Reviews

As much as i love Sanderson and the original Mistborn series, i started asking myself at a point, what's the point of this book? It's like you watch a brilliant movie, that's just great where it ends but then the studio decides to pop out a part 2, and you're like noooo why, it should have ended with the original.

I'm starting with things that just made my go "ummm okay so what am i supposed to do with this information?"

All the lectures: For some reason Marasi felt like a one woman sociology lecturer.. First it was something called Mirabell rules which basically hypothesises that people are more likey to work harder if they felt they were a part of their community than if they weren't. I mean yay for that tit bit but was it really needed.
Then there's another part where she goes on about the working class being less resistant to change than the class opressing them (at this point i started having flash backs of Marxist capitalist theory)
Then there was the female empowerment lecture.
Which really i'm not against all these lectures, but you know in the broad picture, why were were they there?

Wayne

Spoiler

meeting up with the daughter of the man he killed: So in book 1 we're told the reason why Wayne can't hold guns. And here in book 2 there's this whole elaborate thing he does where he goes to give the child of the man he killed money. Now, again what the heck does this have to do with the big picture? Like they'd already talked about this in book 1.. about how he sends money and the family stil haven't forgiven him for what he did. Like we already know all these.

Why did that scence have to happen? Does the girl play a role in the up-coming books? If she does then, cool but if not... WHY WAS THAT SCENCE THERE???

Remingtel Tarcsel daughter: Be honest did you go, who?? Not sure if the character was just put there for comic relief or maybe she has a much bigger role to play. Again in this book it just felt like a page filler. She's mentioned like 3 times so i dunno starting the next book so maybe she plays an important role???

The plot was enjoyable enough (that shocker at the end though, whaaaaaattttt) Wayne is still funny, Wax still saves the day yadi yadi ya but at this stage i'm like why Wax though?? What's so special about him? Like really why him?? What exactly is the big deal about Wax??????

p.s: Points for old characters turning up like swoooonnnnnn. Also would really love to see more of Steris though. Why does she keep being brushed aside? ugh!!!

trintonofthesea's review against another edition

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5.0

Tremendous addition to the Wax & Wayne series! Brandon Sanderson has such a way with intricate world building, distinct characters, and the pacing is superb.

While I personally have struggled to connect with Wax because he has personified the rich vigilante archetype a la Bruce Wayne, the complexities, hypocrisies, and illusions of that kind of archetype were touched on in Shadows of Self.

No spoilers, but the final line of the book had me burst into tears because it was perfect. I can’t say anything specific without giving it away, but I don’t use the word perfect lightly. Just know that it was satisfying, did a great service to two characters and their relationship, and showcased the growth of an otherwise indomitable individual that was finally learning to lean on others - all while allowing the person they leaned on to offer support in a way that not only wholly aligns with their identity and strengths, but validates them for traits frequently are seen as flaws by others.

A note on the author - Sanderson isn’t for everyone, but he excels at the components of books that I love above all others - complex world building, unpredictable narratives, intricate systems of magic or technology, and distinct characters.

He makes an effort to portray diversity and is usually successful. While he seems to be timid with certain types of representation, he does fold in challenges of sexism, racism, classism, and colorism that are likely to be received well with those who share his social, ethnic, and religious background. Though subtle and small by my standards, I can take them in context and appreciate that he is being cautious in his ally ship to avoid exploitation or tokenism.

By all accounts he is actively working to improve how marginalized groups, neurotypes, and the LGBTQ+ community show up in his work. As he is a white straight cis man with a strong religious background and a successful writing career, I appreciate him doing the work to understand and question systems that he directly benefits from even if he does so in ways that are generally small or indirect.