Steelheart
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Series: Reckoners #1
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Dystopia
Release Date: September 24, 2013
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Summary:
It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics.
But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his will.
Now, in what was once Chicago, an astonishingly powerful Epic named Steelheart has installed himself as emperor. Steelheart possesses the strength of ten men and can control the elements. It is said that no bullet can harm him, no sword can split his skin, and no fire can burn him. He is invincible. Nobody fights the back… nobody but the Reckoners.
A shadowy group of ordinary humans, the Reckoners spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them. And David wants in.
When Steelheart came to Chicago, he killed David’s father. For years, like the Reckoners, David has been studying, and planning, and he has something they need. Not an object, but an experience.
He has seen Steelheart bleed.
And he wants revenge.
First Sentence: I’ve seen Steelheart bleed.
My Review:
I can’t believe that I thought I wouldn’t like Steelheart. In fact, I was planning on avoiding it, even after seeing most of my friends recommending it, stating how amazing Steelheart was and how everybody must read it. There was also some big hype backing up Brandon Sanderson’s name too – and for a very good reason I discover after reading Steelheart. Honestly, I still can’t believe that I was this close to not reading Steelheart just because the cover doesn’t attract my attention, nor does it appeal to me. I guess I shouldn’t judge the book by its cover for this one and I recommend that you shouldn’t too.
Right from the Prologue, Steelheart managed to grab my attention – and keep it. I was sucked in into the world of Steelheart right from the beginning and couldn’t put it down, which happened to be an extremely bad thing for me to do, with finals and all. With a bunch of murders and a captivating mystery right from the start, there was absolutely no way I could put Steelheart down. I was majorly fangirling to my (very annoyed) friend just from reading the first three chapters – Steelheart was that good.
I know, better than anyone else, that there are no heroes coming to save us. There are no good Epics. None of them protect us. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. (15)
There was just so much action in Steelheart and I absolutely loved every moment of it. David would almost always test my nerves, always putting himself in very life-risking situations and using his brain and street smarts to get himself out of it. Steelheart is a bit unrealistic since David can’t be that lucky all the time, managing to outsmart his prey all the time, unless people were really that clueless in the future.
There’s no doubt that world-building is a huge part of dystopians and is very important to every dystopian no matter how you look at it. Well, I dare to say that the world-building in Steelheart is near-perfect, if not perfect. Everything in the world of Steelheart is explained, even though you’ll have to read on to get the full details eventually. I just loved reading about all the different kinds of Epics and what their powers are, what their weaknesses are, and what level they are in society. I’m starting to think that books inspired by comic books are just my type of books right after reading Steelheart and Vicious by Victoria Schwab.
Did the Epics kill because Calamity chose – for whatever reason – only terrible people to gain powers? Or did they kill because such amazing power twisted a person, made them irresponsible? (77)
If you read some of my reviews before, you’ll probably know that I am really good at predicting plot twists before they actually happen. This happened in Steelheart – I predicted a major part of what is probably the biggest plot twist I’ve ever read in a long time, but I didn’t predict the entire plot twist that was going to happen. The part that I haven’t predicted (now that I look at it, I should have been able to see that coming if I was smart enough) was extremely well done and has me doing anything just to get my hands on the sequel, Firefight. I need to see what would happen next. But I’ll leave that rant for the friend I bothered to hear.
I don’t know if you guys know this, but Barnes & Noble has an annotated first chapter edition of Steelheart. When I was in the middle part of Steelheart, I happened to go to Barnes & Noble, saw Barnes & Noble’s annotated edition of Steelheart, sat down, and read the annotated first chapter. All I can say is boy, does Brandon Sanderson know how to plan out his story and how he was going to write it. I was in total awe of his writing talent and how he created his characters. He can’t write metaphors in this book? Simple, he embraced it. Need some Epic names? Simple, he did something called research. Reading the annotated chapter was fun.
“It isn’t enough to have godly powers, to be functionally immortal, to be able to bend the elements to your will and soar through the skies. It isn’t enough unless you can use it to make others follow you. In a way, the Epics would be nothing without the regular people. They need someone to dominate; they need some way to show off their powers.” (181)
Okay, so I’m going to be like my friends and book push you to read Steelheart. Seriously, go grab your copy now. Don’t speak to me until you get your copy. Just kidding, but seriously, go check it out! (I want to put several exclamation marks with that sentence, but that’ll be overdoing it.)
Epic! I got the book from Octavia (yay giveaways!) and am in love with that whole first part. I can’t wait to dive in and finish it!
Jess @ Such A Novel Idea recently posted…Just a Small Note
Lucky, I’ll love to win a copy of Steelheart! :D
The first part just grabbed me in right front the start and I couldn’t stop reading! I hope you’ll love it as much as I do Jess! :D<3
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [62]
I’m glad you liked this one! I got a copy signed for the hell of it because he came to a nearby bookstore. I read the first few pages and wasn’t overly impressed, but maybe I just needed to give it more of a chance! I’ve heard fabulous things about his Mistborn series though (Inky is in love with his books!) so I think I’ll at least give it a try :)
Jessi @ Novel Heartbeat recently posted…Novel Thoughts: Why Are Bad Boys Appealing?
I think there was an event in NYC where Brandon Sanderson came and did a signing and boy, I wish I went! Steelheart is just SO good!
Ha ha, don’t worry Jessi! I read the first few pages and wasn’t impressed either. In fact, I was a bit skeptical, until I read a little of the first chapter. From then on, I was hooked.
I haven’t read the Mistborn series yet, but I definitely will now! And if Inky loves them, hopefully I will too! :D<3
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [62]
I don’t know why but I kind of disregarding this one when I was seeing reviews for it. No idea why because it sounds really interesting!!! I’ve never read any of his books before but I’m curious about this one!
Wendy @ Book Scents recently posted…Review: Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter
I was like that too before I read Steelheart Wendy! I don’t know why, something about the cover and title just makes me dismiss it, until I actually read the book.
What I’m trying to say is, read Steelheart Wendy! ;D<3
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [62]
It’s okay Kelly, you can talk to me :P I actually got a copy of Steelheart (or more like chose the copy) for my birthday from my sister. I just haven’t read it yet. It’s waiting in my new bookcase and I just don’t see when it’s going to happen. Reading something right now, then I have two books to review for book tours. Maybe afterwards? Hopefully. After reading you’re review I’m sure I’m going to be fangirling about it too afterwards. I’m just not sure who I’m going to annoy lol Thanks for writing a great review :)
-grabs hold of you and never lets go-
Ohh, you will LOVE it once you get to reading it Hillary. I can guarantee you that.
And you can annoy me while I annoy you. ;D
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [62]
-freezes up and stares at you in shock-
Hopefully I will LOVE it as much as you did :D
And that’s a great idea! Finally! Found someone to annoy ^_^
I have my copy waiting for me to get ahead in my review pile and indulge myself reading it!! Octavia has pushed this one on me too, so I’m very excited to read yet another great review for it!
Pili recently posted…Xpresso Book Tours Blog Tour: Aurora Sky Vampire Hunter by Nikki Jefford!!
Octavia was SO right book pushing Steelheart to us. I’m sure that you’ll love this one Pili! ;D
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [62]
I had to skim through your review as I just bought this book last Monday. Every blogger that I know who’ve read this book wrote glowing reviews. And I don’t think I would let the chance pass. I think Brandon really knows how to write his stories because his adult books are also getting rave reviews.
Charlotte recently posted…Feature Follow Bloghop {15}
I haven’t seen a single negative review for Steelheart yet, but then again, I haven’t been looking. :P
I hope you’ll love Steelheart as much as I do Charlotte! This is definitely a book everyone MUST read! :D<3
I'll definitely be checking out Brandon Sanderson's adult books.
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [62]
I was the same way with the plot twists – I easily figured out one, but the second left my jaw hanging! I know I should have seen it if I had been really paying attention… But WOW I was so caught off guard!
And now I’m kicking myself for not buying it at BN. I decided to save $5 and buy it at Walmart, and I got some cheesy file on an Epic that wasn’t even included in the book!
Love the new design by the way ;)
Kayla @ The Thousand Lives recently posted…Can You Read a Fluffy Book After Something Intense?
Definitely! I mean, there were at least three hints hinting that that would happen, but I just wasn’t playing enough attention to the minor details and hints. :P
Cheesy file on an Epic that wasn’t even included in the book? Ohh, I’m intrigued. Too bad I don’t have a Walmart anywhere near here.
Yay, glad you’re loving it Kayla! ;D<3
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [62]
I loved Steelheart so much. Just like you I almost thought the book is not worth the read but wrong was I. I adored every page of it. I actually am using the slang terms like Slonzte, Sparks and Calamity already. Nice review of Steelheart by the way :)
Yay! -throws a bunch of confetti around the place-
Ha ha, if I used such words like Slonzte, Sparks, and Calamity, my family would probably put me into an insane asylum.
Thank you! :D<3
Kelly recently posted…Midwinter’s Eve Giveaway Hop
Whoa, just from the few lines you quoted there I feel I’m already loving it. Top TBR it is!
Angel (Spare Reads) recently posted…Review: Poison Dance (Midnight Thief, #0.5)
Yay, so I did my job! :D
Don’t worry, you’ll LOVE Steelheart Angel, it’s definitely worth the read!
Kelly recently posted…Midwinter’s Eve Giveaway Hop
I’ve always been a fan of Brandon Sanderson so I was over the moon when he decided to write YA!
Natasha @Primrose Musings recently posted…Book Blitz & Giveaway: Ondine
I will definitely be checking out Brandon Sanderson’s other books, namely his adult books. I’m basically worshiping the ground he walks on now. ;P
Kelly recently posted…New Year Blogging Resolutions & Goals + A Cover Guessing Game + Giveaway
I am about halfway into Steelheart and loving it so much. It is such a well written story. From the world-building to the characterization to the fast-paced and solid plot, it is perfection. I love it, and I can’t wait to get to the end.
Yay Jaime, I am SO happy you’re LOVING Steelheart so far! <3<3<3
Okay, I should stop chatting before I start blabbing away and eventually spoil something for you. :P
Kelly recently posted…New Year Blogging Resolutions & Goals + A Cover Guessing Game + Giveaway
I have not read this book yet, but I have read great reviews. I will have to read it!! Great review!
You HAVE TO read Steelheart Cali. I love it SO much, and that’s saying something. ;D<3
Kelly recently posted…New Year Blogging Resolutions & Goals + A Cover Guessing Game + Giveaway
I have heard so much about this book but have not had the chance to read it yet. It seems like an interesting book. Gonna buy it soon! =)
You should definitely buy Steelheart! I promise you that you won’t regret it for a single minute Nina! You’ll love everything about it. :D<3
Kelly recently posted…New Year Blogging Resolutions & Goals + A Cover Guessing Game + Giveaway