The Alloy of Law: A Mistborn Novel

This is a fan’s book for sure. I loved every minute of it and all the references that wouldn’t have seemed important if you had not read the Mistborn trilogy first. It is 300 years since the rebirth and I have to say that some of my favorite things in the book are how the culture and religions of this time evolved around the characters that I loved from the original series; From Harmony’s forearms replacing Lord Ruler as a curse to the religions surrounding the Ascendant Warrior and The Survivor as well as the genealogy back to Lord Mistborn and the naming of cities streets and buildings.If that wasn’t enough for me to be happy Sanderson made sure that I had an entertaining and exciting story filled with mystery and great characters. This is a lighter book than the original Mistborn series and I enjoyed laughing with Wax, Marasi and Wayne.Waxillium has been out in the roughs acting as a lawman for years but is called back to Elendel after tragedy strikes and he is the only heir to his uncle’s house. He isn’t taking to the Lords life well and still itches to be a part of the action. Added to that is he needs to find someone to marry but his rough and tumble past is making that difficult. He does have one prospect but she is a little on the dry side compared to his sneakily snarky one.-- “Lord Ladrian,” Steris said as they began eating, “I suggest that we begin compiling a list of conversational topics we can employ when in the company of others. The topics should not touch on politics or religion yet should be memorable and give us opportunities to appear charming. Do you know any particularly witty sayings or stories that can be our starting point?”“I once shot the tail off a dog by mistake,” Waxillium said idly. “It’s kind of a funny story.”“Shooting dogs is hardly appropriate dinner conversation,” Steris said.“I know. Particularly since I was aiming for its balls.”When railcars full of aluminum start to be stolen directly off the tracks vanishing into the Mists Wax is intrigued and egged on by Wayne a long-time friend from the roughs to join in the investigation. I freaking loved Wayne!!! You want a book with a great bromance this is it. The friendship that he and Wax has is phenomenal and hilarious.-- “You wanna know why I really came to find you?” Wayne asked.“Why?”“ I thought of you happy in a comfy bed, resting and relaxing, spending the rest of your life sipping tea and reading papers while people bring you food and maids rub your toes and stuff.”“And?”“ And I just couldn't leave you to a fate like that...I'm too good a friend to let a mate of mine die in such a terrible situation.”“Comfortable?”“No. Boring.”They have known each other for so long and I totally ate up the dialogue between them and the quirkiness that was Wayne. He has an interesting way of looking at the world and he was never boring. Sanderson easily creates some of the best side characters I’ve ever read. Wayne steals the show, he is a hoot and a half and his philosophies on life just crack me up.-- “So,” Marasi said, “you traded a dead man’s scarf for another dead man’s gun. But…the gun itself belonged to someone dead, so by the same logic—”“Don’t try,” Waxillium said. “Logic doesn’t work on Wayne.”“I bought a ward against it off a traveling fortune-teller,” Wayne explained. “It lets me add two ’n’ two and get a pickle.”AND NOW ONTO MY FAVORITE CHARACTER – I like Wayne but I’m team Marasi she is my girl!!! I know that Steris is the potential marriage partner for Wax but I love Marasi so I ship them together so hard. She and I are having a hoemance that is the female equivalent of a bromance isn’t it? She is like Hermione Granger all grown up meets Nancy Drew in my mind and I love it. Marasi was so full life and questions and so excited to get in on the action even though she is a little terrified of all of the things going on around her. She has a little hero worship going on for Wax as she has read all about his exploits in the roughs but even as she is getting to know the man Wax really is she takes it all in with this wonder and excitement that I love adored. Plus she seems to be able to hold her own with the boys too.-- "He’s fine,” Wayne said, holding the door open for them. “I got quite near my entire rusted back blown off earlier, if you’ll kindly recall, and I didn’t hear nearly an ounce of the sympathy you’re showin’ him”“That’s different,” Marasi said, walking part him.“What? Why? ‘Cuz I can heal?”“No,” she said, “because – even after knowing you only a short time – I’m fairly certain that on one level or another, you deserve to get blown up every now and again.”I cross my fingers and hope that there is more in store in the future for Waxillium and Marasi, I think they could make a formidable couple solving crimes together.The Story - I don’t think Sanderson is capable of writing a bad story at this points. There were clues along the way to let you try and figure it out on your own but the mystery is still so good that I didn’t guess most of it. Plus there is still the wonderful immersement into different combinations of magic and mysticism. I’m always amazed with the sheer amount of information that can be packed into one of these novels and not in a tell you kind of way. Sanderson always shows you how things work and it is always entertaining in the process.I can’t wait to read more of these characters. I almost loved this more than the original Mistborn series but I wouldn’t have loved it nearly as much if I didn’t have that foundation already. Such a great addition to the Mistborn world.

Most book series go either of two ways. The first being they're wrapped up in a strong narrative that encompasses a trilogy of novels, keeping the storytelling tight and non-daunting for newcomers. The second method is continuing the series well after the initial trilogy ends, creating new stories and scenarios for the heroes to overcome while meeting new friends and foes. The latter can have the adverse effect of making the series lose its forward momentum and the interest of its readers. Sanderson has decided to do neither of these while continuing his incredible Mistborn series. Forgoing the use of the previous cast of characters and setting in the favor of a sizable shift in direction for the series. It's unfortunate that Vin and the others will not be making a comeback, but this new take on the universe is fascinating and ripe with possibilities.During an interview regarding his various works, Sanderson claimed that he originally intended for the Mistborn series to be a 'trilogy of trilogies.' As in the first trilogy serving as the mythology for the world's back story while the later iterations would take place in later time periods. It's a brilliant concept, it showcases the technological and social advances of humanity while maintaining the mysticism established in the earlier books. Yet Alloy of Law isn't the start of the preconceived second trilogy but rather a stand-alone novel that takes place in the same time period of the industrial revolution. The book actually came to fruition through a writing process in order to clear his thoughts before writing A Memory of Light in the Wheels of Time series and the next book in the Stormlight Archive. The book was surprisingly better than intended and was released to publication. Sanderson also said in an interview that the Alloy of Law isn't meant to push the overarching storyline forward, but is rather a glimpse into what life would be like in a modern setting in the Mistborn universe.The plot follows the former law keeper Waxillium Ladrian and his indoctrination into the upper class of society. With a recent tragic death in his life, it seems like it's time for Wax to hang up his guns for good and perform his duty as the head of House Ladrian, trying to become the aristocrat his house needs him to be while containing his old passion for fighting crime. Everything is normal until a series of robberies caused by an enigmatic group known as The Vanishers begin targeting noble houses and kidnapping women. When one such robbery hits to close to home, Waxillium and his colleagues find themselves thrown into a dangerous life or death situation, and it's up to a retired law keeper to bring these men to justice while dealing with his own inner demons. At its core it's a crime drama, significant shift from the previous books. It doesn't share the trilogies epic `world-ending' sense of scale, yet it's an interesting change and is befitting of the era and themes within.Going into The Alloy of Law, I was a bit apprehensive about the new leading character. This is because Sanderson had created one of my all-time favorite characters in fantasy in the form of Vin. While I'm glad Sanderson was able to give proper closure to the character, it also concerned me that the new lead wouldn't have the same appeal and thus the series would suffer for it. Thankfully I was absolutely wrong, Brandon Sanderson once again demonstrates his astuteness as an author by creating a new set of characters that are immediately likable and memorable. Living up the steep standards set in the original trilogy while adding a flavor all their own. The new series protagonist Waxillium, is a character I felt was being pulled in different directions through his own internal conflict. Performing his unwanted duty, carrying on his personal desires of crime-fighting, and being haunted by the biggest failing of his life made for a sympathetic character with a lot of heart and depth. I won't go as far as to say he can top Vin, frankly I don't think that's possible. But Sanderson isn't trying to make someone that's bigger and better than his previous protagonist, but rather create a character that adds something new to the table, and it works.Rounding out the cast are Wax's longtime friend and partner, Wayne, and the romantic interest of the book, Marasi. I absolutely loved Wayne, his character brought a welcoming dose of humor to the series while complementing Wax's no-nonsense attitude. The final character, Marasi, had a charming innocence which added to the entertaining group dynamic. The banter between these characters is great and really emphasizes the new humor even more. It gives this Mistborn novel a much lighter tone than the previous iterations. It's an interesting direction that helps it stand out on its own.Yet the biggest character is the world itself. The essence of the Mistborn series is still intact, but the look and feel is quite different. The original trilogy was firmly placed in the realm of the high fantasy genre; this latest iteration feels like an amalgamation of an urban fantasy and a western with a pinch of steampunk thrown in for good measure. Just like the trilogy preceding it, Sanderson has once again created a fantasy novel that stands out in an over-saturated market.While there are certainly a lot of new elements to take in, it's still easily recognizable as Mistborn in all the key areas. Particularly the incredible action sequences from the trilogy return and they're just as over-the-top and intense as ever. Sanderson is the undisputed king of writing fantasy action scenes and he doesn't disappoint here. What Alloy of Law brings new to the table is the use of firearms. This may seem like a superficial detail, but considering that metal is the key component of Allomancy, this creates various new scenarios and uses that longtime fans will surely get a kick out of.The Alloy of Law is proof that the Mistborn series can live on without the original characters. It's significantly shorter than the previous books, but it packs enough characterization, plot, and action to satisfy longtime fans. Yet while Sanderson has proclaimed this book to be a stand-alone novel, it does leave some plot elements unfinished. I get the feeling that we'll be seeing more of Wax and Wayne in the future.

This book arrived in the best condition and was early in arriving as well! This seller is the best! Can't say enough good things or recommend them highly enough!

If you liked Mistborn read this. You will love Wax and Wayne. The allomancy and ferochemy keep getting better. Amazing antagonist.

This book is what Sherlock Holmes would be if it was set in a world with magic. Waxillian makes a terrific detective and law keeper with great bantering chemistry with his partner Wane. Their back and forth creates a lot of comedy, even in tense situations. The world building itself is excellent as Sanderson helps envelop you into this Steampunk world.

Fast paced, kept my interest. Looking forward to the next one.Interesting characters and ties to characters from the last series.

Alloy of Law is a spin off series to the original Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson. If you haven't read those ( The Final Empire: Mistborn Book One , The Well of Ascension: Mistborn Book Two , The Hero of Ages: Mistborn Book Three ) I highly recommend you do not only because it will make certain abilities and background lore easier to understand but also because they are just great fantasy books.The Alloy of Law is set about 300 years after The Hero of Ages focusing on a completely new cast of characters, Waxillium and Wayne. Waxillium or Wax for short is a lord of the city of Elendal who has lived most of his life in the roughs as a lawman hunting down dangerous criminals with Wayne because the job needed doing. With an accident killing most of his family Wax has had to return to modern society and take on the role of the head of the family as his duty. Wax soon learns though that the Roughs aren't the only place full of dangerous criminals and Wayne has come to the city after them forcing Wax to try and juggle his family duty with a moral one.I liked this book, a lot. The thing I liked most is Sanderson's view that a fantasy world wouldn't stay static, a trope many authors use "A thousand years ago..." etc yet technology stands still for whatever reason. Instead he has taken the same world with the same abilities yet moved it away from a fantasy setting and into an almost Wildwest one with guns, rifles, trains and the recent introduction of electricity. Mixed in with this are the Allomantic and Feruchemical powers still where certain bloodlines can either burn metals in their stomachs for an effect or store abilities in them to use later. Both Wax and Wayne are the rare breed know as Twinborn which have both one Allomantic and Feruchemical ability each. Their abilies are a great use in the books just because unlike Vin in the original trilogy their powers are both slightly more limited in what they can do and yet are quite different at the same time, it really keeps things fresh.The actual story is excellent with a good cast of characters, I especially like Wayne who has a stand out personality that often made me laugh though there is more to him then first seems and I'm very much looking forward to hearing more about him in the next novel. The story moves along at a quick pace with plenty of gunfights and powers thrown around keeping things intense. I will say I don't think it's quite as well written as the previous series but it kept me hooked and I would certainly recommend it, can't wait to start on the next in the series,  Shadows of Self: .Recommended.+ Love the world making progress in technology yet keeping the powers.+ Nice mixture of Allomancy and Feruchemical abilities keeps things fresh.+ Magic system is still great.+ Fast paced interesting plot with great characters. The Final Empire: Mistborn Book OneThe Well of Ascension: Mistborn Book TwoThe Hero of Ages: Mistborn Book ThreeShadows of Self:

I was so pleased to see that Brandon Sanderson had extended his original Mistborn Trilogy, as I found the magical system he’d developed for the series, that of Allomancy, Feruchemy, and Hemalurgy – processes whereby practitioners burn/employ different metals, and, after blending & activating them with the essence of his or her own body or mind to produce the desired outcome – to be innovative, and somewhat different to other fantasy novels I’ve read of late.And what an extension it proved to be. This is what the back cover reveals:*******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.Kelsier, Vin, Elend, Sazed, Spook, and the rest are now part of history―or religion. Yet even as science and technology are reaching new heights, the old magics of Allomancy and Feruchemy continue to play a role in this reborn world. Out in the frontier lands known as the Roughs, they are crucial tools for the brave men and women attempting to establish order and justice.One such is Waxillium Ladrian, a rare Twinborn, who can Push on metals with his Allomancy and use Feruchemy to become lighter or heavier at will. After twenty years in the Roughs, Wax has been forced by family tragedy to return to the metropolis of Elendel. Now he must reluctantly put away his guns and assume the duties and dignity incumbent upon the head of a noble house. Or so he thinks, until he learns the hard way that the mansions and elegant tree-lined streets of the city can be even more dangerous than the dusty plains of the Roughs.*******Now, I don’t know about you, but I found the premise to be rather refreshing. Scadrial has been brought forward in time, and we’re given a glimpse of what has become of the world and its people after our heroes and heroines put things right at the end of the last trilogy.For the most part, society has drawn together in what is now the Elendel Basin, a prepared and cultivated region surrounding its namesake capital and other provincial towns for many miles in all directions. Life is good. People are civilized. And culture, law and order is an accepted way of life. Beyond the encircling mountains, however, is The Roughs; a wilderness plains area, much like the wild west of cowboys & Indians fame. Life is much harsher there, and people look to gun slinging lawmen and women to keep the peace.The three metallic arts still exist, though Allomancy and Feruchemy are by far the most widely practiced. (Hemalurgy, it seems, is unknown in the modern world, its secrets being kept by the kandra who survived Scadrial’s rebirth)Of the populace, there are those who are capable of burning just one of the 16 arcane metals, be it as an Allomancer or as a Feruchemist in a single form, or there are the twinborn. Those blessed with both an allomantic and feruchemical capability combined.So what happens?Vin, Elend, Sazed and Spook may have guaranteed the world’s survival and the coming of a new age, but people are still people. And as we see, while society as a whole has advanced – to a degree – there are those still intent on getting what they want by any means necessary. Fair or foul. Lords continue to be aloof. The downtrodden, rebellious. And villains? Oh, they’re always out for what they can get. And when you combine all three?Great rollicking fun! That’s what.I’ve often thought it odd when successful writers allow their universes to remain static for so long. Brandon Sanderson hasn’t made that mistake. And by allowing Scadrial to progress over the intervening three hundred years, it injects a breath of fresh air into a well-established world, and a superb slant on his ever-evolving story arc.The Alloy of Law is markedly shorter. At 325 pages, its half the length of his other Mistborn novels. But that doesn’t reduce the enjoyment. Our protagonists and antagonists are well thought out and skillfully introduced. And the relationship between Wax and Wayne is particularly engaging. (Reminding me, to some degree, of Alias Smith & Jones) – You’ll see. The dialogue is sharp; the slow burn a treat; the action – when it comes – relentless; and that story arc I mentioned? It’s a treasure to behold, as it allows the continuing mystery to establish deeper roots, to develop, and evolve into an appealing murder-mystery-whodunnit-action-adventure.Or to put it succinctly: Sherlock Holmes meets Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid.(And yes, I’m already into the second in this series)

Wax is the heir to an old but slightly impoverished noble house that has spent most of his adult life being a lawmaker in the Roughs, outside the civilized Basin. After the death of his uncle and sister, he is called back to Elendil to take over the house. While there, his old friend Wayne comes calling to ask for help with a case of train robberies and kidnappings, and he quickly gets pulled back to his old ways.So this is set around three hundred years after the events of the original trilogy. The world is prosperous and is accelerating technology wise pretty quickly after the world ending events that happened, we're at the late nineteenth century, early twentieth century technology level I'd imagine. Basically think a Western, guns, trains etc. However what is very cool is how the magic system, Allomancy, Feruchemy has evolved over the years and the innovative ways it is now being used. The era of Mistborn with people holding all the powers has gone but it's still cool how people use more limited gifts.The story itself is pretty straight-forward. It moves quickly and has lots of action, gunfights etc with Wax flying through the air all the time. Wax is an older POV, racked by guilt and remorse but I liked his chapters a lot, which is good as he spend more time with him than anyone. Wayne has to be one of the most annoying characters I've encountered. He's supposed to be weird, in a funny way, but he's far from funny, I knew I was reading a 'character' every time and it takes you out of the story. Maresi is callow but earnest, not too deep as of yet but interesting enough and fairly appropriate considering her age.There's not too many references to the events that went before or the bigger picture, mostly a few hints at the end. All, or most anyway, of the original characters have become mythic figures, and initially can be hard figuring out who they're talking about but you cop on pretty quickly. It is a good introduction to the new era and a fairly quick read. It was supposed to be standalone I think but has now developed into its own series of four books.

I wa so skeptical about this book as it completely changes the setting the first 3 books are based on, along with redefining the magic system (not drastically and in a story context it makes sense).My skepticism was ill-founded however. This is my favourite book in the mistborn series so far. Its much shorter but I think that helps keep the narrative flowing and has a better pacing than the first 3.The protagonist is fantastic. I loved the character straight away. Nobody can replace Vin in this universe but he came damned close. Wax is a thoroughly imagined character full of nuance and a great character to build the story on.Highly recommended to fans of the series. If you haven't read the first 3 books, I would suggest you CAN start here but some of the references may be a little lost on you. I don't think this will overly affect your enjoyment of the story though.

I've never been terribly fond of westerns, but I do absolutely love the system of magic from the first three Mistborn novels. I appreciate the author's desire to create a world that can advance, and isn't stuck in a pre-technological era. He just chose an era and a genre that I don't particularly enjoy.Having said that, I did find the book an enjoyable read. As with the previous books, I found the magic system extremely well thought out and innovative. At times this did feel a bit like a bodice ripper romance (the plot/banter/action part of it, not sex scenes, of which there are none) but I was pleasantly surprised that the teased romance did not, in fact, materialize as I thought it would.