Of course, this shouldn’t surprise anyone who has read previous Sanderson books, like the Mistborn series or the Stormlight Archive series. Sure, there are plenty of origin stories, and if you dive deep into the land of comics you can find all the details you want – but to have a depth and width of superpowers so well described in so short a span as a single novel is rare. Granted, it’s also the only superhero novel I’ve ever read, but the thought put forward into the way super powers work in the world of the Reckoners is a refreshing change of pace from the more mainstream view of superheros – they’re just super and the details needn’t worry you. Steelheart is, simply put, the best superhero novel I’ve ever read. For years, like the Reckoners, David has been studying, and planning, and he has something they need. When Steelheart came to Chicago, he killed David’s father. nobody but the Reckoners.Ī shadowy group of ordinary humans, the Reckoners spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them. It is said that no bullet can harm him, no sword can split his skin, and no fire can burn him. Steelheart possesses the strength of ten men and can control the elements.

Now, in what was once Chicago, an astonishingly powerful Epic named Steelheart has installed himself as emperor. And to rule man, you must crush his will. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. The awed public started calling them Epics.Įpics are no friends of man. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary people extraordinary powers.

Brandon sanderson superhero