Can you tell? I’m on holidays again! And this year I have two Sanderson fantasy books to read, but not a complete trilogy. The first one I picked up is the new Mistborn novel. Last year I remember loving this series, but is the author trying to spin out his tale just a little too long? No!
Set 300 years after the events in the first series, Sanderson’s land of the Mistborn now resembles something of the Wild West. People move around by train, rifles and pistols are common, and beyond the boundaries is a country where civilisation is forgotten. Waxillium has made a name for himself as a lawman in the ‘Roughs’ when he is summoned back to the city, heir to his uncle’s estates. Reluctantly Wax packs away his guns and mist cloak to become a gentleman. But there is this curious series of robberies…
At only a little over 300 pages, there is no time to explain the magic, so either accept the burning metals and the push and pull of a Coinshot or set aside a week to read the full Mistborn saga first. All your questions will be answered. Many readers simply don’t like the foreign lands and difficult names common in fantasy, but if you read Wax for Max, suddenly the name becomes common and manageable. Saying that, I do love the pun of Wax and Wayne.
Strictly speaking this is a fantasy, but if you analysed the story elements, it has a lot more in common with a western adventure than anything else. Reading it I was reminded of the old TV series The Wild, Wild West. A little bit silly, a lot of action and adventure, and most of all a lot of fun.
But I suspect this is a stand-alone book. Not fair! I want more of Wax’s adventures. At least tell me if he gets the right girl!
