There are books that entertain you, and then there are books that reshape how you experience stories. The Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson was the latter for me.

I’ll admit it took me a little while to get into The Final Empire. The worldbuilding is dense, the system complex—but once I settled into the rhythm, I was hooked. Kelsier’s charisma and vision for revolution, Vin’s transformation from wary street survivor to something far more powerful, the layers of politics and class—there was just so much to sink into. I found myself completely immersed, especially in the moments when Vin had to infiltrate high society. The tension and vulnerability in those scenes felt incredibly real.

The Well of Ascension built on all of that with richer character development. I found myself drawn to the old crew, watching how they grew, adapted, and tried to hold everything together in a world that never stopped changing. And then there was TenSoon. His arc pulled me in more than I expected, especially as questions of loyalty, identity, and choice began to unfold.

By the time I reached The Hero of Ages, I felt fully invested in the world and its people. The lore surrounding the koloss fascinated me. I appreciated Spook’s growth and the weight he carried. And again, it was TenSoon’s chapters that made me pause and pay attention. There was something about his rebellion,his choice to follow a different kind of truth that stuck with me.

This trilogy reminded me why I read fantasy. For the escapism, yes, but also for the questions it raises about what we owe others, what makes us who we are, and the cost of doing what’s right.

TenSoon, in particular, resonated with me. His decision to break the rules of his world and serve something deeper felt deeply human. Inspired by that, I wrote the following poem.

What I Became

I shed the skin they gave me,
tore free from the quiet obedience
etched in every borrowed bone.
I was not made for rebellion—
but I chose it anyway.

They called it betrayal.
I called it clarity.
Not all contracts are sacred.
Not all masters deserve loyalty.

I chose her over orders,
her quiet strength over ancient vows.
Her kindness. Her fury.
The way she saw the truth
even when it burned her.

I broke the oath that birthed me
to keep a promise she never asked for.
I ran through ash and storm,
not as a servant,
but as a sword.

Even now, with silence pressing in,
I do not regret.

I was kandra.
Now I am more.

If you’ve read Mistborn, I’d love to hear which moments or characters left a mark on you. And if you’ve got any other epic reads you think I’d love, drop those in the comments too. I’m always looking for my next adventure.