Audiobook Review – Shadows of Self (Mistborn, Book 5) by Brandon Sanderson (4/5 stars)

Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Western Fantasy
Length: 12 hours and 42 minutes (464 pages)
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Release Date: October 6, 2015
ASIN: B014LJKUK0
Stand Alone or Series: 5th book in the Mistborn series
Source: Audiobook from Audible.com
Rating: 4/5 stars

“Shadows of Self shows Mistborn’s society evolving as technology and magic mix, the economy grows, democracy contends with corruption, and religion becomes a growing cultural force, with four faiths competing for converts.

This bustling, optimistic, but still shaky society now faces its first instance of terrorism, crimes intended to stir up labor strife and religious conflict. Wax and Wayne, assisted by the lovely, brilliant Marasi, must unravel the conspiracy before civil strife stops Scadrial’s progress in its tracks.

Shadows of Self will give fans of The Alloy of Law everything they’ve been hoping for and, this being a Brandon Sanderson book, more, much more.”

This is the 5th book in the Mistborn series overall and the second of the books featuring Wax and Wayne (which are set a few generations after the original Mistborn trilogy). I continue to struggle with this series a bit; I just don’t like the characters and setting as much as the original Mistborn series.

I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook is very well done. The narrator does a great job with character voices and emotion.

Despite my struggle with engaging with this world and characters I still think this is a well written western fantasy. I loved the magic systems throughout the book and enjoyed all the historical references to the original series.

There is quite a bit of intrigue and action throughout; the story is well paced and things are wrapped up nicely. I just constantly found myself drifting and losing interest in both the story and the characters. I had the same issue with Alloy of Law; so if you enjoyed Alloy of Law you will probably enjoy this book. If you didn’t enjoy Allow of Law I would skip this one.

Overall this is a decent continuation of the Wax and Wayne Mistborn books. I personally don’t enjoy these characters and the world as much as the original Mistborn trilogy. However, I know a lot of people really continue to love these books and they are well written. I won’t be reading the last book of this series because I just don’t care…however if you loved Alloy of Law I think you will enjoy this book as well.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Mount TBR Reading Challenge
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge
– Flights of Fantasy Reading Challenge
– Pick Your Genre (Steampunk) Reading Challenge
– Audiobook Reading Challenge