****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
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.
