First of all, I really wish that I read this when I was 16. TFE isn't clearly intended as YA but having a character (Vin) that's a teenager who's full of self-doubt and extremely stubborn and skeptic (I was Vin when I was a teen, and half of my soul is still am) makes it YA-friendly. Also, the fact that Vin, coming into terms with reality didn't happen so superficially fast - it was a slow process and I think that towards the end of the book, she's still in the middle of this self-discovery which makes it more realistic, just makes me want to shove this down my 16-year-old self's throat.

and now for some bulleted thoughts about this new favorite of mine
- Wonderfully written world and magic system - metabolizing metals or even ingesting a particular essence is something that I've never come across before.
- Its complex world and magic system didn't stop Sanderson from delivering a masterful story. I can clearly see everything in my head while reading. The descriptions of the facial tattoos, the soot, the mists - I felt like I was enveloped by them.
- The humanity of the characters! I always find myself loving the secondary characters - but I don't even want to call the crew secondary. They all played an important part in the rebellion and without them, the movement wouldn't exist. I loved Ham and Breeze to death, their banters gave the crew so much character. Even with Lestibournes' scenes - they all seem small but his work adds to the completion of it all. (Also, speaking of Spook, I remember laughing so hard when they gave him a nickname and when everyone suddenly spoke to each other in Slang).
- The action scenes!!!!!! The complicated nature of `the external and pushing metals weren't a hindrance in delivering powerful fight scenes. Vin's & Shan's is definitely one of my favorites. Vin's fight with the Inquisitors also made me feel out of breath with the rain pouring over me; and of course, Kelsier's fight with the Inquisitor - short yet sharp.
- Speaking of Kelsier, he is such a charismatic character and I really enjoyed how Sanderson made me want to doubt Kelsier's intentions, just like Vin.
- Also, I want to add that whenever I see Odval from Disenchantment, all I can think of is Sazed.

Some questions and thoughts that lingered in my mind while and after reading:
- Kelsier's resort to fanaticism as the light to the revolution: at that moment, that was great and smart but given Saze's teachings about religions of the past - how hundreds of them existed but all failed to survive, doesn't this pose a problem in the future? With Kelsier declared as a Savior, creating a whole new religion that is, I predict, doomed to fall - okay well this isn't really a question but more of a prediction & commentary.
- Belief is important in humanity: be it with a particular God or even the simplicity of believing in one's self
- Learning about the past is important in preserving one's collective identity.
- Push yourself from the boundaries of this world and from your own boundaries. If no one questioned the state of their society, Kelsier's rebellion wouldn't exist. If Mare wasn't so driven to see the verdant past of the empire in the present, Kelsier's rebellion wouldn't exist. If Kelsier didn't see himself more than a skaa, evil would've prevailed and of course, this book wouldn't exist.

ALSO A LITTLE UPDATE! So I read this in February and then in March, I read Dune and there are some similarities which were just right under my nose and I'd like to share them here:
- Remember my first statement here that I've never encountered a magic system before where one has to ingest a particular essence to elevate one's abilities?? Well, after reading Dune I kept asking - was TFE influenced by Dune directly (ingestion of the geriatric spice - melange to do all these crazy things) or was Dune just so influential that it all trickled down indirectly into Sanderson creating Allomancy and the ingestion of metals?

dune & tfe parallels (or is this just me ovethinking??)

Ingestion of a "power" source
- Dune: Melange; TFE: Metals
Gatekeeping of a source of power and wealth
- Dune: Melange; TFE: Atium
Prisoner slaves
- Dune: Salusa Secundus; TFE: Pits of Hathsin
Savior Complex
- Dune: Muad'dib; TFE: Kelsier (although, in TFE, this is only a light theme in the end while in Dune it's one of the overarching themes)
Selected breeding & servitude
- Dune: Bene Gesserit; TFE: Terrismen