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We are on Scadrial, an apocalyptic world engulfed by mists and ash. An immortal tyrant has ruled for a thousand years, dominating a society of rigid castes where the nobles engage in constant power struggles, indifferent to the fate of the “skaas”, the common people, treated more or less like slaves.
The heroine, Vin, is an orphaned skaa. She finds herself allied with a group of rebels who are preparing, as you might guess, to overthrow the empire and free the oppressed people.
Beyond the overall classic story, what makes this trilogy unique is the importance of Allomancy, a mysterious talent linked to the absorption of metals, which grants its fortunate wielders powers such as telekinesis, mind manipulation, or more prosaically, the strength of a horse, among other abilities.
I also enjoyed the mythology scattered throughout the book about the emperor’s and master’s past, the source of his power, his terrible Steel Inquisitors—sort of superhumans with stakes planted in their eye sockets—along with the strange creatures that inhabit the mists…
Even though the story takes a while to unfold and the characters are painfully lacking in charisma, I found myself drawn in around the middle of the first book. The palpable tension and multiple twists finally had me glued until the end.
I came away with a very positive impression.
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The Final Empire
L’Empire ultime