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A review by theravenkingx
Shadows of Self by Brandon Sanderson
mysterious
slow-paced
3.75
I may not be a master detective, but I was able to piece together the twist before Wax did. However, giving Wax the benefit of the doubt, maybe he failed to figure it out because this case was too personal for him 🤷♂️.
Anyway, I don’t think this is Brandon’s best work. I enjoyed it—heck, I enjoy everything Brandon Sanderson writes, and this book is no exception—but it had some issues that I couldn't overlook.
I was pleasantly surprised by Alloy of Law, but this book fell short in comparison. My major issue was the plot; it wasn't as high stakes as it pretended to be. I was able to predict most of it (though it was still fun to see the events unfold), and the twist didn't have the intended emotional impact. Another issue was the lack of banter and interaction between the main characters. They were mostly separated, and Wayne was only used for comedic relief. I found Wax to be a boring and uninteresting character (I don't think I have ever liked the protagonists in Brandon's books. I find Kaladin to be equally boring, if not more). I’d like to see more of Wayne in future books. He deserves to be more than a sidekick. After all, this book is called the Wax and Wayne series, not Wax and his Wayn-detta (see what I did there? 😂)
I am always impressed by the intricate world-building that Brandon Sanderson is known for and his meticulous approach to developing religion, politics, and ecosystems to bring his world to life. However, it seemed a little forced in this book, especially the ideas he voiced regarding religion. Religion plays a very big role in this book, and I am tired of the "religion is bad, God doesn't care about us" trope. We need to either bring a fresh take on religion or stop making it such a huge focus in fantasy books.
I don’t think Brandon Sanderson can write a bad book. While this may not be his best work, it’s still enjoyable and a must-read for anyone looking to better their understanding of the Cosmere. Despite its flaws, I remain a fan of Sanderson’s work and excited to see how the series develops from here.
plot ★★★
Characters ★★★★
World buidling ★★★
Reread value ★★★★
Anyway, I don’t think this is Brandon’s best work. I enjoyed it—heck, I enjoy everything Brandon Sanderson writes, and this book is no exception—but it had some issues that I couldn't overlook.
I was pleasantly surprised by Alloy of Law, but this book fell short in comparison. My major issue was the plot; it wasn't as high stakes as it pretended to be. I was able to predict most of it (though it was still fun to see the events unfold), and the twist didn't have the intended emotional impact. Another issue was the lack of banter and interaction between the main characters. They were mostly separated, and Wayne was only used for comedic relief. I found Wax to be a boring and uninteresting character (I don't think I have ever liked the protagonists in Brandon's books. I find Kaladin to be equally boring, if not more). I’d like to see more of Wayne in future books. He deserves to be more than a sidekick. After all, this book is called the Wax and Wayne series, not Wax and his Wayn-detta (see what I did there? 😂)
I am always impressed by the intricate world-building that Brandon Sanderson is known for and his meticulous approach to developing religion, politics, and ecosystems to bring his world to life. However, it seemed a little forced in this book, especially the ideas he voiced regarding religion. Religion plays a very big role in this book, and I am tired of the "religion is bad, God doesn't care about us" trope. We need to either bring a fresh take on religion or stop making it such a huge focus in fantasy books.
I don’t think Brandon Sanderson can write a bad book. While this may not be his best work, it’s still enjoyable and a must-read for anyone looking to better their understanding of the Cosmere. Despite its flaws, I remain a fan of Sanderson’s work and excited to see how the series develops from here.
plot ★★★
Characters ★★★★
World buidling ★★★
Reread value ★★★★