Brandon Sanderson’s Shadows of Self is the second installment in the Mistborn: Wax and Wayne series, continuing the journey of Waxillium “Wax” Ladrian as he navigates the complex responsibilities of both lawman and noble in the city of Elendel. His attempt to balance duty and personal conviction is soon tested when a shocking assassination targets the city’s corrupt political and religious leaders. Tasked with uncovering the truth, Wax is joined by his resourceful deputy, Wayne, whose humor and unorthodox methods mask a keen tactical mind, and Marasi, a brilliant law student determined to prove herself in a world that often underestimates her.
Their investigation soon leads them to a formidable and elusive enemy—Bleeder, a rogue Kandra with the terrifying ability to assume any identity, making her presence undetectable. As Wax pieces together the motives behind her attacks, he realizes that the killings are part of a much larger scheme designed to plunge Elendel into chaos and rebellion. With the city’s stability hanging in the balance, he is forced to confront not only a dangerous adversary but also painful revelations about his past, his faith, and his uneasy relationship with Harmony, the god who now shapes the world.
The pursuit of Bleeder culminates in a devastating confrontation, one that demands an unbearable sacrifice from Wax and leaves him forever changed. The novel masterfully blends action, mystery, and political intrigue, broadening the scope of Elendel’s struggles while deepening Wax’s internal conflicts. As the dust settles, it becomes clear that even greater challenges lie ahead, setting the stage for the next chapter in this evolving saga.
Shadows of Self by Brandon Sanderson picks up the story of Waxillium “Wax” Ladrian, a former lawman from the Roughs, now back in Elendel to assume his duties as a noble while continuing his work in law enforcement. Together with his loyal deputy and longtime friend Wayne, as well as Marasi, an insightful and capable law student, Wax becomes embroiled in a complex investigation when several high-profile individuals, including government officials and religious leaders, are brutally assassinated. The killings appear to be the work of a single, elusive figure—Paalm, a rogue Kandra who has abandoned Harmony’s control and now wields a mysterious metal that allows her to bypass the typical limitations of Kandra transformations. Operating under the alias of Bleeder, Paalm’s aim is to spark chaos and rebellion within Elendel, inciting the lower classes to rise against the corrupt ruling nobility.
As Wax, Wayne, and Marasi delve deeper into the investigation, they uncover layers of conspiracy, including Paalm’s efforts to manipulate the city’s labor force and fuel anti-government sentiments. Wax’s resolve is further tested by a growing disillusionment with Harmony, the god he once revered, as he begins to question the deity’s apparent indifference to the suffering around him. His personal conflict intensifies when he learns that Paalm’s ultimate goal is the assassination of Elendel’s governor, Replar Innate, which would plunge the city into anarchy.
The investigation takes Wax and his team through a series of high-stakes pursuits and intense confrontations with Paalm, all while Wayne provides unexpected comic relief and keen insights, and Marasi proves her worth as a formidable law enforcer, using her intelligence to piece together crucial clues. Along the way, Wax is haunted by painful memories of his late fiancée, Lessie, whose tragic death in the Roughs still lingers in his heart.
In a shocking and tragic turn, Wax finally confronts Bleeder, only to discover that she has been wearing the bones of Lessie, revealing that his beloved had been a Kandra all along. This devastating revelation forces Wax to confront not only the loss of his fiancée but also the profound betrayal he feels. In a heart-wrenching moment, Wax is forced to kill Bleeder to prevent her from completing her mission. As she dies, Harmony reveals that he had tried to intervene in subtle ways, but Wax, filled with grief and anger, rejects the god he once trusted and vows never to believe in him again.
While Elendel narrowly avoids collapse, the city remains on the brink of political upheaval. Wax, shaken by his personal loss and the betrayal of his faith, is left uncertain of his place in both noble society and the larger conflicts enveloping Elendel. Meanwhile, Marasi and Wayne continue to grow in their respective roles, each grappling with the complex moral questions surrounding law, justice, and power. As tensions rise and deeper threats loom, Shadows of Self sets the stage for even greater challenges and conflicts in the evolving Mistborn world.
Shadows of Self by Brandon Sanderson was conceived as part of the Mistborn: Wax and Wayne series, which expanded the original Mistborn trilogy into a new era, seamlessly blending fantasy elements with industrial-age advancements. Originally, Sanderson had planned The Alloy of Law as a standalone novel, but the story’s success and the depth of the world prompted him to continue Wax and Wayne’s journey, eventually growing the series from a planned trilogy into four books. Shadows of Self was written concurrently with The Bands of Mourning, allowing Sanderson to craft a more cohesive narrative across both installments.
Officially released on October 6, 2015, by Tor Books, Shadows of Self was positioned just months before The Bands of Mourning to maintain the momentum of the series. Upon its release, the novel garnered positive reviews for its enhanced character development, intricate world-building, and deft fusion of action, mystery, and political intrigue. Critics and fans praised Sanderson for infusing emotional depth into a fast-paced narrative, particularly in exploring Wax’s personal struggles and delivering shocking plot twists. While some readers found the tone darker than its predecessor, the novel was widely regarded as a strong continuation of the Mistborn saga, successfully expanding on themes of governance, faith, and personal loss, while also setting the stage for greater conflicts in future installments.
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