Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

“Where there are villains, there will be heroes. Just wait. They will come.” ―Brandon Sanderson, Steelheart. Brandon Sanderson's sci-fi novel Steelheart is sure to make your heart race, and keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. In David Charleston's world, there are no heroes. Ten years ago, a disaster occurred that people  called Calamity, which resulted in where ordinary people were given super-human abilities, and were referred to as Epics. Yet every single Epic that wielded such powers turned out to be evil. One of the most powerful Epics, Steelheart, names himself emperor of David's city, Newcago. It was said that no bullet could harm him, and no weapon could pierce his skin, he was invincible. After ten years of barely surviving, and no one ever fighting back, David decides to join the Reckoners - a shadowy group that studies Epics, finds their weaknesses, and assassinates them. As David becomes part of the Reckoners, his only desire is the destruction of the Epic to killed his father - Steelheart. David has a secret that he has kept for a long time. A secret that could be the key to Steelheart's downfall. David has seen Steelheart bleed.

       Brandon Sanderson does an excellent job illustrating each character's personality and traits. As you read, it is very easy to get a clear picture in your mind of each character and their attributes which makes the book all that more pleasant. A few examples of characters are:
David Charleston: Member of the Reckoners, very bad at metaphors, and vastly prefers rifles to handguns. “I'd said the sensation felt like an unbalanced washing machine filled with a hundred epileptic chimpanzees. Pretty proud of that one.”- David Charelston
Prof: Leader of the Reckoners, also known as Jonathan Phaedrus, former fifth grade science teacher, and also agrees in the downfall of Steelheart. “I trust you with their lives,' Prof said, still writing, 'and them with yours. Don't betray that trust, son. Keep your impulses in check. Don't just act because you can; act because it's the right thing to do. If you keep that in mind, you'll be all right.”-Prof
Abraham: Member of the Reckoners, soft spoken, and yet has a fondness for large guns, he is the group's tech guy. “You cannot keep all men confined all the time,” Abraham said, “not without creating a strong prison. So instead you allow some measure of freedom for those who really, really want it. That way, they do not become rebels. If you do it right.” - Abraham.
There is just a taste of some of the characters' personalities that I know you will grow fond of as you read the book.

     I really loved and enjoyed reading Steelheart, and the second book, Firefight. It has lots of humor, and is very adventurous, and will hit the soft spots at some times. It is a clean read, and if you enjoy science fiction novels and any other book written by Brandon Sanderson, I know you will not be disappointed with what Steelheart has to offer!