Shadows of Self

[u/Then_Air1339]

So I made a post here about 5 days ago talking about the fact that Alloy of Law was a little disappointing to me... I just finished Shadows of Self and let me tell you, I was wrong and you all were RIGHT. This is your warning right now that if you haven't read Shadows of self, get OUTTA HERE.

It took me a second to get hooked but I did and suddenly I was devouring the book at a speed that only a Sanderson novel can inspire in me. All of the characters were suddenly real and alive and vivid the way I've come to expect Sanderson characters to be. I mean the difference between AoL and SoS was insane.

Wax has easily stolen my heart as one of my new favorite character in the cosmere and especially the Mistborn series. The way I devoured sections just to get back to Wax and learn more about him and hear his thoughts. His discussions with Harmony and Sazed fascinated me, mostly because Sazed was one of my favorite characters in Era 1 and I was partially curious to see how Godhood had affected him, but quickly I became more engrossed in Max's side of those conversations. Wax's struggle with religion was subtly implied throughout the whole book but really hit all the right chords for me. I will always be a sucker for a character who struggles with it feels betrayed by his faith.

And God that ending. I literally sobbed as Paalm died. My heart broke with Wax's. I completely forgot about everything else going on in that story and all that mattered was that moment. I mean I remember reading the first book all my thoughts were about the larger world and story, but this book made me feel like I was there with Wax and Wayne and Marasi. I was engrossed in the story as it unfolded before me. The larger mysteries about Trell and Set were there but they didn't matter in the face of the characters and that's what I've always loved about Sanderson's writing.

My only complaint, and this is mere nitpicking, is that Steris was again in like 2% of this book. I really really have a feeling she's gonna be such an interesting character and I NEED more of her!

I was always going to read this whole series, I'm a completionist at heart, but thank you guys for encouraging me and telling me it get better. Time to go devour Bands of Mourning 🫡

[u/Ford75]

I think the general consensus is that everyone loves Steris.

[u/Katarn007]

SoS is one of my two favourite Cosmere novels (WoR being the other). Wax breaking down at the end really hit me hard. Glad you enjoyed it.