Tag Archives: Mistborn

Book Review: The Bands of Mourning by Brandon Sanderson

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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Title: The Bands of Mourning
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: High Fantasy
Audience: Adult
Series: Mistborn #6 (Mistborn Era 2, #3 of 4, Cosmere)
Next Release: The Lost Metal, 15 November 2022 (Mistborn #7, Era 2/Wax & Wayne #4 of 4)
Format read: Primarily Audio and eBook this read through, but also own paperback
Publisher: Tor (US), Gollancz (UK)
Date read: 14 November 2022 (2nd time reading, 1st time in 2020)
First published: 26 January 2016
Content Warning: Abuse, Blood, Death, Murder, Sexual Assault, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, War

“Do what you do best, Waxillium Ladrian.”
“Which is what? Break things?”
“Break things,” Marasi said, “with style.”

Mini Review:

It’s been six months since the end of Shadows of Self. Wax and Company were left with questions. What’s Suit up to? What/who is Trell? Is it up to Wax to bring justice or should he retire and be a real gentleman? Thankfully the crew is up for a few more adventures, but this time it may cost them more than they planned for. Full of great banter and adventures bordering on shenanigans, this is a hard one to put down!

I just want to do what is right. Why is that so hard?

Page 32

The Mistborn Saga reviewed:

Full thoughts:

This is the third book in the Wax and Wayne (Mistborn era 2) series and the 6th Mistborn book. I strongly recommend you start with The Alloy of Law or Mistborn: Final Empire if you haven’t already! That being said, this review will definitely contain spoilers for The Alloy of Law 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 don’t need to read Era 1 before Era 2.

“I will find my own way,” he whispered.

Page 33

After the dramatic reveal towards the end of Shadows of Self, Wax has a lot of questions and a crisis of faith. Both Wax and Wayne have sustained severe physical and mental injuries. Wax’s is considerably more severe but Wayne would want us to take his pain seriously as he struggles with learning that humans just aren’t that tasty. The faceless immortals, as the Kandra are called, play a huge role in the 5th book which sets things up quite nicely for the 6th book. Marasi’s committed to her new lead, what (or who) is Trell? This name has appeared a few times and was Miles Hundredlives’ new religion, making this their best lead, for now.

“I’d rather not have ‘shootability’ be my talent.”
“Well, you gotta use what you have”

Page 39

Like Shadows of Self, the Bands of Mourning is split into three parts (plus a prologue and epilogue) which I find very enjoyable pacing for the story. The prologue takes place mostly the past, while the rest of the story takes place 6 months after Shadows of Self.

Prologue

Part one: chapters 1-4

Part two: chapters 5-16

Part three: chapters 17-31

Epilogue

As with the previous era 2 books, there are no epigraphs in this series, but broadsheets! This time there are 4 different pages representing the front page of a broadsheet, The New Ascendency, a paper from the city of New Saren. Like previous broadsheets, there’s articles, advertisements, a comic and an Allomancer Jak presents story about the paranatural detective Nicki Savage.

“‘Never’ is a word youths often use,” Grandmother said, sipping her tea, “but rarely understand.”

Page 23

The prologue provides a peek at Wax’s past, specifically the time he spent with the Terris side of his family and the circumstances around him leaving. Then for the last 2.5 pages it flashes forward 28 years, to present time.

“And life is unpredictable. So the only thing you do by preparing for disturbances is ensure that something else is going to go wrong.”
“That’s a rather fatalistic viewpoint.”
“Living in the Roughs does that to a fellow.”

Page 43

Wax is still Wax of course, bringing his “Roughs” wisdom to everyday situations. He won’t be caught without his guns, and preferably his mistcoat.

“Your life is … decidedly odd, Lord Waxillium.”

Page 47

I really enjoy seeing him open up more as he becomes more comfortable with others. He’s been alone for a long time, mostly of his own decision.

“Do you ever wonder if perhaps the cosmere is out to overwhelm you, Lord Waxillium?”
“The cosmere? You mean Harmony?”
“No, not Him,” Steris said. “Just cosmic chance rolling the dice anytime I pass, and always hitting all ones. There seems to be a poetry to it all.”

Page 51

Steris clearly knows that a 1 is a poor dice roll as she presents the eternal question, is it Harmony, fate, some other external force pulling our strings? I love the discussions and how the Mistborn stories are stretching out to reach the greater Cosmere. This is my second time reading the series and a lot of these pieces I wasn’t tuned into before. That didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the story the first time and I am really enjoying discovering extra tidbits this go around.

He’d never seen anything like that image. It seemed to have been created entirely by light. Marasi gasped. Wayne threw a walnut at it.
…
“Image projector,” VenDell said. “They call it an evanoscope.”

Page 63

While simultaneously reaching for the Cosmere, this world and characters are still true to their specific world and circumstances. The separation of different worlds within the Cosmere is really enjoyable. Technological advances are coming to Scadriel at a fast rate, fast enough that the characters even comment on it. I love seeing how the crew reacts to new tech and seeing how things develop. It makes me very excited for what’s to come in this world!

“Wax,” he complained, pointing, “the immortal bloke is being creepy again.”

Page 79

The kandra continue to be favorites of mine, and they are still here! Thankfully we get even more MeLaan this time around.

The door to the adjoining suite slammed open. “Hello, humans,” MeLaan said, stepping into the doorway wearing nothing more than a tight pair of shorts and a cloth wrapped around her chest. “I need to put on something appropriate for tonight. What do you think? Large breasts? Small breasts? Extra-large breasts?”
…
“That’s… kind of an improper question, MeLaan,” Steris finally said.
“You’re just jealous because you can’t take yours off to go for a run,” MeLaan said. “Hey, where is that bellboy with my things? I swear, if he drops my bags and cracks any of my skulls, there will be fury in this room!”

Page 166

The characters continue to be vibrant and downright wonderful. This story had me laughing out loud more than the other books as the characters open up more with each other, and especially these zany scenes where everyone is riding on fumes and a little punchy.

“But this is your play, Ladrian, not mine. You’re the detective; I’m just around for the punchy-punchy, stabby-stabby.”
“She assumes,” Wax said, “that our detective style isn’t normally the punchy-punchy, stabby-stabby type.”
“To be fair,” Wayne said, “it’s usually a more shooty-shooty, whacky-whacky type.” Marasi rubbed her forehead.
“Why are we having this conversation?”
“Because we’re tired,” Wax said.

Page 168

Marasi has found her place a little bit more in the group and I love it. It definitely helps that Wax is being a bit more of a team player and treating her with more respect. Wayne, however, treats everyone mostly with the same amount (or lack there of) of respect. It’s a form of love surely.

Marasi sighed. “Wayne, can’t you ever let a joke die?”
“Hon, that joke started dead,” he said. “I’m just givin’ it a proper burial.”

Page 151

While Wayne is still Wayne, he’s also showing growth and listening a little bit more to others, but maybe also influencing others a little bit as well.

“That one is completely unfair,” Wax said. “You’ve been listening to Wayne.”
“Things do explode around you, mate,” Wayne said

Page 165

I also love that we get to see more of Steris this time around. She’s a great character and loves to be prepared, but is used to being overlooked.

“Steris, you’re a gem.” “What? Because I have a moderately healthy sense of self-preservation?”

Page 263

The ending of this story has a lot of momentum. It leaves me feeling so incredibly hyped for the next book and so ready to dive in! There’s also the novella, Mistborn: Secret Histories which you can/should read after The Bands of Mourning, before The Lost Metal.

I’m not sure I’m ready for the conclusion of era 2 and the end of the crazy adventures with Wax, Wayne, Marasi, MeLaan and Steris, but I cannot wait to see what comes next.

The Mistborn saga is part of the larger Cosmere. The 7th Mistborn book, which is book 4 of Era 2, releases in November 2022, completing the 2nd Mistborn series. You can read Era 2 by itself, or go back and start with Era 1, Mistborn: The Final Empire.

Notes on edition:

This read through was probably 50% audio, 50% ebook. I also enjoy flipping through the physical book, especially for the broadsheets and chapter headings.

Book Review: Shadows of Self by Brandon Sanderson

Book Review, Favorites, Mistborn, Sanderfan, , , , ,
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Title: Shadows of Self
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: High Fantasy
Audience: Adult
Series: Mistborn #5 (Mistborn Era 2, #2 of 4, Cosmere)
Next Release: The Lost Metal, 15 November 2022 (Mistborn #7, Era 2/Wax & Wayne #4 of 4)
Format read: Primarily Audio and eBook this read through, but also own paperback
Publisher: Tor (US), Gollancz (UK)
Date read: 12 November 2022 (2nd time reading, 1st time in 2020)
First published: 6 October 2015
Content Warning: Blood, Death, Murder, Suicide, Violence, Guns, Kidnapping

Ruin … we were supposed to be better than this. What if the Lord Mistborn saw us now?”

Page 303

Mini Review:

A year after the events of the Alloy of Law, things are tense in the great city of Elendel. Despite their democratic society, rumors of corruption and bribes abound. Unrest is rising as the nobles keep prospering, while the poor struggle to pay those same nobles their rent. Violent and dramatic events are disrupting society at an alarming rate. Is it mere coincidence this is all happening at once or is something else at large? Each with their own strengths, Wax, Wayne and Marasi are determined to protect the city and deliver justice.

A fire is kindling in the city, Marasi thought. She could almost feel the heat coming off the page of the broadsheet in her hands.

Page 86

The Mistborn Saga reviewed:

Full thoughts:

This is the 5th book in the Mistborn saga, and the 2nd book in Era 2, also know as the Wax and Wayne series. I strongly recommend you read the Alloy of Law first, or even start with Mistborn: The Final Empire. This review will certainly contain spoilers for the Alloy of Law, which you can read without reading the first trilogy. If you do decide to go back and read the first trilogy after era 2, there are some things that will be spoiled for you as you learn more about the history of this era. I don’t think that will diminish the enjoyment of either series however, but of course depends on personal preference.

If you want to know a man, dig in his firepit. The phrase was from the Roughs, maybe koloss in origin. Basically, it meant that you could judge a lot about a man’s life by what he threw away—or by what he was willing to burn in order to stay warm.

Page 228

Overall the Wax and Wayne series is the Mistborn/magic based wild-west story I needed. I grew up watching Westerns as that has always been my dad’s genre of choice, but I am very much a fantasy person. This well done blend of the wild-west with magic and the struggle of changing technology is such a great fit for me.

The law is not something holy, son. It’s just a reflection of the ideals of those lucky enough to be in charge.”

Page 277

Unlike the Alloy of Law, Shadows of Self is split into parts (plus a prologue and epilogue) which is a nice structure for the story. The prologue takes place in the past, while the rest of the story takes place 1 year after the Alloy of Law.

Prologue

Part one: chapters 1-4

Part two: chapters 5-21

Part three: chapters 22-26

Epilogue

There are no epigraphs in this series, but we do have broadsheets! I love the world-building in this creative insert. As with the Alloy of Law, there are 4 individual pages in the book that make up the first page of a single broadsheet. This includes articles, opinion stories, ads and a comic. There’s outrage over rouge coin-shots damaging the town as they soar through the sky pushing off lights and other metal sources. Debates over the virtues of cars vs horse drawn carriages. Gentleman/Allomancer Jak and his adventures. Advertisements for stuffed toys based on historical characters. Lots of little tidbits that would be hard to bring into the story otherwise but are wonderful for rounding out the world. The characters also read and comment on the broadsheets during the story which is very satisfying.

The Lord Mistborn’s laws, based upon the Last Emperor’s ideal, were supposed to put power into the hands of common men. And yet the same groups just kept on ruling. 

Page 164

The development of the world, after the original Mistborn Trilogy, continues to be amazing to me. I love that we have an entire series which is the historical setting of this world. If you’ve read era 1 then you have some inside information about this past that has been lost to history, yet there are still questions and legends and myths to ponder. “There’s always another secret!”

No, freedom was not lack of responsibilities—it was being able to do what was right, without having to worry if it was also wrong.

Page 290

Some major themes are freedom and faith. Knowing what is right or wrong, and doing the right thing. Many of these themes were also presented in the original Mistborn trilogy and I enjoy seeing how these different characters address these same concepts 300 years later.

Mistwraiths and kandra … those were things out of the Historica, not real life.

Page 140

The kandra, or faceless immortals as they are also called, make a reappearance in this story. This makes me very happy as they are a fascinating race and I am always eager to learn more of them.

“Oh right,” she said. “Mortals. I’d forgotten how squeamish you can be.”

Page 272

The kandra are a type of creature that can digest flesh and imitate a person. This made them the ultimate spy in the past, but now their race has a different focus, which we learn more about in this story.

“Thrilling,” the kandra growled. “I’m so happy Sazed included me in his little book so that drunk people can curse by my name.”

Page 309

They are part of the Historica (aka Sazed’s little book, aka the original Mistborn trilogy) and the common person views them as mostly a myth or legend. They are even more mystical now than they were in era 1.

“they’ve had centuries upon centuries to refine their eccentricities. Getting older does not tend to make you more normal”

Page 227

It’s also worth mentioning that the kandra were old in the original era, which means now they are now old plus 300 years. That’s a lot of time to develop your habits.

Waxillium then looked up at Wayne and nodded, the two sharing an expression they often exchanged. The closest Marasi had been able to figure, it meant something between “Nice work” and “You’re a total git; I wanted to do that.”

Page 60

All of the characters are really well developed and there are some twists that may take you by surprise. Steris, Wax’s betrothed, likes to have a plan. She’s a good balance for Wax, even if their relationship started out as a business deal.

“I feel like I’m afloat in a sea of smoke and fog,”

Page 150

Marasi, who joined the crew in the Alloy of Law, is one of my favorites. This is likely because I see a lot of myself in her, but mostly because she is a women who is doing what she wants, regardless if it’s not “feminine” for her to do so. She also refuses to be belittled for liking her dresses. She’s Steris’ half sister, but formally introduced as her cousin for propriety’s sake. She’s quick to blush, a hard worker, and ready to do what needs to be done even if most people keep underestimating her.

Rust and Ruin. He thought she was infatuated with him. Arrogant, brutish … idiot!

Page 59

As with other books by Sanderson, he is creative in the expressions of the world. Rust and Ruin is a favorite one of mine from Era 2. Rust feels fitting for a western setting, and Ruin of course is remnant of the deity. Does this phrase have deeper meanings, one might wonder? I also like that their expressions reference their society/culture, much like how they said “lord ruler” in era 1.

“Our accents are clothing for our thoughts, my dear,” Wayne said. “Without them, everything we say would be stripped bare, and we might as well be screaming at one another.

Page 166

Wax and Wayne have been a team for a long time, 17 years in fact as we learn in the prologue.

“I don’t see what my insomnia has to do with your laziness, Wayne.”

“Proper loafing requires company. One man lying about is being idle; two men lying about is a lunch break.”

Page 80

Wayne says a LOT of great lines this book.

Rusts. I should really write these things down.

Wayne, Page 82

If nothing else, read the book for Wayne. He continues to be one of my favorite characters, but I would like to scold him about how he treats Steris. He is likely acting out because he doesn’t want someone having more of a claim to Wax than he has, but Steris is actually really great if he’d get to know her.

Hell, with some kandra friends, he could be annoying Steris well into the afterlife.

Page 293

The ending of this book was a bit hard on the feels. As with all of the Mistborn stories, I absolutely loved it and had a hard time putting it down. The good news is of course that the next book is already out, and the last book in Era 2 will be released in less than week!

The Mistborn saga is part of the larger Cosmere. The 7th Mistborn book, which is book 4 of Era 2, releases in November 2022, completing the 2nd Mistborn series. You can read Era 2 by itself, or go back and start with Era 1, Mistborn: The Final Empire.

Notes on edition:

This read through was probably 60% audio, 40% ebook. I also enjoy flipping through the physical book, especially for the broadsheets and chapter headings. This was my second time reading the story, but first time since catching up on all the Cosmere books.

Novella Review: Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania by Brandon Sanderson

Book Review, Favorites, Mistborn, Sanderfan, , , , ,

Title: Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania, found in Arcanum Unbounded, The Scandrian System.
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: High Fantasy
Audience: Adult
Series: Mistborn #4.5 (Mistborn Era 2, Cosmere)
Next Release: The Lost Metal, 15 November 2022 (Mistborn #7, Era 2/Wax & Wayne #4 of 4)
Format read: Audio (own Audio, eBook and paperback of Arcanum Unbounded)
Publisher: Crafty Games (original ebook), Tor (US), Gollancz (UK)
Date read: 3 November 2022 (2nd time reading, 1st time in 2020)
First published: 7 August 2014
Content Warning: Blood, Murder, Violence

I begin this week’s letter as I awake to a mighty headache.

Page 177

Mini Review:

First introduced in the broadsheets of Alloy of Law, Allomancer Jak is the gentleman adventurer you weren’t really sure you wanted, but you might as well see what trouble he’s gotten himself into lately. Thankfully Handerwym, his trusty terris steward, has edited and annotated these episodes so we get a proper picture of Jak’s adventures. Containing minor spoilers for Alloy of Law, this short story is simply a fun adventure in the roughs (aka wild west) of Mistborn era 2.

The mind of a gentleman adventurer needs to retain clarity at all times

The Mistborn Saga reviewed:

Full thoughts:

This story is a first hand account of the self proclaimed gentleman adventurer, Allomancer Jak. The Pits of Eltania are episodes 28-30 of Jak’s adventures, but for better or worse, we do not have fully written copies of his other escapades. We do see an excerpt of Allomancer Jak in the broadsheets in Alloy of Law, but these episodes explain his Pits of Eltania adventures in detail.

This story does contain minor spoilers for Alloy of Law, so best to read that first if you’d like to avoid all spoilers.

This is one of Sanderon’s rare short stories of 7,047 words (footnotes + main story). The story is told from Jak’s perspective and accompanied by Handerwym’s annotations which are my favorite part of the story.

One wonders if Jak ever stops to read his accounts after their publication. Fortunately for me, he does not seem to.

Page 178

Handerwym brings some reality to Jak’s escapades with his interjections and clarifications. Jak’s hyperbole and Handerwym’s wit are a super fun combination.

Jak: I would not ever wish to look foolish before you, dear readers.

Handerwym: Well, it was too late for that after volume one…

Page 180

Allomancer Jak is a really fun character. He brings that over the top adventurer feel where you aren’t really sure how much is truth vs exaggeration but it really doesn’t matter because it’s just fun and Handerwym is here to keep us all in line.

Overall, this short story is not a necessary read for the series but additional background fun in the world of Mistborn Era 2. The story does contain some minor spoilers for Alloy of Law.

Notes on edition:

Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania was written for Crafty Games and included with the Alloy of Law rulebook for the Mistborn Adventure Game (RPG).
It’s also included in Arcanum Unbounded in the Scadriel section. Read the PostScript for more information about this story’s origins.