The Alloy of Law takes place in the Mistborn world years after the end of the trilogy. And while it introduces a whole new cast of characters, Sanderson has made it known that this book isn't the start of the Modern Day Mistborn Trilogy he's promised, but rather a side novel, and could feasibly be read without knowledge of the Mistborn Trilogy.
Cover Blurb:
Three hundred years after the events of the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is on the verge of modernity, with railroads to supplement the canals, electric lighting in the streets and the homes of the wealthy, and the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds.
Kelsier, Vin, Elend, Sazed, Spook, and the rest are now part of history—or religion. Yet even as science and technology are reaching new heights, the old magics of Allomancy and Feruchemy continue to play a role in this reborn world. Out in the frontier lands known as the Roughs, they are crucial tools for the brave men and women attempting to establish order and justice.
One such is Waxillium Ladrian, a rare Twinborn who can Push on metals with his Allomancy and use Feruchemy to become lighter or heavier at will. After twenty years in the Roughs, Wax has been forced by family tragedy to return to the metropolis of Elendel. Now he must reluctantly put away his guns and assume the duties and dignity incumbent upon the head of a noble house. Or so he thinks, until he learns the hard way that the mansions and elegant tree-lined streets of the city can be even more dangerous than the dusty plains of the Roughs.
Though not the epic fantasy we've seen from Sanderson before, this book didn't disappoint!
I loved the snap and crack dialogue between Wax (main character) and Wayne (his sidekick), and even if at some points it was taken to cheesiness, it kept the conversation lively. Wayne was an extremely quirky character. I was in snickers a great deal when reading of him. Wax was the stereotypical Knight-in-Shining-Armor and his inner demons gave depth to his actions. On top of that, Marasi (who often played the Damsel-in-Distress) wasn't a complete airhead.
Characters: 4.5 Stars
Guns and Fantasy don't usually mix, but in the case of this book they clicked perfectly! It was exhilarating to watch a battle scene unfold in which the protagonist is firing coins using Allomancy powers and dodging bullets as he flies across the room. There was Intrigue in high levels and a crime to be uncovered, giving this read a classic Mystery feel that I rather liked. Alas :), as is so characteristic of Sanderson, the plot was mostly tied up a few pages from the end, but then (in those
last pages) he knocked me to the floor! It will not be out for a long, long time, but I will be one of those crazy fanatics camped outside the bookstore for a week in an attempt to get the sequel.
Plot: 5 Stars
Brandon Sanderson has built an entire universe for his books, and it was amazing to see how the Alloy of Law fit perfectly into a niche he had created years ago. The development was entirely natural, and I was engrossed in how it related with the Mistborn Trilogy.
Style: 5 Stars
Rating: 4.8 Stars
Source: Amazon
Genre: Fantasy
YA/Adult Fiction
Subnote: See a recent
Saturday Snatch for the link to an excerpt. :)
