Author: Brandon Sanderson
Narrated by: Michael Kramer
Publisher: Tor Books / Macmillan Audio
Rating: ★★★★1/2 (4.5/5)
Buy:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org

When the Fun Gets Heavy — and Better for It

Shadows of Self takes everything that made The Alloy of Law fun and adds weight. Real weight. This is where Mistborn Era 2 stops feeling like a playful continuation and starts asking harder questions about responsibility, identity, and the cost of choices already made.

The tone is darker, more introspective, and while the pacing slows in places, it never loses its grip. The story deepens rather than sprawls, and the emotional payoff—especially at the end—hits hard.

Wax Under Pressure

Wax’s arc is the backbone of this book, and it’s handled with care. His internal conflict feels fully earned, not manufactured for drama. The ending lands with quiet devastation, the kind that sneaks up on you and lingers after the final chapter fades out.

This is a character reckoning, not just a plot twist.

Wayne, Exactly Where He Needs to Be

Wayne’s humor remains a vital part of the story. Instead of clashing with the darker tone, it balances it. His presence keeps the book from collapsing under its own seriousness, and his moments land precisely because the world around him has grown heavier.

A Familiar World, Sharpened

Scadrial feels more lived-in here—still familiar, but morally messier. The central mystery kept me moving forward, and even as the story shifted into a slower burn, it stayed hard to stop listening. When revelations come, they don’t explode outward; they echo backward, reinforcing the history of the world rather than expanding it for spectacle.

Audiobook Experience

Michael Kramer delivers another strong performance through Macmillan Audio. His pacing works especially well for the quieter, heavier moments, letting the emotional beats settle instead of rushing past them. The audiobook format suited this story perfectly.

Final Thoughts

Shadows of Self entertained me, challenged me, and left me wanting more. It’s darker than its predecessor, slower in spots, but far more emotionally resonant. This is the point where Mistborn Era 2 proves it has something meaningful to say.

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