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Jana (Nikki)
This series is different from the original trilogy, for sure. It has more of a "western" vibe. But it still has all the charms of the original trilogy -- great characters, same magic system (but it's evolving!), fantastic worldbuilding, and great plots (though more crime-fighting-ish and less of the high-fantasy world-saving variety).
I wanted to correct an earlier answer, though: The Alloy of Law isn't (technically) part of the Alloy-era trilogy. AoL starts the Alloy-era arc, but the official trilogy is Shadows of Self, The Bands of Mourning (Jan 2016), and The Lost Metal (2017). There are two more Mistborn trilogies to come after this one: one set in a time similar to the 1980s, and a far-future 'space opera'-type trilogy (with travel between planets). :)
I wanted to correct an earlier answer, though: The Alloy of Law isn't (technically) part of the Alloy-era trilogy. AoL starts the Alloy-era arc, but the official trilogy is Shadows of Self, The Bands of Mourning (Jan 2016), and The Lost Metal (2017). There are two more Mistborn trilogies to come after this one: one set in a time similar to the 1980s, and a far-future 'space opera'-type trilogy (with travel between planets). :)
Joyce
It's not as good as Mistborn, in my opinion. As others have stated it's more lighthearted, less deep plot, funnier. So looking at it as a "bonus" series (as one of the other reviewers mentioned) is a good idea.
Lyonardo
One thing I hadn't thought of at first. Not only is this trilogy set in a steampunk-like Victorian age of this world, but it's also from the point of view of the opposite social class as the original.
Vin and Kelsier's crew were from a lower class who were fighting against the oppression of the Lord Ruler's tyranny. Wax is a descendant of a member of that crew, so of course is now a member of the upper crust of the society that benefitted from Kelsier's revolution. It basically examines the same society from a polar opposite point of view, and from a different era. Interesting.
Vin and Kelsier's crew were from a lower class who were fighting against the oppression of the Lord Ruler's tyranny. Wax is a descendant of a member of that crew, so of course is now a member of the upper crust of the society that benefitted from Kelsier's revolution. It basically examines the same society from a polar opposite point of view, and from a different era. Interesting.
Theo NightCraver
I enjoyed the first 2 books and can't wait for this one. It has a crime novel vibe, entwined with magic.
If you liked the original Mistborn trilogy you should give this series a try.
If you liked the original Mistborn trilogy you should give this series a try.
Nathan Culberson
So Sanderson's vision for the Mistorn series from the start would be that it would be several series set in the same world at different points in time, to see how a society changes over time around magic systems. The Mistborn trilogy was the first one of these, set in Medieval-ish times. The Alloy of Law, Shadows of Self, and Bands of Mourning, are the next trilogy set about 300 years after, in a industrial revolution kind of time. Last I heard, he still plans a Mistborn trilogy that is set in a futuristic setting.
AveN
The first Trilogy is more dystopian fantasy. This series is more humerous and western-style. I'd compare it to Firefly (This Series) behaving to Warhammer 40K (Original Trilogy).
Jemma
Personally, I enjoyed it a lot more. The characters are more varied and unique. And the plot follows on 300yrs later in a really interesting and intriguing way
Steven
This is basically a fantasy/mystery, set in the Mistborn world a few hundred years in the future but unlike most fantasy type stories, technology is not stagnant so you could imagine The hero of ages concluding in what would be like our 15th/16th century but Alloy of law taking up late 19th/early 20th century and how allowmancy would change as a role as a result.
Jeff Brown
I read somewhere that Sanderson's original plan was for an epic fantasy trilogy (the original 3 books), an urban fantasy trilogy, and a sci-fi trilogy all in the same world.
I believe these books occurred to Sanderson after the original plan - that Alloy of Law was sort of a fun "in-between" book while writing a couple of his bigger books, and that he had so much fun with the characters he decided to write more. So they are more or less a "bonus trilogy"!
To me they are faster paced and more light hearted than the original. More humor and action, less deep story. So different from the first 3 books, but just as enjoyable.
I believe these books occurred to Sanderson after the original plan - that Alloy of Law was sort of a fun "in-between" book while writing a couple of his bigger books, and that he had so much fun with the characters he decided to write more. So they are more or less a "bonus trilogy"!
To me they are faster paced and more light hearted than the original. More humor and action, less deep story. So different from the first 3 books, but just as enjoyable.
Nikhil More
at first, when i finished alloy of law, i thought story line was shallow, but by the end of bands of mourning, i would say it has potential to be an equally well thought story. keeping my fingers crossed for band of mourning.
Tiffany
I actually love this series slightly more than Mistborn. I don't know if it is because I enjoy the more light hearted feel or exactly what it is. Do not get me wrong, I am a huge Sanderson fan and pretty much devour everything he writes but this one just had me totally engaged. I think if you enjoy Mistoborn you will enjoy this series as wll.
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