Shadows of Self continues Wax and Wayne’s story, bringing a deeper and darker tone to the Mistborn world. While The Alloy of Law was more of a fast-paced adventure, this book dives into deeper themes, including morality, law, and the challenges of leadership. The stakes feel bigger, and the world of Elendel is becoming more unstable, which adds a great sense of tension.
Wax is still a strong lead, but this book really shines in how it develops the supporting cast. Wayne, as always, brings humor, but we also get to see a more serious side of him. Steris, who didn’t stand out as much in the previous book, becomes a much more interesting and well-rounded character here. The villain is also compelling, and the way the plot ties back to the original trilogy adds an extra layer of depth to the story.
That being said, the pacing felt slower at times, and the tone was heavier than I expected. Some parts dragged a little, but the twists and revelations near the end made up for it.
While not as fun as The Alloy of Law, Shadows of Self is still a solid entry in the series, with great character moments and an intriguing mystery.