Mistborn: Shadows of Self (2015)

**Mistborn: Shadows of Self** is a high fantasy novel written by American author Brandon Sanderson. It was published on

   October 6, 2015 by Tor Books and is the second book in the Wax and Wayne series and fifth in the Mistborn series. It is preceded by The Alloy of Law in 2011 and followed by The Bands of Mourning in 2016.

## Cover Synopsis

With The Alloy of Law, Brandon Sanderson surprised readers with a New York Times bestselling spinoff of his Mistborn books, set after the action of the trilogy, in a period corresponding to late 19th-century America.

The trilogy’s heroes are now figures of myth and legend, even objects of religious veneration. They are succeeded by wonderful new characters, chief among them Waxillium Ladrian, known as Wax, hereditary Lord of House Ladrian but also, until recently, a lawman in the ungoverned frontier region known as the Roughs. There he worked with his eccentric but effective buddy, Wayne. They are “twinborn,” meaning they are able to use both Allomantic and Feruchemical magic.

Shadows of Self shows Mistborn’s society evolving as technology and magic mix, the economy grows, democracy contends with corruption, and religion becomes a growing cultural force, with four faiths competing for converts.

This bustling, optimistic, but still shaky society now faces its first instance of terrorism, crimes intended to stir up labor strife and religious conflict. Wax and Wayne, assisted by the lovely, brilliant Marasi, must unravel the conspiracy before civil strife stops Scadrial’s progress in its tracks.

Shadows of Self will give fans of The Alloy of Law everything they’ve been hoping for and, this being a Brandon Sanderson book, more, much more.

## Characters

### Main Characters

* Waxillium Ladrian:  The hereditary Lord of House Ladrian. A former lawman in the Roughs, he has a current special deputized forbearance in the constabulary. He is a Twinborn with the Allomantic ability to Push metals and the Feruchemical ability to increase or decrease his weight.
* Wayne:  Wax's best friend and deputy, a master of disguises. A Twinborn as well, Wayne has the Allomantic ability to make speed bubbles, in which time speeds up inside and slows down outside; and the Feruchemical ability to store health in goldminds to heal quickly, in exchange for a period of poor health.
* Marasi Colms:  A constable and aide to Constable-General Claude Aradel in the Fourth Octant, serving as an analyst and his executive assistant. She is the illegitimate daughter of Lord Jackstom Harms and is Steris' half-sister. She accompanies Wax and Wayne along in their investigations. She is a Pulser, an Allomancer that can slow down time within a bubble and speed up time outside.
* Bleeder:  Bleeder, or Paalm, is a rogue and deranged female Kandra of the Third Generation, who once served the Lord Ruler. She plots to block Harmony's influence over Elendel.

### Minor Characters

* MeLaan:  A female Kandra of the Seventh Generation. She has previously appeared in the original trilogy. She was sent by Harmony to aid Waxillium in incapacitating Bleeder.
* Steris Harms:  Waxillium's betrothed, who has a reputation of being a bore.
* Replar Innate:  Governor of Elendel, whom Marasi believes to be corrupt. His brother Winsting Innate was recently murdered at a meeting with various criminal factions.
* Claude Aradel:  Constable-General of the Fourth Octant, a man of honor, who has not a single drop of noble blood in him.
* Edwarn Ladrian:  Waxillium's villainous uncle, who is one of the leaders of the mysterious group known as the Set.

## Background

On October 29, 2013, Sanderson and Tor Books announced that there would be two more Mistborn novels following The Alloy of Law in the Wax and Wayne timeframe of the Mistborn world, starting with the publication of Shadows of Self.

## Reception

Shadows of Self debuted at #5 on the Combined Print and E-Book New York Times Best Seller list,[3] #8 on the Hardcover Fiction New York Times Best Seller list,[4][5] and #5 on the E-Book New York Times Best Seller list.[6] It debuted at #42 on the USA Today Best-Selling Books list.[7]

Kirkus Reviews praised Shadows of Self over The Alloy of Law stating that it "deals far more than its predecessor with its world’s complicated mythology, but the action never lets up, and the characters never lose their endearing humanity." They also called it "a fast-paced fantasy adventure set in a fascinating world and populated with lovable, memorable characters."[8] Publishers Weekly commented that "fantasy fans will savor this exciting escapade."