time was spent on it since it was so important in that world.
I also liked how science like it was. It wasnt invincible and it had many rules that didnt make to easy to use.

By far the stronest side of the book. Cant wait to read the other two books.

Usually magic systems are so generic in epic fantasy they never impress me .

I picked up the second book the other day and it is waiting for me to get through a few books I'm in the middle of.