Shadows of Self (Mistborn Series #5)

by Brandon Sanderson

Overview

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson, the Mistborn series is a heist story of political intrigue and magical, martial-arts action.

Waxillium Ladrian was a lawman in Scadrial's ungoverned frontier region, known as the Roughs, where he worked with his eccentric but effective buddy, Wayne. They are "twinborn," meaning they are able to use both Allomantic and Feruchemical magic. In their world, technology and magic mix, democracy contends with corruption, and religion becomes a growing cultural force, with four faiths competing for converts.

This bustling, optimistic, but still shaky society now faces its first instance of terrorism, crimes intended to stir up strife. Wax and Wayne, assisted by the brilliant Marasi, must unravel the conspiracy before it stops Scadrial's progress in its tracks.

Other Tor books by Brandon Sanderson

The Cosmere

The Stormlight Archive

The Way of Kings

Words of Radiance

Edgedancer (Novella)

Oathbringer

Dawnshard (Novella)

Rhythm of War

The Mistborn trilogy

Mistborn: The Final Empire

The Well of Ascension

The Hero of Ages

Mistborn: The Wax and Wayne series

Alloy of Law

Shadows of Self

Bands of Mourning

The Lost Metal

Collection

Arcanum Unbounded

Other Cosmere novels

Elantris

Warbreaker

The Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series

Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians

The Scrivener's Bones

The Knights of Crystallia

The Shattered Lens

The Dark Talent

The Rithmatist series

The Rithmatist

Other books by Brandon Sanderson

The Reckoners

Steelheart

Firefight

Calamity

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250860019
Publisher:	Tor Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/01/2023
Series:	Mistborn Series
Pages:	400
Sales rank:	11,661
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Brandon Sanderson grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. He lives in Utah with his wife and children and teaches creative writing at Brigham Young University. His bestsellers have sold 32 million copies worldwide and include the Mistborn saga; the Stormlight Archive novels; and other novels, including The Rithmatist, Steelheart, and Skyward. He won a Hugo Award for The Emperor's Soul, a novella set in the world of his acclaimed first novel, Elantris. Additionally, he completed Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time®. Visit his website for behind-the-scenes information on all his books.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for the Mistborn series and Brandon Sanderson

Mistborn

“A breathtaking saga that promises twists every step of the way… succeeds in celebrating what makes fantasy magical while simultaneously delivering a fresh adventure that’s endlessly entertaining.” —Paste Magazine, “The 50 Best Fantasy Books of the 21st Century (So Far)”

Hero of Ages

“Sanderson is an evil genius. There is simply no other way to describe what he's managed to pull off in this transcendent final volume of his Mistborn trilogy.” —RT Book Reviews

Alloy of Law

“Rollicking adventure … Part Sherlock Holmes, part X-Men, this exciting stand-alone adventure is full of close shaves, shootouts, and witty banter.” —Publishers Weekly

“A fresh view of how a world can grow, building new dimensions into the best of the old. Sanderson continues to show that he is one of the best authors in the genre.” —Library Journal, starred review

“An engaging and fun romp of a read. The characters really shine in this book.”—RT Book Reviews

Shadows of Self

“Delivers more excitement, adventure, and magic in a newly industrialized world that is as richly realized as any of Sanderson’s creations.” —Buzzfeed

The Bands of Mourning

“Witty, memorable characters; a fast-moving, plate-spinning plot; and a deepening of one of the most creative magic systems ever conceived: it’s everything a Sanderson fan could ask for.” —B&N Sci-Fi and Fantasy Blog

From the Publisher

08/31/2015
Sanderson (The Alloy of Law) brings back crime fighter Waxillium Ladrian for the excellent fifth Mistborn industrial revolution fantasy, which opens a new subseries. Nearly two decades have passed since Wax worked as a lawman for hire in the Roughs, the dusty territory far removed from his home city of Elendel. Now he assists the constabulary of Elendel, and his latest case looks to be a bad one. An unknown assassin has killed several people at an auction, both nobles and criminals—including Winsting Innate, the governor’s brother. The governor himself is the next likely target, but Wax learns from Harmony, his deity, that the assassin is not human at all but a Faceless Immortal. With the assistance of the lovable but dodgy sidekick Wayne and lawyer-turned-constable Marasi Colms, Wax hopes to cobble together enough power and talent to save the day. Sanderson’s fantasy world partakes equally of steampunk, early industry, and the Wild West, and he cleverly incorporates the metal-shaping magic of feruchemists and allomancers. Fantasy fans will savor this exciting escapade. Agent: Joshua Bilmes, JABberwocky Literary Agency. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

★ 09/15/2015
Picking up after 2011's Alloy of Law, this book has Waxillium Ladrian now ensconced in the capital city of Elendel, although he hasn't completely left his Wild West days in the Roughs behind. Someone seems to be stirring Elendel's working classes into a state of unrest, and Wax, his partner Wayne, and constable Marasi need to put a lid on the potential riots, protect the governor, and deal with whoever is pulling all the strings. An immense amount of backstory is hinted at from both the original "Mistborn" trilogy and the previous volume of this time-jumped new series, but Sanderson does a great job of bringing new readers up to speed. Fast, smart dialog and an abundance of exciting action keep the pages turning. VERDICT Although there are too many descriptions of Wax's metal-wielding powers, the magic system that Sanderson has developed shows why this is one of his great strengths in the fantasy field. Picking out a favorite character might be hard—honorable but haunted Wax has merits, as does the lovely Marasi, struggling to succeed in the Elendel Constabulary—but Wayne remains one of the most charmingly irrepressible thieves in fantasy.—MM

Library Journal

Michael Kramer returns to narrate this newest installment in the Mistborn saga. Picking up from ALLOY OF LAW, Kramer continues the easy, bantering style of the characters in a setting reminiscent of the wild, wild West. Kramer finds plenty of ways to make his listeners smile and look forward to what happens next. The motley cast of characters gives Kramer a wealth of opportunity to draw out the story’s humor—at times, sardonic, at other times, verging on hilarity. Kramer maintains a strong pace, with plenty of moments for witty repartee in the midst of intense confrontations between the hero, a “lawman for hire,” and a variety of good old-fashioned villains. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

APRIL 2016 - AudioFile

2015-08-16
A fantasy thriller about a supernatural assassin and a city on the brink of collapse. Waxillium Ladrian, nobleman and former bounty hunter, has a very proper fiancee and a very above-board position as a kind of consultant to the city's constabulary that allows him to continue his pursuit of justice while living his mostly very civilized life. But even with all his experience, and with the help of his friend and partner from the uncivilized Roughs, Wayne, and his fiancee's beautiful sister, Marasi, who's now a bona fide constable, he may not be ready for the next challenge facing the city of Elendel. There's a killer stalking the streets, a killer who can move too fast to be seen—and with the city already teetering on the edge of unrest, a single spark could set this civilization ablaze. Like Sanderson's last book, The Alloy of Law (2011), a spinoff of his Mistborn series, this follow-up wrestles with questions of law and justice in a world that, like our own 19th century, is experiencing rapid change. In this volume, the questions get bigger as our heroes struggle to figure out their places in the system of divine justice. This book deals far more than its predecessor with its world's complicated mythology, but the action never lets up, and the characters never lose their endearing humanity. A fast-paced fantasy adventure set in a fascinating world and populated with lovable, memorable characters.

Kirkus Reviews