The Bands of Mourning

I will start this review out by emphatically stating that Branden Sanderson is easily my favorite author and anything he puts out is an automatic must read for me. Of all his works, I must say that the original Mistborn trilogy stands as a touchstone series for me, standing as one series that drew me into fantasy novels in the first place. The second set of Mistborn novels, take place almost three hundred years after the events in the first trilogy and they do something that most fantasy novels never even touch on, i.e allowing your society to progress out of the middle ages eventually into industrialization and examining how magic would fit in with a technologically advanced society. Likewise, whereas I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books of the new trilogy, I must say that the latest story in the trilogy, the Bands of Mourning while enjoyable, stands as a slight misstep for me, and unfortunately stands as my least favorite Sanderson work thus far for reasons I’ll quickly discuss below.For those new to the series, I’ll say that to get the most bang for your buck reading Bands of Mourning, you must have at least read the previous two works in the new trilogy, Alloy of Law and Shadows of Self. Likewise, whereas Alloy of Law could be read as a standalone, I would highly recommend that you read through the first Mistborn trilogy before jumping into either Shadows of Self or Bands of Mourning. For one, those original works are masterpieces, and second of all the latest two books in this series heavily reference the events of the first trilogy to the point that one will be lost if they haven’t read the first trilogy.Anyhow, Bands of Mourning takes place roughly six months after the tragic events of Shadows of Self, Wax our main protagonist is about to get married to his fiancé, the cold yet endearing Steris Harms, a union which throughout the series has been built more on political and financial necessity rather than love. Moments before his wedding, Wax, still getting over the events of the last novel is approached by two emissaries from Harmony, the god of Scadrial, with news that the legendary bands of Mourning, the metal minds worn by the Lord Ruler from the previous Mistborn Trilogy, have been found. These legendary items have always been more myth than reality, rumored to grant anyone who wore them all of the power that the Lord Ruler had at his command, and the two kandra emissaries have evidence that these items do indeed exist. Wax still ticked at Harmony from the events in Shadows of Self, declines the quest until he receives evidence that his Uncle, the leader of the criminal organization known as the Set is involved and is actively seeking the items as well. Sensing an opportunity to rescue his sister from his Uncle as well keep the bands out of criminal hands, Wax agrees and our heroes are off in a race to find the mythical bands of mourning.In typical Sanderson fashion, Bands of Mourning features crisp dialogue, dynamic action scenes and amazing world building. In Shadows of Self and now Bands of Mourning, Sanderson in my opinion does a great job referencing his previous trilogy while also allowing his new characters to operate in a new world with new challenges while not suffocating them with a been there done that storyline. The parallels between these trilogies are of course there, whereas in the previous trilogy Vin, Kelsier and Co where the revolutionaries fighting for freedom and the disruption of the status quo, in the latest trilogy Sanderson has flipped the script on its head, with our heroes serving as the forces of stability and the villains the source of change. It is implied in these new works that while society may not be as overly oppressive as the world under the Lord Ruler, the advent of progress, capitalism and a rigid class system are oppressing the common man as much as Lord Ruler and his minions in subtle and different ways. Our heroes in this trilogy are fighting for the reformed status quo whereas Vin, Elend and company where fighting to tear it all down, in a manner similar to Wax’s uncle in the new trilogy.Bands of Mourning was a good book and a worthy addition to the Mistborn saga. However, it fell down for me in a couple areas. Most notably I felt that a few of the action sequences, normally a strong suit of Sanderson’s, rang hollow and artificial in the book, devoid of tension, only serving as gee whiz ideas of Sanderson’s, almost as if he had in his mind certain ‘cool’ scenes and worked hard to include them in the novel. Without spoiling them, the scenes were all well written but they all dragged for me as nothing seemed really at stake in any of them. While most of the action scenes where amazing, I almost skipped the few that didn’t work as I already surmised there would be no real consequences from any of those scenes.Likewise, whereas I was literally laughing out loud at certain points in the previous Wax and Wayne novels, the humor in this new novel at times felt forced, a little too self-aware and dare I say it tiresome. In short, I would argue that the humor at times felt as if it were written more for the reader rather than the characters in the story. Wayne, arguably my favorite character from the first two novels, had his humor fall flat or feel forced throughout most of the novel which was disappointing. Maybe I am tired of the character so that is more a reflection of me rather than the author, I dunno. Likewise, there were certain parts of the novel, where it felt like Sanderson was playing too hard with the fourth wall, entire sections that were supposed to come across as jokes or comical where to ham fisted and in the context of the story for me just didn’t work. Without spoiling it, there was scene in a hotel lobby, that while painfully self-aware and funny in the context of the story didn’t do much for the plot or advance the story all that much. I realize I’m being picky, but that scene in particular almost took me out of the story which is something I’m not sure you want while reading a novel.Another gripe I had with the story centered on characterization. For those who have trudged through my reviews in the past, you know that I place a huge premium on characterization, and while the characterization for the majority of the characters was strong, it was also very weak with others. Steris for instance, has had one of the best arcs throughout the entire series. The reader has seen her grow from a cold, detached, very shallow individual to a very rich character that simply hides her insecurities and fear with routine and organization. Sanderson gives her some of the best scenes in the novel and he found a fantastic way to mold her quirks into adorable attributes. Like many of the other characters in the book, she also longs for adventure and excitement, but she hides it behind the curtain of decency and the expectations of the noble class. It’s been building over the last two books, but Steris really comes into her own in this last work, developing into a full three dimensional character and not simply a plot point. Whereas I commented on the forced humor in the work with some of the other characters, with Steris the humor feels genuine as they are all true to her character and who she is as a person. Well done.Marasi on the other hand for reasons, I am still trying to grasp felt flat for me throughout the entire novel. She was a great character in previous novels but I found her borderline boring in this novel which is a shame. She is now more accepted by Wax and Wayne as an able and competent partner, with Wax even going so far as to not second guess every suggestion she makes. Likewise she has a powerful scene near the end of the novel where she realizes how her hero worship of Wax has stunted her growth as a person, and that while she can never be Wax, she still can be as good if not better than him if she only accepts her strengths as opposed to trying to match the competencies with her hero. However, for some reason she didn’t ring for me in this novel and I am having a hard time figuring it out. She is still extremely smart and capable, and possesses a sharp mind and a strong will to do what is right. Sanderson gives her the opportunity to shine with some key scenes and gives her some key insights, however, these insights are almost always undercut by Wax who either has already figured out what Marasai just learned, or has a better understanding of the information that she was given. That being said, whereas before Marasi was only grudgingly accepted by Wax and those in the Constable service, she is now basically accepted by both, which takes away some of the inner and outer conflict present with the character. In many scenes she almost functions as simply another Wax stand in, losing a lot of her personality and character that endeared me to her in the first place.All in all, Bands of Mourning despite the small gripes I had with it is a good book. A constant theme throughout the book and the series as a whole is motion. The world is moving forward and many of the characters are changing with the times in accordance with this underlying theme. The novel does a great job of expanding the larger world of Scadrial, introducing new cities, locations, characters, technology and even continents. Also, it ends on one hell of a cliff hanger. Despite my nitpicks, I would still highly recommend Bands of Mourning, it’s a worthy addition to the Mistborn Saga.

The next chapter in the series surprised me in marvelous ways. The world got much, much bigger than I expected. The characters grew much more than I expected. The humor was better than I expected. And keep in mind that I’m a big fan of this series in this author, so I had pretty high expectations. I absolutely loved this one. I can’t give any details without massive spoilers. Just take my word that this is a great story—and read the other ones first. :)

I thoroughly enjoyed this reading more than the alloy of law. The story and Cosmere build up is my favorite of this era. And the teasing of the God trail, has me really intrigued.The character development of Steris was my favorite of the entire book.The epilogue, Hass to be my favorite between all three books that I’ve read in this era. That copper mind memory in the end, being from the Lord ruler, I assume; was something I was not expecting at all.

The overall series plot continues to be intriguing as the characters develop. The last book will be a great as the plot reaches the climax.

I can’t get enough of this series. Brandon Sanderson is a genius. I eagerly look forward to the next one.

Great series. Very well written. Big fan.

This was another wonderful addition to the canon! For me it was slow starting but once we hit lift off, wow! I was beyond surprised. I’ve always been fond of Steris but I found her development in The Bands of Mourning a true delight. As for the events of this books, I feel the implications are massive! I can’t wait to dive into deeper into the cosmere and make sense of it all!Thank you Brandon!

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!

There is the threat of civil war in the air as the cities outside of Elendil resent the taxes and controls that are imposed on them. Wax is on a mission to track down his uncle and bring down the Set whereas Maresi takes up a mission from Harmony to track down a spike that was taken from a Kandra and restore its memory. All the signs are pointing towards a confrontation in New Seran.Steris finally comes into her won in this book and it is great to see. Very weird but in a good way whereas Wayne has grown a little more palatable he still doesn't seem real. Her and Wax are well suited. I still don't get all the love I see Wayne get on posts etc. It was a fairly straight forward book until the end when things really expanded, we find out about people from other areas outside the Basin and a very major reveal right at the end. It's here Sanderson recommends reading Secret History and it's a good point though I still think it's better after finishing Era I.There's still quite a lot left unsaid here. We still don't know who or what Trell is, what's the real purpose of the Set and there is a lot of talk about investiture etc that I only have a shallow understanding of. The cosmere connections are getting bigger, and it is starting to feel like you really need to know more about all the books to make sense of everything. I do admire what the series is attempting to do and broadly succeeding; that of showing a world changing and starting to expand into technologies and exploiting the rules of the magic system in the world. It really is quite cool and I don't really recall any other series that has taken it so far, and this is still early days, two more era's to go!Another good solid read, not too demanding and quick to read. Looking forward to finally getting some answers in the final book.

Wax and Wayne continue their adventures this time leaving the main city and expanding the era 2 world, great fun

I am tempted to give this book 5 stars, but ultimately I was just too disappointed by the fact that it wasn't the last book, after all. I wasn't expecting a cliff hanger ending. I thought this would be a trilogy, like the original Mistborn trilogy was. (Spoiler alert!!) The end of the book also veers into the dreaded "Cosmere" in a huge way, introducing the equivalent of an alien spaceship and a bunch of alien characters who look human but wear masks on their faces for whatever reason (he never explains it). So not only will there be another book coming, but it's not written yet so I have to wait for it and based on other plot points in this book (which I won't spoil this time), the plot of the fourth (and final???) book will surely be about some kind of apocalypse and involve more battles against gods. Not my favorite thing in this series, by a long shot.No my favorite things in this series are the main characters and the human moments they experience -- like Wayne's sexual encounters with a kandra, or Wax and Steris falling in love in a way that's realistic and touching and very mature. My favorite things are the "small" characters who only appear briefly in the books yet still manage to be fully fleshed out 3D people with obvious interior lives and motivations of their own going on. My favorite things are the humorous parts. This book is the funniest of the series so far. My favorite things are the amazing ways Sanderson is able to use his own magic system to astound and amaze, so just when I think I've got it figured out, he throws another ingenious, unexpected way to use it into the mix, and the game changes yet again. My favorite things are the action sequences. Oh MAN do we get some amazing ones in this novel! A gritty train heist is just the opening act. I won't spoil the others because some of them come out of nowhere. My favorite things are the realistic elements. For example, when Wax and Wayne are in a gun fight, there are real stakes involved. Wax is a great shot but he misses sometimes, and sometimes he misses when it counts. And he gets injured!!! I think he got shot in every fight scene and by the end of the book his multiple wounds have an impact on his performance and cause him actual pain, which he actually comments on. Usually in action sequences the hero miraculously escapes all harm, or gets some token wound and then forgets about it, going into the next battle 100% invincible again, as if nothing happened.So as you can see, there's plenty to love about this book, and love it I did. It's not perfect. Some plot twists were rather obvious, particularly one where a person Wax rescues turns out to have been one of his main enemies all along. I saw his/her (to avoid a solid spoiler) betrayal coming from chapters away. What I didn't see coming was all the end of days stuff, or the fact that this book will be continued. On the one hand that's awesome. The more Wax & Wayne, the better. It's good to know I don't have to say goodbye yet. But on the other hand -- ugh. Oh well. Maybe I'll get interested in this Cosmere of Sanderson's, in spite of myself and actually be motivated to read some of his other work. We'll see. Either way, I'll surely be on board for the next adventure, and I'll try my best to keep an open mind.

In this, the next installment of the continuing Mistborn saga, Waxillium Ladrian draws ever closer to fathoming the antics of his uncle, and the activities of the mysterious Set.Allow me to set the scene:*******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.The Bands of Mourning are the mythical metal minds owned by the Lord Ruler, said to grant anyone who wears them the powers that the Lord Ruler had at his command. Hardly anyone thinks they really exist. A kandra researcher has returned to Elendel with images that seem to depict the Bands, as well as writings in a language that no one can read. Waxillium Ladrian is recruited to travel south to the city of New Seran to investigate. Along the way he discovers hints that point to the true goals of his uncle Edwarn and the shadowy organization known as The Set.*******So, what happens? Ah, THAT would be telling, and I hate to spoil surprises. Nevertheless, The Bands of Mourning once again reveal how good Sanderson is at laying out the foundations of an epically proportioned puzzle, and then gradually allowing us to piece things together as the story develops.All the elements are there: Revenge; politics; long held secrets; mystery; intrigue; conspiracies; ambition. And at last, we get to learn more about Wax’s sister, Telsin, along with the goals motivating his uncle’s behavior. A course that has riven Waxillium’s family to the core.The thing is, it’s NOT just about House Ladrian. We also get to discover that the people of Elendel aren’t the only ones to survive the changing of the world. And that goes for the long-lived kandra too; whose knowledge far exceeds that of mortal man. What role might some of them have in the simmering turmoil threatening to rip the world of Scadrial apart?To find out the answer to that question, we’ll have to temper our anticipation and wait for the final installment of the story: "The Lost Metal." Here’s hoping we don’t have to wait too long.This is superbly crafted fantasy.

Note: one should really read the books of the „Wax and Wayne“ series in the intended order, preferably after having read the original „Mistborn“ series. This is not the place to jump into the story.ReviewI already loved the previous two books about lawman Lord Waxilium Ladrian and his deputy Wayne and I can tell you that I loved „The Bands of Mourning“ even more. Firstly, the whole gang works together on this newest case, the guys, Marisi, MeLaan and Steris. Secondly, there is a lot of characters growth going on here with Steris having ample opportunity to really shine and be part of the action in wonderful ways. Then we see more of the Basin, because the job at hand leads out of Elendel. And last not least, there are pieces falling ingeniously into place and showing a much bigger picture.After the events of „Shadows of Self“, Wax is still mad at Harmony and doesn’t want anything to do with him. Yet when a task for Harmony and new leads to get to the clandestine organization Set converge, he starts packing and heads out of Elendil - everyone else joining him. I don’t want to spoil stuff, so there can’t be much more in regards to plot, but I will tell you that there are fabulous action and fight scenes, great dialogue and as I mentioned, Steris is just the coolest!The end blew me out of my socks and I want the sequel. Right. Now.And I should mention that it’s best to read the „Mistborn Secret History“ after this book, although it’s number 3.5 in the series. I didn’t (read it after „Alloy of Law“) and since it does spoilers for this installment, you’d ruin yourself of one of the biggest surprises here (although I still loved it anyway).Overall a great fantasy/investigative story!