kassidyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Classism, and Grief
Minor: Body horror and Suicide
lilifane's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was so good. Everything has improved from Alloy of Law, the plot, the pacing, the Era 1 references. But although I really like the characters, I'm still not as emotionally invested in them as in Era 1. But that's the only thing that's keeping this from being a 5 star.
I love the industrialization era of a fantasy world with all its problems but also inventions. I love how the magic is adapting to that. I love the atmosphere. And I really enjoyed the mystery in this one. Trying to catch an assassin is much more interesting than trying to catch a thief.
I managed to guess the culprit, but there were so many surprises along the way and some wtf moments at the end. I'm really curious how the story will continue.
I love the industrialization era of a fantasy world with all its problems but also inventions. I love how the magic is adapting to that. I love the atmosphere. And I really enjoyed the mystery in this one. Trying to catch an assassin is much more interesting than trying to catch a thief.
I managed to guess the culprit, but there were so many surprises along the way and some wtf moments at the end. I'm really curious how the story will continue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Alcohol, Grief, Gun violence, Violence, Classism, Death, Murder, and Suicide
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
jenna_smuszkiewicz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I did not enjoy this book as much as Alloy of Law for me personally. I still had fun with it.
The whole city's working class going into revolt over their conditions and the stress of that made a lot of sense.
Also, I found the villain's motivations really hard to follow. Finding out that .
Wayne honestly brought up this book a lot. He was my favorite POV by far. I also did like MeLaan too.
So, I found the mystery fun to follow but it was hard for me to follow the villain's plans. And the overall politics in this book and how the characters talked about them didn't really agree with me. I think they are still really important conversations to have and you can see many parallels to our world in this. I also got the strongest Christian vibes from this book than from any other Sanderson book. Which is fine, but I don't super vibe with personally and it came on a little too strong for my taste. But, there was that touch of having to struggle with living with these big gods around you and I am interested in how the characters will evolve from this book.
The whole city's working class going into revolt over their conditions and the stress of that made a lot of sense.
Spoiler
And while the characters sympathized, they were still part of the police whose main goal was to stop them at any cost. I get having to stabilize the city but there was no thought from them as to how to make the city better or how to change the system.Also, I found the villain's motivations really hard to follow.
Spoiler
She wants to free them from Harmony. She says strong emotion frees them, but I don't understand how that works.Spoiler
she was Lessie the whole time was surprising. That does make me feel for Wax as he had to kill her twiceWayne honestly brought up this book a lot. He was my favorite POV by far. I also did like MeLaan too.
So, I found the mystery fun to follow but it was hard for me to follow the villain's plans. And the overall politics in this book and how the characters talked about them didn't really agree with me. I think they are still really important conversations to have and you can see many parallels to our world in this. I also got the strongest Christian vibes from this book than from any other Sanderson book. Which is fine, but I don't super vibe with personally and it came on a little too strong for my taste. But, there was that touch of having to struggle with living with these big gods around you and I am interested in how the characters will evolve from this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Gun violence
dkgreads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Even the second time around I’m struggling to stay engaged with Era 2, which is kind of ridiculous because it *IS* in fact engaging. The world building, evolving magic system, and character development is PHENOMENAL, as always with Sanderson. I admittedly forgot 90% of what happened in this book since the first time I read it, so the last half of the book really had me excited, putting things together and connecting them to the past. All roads lead back to Era 1. And there in lies the problem: I’m still not over it. Lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Mental illness and Murder
kadtide's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Blood and Classism
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Body horror, and Mass/school shootings
readwithria's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Shadows of Self yet again takes the world of Mistborn and gives us a compelling story with twists and turns from start to finish.
It’s hard to talk about this book without spoilers, so I’m going to stick to some very vague lists of the things I liked and the things I didn’t love.
Things I Liked
- the new characters!
- the pacing
- Marasi’s growth within her new position
- the exploration of the time between Era 1 and Era 2
Things I Didn’t Love
- the actual story. I think that it was fine, but I wanted something a little more fantastical
- Wax’s obsession with guns. I found it very hard to like Wax or to approve of his antics, though I do love him as a character
- the fact that a major plot point of the first book that hasn’t been resolved was barely touched definitely bugged me a bit, but I also know there are two more books and it likely won’t be resolved until the last book of the series
All in all, this was a solid addition to the Mistborn series. 4 stars.
It’s hard to talk about this book without spoilers, so I’m going to stick to some very vague lists of the things I liked and the things I didn’t love.
Things I Liked
- the new characters!
- the pacing
- Marasi’s growth within her new position
- the exploration of the time between Era 1 and Era 2
Things I Didn’t Love
- the actual story. I think that it was fine, but I wanted something a little more fantastical
- Wax’s obsession with guns. I found it very hard to like Wax or to approve of his antics, though I do love him as a character
- the fact that a major plot point of the first book that hasn’t been resolved was barely touched definitely bugged me a bit, but I also know there are two more books and it likely won’t be resolved until the last book of the series
All in all, this was a solid addition to the Mistborn series. 4 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Death, Blood, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body horror
iono's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Grief, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Classism, Gore, Blood, Body horror, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Sexism, Torture, Infidelity, Alcohol, and Death of parent
walkie_check's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Death, and Body horror
Moderate: Blood, Death, Violence, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Classism, Sexism, and Murder
Minor: Alcohol, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Slavery, Blood, Police brutality, and Religious bigotry
oldladysadie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book was Hozier’s “Take Me to Church” in novel form. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Grief, Religious bigotry, and Suicide
josiahpeterson17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I did not expect this book to play with my emotions like it did. Definitely not as profound as Hero of Ages or Stormlight, but it's still really well done. Lots of really great moments and references in this book.
I also continue to absolutely love allomancy in an industrialized Mistborn world. This was a really good book. However, there were a few moments and aspects of the book that felt confusing or maybe I just missed something. But other than that I really enjoyed it. I've been loving Mistborn Era 2 so far.
I also continue to absolutely love allomancy in an industrialized Mistborn world. This was a really good book. However, there were a few moments and aspects of the book that felt confusing or maybe I just missed something. But other than that I really enjoyed it. I've been loving Mistborn Era 2 so far.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood