Mistborn: The Wax & Wayne Series: Alloy of Law, Shadows of Self, Bands of Mourning, The Lost Metal

The Mistborn Saga #4-7

by Brandon Sanderson

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson, the Wax & Wayne series is a heist story of political intrigue and magical, martial-arts action--now including its epic conclusion, The Lost Metal. Three hundred years after the events of the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is now 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. The Alloy of Law Waxillium Ladrian, a rare Twinborn, 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. Shadows of Self This bustling, optimistic, but still shaky society will now face its first test by terrorism and assassination, crimes intended to stir up labor strife and religious conflict. Wax, his eccentric sidekick Wayne, and brilliant, beautiful young Marasi, now officially part of the constabulary, must unravel the conspiracy before civil strife can stop Scadrial’s progress in its tracks. The Bands of Mourning The Bands of Mourning are the mythical metal minds owned by the Lord Ruler, said to grant anyone who wears them the powers that the Lord Ruler had at his command. Hardly anyone thinks they really exist. A kandra researcher has returned to Elendel with images that seem to depict the Bands, as well as writings in a language that no one can read. Waxillium Ladrian is recruited to travel south to the city of New Seran to investigate. Along the way he discovers hints that point to the true goals of his uncle Edwarn and the shadowy organization known as The Set. The Lost Metal For years, frontier lawman turned big-city senator Waxillium Ladrian has hunted the shadowy organization the Set—with his late uncle and his sister among their leaders—since they started kidnapping people with the power of Allomancy in their bloodlines. When Detective Marasi Colms and her partner Wayne find stockpiled weapons bound for the Outer City of Bilming, this opens a new lead. Conflict between Elendel and the Outer Cities only favors the Set, and their tendrils now reach to the Elendel Senate—whose corruption Wax and Steris have sought to expose—and Bilming is even more entangled. After Wax discovers a new type of explosive that can unleash unprecedented destruction and realizes that the Set must already have it, an immortal kandra serving Scadrial’s god, Harmony, reveals that Bilming has fallen under the influence of another Trell, worshipped by the Set. And Trell isn’t the only factor at play from the larger Cosmere—Marasi is recruited by offworlders with strange abilities who claim their goal is to protect Scadrial...at any cost. Wax must choose whether to set aside his rocky relationship with God and once again become the Sword that Harmony has groomed him to be. If no one steps forward to be the hero Scadrial needs, the planet and its millions of people will come to a sudden and calamitous ruin. Other Tor books by Brandon Sanderson The Cosmere The Stormlight Archive The Way of Kings Words of Radiance Edgedancer (Novella) Oathbringer Dawnshard (Novella) Rhythm of War The Mistborn trilogy The Final Empire The Well of Ascension The Hero of Ages The Wax and Wayne series Alloy of Law Shadows of Self Bands of Mourning The Lost Metal Collection Arcanum Unbounded Other Cosmere novels Elantris Warbreaker The Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series Alcatraz vs.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Adventure, High Fantasy, Action

1966 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 19, 2023

About the author

I’m Brandon Sanderson, and I write stories of the fantastic: fantasy, science fiction, and thrillers.

The release of Wind and Truth in December 2024—the fifth and final book in the first arc of the #1 New York Times bestselling Stormlight Archive series—marks a significant milestone for me. This series is my love letter to the epic fantasy genre, and it’s the type of story I always dreamed epic fantasy could be. Now is a great time to get into the Stormlight Archive since the first arc, which begins with Way of Kings, is complete.

During our crowdfunding campaign for the leatherbound edition of Words of Radiance, I announced a fifth Secret Project called Isles of the Emberdark, which came out in the summer of 2025. Coming December 2025 is Tailored Realities, my non-Cosmere short story collection featuring the new novella Moment Zero.

Defiant, the fourth and final volume of the series that started with Skyward in 2018, came out in November 2023, capping an already book-filled year that saw the releases of all four Secret Projects: Tress of the Emerald Sea, The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter, and The Sunlit Man. These four books were all initially offered to backers of the #1 Kickstarter campaign of all time.

November 2022 saw the release of The Lost Metal, the seventh volume in the Mistborn saga, and the final volume of the Mistborn Era Two featuring Wax & Wayne. Now that the first arc of the Stormlight Archive is wrapped up, I’ve started writing the third era of Mistborn in 2025.

Most readers have noticed that my adult fantasy novels are in a connected universe called the Cosmere. This includes The Stormlight Archive, both Mistborn series, Elantris, Warbreaker, four of the five Secret Projects, and various novellas, including The Emperor’s Soul, which won a Hugo Award in 2013. In November 2016 all of the existing Cosmere short fiction was released in one volume called Arcanum Unbounded. If you’ve read all of my adult fantasy novels and want to see some behind-the-scenes information, that collection is a must-read.

I also have three YA series: The Rithmatist (currently at one book), The Reckoners (a trilogy beginning with Steelheart), and Skyward. For young readers I also have my humorous series Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, which had its final book, Bastille vs. the Evil Librarians, released in 2022. Many of my adult readers enjoy all of those books as well, and many of my YA readers enjoy my adult books, usually starting with Mistborn.

Additionally, I have a few other novellas that are more on the thriller/sci-fi side. These include the three stories in Legion: The Many Lives of Stephen Leeds, as well as Perfect State and Snapshot. These two novellas are also featured in 2025’s Tailored Realities. There’s a lot of material to go around!

Good starting places are Mistborn (a.k.a. The Final Empire), Skyward, Steelheart, The Emperor’s Soul, Tress of the Emerald Sea, and Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians. If you’re already a fan of big fat fantasies, you can jump right into The Way of Kings.

I was also honored to be able to complete the final three volumes of The Wheel of Time, beginning with The Gathering Storm, using Robert Jordan’s notes.

Sample chapters from all of my books are available at brandonsanderson.com—and check out the rest of my site for chapter-by-chapter annotations, deleted scenes, and more.

Reviews

[Vadym Ozarynskyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Хотів б поставити 4.5, бо все дуже круто. Субʼєктивна думка, але я не хотів що б Кел знову повертався як персонаж, мені цей персонаж дуууже подобається, але тепер коли його повернули, я не впевнений що це той самий, і в мене ніби трішки паплюження його йде. Мені б хотілось що б він просто залишався в гарних спогадах, але його повернули і по відчуттях я не впевнений що так і планувалось спочатку. Горювання по Вейну трішки затягнулось, хоча розумію що це можливо чисто мені так здавалось. Не те що вони не мали по ньому горювати, але в епілогу хотілось б більше дізнатись про їх буденність після всього, а було, як на мене, багато опису горювання.
Але все це, це мілкі мої примхи. Задоволенний історією повністю. Камео і інформація про Рошар прям неочікувана і дуже мені сподобалось.
Обожнюю ці світи і персонажів.

UPD: прочитав Secret History, тепер про Кела стало все зрозуміло, більше не має питань про нього, все тепер склалось

[Connor Briarly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cool writing with a good plot. Everything tied together masterfully

[Alexa Huddleston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Order of fav books: 3,1,4,2

[Marsha Stokes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have reviewed each of these books in the series individually, so if you want to see what I thought of the stories, you will have to check the reviews I left on the individual books themselves. This review, I am just going to briefly comment on my experience using the ebook of the entire collection, as opposed to ebook files for each book in the series individually.
****
I really love having both a physical copy and an e-copy of all the books I read. With a physical copy, there is nothing like holding a real copy in your hands, turning pages, and seeing the progressive march of your bookmark to show where you are in the story. With an e-copy, there is the additional benefits of taking your book with you anywhere you go on your phone or mobile device, minimizing wear-and-tear on your physical books, and being able to touch-and-hold any unknown word in the story and get the definition immediately.
However, this was the first time I have purchased a COLLECTION as my ebook copy, so here are my thoughts.
Pros of buying the entire series as a single e-book:
*cost savings

Cons:
*The progress indicator (showing that you are anywhere from 0-100% complete in the book) would only show me how far I was in completing the entire collection instead of showing me how far I was in each book. That could be a little disorienting to me, as you might naturally assume that book one would be done around 25% complete in the series (book two at 50%, book three at 75% and book four at 100%), but such was not the case.
Each book in the series get longer and longer, so book one ended (maybe) around 15-20% of the way through the entire series. Therefore, I mentally had a hard time gauging where I was and when a book was going to end. I distinctly remember getting to the end of book one and being surprised it was over (almost like I had missed being aware I was reading the end climax of the book, which left me feeling a little disappointed) because my e-reader was telling me that I was only about 15-20% of the way done with the entire series. Logically, I should have expected as much knowing that each book gets longer and longer, but somehow I still found it surprising and disorienting when it happened. That did feel like a negative to buying the entire collection as one e-book file. However, I do not think such would be the case for a series that I have already read. If I bought another series that I have previously read as a collection (or reread this one), I would be familiar with the stories and be able to more naturally gauge/pace myself while going though the e-file.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mistborn Era 2 (the Wax & Wayne books) is such a fun return to Scadrial, and it honestly surprised me with how much I loved it. Set 300 years after the original trilogy, it blends familiar magic with a totally new vibe: gun-slinging lawmen, bowler hats, early cars, and electric lights. Sanderson does a great job of imagining how Allomancy and Feruchemy would influence a Western-meets-Industrial Revolution setting.. and the action is nonstop.

Waxillium Ladrian is a noble-turned-lawman who’d much rather be chasing criminals in the roughs than attending high-society events, and he’s constantly torn between his sense of duty and who he wants to be. Wayne, his partner, is a master of disguises who is hilarious and has a lot more emotional depth than you might expect at first glance - oh also he can make speed bubbles that slow down time around him. Neat!

Wax and Wayne are a fantastic duo. The fights are cool. I love the supporting cast. Its not a big cast, but the characters really shine. One of my favorites is probably Steris. She's a careful planner and organizer, betrothed to Wax, and while she seems very uptight at first - her well written character arc proves that's not entirely the case

Compared to Era 1 or Stormlight, this series is much lighter and more serialized, but that’s part of the charm. The stakes feel more personal, the pacing is tight, and the whole thing feels incredibly cinematic..honestly, it would make an amazing movie or TV adaptation. Each book builds naturally toward a satisfying and emotional finale, with The Bands of Mourning standing out as a personal favorite of mine.

If you’ve read the original Mistborn trilogy, this is an easy recommendation: it’s fun, fast-paced, emotional (Especially the Grand Finale), and a great example of how cool it is to explore the same world in a new era.

[Nagisa Urchin · Rating 4 out of 5]

book 1 was a very different experience than the first era of mistborn, and a welcome one. mistborn era 1 was a huge calamity every single book. this first book in the new era takes a step back and starts off much smaller, a few cases that rub our detective main character along the way leading into a massive conspiracy. very entertaining characters, much more roguish and goofy than era 1 mistborn. wayne is an absolute legend and wax is a cool main character. the way that they have wrote in the previous history of era 1 was very nice to see, and the power system was once again thrown a new variable: combination users of metallurgy and feruchemy.

book 2 was a nice and interesting continuation, higher stakes: the capital city is at risk now, more strange things are discovered about their unseen foes, and the gang sees fruits of their labors from their efforts in book 1. a really great twist at the end.

book 3 felt a little out of place. the last two felt very detective and investigation focused with lots of plot slowly unearthed, whereas this one had that but more in a rag tag Indian jones adventure format. didn't know how I fully felt about some bits in it. overall though it was a good addition to the story and the bands play a cool part in the politics of the next book. loved waynes story progression in this one

book 4 was pretty good. loved the new introduction of politics with the southern people. things are now at a rising peak in politics and plot where the enemies plans are finally taking off and their final steps to domination are played out. a pretty good ending point overall, and this book adds some foreshadowing for possibly the next era. there were some bits I was a bit iffy one in this one but I'm very excited to see where things go.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

real rating: 4.75

I love this series so so much, Brandon Sanderson is a genius. The magic system is the best I have ever read, it’s so innovative and unique and complex. I also love how it built on the first series really well, both with adding many new additions to the magic and to the constant references to characters and events. It was cool to see how the perceptions changed over time, but some of the titles (eg. Marsh being Death, apparently) were confusing. My main critique of this series is that the worldbuilding was too accelerated. The first and fourth books were seven or so years apart, but it felt like 70 years in history had passed, in terms of how far modernity has progressed. The only other issue was the age gap with Wax and Steris, though I did really really like their relationships. The characters on the whole were excellent, as usual. They were all really distinct, flawed, and likeable, and the platonic relationships were all really sweet. I loved Wayne as a character, and his death at the end (though it did make me very emotional). My favourite was Marasi because I am predictable, but I really loved how Steris was written, she was really interesting. I thought the Bands of Mourning plot was a little confusing, my least favourite in the series, and I did like the concept of there being another civilization on the planet, and I liked the politics and lore, but it felt a little unfinished. Last of all, I absolutely love his writing style; it’s very descriptive and dense with lots of big new words, which I could actually look up because I was reading on my kindle. Very excited for instalment three, but, knowing him, it’ll probably take about 20 years.

[Jonathan Hernández · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una digna continuación de la Saga de Nacidos de la Bruma,aunque eche de menos a los personajes de la primera era, los guiños que se encontraban dentro de los libros hacían muy amena la lectura , una de las partes que más me gustó fue la evolución que existió tanto en el mundo como en el desarrollo del sistema de magia, fue bastante interesante ver está expansión y estos cambios dentro de la tecnología entre eras, así como la perspectiva de que quizás en otros tiempos tu podrías ser el Héroe pero ahora solo eres un villano, es bastante refrescante,si bien es una buena continuación y ame a varios de sus personajes sentí que en algunas partes el ritmo de lectura bajo,sobre todo en el libro 3 Brazales de Duelo creo que fue la presentación para algo más grande dentro del universo sin embargo no me fue del todo satisfactorio se me hizo más interesante la trama de los primeros 2 libros en cuanto la línea narrativa del pasado de Waxillium y si bien la trama principal se desarrollaba en segundo plano para culminar en el tercer y cuarto libro el tercero no lo disfruté de igual manera aunque tuviera momentos memorables,para terminar en el último libro de el metal pérdido sin duda tenemos un final impresionante y emotivo al cual Sanderson comienza a acostumbrarme y deja abiertas muchas preguntas sobre lo que vendrá en el Cosmere más adelante

[Jacqueline (Jacqui) Guzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

These four books are set years into the future, after the events of the original Mistborn Trilogy. We now follow a new group of characters, namely Wax, Wayne, and Marasi.

At first, I was wary of this continuation because I grew to love the original characters so much (and who likes change, right?). But I immediately found comfort with the witty banter between Wax and his best friend Wayne, and how they spoke about Vin and Sazed as if they were Gods of the past. It was surreal learning how their actions years prior led to religions being formed in their honor/memory.

The new storyline was more modern and the development of allomancy was intriguing; the growth of the characters (which is my most favorite thing to look for in books) was achingly beautiful; and, the most tell-tale sign of how much a series means to you, the ending absolutely WRECKED me.

Although the original trilogy is unmatched, I loved this entire 7-book series.

[Michelle Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series was an absolute blast. I really enjoyed the characters and their quirks— especially Wayne, who completely stole the show for me. His humor oddly logic and surprisingly heartfelt moments made this series feel alive and memorable.
The books blend fun fantasy with western vibes, heists, mystery, and action, all built on a cool (sometimes complicated) magic system. There’s a lot going on, and that’s part of the fun— but don’t make the same mistake I did and get too swept up in the action and adventure. I definitely lost the main plot thread a few times while bingeing these books.
Overall, this was a great series: fun, clever, and full of surprises. If you’re in the mood for fast paced fantasy with memorable characters and a playful tone, this one is worth the ride.

[Erin Morlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a series if you aren’t interested in an investment, but the payoff is so worth it. Book 1 was my absolute favorite, with 3 being very high up on my list of things I loved reading this year. The Lost Metal, the final book, saw the characters at the end of a 7 year run, and had grown and changed significantly throughout our four books. I specifically love the changes we come to see in Marasi, with Steris being the sleeper-hit I didn’t even know I needed.

To quote Mistborn royalty, the High Imperial, “wasing the always of wanting of knowing”. 😂

[James Rolland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few predictable major beats, but enjoyable story with good characters. Mistborn Era 1 and greater Cosmere connections were satisfying

Alloy of Law - 3.5
Shadows of Self - 5
Bands of Mourning - 4
The Lost Metal - 4 5

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this series in one sitting after re-reading the original trilogy. What bothered me about the original trilogy was not present here, so I prefer it, but it is certainly not perfect. A fun series.

[Russell F. Hadley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read

I throughly enjoyed this set. I've read the previous books and this really was hard to put down. I highly recommend it. Be prepared to think of metal in a different way.

[Courtney Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it, sad it's over.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for the next one!

[Jonathan LaDuca · Rating 5 out of 5]

although shadows of self might be the weakest Sanderson book I've read, BOM and TLM might be the strongest. a fantastic series.

[Rocio Flores]

Wow Excellent

[Nikita Crowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect alloy (heh) of intrigue, action, and humour -- an excellent adventure book, well-paced enough to keep you on the edge of your seat the whole way with enough levity to keep things fun!

[Lucía · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muy entretenidos. Siempre les guardaré cariño por los ratos que me amenizaron en el transporte público este curso

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a journey

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a bit to get into it and some of it kind of dragged, but it was worth it for Cosmere secrets

[Ernest Burdett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hooked

Brandon Sanderson is amazing ! I loved the Wax& Wayne series. I felt that it started a little slow, but what an ending. So different from the Mist born series.

[Felton Blow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the series both the first mistborn saga and this one as well.

[Robyn Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cried at the ending of the last book

[Linda Karchmar (Cameron) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the Mistborn books. I really missed this world when the books were finished. I want to read the reast now.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot: 5/5
World building: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Romance: 3/5
Spice Level: N/A

Brandon Sanderson does it again. While I don’t think this series was quite as good as the original Mistborn trilogy, it was a hell of a lot of fun. It’s great on its own - and it’s even better with all of the fun parallels and references to the earlier generation.

The Alloy of Law was a solid read but didn’t have the same grandeur or gravity that I love from the originals. However, it was still a solid, fun read (4 star+) and the momentum really only picks up from here. We get some devastating back stories that come back to the present with a vengeance, new worlds colliding to unearth ancient sources of power, and realizations that the political strife that felt like the end of the world days ago actually pales in comparison to newly discovered threats.

Already looking forward to the next series.

[Muddysquirrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Alloy of Law: 4.5/5
Shadows of Self: 4.5/5
The Bands of Mourning: 5/5
The Lost Metal: 5/5

An amazing follow-up to Era 1 even funnier, sharper, and more refined in its pacing. The character work is excellent, with great chemistry and depth across the whole cast. It keeps the clever magic system and worldbuilding that made the first trilogy so good but adds more personality and humor.

A fantastic series from beginning to end fast-paced, creative, and full of heart. Easily one of Sanderson’s best works.

[Jonah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mistborn era 2 was soooo goated. I think the setting is my favorite in the entire Cosmere. The characters are phenomenal as always. The sad moments are devastating and the humor is maybe the best in the whole Cosmere. Absolutely would recommend to anyone, although it’ll be tricky to keep up with some of the magic system if you haven’t read Mistborn era 1 first.