The Not a Book Club Club discussion
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Shadows of Self
Brandon Sanderson
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SoS: Part 2 (Chapters 5-21)
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Interesting that both the Kandra and Hemalurgy are back, and in 1 villian no less.
My suspicion based on his initial conversation with her is that his Uncle is really his father. Though why his Uncle would lie about it I'm not sure. Had an illegitimate child and used his brother to cover it up?
Otherwise why would she keep mentioning killing his father? She might be using his uncle for his men/resources with intentions of killing him when he's no longer of use.
I'm definitely hooked into this now.
Ooh, nice theory about the uncle. Hadn't thought about that. It does make sense
Yeah I'm well and truly sucked in as well. Have a feeling I'll be finishing tonight or in the morning
Part way in to section 2, but had to stop by to say... they have a coachman named Hoid. Someone who just happens to have the name, or the 2nd time that Hoid's hopped into this shard?
I assumed it was "the" Hoid.
Mod
How did I miss that!? One of the downfalls of listening. It has to be THE Hoid. He's been in every Cosmere book thus far I believe.
I'm enjoying the book, but not Loving it. I can't put my finger on why. I find myself bored in places. I'm eager to find out what will happen next, but just not as into it as the other Misborn books.
So far I'd have to probably rank this as he's second weakest of the series with only The Well of Ascension being worse.
And I love Sanderson's magic systems, and world building, but I wish he'd give up trying his hand at humor. He's just not good at it.
Aw, I thought he was a lot better in this book at the humor. Didn't feel as heavy handed as normal
Mod
I guess that helps me identify one of the things I don't like about this book. The religious aspect of it feels a bit heavy handed. Despite being Mormon, I've never found Sanderson's stuff preachy.
The religious stuff is important in the context of this book. And it shows the idea of people deifying ordinary humans, though really they are probably extraordinary humans. And in Harmony's case, he was elevated to a god by possession of the shards.
I dunno, I guess all the religion talk just annoys me these days, even if it's fake religions based on characters from the last series. I should find that cool, but I just don't.
Speaking of characters from the last series: Tensoon! <3
Hell yeah, TenSoon!Yeah, I was going to make a comment about the religion aspect as well but I kept forgetting to mention it. I get why it plays a big part in this world, but it does feel like it was slightly force fed to us in this one. Wonder if that's how the rest of these Mistborn books will evolve because that would become tiresome.
In this one, it didn't take anything away from my enjoyment.
Sometime you have to look closely for the Hoid appearance (Elantris comes to mind) but he was right out in the open in this book.
I missed Hoid completely probably because of listening to the audio.I thought that the "father" mentioned was the priest and that the bad Kandra(name escaping me) was just trying to distract Wax.
I agree with Rob about finding the book tiresome. I actually am pretty annoyed with the book. Maybe I am souring on Sanderson. I am not liking any of his main characters lately. Wax annoys me. I was agreeing with his uncle during the carriage ride they shared. Everything feels too preachy and heavy handed. No complexity to the characters (or just stereotypical character archetype complexity) This section was very slow in some parts, I wasn't hooked to keep reading like I was with TAW. This section picked up at the end, but at this point I am just ready for the book to be over.Wayne is the book's only saving grace.
"Spectacles are like hats for smart people!"
Seeing TenSoon was awesome, though maybe it was the audio that made him talk so slow, but he is not nearly the badass he was in previous books.
I'm glad you guys mentioned Hoid - I didn't catch that either (audio). In this section I actually found myself liking Sterris (not sure about the spelling) more than everyone except Wayne - I know that shes a compulsive planner, etc., but I really did like how she planned the visit to the part, complete with entering via allomancy. I feel sorry for her too.I agree that it is feeling a bit preachy. But I'm also feeling like every book I'm reading at the moment is preaching to me, so I was glad I wasn't the only one thinking that about this book.
Mod
Suzanne wrote: "But I'm also feeling like every book I'm reading at the moment is preaching to me, so I was glad I wasn't the only one thinking that about this book. "Hah, I am in the same mood too...was getting annoyed with Dresden Files (Ghost Story, specifically) for feeling preachy. TAW didn't rub me the wrong way though :)
Me too - maybe that's why I like her. I too have planned to plan. And the whole backup plans, and backup to backups, and planned conversation starters....I found my book twin!
I liked Sterris as well. She knows what her failings and limitations are and works around them. She also seems to be really making an effort at making her relationship with Wax into more than just a political marriage. Hope Wax doesn't ditch her for Marasi.
Bill wrote: "I liked Sterris as well. She knows what her failings and limitations are and works around them. She also seems to be really making an effort at making her relationship with Wax into more than just ..."Truth. Found Marasi incredibly annoying, she was annoying in the first one but worse here. Ok so it's not just me who actually really likes Sterris now? haha she grew a lot on me in this book.
Love Brandon Sanderson. in my top 3 authors but the characters don't seem to have the same depth as the original trilogy and cant compare to SA (His greatest creation)
I agree that Wayne has basically been the best, followed closely by Sterris... I don't think anyone else is really in the race. The uncle, maybe, for clearly trying too hard to be a cliche gentleman villain.Also, did you guys notice the Parshendi sighting in the newspaper article? Made me smile.
No I didn't!!!What the hell?!?!?!!
Mod
Oh, there's just an article in the paper during one of the interludes entitled "Visitors From Other Worlds." The woman in the article describes a hunched figure that was "just a shadow, really, [with] piercing eyes, and a face like some otherworldly beast..."
Sounded pretty Parshendi to me.
huh - I saw that and wondered what it was talking about - makes sense!
I am really enjoying this book. With Alloy of law you could slip by without reading the previous mist born books, but not this one so much. You would be a bit lost with all the lord ruler, harmony, kelsier and other references.I like Marasai and also how Sterris is kind of crazy and she knows it, you can see her growing on Wax. I got a kick of how she is so uptight but yet got a thrill entering the party flying in the air with Wax and wearing the appropriate under garments in preparation.
It's also great to be back with TenSoon and remember his story. I like the mix of sleuth detective work and humour these books always have.
The hemurlagy is still as brilliant and creepy as ever and I am liking the reveal of Paalms motives. On to chapter 3!
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