Shadows of Self

By: Brandon Sanderson

Narrated by: Michael Kramer

Length: 12 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's Summary

From number one New York Times best-selling author Brandon Sanderson, the Mistborn series is a heist story of political intrigue and magical, martial-arts action.

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 20 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.  

Other Tor books by Brandon Sanderson:

• The Cosmere
• The Stormlight Archive
• The Way of Kings
• Words of Radiance
• Edgedancer (Novella)
• Oathbringer 

The Mistborn trilogy:

• Mistborn: The Final Empire
• The Well of Ascension
• The Hero of Ages

Mistborn: The Wax and Wayne series:

• Alloy of Law
• Shadows of Self
• Bands of Mourning
• Collection
• Arcanum Unbounded

Other Cosmere novels:

• Elantris
• Warbreaker

The Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series:

• Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians
• The Scrivener's Bones
• The Knights of Crystallia
• The Shattered Lens
• The Dark Talent

The Rithmatist series:

• The Rithmatist

Other books by Brandon Sanderson:

• The Reckoners
• Steelheart
• Firefight
• Calamity

©2015 Dragonsteel Entertainment, LLC (P)2015 Macmillan Audio

Thankfully "Mistborn" Continues

In the original epic fantasy trilogy, “Mistborn,” we were introduced to a roughly eighteen or early nineteenth century dystopian world called Scadrial. It is a world separated into two classes; the nobility and the commoners, called the Skaa. The world has several magic systems the most prominent called Allomancy. Allomancy allows users to gain magical powers by swallowing and "burning" specific metals. These users manifest in two forms: those who can use one of the Allomantic powers, known as Mistings; and those who can use all of the Allomantic powers, known as Mistborn. It was a complex world where the lower class struggled under the subjection of the nobility and the rise of several heroes that attempt to topple the current state of oppression.
Three hundred years later, after the hero’s in the first three books had become myths and legends, “The Alloy of Law,” began and we were introduced to Waxillium Ladrian, known as Wax, hereditary Lord of House Ladrian but also a lawman in the ungoverned frontier region known as the Roughs and a rare “Twin born;” someone that can use two Allomantic powers. In “The Allow of Law,” the world of Scadrial was on the verge of modernization with railroads and electric lights but the old magics of Allomancy and Feruchemy continued to play a role in the re-born world. This was originally intended as a standalone book but now Brandon Sanderson has decided on a double trilogy; yes.
Now “Shadow of Self,” continues to follow Wax and his friends. They are now out of the Roughs and back into the urban city. The society is evolving as technology and magic blend. It is a growing democratic civilization with an optimistic economy that is suddenly confronted with urban terrorism and a conspiracy to stop Scadrial’s progress in its tracks. Wax and his friends must find the culprits responsible before the entire society collapses.
About the narrator; of course Michael Kramer’s performance is spectacular.
This series is one of my favorite ever and am looking forward to the next, and final, book.

somewhat boring

I loved the mist born series, this one was by far the most boring in the series. unfortunate.

Basically another Sanderson Novel

I don't mean to be contemptuous with that heading. I like Sanderson. If you have read him before, and you like his stuff, you will probably like this too. It pretty much follows his style to the letter. You get bombastic, magically powered fights. These fights are very technically described. You get likable heroes that face a present, yet not insurmountable, personal conflict of some sort. In this one, the hero is driven by the memory of a dead past lover, making it a bit of a derivative Mistborn sequel.

However, he does bring in this theme of a benign, but meddling god, which is kind of fun.

My one big gripe is that Wax, is kind of a boring protagonist. Sure his fights are awesome, but all the color is in the people around him. This novel really made me want to see Wayne have his own spin off.

As always I find myself wrapped in Sandersons work

Growing up reading the wheel of time and thinking it would never be finished was heartbreaking. When Sanderson was revealed to be the writer Harriet chose to finish it I had to find out what I thought of his work. So I bought Mistborn. The trilogy blew my mind, took me about two days to read all 3. years later after reading everything I could get my hands on I finally read Alloy of Law. Wax and Wayne were a fantastic team that had me grinning half the time and enjoying the speculation of twinborns with a friend. Shadows of Self was another great sequel. I always enjoy Michael Cramers audio performance and the plot and twists are amazing. Once again Sanderson blows my mind with this lovable duo and I eagerly await the next book. Thankfully it's already written xD if you enjoy the world Sanderson has created in his Mistborn novels then you'll love this new edition and I would highly recommend it.

Shadowed Mistborn and mixed up future

Really preferred the first book of this series. Much clearer story line and direction. Shadows of Self felt jumbled, at times directionless and lack of a clear story line. Very unlike the author ---muddled and aimless. Performance by narrator kept me listening hoping to get back on some type of cohesive story. This was sadly a waste of an Audible credit.

Mystery Plot Turned Meh

Unfortunately had to struggle to complete after halfway point when "God" started talking. Felt it was a boring sequel to interesting first novel mystery set up plot. Definitely lacking in quality to original Mistborn novels. Characters are very one note, despite everyone having a "troubled" background.

Mistborn 5

Pretty disappointing coming from the Mistborn trilogy... but not bad for its length. I wouldn't bother reading unless you plan on reading further in the Cosmere.

The city is more dangerous than the Roughs.

Wax and Wayne are back at it, this time with Marasi at their side in a criminal investigation that is far deeper than it initially seems. The city of Alendel is approaching a boiling point as the laborers start to push back against the corrupt Governor and House Lords that rule them. As the unrest in the city grows the Governor's brother is killed and Wax takes it upon himself to investigate. As he peels back the onion he learns that much bigger things are afoot and he is at the center of it all.

This story starts to tie things back the end of the first Mistborn series and the characters we knew back then are now part of the religious lore of the world. That connection takes on additional meaning in this book and comes to the surface with a direct impact on the events of the book. I must say that at first I was put off by this but in the end as the bigger picture was revealed I was satisfied with the direction that Sanderson chose to go here.

The next book, The Bands of Mourning, was actually written by Sanderson before he finished Shadows of Self and you can feel how this became a bit of a transition story. I didn't like this one quite as much as The Alloy of Law but it left me eager for more Mistborn and that is a good thing. "The Bands of Mourning" here I come.

Exciting but inferior sequel

It's pretty good. I don't regret the time spent on it, and Sanderson as usual managed to please and surprise me a few times along the way. But there are some problems. (Don't worry, no spoilers).

Among my complaints is a "tic" that Sanderson has developed. To indicate someone was interrupted, which happens often, 9 of 10 times they say "I--" before getting cut off. Once I noticed it it made me angrier each time it happened, like someone was repeatedly poking me with a stick as I tried to listen. An editor should have caught this.

A couple characters who should by all rights have a distinctly NON-human viewpoint are almost indistinguishable from the humans, even having the same sense of humor. This isn't very interesting, and the banter can get grating.

Incidentally, Sanderson finally seems to have run dry on coming up with new tricks using the existing Allomantic powers. Wax tries something new with a rope that I found pretty unlikely, but that's about it. But the Allomantic action is still very exciting.

The recording was fine, though as usual there were a couple spots where adjacent passages recorded at different times didn't blend well. I'm used to Kramer's narration now; sometimes his female voices sound like a someone is mimicking a parent or teacher they don't like, but overall he's a good narrator for this.

Summary: Slightly disappointing but not awful. I expected more from Sanderson I guess. I will certainly give the next book a shot when it comes out.

Definitely not the first Mistborn series

Quality seems lacking in this installment if the "Mistborn" series. Wax is a bland main character and the story doesn't keep me engaged the way it did in the first three. I'm hoping the next book is awesome because I usually like Sanderson's work! Worth a read if you're a Sanderson fan and enjoy the Mistborn books but only to grasp the greater story. 3/5 Michael Kramer is my favorite.