Shadows of Self

*********************Completely Spoiler Free Section:*********************First things first Do you need to have read the original Mistborn series to read this book? - Technically no you don’t BUT…there are many more references to what happened in The Final Empire and while I would say that you could totally read Alloy of Law without reading Mistborn 1-3 I believe wholeheartedly that the enjoyment of this book in particular would be decreased if you hadn’t read them. I actually had just finished a re-read of the first three of the series and was really glad, because I picked out so many small details added in.The thing that I really love about Brandon Sanderson (BS) novels is that I have no trouble picturing myself in the story. He tells the story in a way that I’m shown the buildings and the surroundings, I’m given insight into the culture, religion and magic system and it is done in such a way that it is in the story and almost never feels like an info dump. This is amazing especially if you look at the size and complexity of the world he is building.Shadows of Self like Alloy of Law is sort of a mash up of Mistborn World + Steampunk + Industrial Revolution + Wild Wild West. It has a lot more humor in it than The Final Empire and it feels generally lighter. The banter and humor of Wax, Wayne and Marasi is fantastic and sets the tone of the entire story. Honestly the Bromance between Wax and Wayne is my favorite in fantasy slightly beating out Tyrion and Brom they are hilarious on page together and actually Wayne is hilarious and scene stealer all on his own too. But don’t let that fool you there are still a few gut punching moments that really knocked me in the feelings.Favorite Character in this book – WayneLooking through my quotes he has the most highlights. He says deep insightful things one minute and then is ridiculous the next. But I smile every time he is on page, there are Wayne quotes below in the semi-spoilery review but we also get to see into a deeper side of Wayne and I loved the depth it gave his character.Favorite New Character – MeLaanAlthough it can be argued she is an old character….but semantics. She added some insight into the days just after The Final Empire ended and what became of her people. Also I really loved the way she played with the team, I hope she is a player in the next book as well.Most Improved Character -SterisDon’t get me wrong I’m still completely on the Wax/Marasi ship and it might take a Chasmfiend or Koloss Warlord to sink that but Steris really grew on me this book. I have always liked her and her stiff overthinking overplanning ways, hey I can relate, but she really shined in this. She isn’t like a lot of female characters in fantasy and I like the non-emotional relationship that she and Wax have and how she deals with him. She has no illusions about who or what he is and just plans around it. Honestly her last scene in this book….GAH no words really. Because I loved her in that moment and I could even see how she and Wax might become really good friends or perhaps more BUT I’m sailing on the good ship MaraWax or Waxasi and there isn’t a Chasmfiend in sight yet so…..sorry Steris.The new danger is a serial killer that seems to be trying to destabilize the city and throw it into a chaos similar to the events that led up to the last big shift of power in recent history *cough* Mistborn *cough*. Wax, Marasi, Wayne and others are searching trying to figure out who is next on the hit list and prevent the city from undergoing another revolution. The perpetrator of the events is messing with Wax specifically trying to throw him off and he will need to outthink someone trickier and smarter than himself or another revolution will happen.****************Semi-Spoiler Review Section READ AT YOUR OWN RISK **************************Where to begin??? I’m still processing my feelings about this book because that ending left me so….so….well you will know when you get there. Everyone just give Wax a virtual hug he needs it.The Humor is one of the things that I’ve really enjoyed about series of Mistborn books. There are so many funny instances and dialogue that I laughed so many times throughout the story.***“I heard voices in my head once too, you know.”“You did?”“Sure. Gave me a fright. I banged my head against the wall until I went unconscious. Never heard them again! Ha. Showed ’em good, I did. If rats move in, best thing to do is to burn the nest and send ’em packing.”“And the nest … was your head.”“Yup.”Steris stopped on a page in her notebook, then turned it around. There, in her neat handwriting, was a detailed agenda for their evening at the party. The third entry read, 8:17. Way into the building likely blocked by traffic. Lord Waxillium carries us up to the top floor by Allomancy, which is completely inappropriate and at the same time breathtaking.He raised an eyebrow, checking his pocket watch, which he carried in his gunbelt—not his vest—to be easily dropped with his other metals. “It’s 8:13. You’re slipping.”Regular folk, they called something after what it was. You’d say, “What’s that, Kell?” And they’d say, “That? That there’s the crapper.” And you’d reply, “What do you do with it?” And they’d say, “Well, Wayne, that’s where you put your crap.”It made sense. But rich folk, they had a different word for the crapper. They’d call it a “commode” or a “washroom.” That way, when someone asked for the crapper, they knew it was a person they needed to oppress.****The Characters are three dimensional. Wax has a complicated past with his history in the roughs and trying to be both a Lord to his house and a Lawman. It’s a difficult place to be and maybe he is being pulled in too many directions one day he will have to decide who he is… An Allowmancer or Terrisman/Lord or Lawman/Pawn or Sword no wonder he is a little surly.****“What’s wrong with you lately?” Marasi demanded. “You complain about the motorcar, about me being here, about your tea being too hot in the morning. One would almost think you’d made some horrible life decision that you regret deep down. Wonder what it could be.”Wax kept his eyes forward. In the mirror, he saw Wayne lean back in and raise his eyebrows. “She might have a point, mate.”“You’re not helping.”“Wasn’t intending to,” Wayne said. “Fortunately, I know which horrible life decision she’s talkin’ about. You really should have bought that hat we looked at last week. It was lucky. I’ve got a fifth sense for these things.”***Wayne while usually the fun loving sort has a demon in his past that he is still trying in his own way to atone for. I liked seeing what he puts himself through in an effort to make some sort of recompense for his greatest sin. Wayne has a peculiar way of looking at the world and some of it make amazing sense while other parts of it are ridiculous. But that just makes him all the more lovable.****“I coulda delivered that, you know.…”“You, she would shoot,” Wax said.“Only ’cuz she likes me,” Wayne said, smiling. He’d have welcomed an excuse to go see Ranette. This night was getting darker and darker, it seemed.“Wayne…” Wax said. “You know she doesn’t actually like you.”“You always say that, but you’re just not seein’ the truth, Wax.”“She tries to kill you.”“To keep me alive,” Wayne said. “She knows I live a dangerous life. So, keepin’ me on my toes is the best way to make sure I stick around…”***I’m almost hoping that he wins her heart one of these days.Marasi didn’t get a lot of development. She is now working with the constables and Wax has tried his hardest to put some distance between them after the initial attraction that was sparked in Alloy of Law. She seems to be over her semi-hero worship of his time in the roughs though and has become more secure in herself overall. Her alomancy even came in handy a time or two in this story and I was glad to see how it could be useful in certain situations. She is extremely competent and I believe that she and Wax are a good team hence my being on the MaraWax ship. My only disappointment is that those sparks from book 1 are totally missing here as Wax is committed to the arranged marriage with Steris and Marasi is trying to have a professional relationship with him since he is supposed to marry her half-sister. I missed the sparks. : (The Tie In’s To the Original Mistborn SeriesBEWARE: lots of little spoilers in this sectionI’m going to *squee* a little here because there are still Kandra!!! I wasn’t sure what happened after the events of The Final Empire and I was pretty sure I caught one or two in Alloy of Law but now there is conformation that the Kandra are still around…*happy dance*MeLaan coming onto the scene was fantastic and I loved learning how the Kandra now live within society instead of hidden away. She was such a great addition to the story and the team. I liked how she is so different from the Kandra that we met in The Final Empire…***MeLaan finished her beer, then dramatically held up her hand. The palm split, forming lips, which then let out a soft belch.“Cheating,” Wayne said.“Just using what Father gave me,” MeLaan said. “Don’t tell me you wouldn’t belch out of other body parts if you could.”“Well,” Wayne said, “now that you mention it, I can make a real interestin’ sound wif—”***AND we get to see TenSoon. Can I just say that I was so excited that he was still around even if he isn’t glad that his name is known.***“I’ve read about you,” Wax said.“Thrilling,” the kandra growled. “I’m so happy Sazed included me in his little book so that drunk people can curse by my name.”“They … do that?”“Yes.” The wolfhound growled quietly in the back of his throat. “There are … stuffed toys too.”“Oh yeah,” Wax said. “Soonie cubs. I’ve seen those around.”***But the remembrances of Vin mostly and Elend sometimes choked me up a bit. This was my favorite quote in the entire book and it is about Vin herself. I thought it was completely fitting of who she was.***“When she fought, she was the blade. When she loved, she was the kiss.***There is also a little section where Wax thinks he sees her outline in the mist…dare I hope that she is still somehow around???****The Historica, a section of the Words of Founding, said she had melded with the mists. She had taken them upon herself, becoming their guardian as they became her essence. As the Survivor watched over all who struggled, Vin watched over those in the night. Sometimes he felt he could see her form in their patterns: slight of frame, short hair splayed out as she moved, mistcloak fluttering behind her. It was a fancy, wasn’t it?***Please don’t just be fancy…I would love it is Vin somehow will play a part in this. Because [who better to help slay a god than dare I say it another god…who might be Vinesk *Hoping*Conversations with Sazed/Harmony. I’m really excited about this. It seems that he might be pushing and pulling a bit in this world as Harmony. Damn his job is hard, MeLaan explains it so well toward the end of the story when Marasi is so upset for Wax…Hell I was upset for Wax. But I’m hoping to get both sides of the story because it seems like [Harmony might have played a really big part in Lessie’s death and how could you not have a crisis of faith after the end of SoS.Also in the broad Sheets I caught a glimpse of the Shardpool and Hoid showed up to drive the carriage those were some cool additions.SANDERSON ENDINGS KILL ME - Seriously I know that I need a quiet place to finish out the last 20% of any of his books because there is no way that I can think of anything else until it is over. That holds true here as well and while it didn’t gut punch me as hard as some of his other books *cries again about the ending of The Final Empire* it still hit me pretty hard and squeezed all my emotions. At the end I wasn’t sure what I felt except sorry for Wax.***Harmony does the best He can—the best possible, by the very definition. Yes, He hurt Wax. He hurt him badly. But He put the pain where He knew it could be borne.”***GAH…..this is one of those times that I’m so sad the next book isn’t already out because I just want to know all the things so badly.Overall - Sanderson is a master storyteller and that still holds true here. My one and only complaint is that there wasn’t a lot to do with The Set his Uncle or the Women that went missing in Alloy of Law, but I assume that he will get to all of that eventually. We all know that I’m not super objective when it comes to Sanderson or Ilona Andrews so let’s just say if he writes it I’ll read it…multiple times usually.

As I mentioned in my review of that previous title, this era of the Mistborn series grew out of a writing exercise that author Brandon Sanderson liked enough to expand into the novel The Alloy of Law. That tale, with its Wild West flair and imaginative new exploits of the setting's Metallic Arts, turned out to be a whole lot of fun, but it was still intended as a standalone peek at the changing world of Scadriel before the writer would someday return even further into its future for a more sci-fi approach. At some point, however, he decided to first revisit the characters of Wax and Wayne for some additional adventures, thereby expanding their sub-series into a quartet and putting off the later epoch for another day.This 2015 volume, then, has to function as a direct sequel to a project that wasn't originally written to set one up, in addition to more purposefully laying the groundwork for what comes next. And it meets those goals, more or less, but the seams are noticeable and somewhat at the expense of the immediate story at hand. The reintroduction of the kandra into human society is a tad awkward, as are the vague grumblings about encroaching modernity that never receive the full thematic consideration it feels like they should. The majority of the storyline finds the heroes perpetually one step behind the current villain, which is not the most satisfying read. There's not much movement on what's theoretically the larger plot. And while Sanderson is famous for his twists, the retcon at the end seems needlessly cruel and included only to twist the knife in a protagonist who is already rather angsty and humorless.That's probably my biggest critique, that this novel simply isn't as enjoyable as the one(s) before it. Even the magical combat scenes, which are usually a highlight of the franchise, don't appear to carry the same spark of creative choreography, let alone any cool new uses of Allomantic or Feruchemical powers. (The antagonist can tap a metalmind to move faster than the eye can see, but that's pretty similar to Wayne's time bubbles, and we don't really get to observe it in action -- although there is one neat moment when both abilities are activated at once, resulting in the enemies moving at regular speed to one another's perspective while everyone else in the room around them is frozen.)So I have mixed feelings, which I believe was my main takeaway the first time I read the book, too. At the end of the day, it's a polished installment from a competent enough author that it avoids being a total misfire. It is always nice to check in on the cosmere again -- there's even a blink-or-you'll-miss-it sighting of the mysterious worldhopper Hoid, reappearing after centuries to prove he's either a time-traveler or immortal -- and the work overall is a reasonably solid fantasy crime thriller. It achieves what it sets out to do, but that's far from the critical praise I generally have for this writer.[Content warning for gun violence, body horror, and gore.]

I'm a big fan of the series. The series is creative, well written, and epic. With that said, I think the quality of this hard cover book is well worth the price. Fells solid, yet still light enough to not get heavy while reading. Dust jacket is quality printed as well.

Favorite book in the series

As always, Brandon Sanderson has shown why he is master of his craft. The worlds he build, the unique characters he populates, the intrigue he creates, and the conflict is executed in a clear and precise fashion. And then sprinkled with his humor.

I have a crush on Wax and Wayne

What an incredible book!! It was action filled, it had twists that I never saw coming!!! Its answered some questions made by the last book, but raised so many more!I can't wait to read the next book!!!

I wasn’t too impressed with Wax’s first outing. It seemed small scale compared to the original Mistborn trilogy. This is a return to form where the seeds planted last book begin to be harvested. Excited to read the Bands of Mourning.

Waxillium Ladrian, a high-ranking member of society and former frontier lawman, finds life in the city of Elendel to be far from the sedate affair people would have him believe. All that chic and elegance is merely a front for an avalanche of crooked shenanigans that keeps both him and his team – Wayne and Marasi – on their toes.What do I mean? Here’s a little clue from the book blurb.*******Three hundred years after the events of the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity, with railroads to supplement the canals, electric lighting in the streets and the homes of the wealthy, and the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds.When family obligations forced Waxillium Ladrian to forsake the frontier lands and return to the metropolis of his birth to take his place as head of a noble House, he little imagined that the crime-fighting skills acquired during twenty years in the dusty plains would be just as applicable in the big city. He soon learned that there too, just being a talented Twinborn ― one who can use both Allomancy and Feruchemy, the dominant magical modes on Scadrial ― would not suffice.This bustling, optimistic, but still shaky society will now face its first test by terrorism and assassination, crimes intended to stir up labor strife and religious conflict. Wax, his eccentric sidekick Wayne, and brilliant, beautiful young Marasi, now officially part of the constabulary, must unravel the conspiracy before civil strife can stop Scadrial’s progress in its tracks.*******I enjoyed this sequel to The Alloy of Law, as Sanderson advances Scadrial’s history by allowing its citizens to dictate the pace and direction the story arc takes.Yes, the world itself is much more settled now. Things are as they should be and nature is slowly adapting to find its place. But society? Though Vin, Elend and Sazed worked hard to free the people of oppression at the hands of a dictator and an unfair class system, we find human nature has a nasty habit of sliding back into old, long-adopted habits. Habits that can spell disaster if they’re not tempered in some way.Socioeconomic instability. Political intrigue. Empire building. Out and out scoundrels. Poignant blast’s from the past. They’re all there, in a superbly crafted tale that bundles you along at a cracking pace. As always, the characters themselves help the story along, as they each struggle with their own hurdles while contending with the ever shifting foundations that makes you wonder just how bad things are going to get. And the drama doesn’t leave Wax’s family untouched, either.In what way?Let’s just say, there are two sides to every coin. And as a coinshot hunter of the lawless, Wax finds his loyalties tested by the evidence he uncovers. Evidence that points to an escalation of unrest and violence that could very well bring ruin to all that the last 300 years has achieved. And his own family is involved in it. Yes, the threads of Harmony and Ruin run deep, and only Wax and his friends stand a chance of steering things in the right direction.With superb interplay between the characters, and a clever marriage of steampunk, wild west and otherworld – yet oh so familiar – fantasy magic as you’ll ever see, it’s riveting stuff.

At the time of writing this the Mistborn series consists of two trilogies, the original trilogy set in an epic fantasy world and the Wax and Wayne triology in which Shadows of Self is book two set 300 years later in an almost wild west fantasy setting. I highly recommend you read the series from the start or many ideas and references will be lost on you if you have started from the Wax and Wayne books half way through.1 -  The Final Empire: Mistborn Book One 2 -  The Well of Ascension: Mistborn Book Two 3 -  The Hero of Ages: Mistborn Book Three 4 -  The Alloy of Law: A Mistborn Novel Shadows of Self is an excellent read, I really enjoyed it though less than it's predecessor Alloy of Law. The storyline in a loose description follows the plot of a murderer in the city of Elendel having killed a large group of criminals at an underground auction. Lord Waxillium and his unofficial deputy Wayne get called to the scene and start to track the murderer down but they are no normal criminal using abilities that should be impossible they start to sow unrest through the city and time is low for Wax and his friends to stop them. The story is excellent and everything comes together in the end brilliantly. The characters are mostly developed well from the previous novel, especially Wayne and Marasi who both get a deeper look into their character over the course of the book and some of the new characters introduced here are also pretty interesting. Sadly I think Wax himself gets a little neglected despite being the lead character strangely, perhaps it's just because some sections are a little darker so there is a lot more brooding slowing things down at times.The action scenes and Brandon Sanderson's fantastic magic system are as excellent as ever. I especially like how he tied in some aspects from the previous trilogy in this book and yet made them feel fresh for the new series. I don't want to say anything without spoiling anything but the way he gives his old formulas a new twist is well done keeping the theme of the world yet keeping things interesting.All in all the series continues to be fun easy reading. The characters, action scenes and ideas are all excellent. If you liked the previous Mistborn books you'll probably enjoy this one, and if you haven't read them, you should.Recommended.+ Great story especially the ending.+ Wayne and Marasi get good development.+ Fresh twist on some of his old ideas.+ Excellent action moments.- Wax could have been more interesting character wise. The Final Empire: Mistborn Book OneThe Well of Ascension: Mistborn Book TwoThe Hero of Ages: Mistborn Book ThreeThe Alloy of Law: A Mistborn Novel

As the fifth book in the Mistborn series, or the second book in the Second Era series it's difficult to say much without spoilers. I can say that both series' are high fantasies where one can use certain powers after consuming certain metals. I have mixed feelings about this book because I found that the middle dragged a little, which messed up the overall pacing. However, something was revealed in the final few chapters that really changed my feelings for the book. Up until that point, I was really questioning the inclusion of a backstory but that reveal made everything make sense, and I found myself loving the book again. Ultimately it's still not as good as the original Mistborn trilogy, at least in my opinion, but I am most definitely warming to the series.

A fast paced and exciting read, the fifth Mistborn novel is much less in the realm of fantasy than the original trilogy and possesses less of a Western influence than the previous book. Although, unlike the others, ‘Shadows of Self’ is based virtually entirely within the city of Elendel, it still has the feeling of the wider Mistborn world and is a successful melding of crime fiction, political thriller, fantasy, western and superhero genres.Due to the events of ‘Alloy of Law’ (which presumably take place not that long before this novel) Waxillium Ladrian is now part of Elendel society once more. Now working alongside the city constabulary, where their colleague Marasi is now employed, Wax and his sidekick Wayne find themselves investigating the mass murder of several of the city’s leading crime figures and gang members.The early stages of the novel read a bit like a murder investigation but after some gruesome killings and acts of terrorism things become more of a thriller as Wax, Wayne and Marasi uncover a plot to assassinate the Governor. As the city devolves into a state of unrest it becomes clear that a wider political objective is at work and soon they all become inveigled in a political conspiracy that intends to bring down the city.There is little expansion on the ‘metallic arts’, but by this point this elaborate and detailed magic system is firmly established. The emphasis in this novel is more on how the Kandra interact and utilise these abilities coupled with their own.There are several connections to the first three Mistborn novels and small links to other works in Sanderson’s extended Cosmere. Even though more centred around a single episode/event than the other Mistborn novels, ‘Shadows of Self’ ties in more with the original trilogy than ‘The Alloy of Law’ and also with the short story set in the world of Mistborn, ‘Secret History’. There is, perhaps, less of a connection to ‘The Alloy of Law’ than might be expected. There is little involvement in the events of this book from Wax’s uncle and his organisation that Wax uncovers in the previous book.

I loved the first Mistborn series and was a bit worried about the new one. So far so good. The second book carries on with the same characters, and some old ones reappear. More is added to the plot surrounding Wax, his motivations and back story. A few hints are given about the larger picture concerning gods, powers, etc. Wax's uncle puts in a brief appearance but is not the main villain here. His plot is being saved for the next book. Some questions are answered while others are posed to keep you guessing. This is a good book in itself as any middle book of a trilogy should be. Looking forward to book three.