Reviews

The South African bookselling industry does this thing where they don't import hardcovers.

So if you buy a book in the same year it was published, your only option is the substitute for a hardback: an extra-big paperback.

Which is alright, I guess. But if you have the rest of the series, it just looks incredibly dumb cos book four will be two centimetres taller than the rest of the series.

I believe I wrote in a tweet once that I don't want an imitation of the Giant's Causeway in book spines on my bookshelf.

All this to say I waited a year after The Lost Metal was published to buy it.

I really enjoyed The Lost Metal. I got really invested in Sanderson's characterization, loved the complexity of its use of Cosmere lore, and thought that Wayne's character arc in this book in particular was really well done.

I think this book is going to be really confusing for anybody who wants to engage in the Cosmere by reading Mistborn Eras 1 and 2 first. I'm fine with that for myself because I'm reading the Cosmere as it comes out, but that won't be the case for future readers. I also think that this book and Mistborn Era 2 in general suffers from middle child syndrome. Middle /book/ syndrome, if you will. Reading this felt like there were cooler things Sanderson wanted to get to, and that he had to write this first to set it up. And because of how fast the pacing needed to be for The Lost Metal to maintain its pulp fiction type genre, Sanderson didn't delve as much into the details as I would have liked to see. So much was happening in so little time that some changes feel jarring, or happen mostly off screen.

I loved the through line of Wayne throughout this story. I won't be specific cos of spoilers, but I really empathise with the struggles he faces regarding mental health and self-image.

I also loved how I could only understand some details because of my investment in other series. The complexity and nuance in store for future Cosmere fans really excites me.

I give The Lost Metal four stars.

brookienoellie's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional lighthearted mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I've never loved a character so much as I love Wayne. Also stayed up all night till 6 am finishing this

lblair's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

kmedusa's review

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

I love Brandon Sanderson's books. I love his writing style and creativity.
I fell in love with the Mistborn Saga and bawled my eyes out when the First Era finished.
Although not as emotionally invested, I was enjoying reading the Second Era. I loved the cast and the mysteries were compelling.
Then, we have this book. I did not like it, and I am not sure why.
I decided to not rate it because all the things that I like about a Sanderson story are there: cool magic powers, great action scenes, end of the world m is at stake... I missed a little more of romance ( but there were a few scenes here and there that satisfied me).
My main problem is the ending.

It was obvious from the beginning that Wayne would die. I was preparing myself for it. But his death just felt flat. Of course he m would go KABOOM to save everybody, that's how selfless he is. But why not save him? Deux ex machina literally saved Wax in the Bands of Mourning, why not now? And what is it with Saze playing favourites? What exactly can Saze do? What was with those epilogues? It just made me mad because Wayne was not there!!
Last rant, I don' get why he brought Kelsier back. I have to read The Secret History to understand that. It was a shock to me. I grieved when Kelsier die, so much so I waited months before starting to read the next book. And now he is back, poof, as a ghost, poof. Like, what? Plus, he is weird. I guess his weirdness was always there, just under loads of charm and drive to save the world. Now... well I don't know how to feel about him.

Anyway, the book is fine. As a fan I have my opinion and I just wanted to vent. I'm not sure if we will have a Third Era of a Mistborn, but I will probably read other books by Sanderson. Even when frustrating, they are still good fun.

Content Warnings

booksofanastasia's review

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adventurous challenging fast-paced

4.0

someone_on_here's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

npliego's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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