This was the most fun I’ve had with a sci-fi fantasy novel in a long while. The setting was intriguing and the powers well thought out and creative, the politics intertwined beautifully with characters growing and changing, every page was a page well spent in this first instalment. The story follows young Vin, a common street skaa to the untrained eye. She is in the care of a greedy thieves guild that uses her “Luck” to acquire profits, being beaten regularly from her brother - missing when the story begins - and her thief guild master. That is until Kelsier arrives with Hammond on their doorstep.

Kelsier is built up to be an amazing force of nature, skilled and a delight to read every step of the way, from his trauma to his goals that become clearer the more you read. The twists, likewise, are beautifully set up, you can see them coming if you pay enough attention and even though I assumed the ending correctly, it felt good that I picked up on the hints rather than disappointing. The ending to book one is satisfying, leaving you wanting to read more but tying enough loose ends that you aren’t left feeling bated into buying further sequels. 

The writing is descriptive, the story is action-packed, the characters are memorable and each has characteristics that make you want to see more of them. Vin, Kelsier, Spook, Eland, and Sazed took my top spots, Marsh and Breeze and Ham coming in a close second, but there are too many to list exactly why.