Box: Mistborn Company:Dragonsteel Collectible: Enamel Pin, Plushie Value for loot: Great
This month the Year of Sanderson brings us loot direct from Scadrial! This box includes items inspired by both the first and second Mistborn Eras. I received this box today, May 11th, which is really nice to receive a monthly box in such a prompt manner.
Curious about Mistborn? Check out my reviews of the books!
Favorite Item(s)? This was a stunning box of great Mistborn items. The bookends are my favorite because they’re super useful and good looking. The spired towers on the bookends along with the Ascendant Warrior is so well done. You can see them next to some hardcovers for scale. I especially appreciate that these were transported flat and carefully packed. It took a little bit to assemble them, very carefully, but nothing is bent funny as has happened in the past when I’ve received bookends from book boxes.
The Soonie pup is a close second favorite and a delightful mix of era 1 and 2. Soonie pups are advertised in one of the broadsheets (think newspapers) in Era 2, but are inspired by Tensoon from Era 1. One of the really cool things about the series is that Era 1 is set 300 years before Era 2 meaning the events of those stories make up the historical foundation of the world. There will be more stories in the same world and I am here for it!
The stickers are a great mix of Mistborn Era 1 characters! In the photo, from left to right you have The Lord Ruler, Tindwyl, Sazed, Kelsier, Vin, Tensoon, Valette and Elend.
The pin this month is #005 Waxillium Ladrian from Mistborn Era 2. He’s the 4th pin I’ve received now since the April book is still being produced and therefore the boxes haven’t shipped yet.
Final Thoughts? I really like this box and will definitely use these lovely Mistborn items. The bookends are an extra special touch and will look great with my Sanderson collection! The question is, do I put them with the leatherbounds or the paperbacks?! (I’m leaning towards the paperbacks since the leatherbounds stand well on their own, but we will see!)
What is the Year of Sanderson? 2023, aka Year of Sanderson, is the “All In” tier of loot from that record shattering Kickstarter where Brandon Sanderson admitted he wrote not 1, but 4 books in secret. With the Year of Sanderson, I will receive 12 boxes from Dragonsteel full of delightful loot! 4 boxes will continue a new book (1 for each secret project) and 8 boxes will be full of Sanderson-ific swag. Each book is to be a bit of an “artist’s showcase” with the chosen artist having a huge part in the design and art of the story. Each month there’s also a free download available, related to the month’s box! Team Dragonsteel is working super hard with all the logistics of this widely successful Kickstarter and keeping us informed along the way! One of the “thank you gifts” from the kickstarter (which they did instead of stretch goals) was to pay the additional customs and import fees which really makes a huge difference for me and how those fees work here in Sweden.
Title: The Lost Metal Author: Brandon Sanderson Genre: High Fantasy Audience: Adult Series: Mistborn #7 (Mistborn Era 2, #4 of 4, Cosmere) Next Release: TBD – Era #3 work will start in 2024 per the State of Sanderson 2022 Format read: Audio and eBook Publisher: Tor (US), Gollancz (UK) Date read: 21 November 2022 First published: 14 November 2022 Content Warning: Blood, Death, Murder, Violence, Explosions, Captivity, and Firearms.
“You ready for this?” Wax asked. “Let’s do it,” Wayne replied.
Page 386
Mini Review:
Wax and Wayne have had their share of adventures over the years. It’s been six years since the adventures of the Bands of Mourning and they’re settling into their routines in Elendel. Naturally that means it’s time to shake things up. The Lost Metal is a punchy continuation of their story, jumping on the scene and ready to end the series with a bang. The Cosmere has come to Scadriel and the world, or at least the Elendel Basin, will never be the same.
“How likely is it to involve explosions?” “With us, you never can tell…”
The Mistborn saga is part of the larger Cosmere universe. This is the 7th Mistborn book and the 4th and final book of Era 2, also known as Wax and Wayne. You can read Era 2 by itself, or go back and start with Era 1, Mistborn: The Final Empire.
I strongly recommend you start with The Alloy of Law or Mistborn: The Final Empire if you haven’t already! That being said, this review will definitely contain spoilers for previous Era 2 books and some spoilers for the original trilogy, should you decide to go back and read that. As Era 2 is set 300 years after Era 1, it’s hard not to pick up some spoilers from the basic history of the world, but you do not need to read Era 1 before Era 2.
For the main plot of this series, you do not need to read other Cosmere books, but if you want to catch every reference, you would benefit from having read a few other stories in the Cosmere.
“I think we live stories every day,” Hoid replied. “Ones that we will remember, and tell, and shape like clay to be what we need them to be.”
Page 155
Now for the review!
“Can I have my harmonica back now?” Hoid asked.
Page 154
This was a wonderfully crafted end to Mistborn Era 2 and I cannot recommend it enough. There was adventure, more of our favorite characters, new interesting characters, Cosmere connections, Kandra, great quotes and just such a fitting conclusion to the series.
“I’m glad you walked out of the stories and into my life. I’d rather have a friend than a legend.” “Same.” “Wayne, no one is calling me a legend.” “They will,” he said with a wink.
Page 240
If you haven’t read Mistborn: Secret History, I strongly recommend you do prior to reading the Lost Metal as it fill in some gaps with the Cosmere connections and is just a great addition to the series. View it as a bit of a bridge between Mistborn Era 1 and Era 2.
You aren’t the best I could do. You’re the best there is. And no being, neither god nor mortal, could have wished for more than one such as you.
Page 452
The Bands of Mourning took us on quite the adventure and introduced us to many forms of transportation. First a passenger train journey, followed by cargo train. Next we skip the gondolas in favor of coin-shot transport, have a short rest, then have an evening out with a dramatic party (or grave digging for some) followed by a hasty escape via horse drawn carriage. If that wasn’t adventurous enough, next stop involved air ships. Air ships in our wild west magic world! And it all is working together so well! Just think of what will happen next! (And then go read the Lost Metal.)
It had a small symbol at the bottom, with three interlocking diamonds.
Page 106
Bands of Mourning left me so incredibly ready to see what happens next and I was not disappointed. The only disappointment is that the Wax and Wayne era is officially over and I will miss this crew very much.
“I need a knife to get through this,” she said. “You can use my razor-sharp wit.” “Alas, Wayne, you aren’t the type of tool I need at the moment.”
Page 17
As with Bands of Mourning, this story was split into 3 parts and has a prologue. Unlike Bands of Mourning there were multiple epilogues and significantly more chapters. The story flowed really well and I found the structure very fitting for this final installment of our wild-west gentleman rogues/constables series.
Prologue
Part one: chapters 1-19
Part two: chapters 20-34
Part three: chapters 35-74
Epilogues
As with past books in Era 2, there are four different pages making up the front page of a broadsheet. Each book has featured a different broadsheet publication and this time we see an issue of The Two Seasons from Bilming. The Bands of Mourning included an issue of “The New Ascendancy” from New Seran, Shadows of Self had an issue of “The House Record” from Elendel and Alloy of Law had an issue of “The Elendel Daily” from Elendel. I love the extra worldbuilding included with the Broadsheets. They really help illustrate the technology, developments and challenges of the time period. The comic is always a fun bonus as well.
“Assassinating the Lord Ruler?” Wax asked. “Isn’t that a little violent for a children’s book?” “Mate,” Wayne said, “it ain’t violence if it’s religion. Don’t you know anythin’?”
Page 399
Wax has spoken with God (Harmony) a few times now and the treatment of religion is very satisfying to me in this story. I like how the different religions are introduced. I also quite enjoy knowing the back story of Harmony and how he came to be a God. I especially enjoy comparing that fact to Harmony’s occupation in the first era of books.
No, not blasphemous. More … a sense of industrious recycling.
Page 440
It greatly saddens me to say goodbye to these characters. There was a 300 year gap between Era 1 and 2 but Era 3 is supposed to take place only 50-70 years after Era 2 per the Coppermind. Overall it feels a bit unlikely that we will have more time with exact cast of characters, however there are still some characters from Era 1 hanging and the Kandra are essentially immortal, so there’s some hope!
“What even is that?” Wax asked as Marasi and Kim entered. “He called it ‘chouta.’ It’s good.” “It looks disgusting.” “Aw, mate. With street food, that’s how you know it’s good.”
Page 225
The Cosmere connections in this book are many and I am so here for them! At the Lost Metal Release Event, Sanderson said, “for years I’ve said this [the Cosmere] is going to be in the background. Lost Metal changes that.” A few minutes later he says, “I’m going to give you a warning. There’s a lot more crossover than any other book that I’ve done before.” I was already super excited for the story but that definitely added to the hype. It did not disappoint. Some references feel significant and others are simply pure fun. The great part is you don’t need to know everything about the Cosmere to enjoy the story, but it adds extra layers which I love so incredibly much.
“Please, no,” she said. “You know how I am with people.” “You’re good with the right people.” “And are politicians ever right about anything?”
Page 19
Steris has really comes into her own this book and I love it. This story shows great growth for all of our main characters and left me feeling rather satisfied with their journeys.
“What good is it having God on your side,” Marasi said, folding her arms, “if he doesn’t do anything to help?”
Page 187
Like Steris, Marasi is finding her place and learning what she wants and doesn’t want out of life. Marasi and Wayne are my favorite characters from this era, if I had to choose, but know it really is hard to pick and I also really love Wax and Steris. And MeLaan. And Allik.
“A full room. Who wants cinnamon puffs with hot chocolate for dipping! You are obviously planning to save the world again, with those concerned faces. This is an action that requires much choc, yah?”
Page 79 (Allik)
I wrote down a lot of quotes in preparing for this review and unsurprisingly over 60% of them involved Wayne.
“Aw, jealousy,” Wayne said. He breathed it in. “Smells like cherry blossoms. Also, stop breakin’ character, ya sod.”
Page 159
Wax took Wayne under his wing as his deputy in the beginning of these adventures. With this last book in the series, Wayne is really coming into his own. It’s very satisfying to see.
“You remember that?” Wayne said. “The exact things I said?” “Of course I do. Those words changed my life.” Wayne let out a howl of laughter. “Damn, Wax. I just say things! You’re not supposed to actually pay attention to them!”
Page 386
Same goes for Wax. After his marriage to Steris at the end of Bands of Mourning, he’s officially a husband by choice and part of a new family. What does this mean when the world is ending? How will he prioritize? Only one way to find out!
“He doesn’t have any other hidden apocalyptic family members or half-sane wives with mystical powers, does he?” “If any show up, I’ll have him file a report. And maybe move confrontations with them to next quarter, for budgetary reasons.”
Page 72
I’ve mentioned this in past reviews, but Wax and Wayne gave me is the wild-west, gun-slinging, ruffian fighting, society challenging, magic infused series I didn’t know I was looking for but love so dearly. I love these characters and cannot recommend this series enough! I hope you’ll give it a try and enjoy your time in this world.
Notes on edition:
This read through was probably 50% audio, 50% ebook. I plan to purchase the UK paperback to match my current collection of UK paperbacks. Usually I do prefer hardbacks, but since I am collecting the 10 year anniversary leatherbounds and digital copies of the Mistborn series, I’m content with the UK paperbacks. They are larger than the US mass-media paperbacks and an overall satisfying size to hold.
Title: Mistborn Secret History Sold alone or found in Arcanum Unbounded, The Scandrian System. Author: Brandon Sanderson Genre: High Fantasy Audience: Adult Series: Mistborn Novella (Companion novella to the Mistborn series, Cosmere, Major spoilers for Mistborn #1-3, minor spoilers for Mistborn #6) Next Release: The Lost Metal, 15 November 2022 (Mistborn #7, Era 2/Wax & Wayne #4 of 4) Format read: 50% Audio, 50% ebook (audio from Arcanum Unbounded). Own Audio, eBook and paperback of Arcanum Unbounded and individual hardback. Publisher: Tor (US) & Gollancz (UK) Date read: 3 November 2022 (2nd time reading, 1st time in 2020) First released: 26 January 2016 Content Warning: Blood, Death, Murder, Violence, War
He was alive. Kind of.
Page 5
Mini Review:
Picking up from the end of the Mistborn: The Final Empire, this novella is full of secrets from the Mistborn world. There’s always another secret, and this is the biggest secret of them all. Containing MAJOR spoilers for Mistborn Era 1, here is your reminder to read at least Era 1 before diving into this must-read companion novella for inquiring minds. There are also minor spoilers for The Bands of Mourning.
This novella will help cement Mistborn’s position in the Cosmere while exposing some secrets and perhaps creating even more questions. This is a fascinating world and I need more time in it!
One more spoiler warning! Mistborn Secret History contains major spoilers for Mistborn Era 1 (The Final Empire, The Well of Ascension and The Hero of Ages, #1-3) and minor spoilers for the Bands of Mourning (Era 2, #6).
Timeline wise, the story starts towards the end of The Final Empire and fills in the gaps for a certain character from that point onward.
“Would it hurt so much to give us a little more time?
Page 128
This novella is a short story, or let’s say short-er story since Brandon Sanderson is anything other than brief. It is a must read for Mistborn fans, especially those who want to explore the whole Cosmere. It connects Mistborn to the rest of the Cosmere and explains some secrets you were maybe wondering about and leaves you wondering about some other ones.
You need to read the first trilogy (era 1) first, but you don’t really need to have started era 2 before reading this novella. There are minor spoilers so of course you may want to wait, but they are quite minimal. This was my second time reading it and I chose to read it after Era 1 this time. The first time I read the story I finished the era 1 and 2 books (so #1-6) before reading Secret History. This meant I wasn’t spoiled but it also meant the events of books 1-3 were not as fresh as they could have been.
Reading after Era 1 feet like a very natural place for the story, and is where Goodreads lists it. The Coppermind says to read it after Bands of Mourning. If you are like me and enjoying re-reading, you can always read it after Bands of Mourning the first time, then read it after Era 1 for future read-throughs.
Chronologically, this story was released the same day Bands of Mourning was published in January 2016. It was first released as an ebook, then included in all formats as part of Arcanum Unbounded in November 2016 and now this year, 2022, it was released as a stand alone mini-hardback.
But it seemed there was yet another secret.
Page 220
Structure wise, I did find this story a little bit annoying. There are six parts to the story, and in each one the chapter numbers start over from 1. Perhaps this is a specific design choice, but as someone who likes to switch between format when reading, it is not so nice. I also find this a little bit distracting for knowing where you are in a story. A single book has multiple chapter’s numbered “3” just feels odd for me. That aside, I really enjoyed this story and this isn’t worth skipping the story over, just maybe something to keep in mind if you do plan to switch formats while reading.
Overall, this is a must read addition to the Mistborn saga which helps tie the larger story into the Cosmere and answer some questions more curious readers may have been asking along the series. In the Post Script Sanderson says he can’t promise to write Secret History 2 and 3 but we can hope!
Notes on edition:
I mainly listened to the audiobook of this portion of Arcanum Unbounded and highlighted some favorite quotes in the eBook. I also flipped through the new hardback that I picked up a couple of weeks ago. I really love this small hardcover size for Sanderson’s novellas. The cover for this one is especially nice and such a perfect fit for this world.
PalmKD - Books and Other Nerdy Ramblings 