Mistborn: The Bands of Mourning
 | |
| Author | Brandon Sanderson |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Chris McGrath |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Mistborn |
| Genre | Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Tor Books, Macmillan Audio |
Publication date | 26 January 2016 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback), Digital Audio Download |
| Pages | 448 |
| ISBN | 0765378574 |
| Preceded by | Mistborn: Shadows of Self |
| Followed by | Mistborn: The Lost Metal |
Mistborn: The Bands of Mourning is the third book in the high fantasy Wax and Wayne series of novels written by American author Brandon Sanderson. It is the sequel to Shadows of Self and the setting of the novel is approximately 300 years after the conclusion of the original Mistborn series.
Conception
The work that eventually turned into the Wax and Wayne trilogy began with a creative writing exercise, not necessarily intended for publication, to help clear Sanderson's head before continuing work on A Memory of Light from The Wheel of Time and the next book in The Stormlight Archive. This work, Mistborn: The Alloy of Law, was published in 2011. On October 29, 2013, Sanderson and Tor Books announced that there would be two more Mistborn novels in the Wax and Wayne timeframe of the Mistborn universe, starting with the publication of Shadows of Self.[1][2]
Sanderson wrote the first third of Shadows of Self between revisions of A Memory of Light. However, after returning to the book in 2014 Sanderson found it difficult to get back into writing it again. To refresh himself on the world and characters, Sanderson decided to write its sequel Bands of Mourning first and at the end of 2014 he turned both novels in to his publisher.[3]
Characters
- Waxillium "Wax" Ladrian: a descendant of Breeze's house from the original series, he is in his forties with twenty years of lawman experience. After leaving his life as a lawman in the Roughs, he returns to rebuild his House, which his uncle left poor and destitute.
- Wayne: Wax's best friend and deputy, Wayne follows Wax back to the city and continues to pester him into rejoining the law career. Being also a Twinborn, he is able to make time bubbles, in which time speeds up so that he can change into a different disguise, have a private conversation, or simply catch his breath during a fight; and store health in goldminds to heal quickly, in exchange for a period of poor health.
- Marasi: an intelligent, but shy young woman, she studies law in the university and occasionally blurts out random statistics. After hearing the rumors regarding Wax and Wayne's good deeds in the Roughs, she becomes a fan and tags along with them. She has the opposite of Wayne's power, slowing down time inside the bubble, while outside the bubble time flows freely.
Publication history
Tor released the first four chapters of the book, one per week, starting 7 December 2015.[4]
Critical reception
Reviewers lauded the novel's swift publication, a mere 16 weeks after the Shadows of Self was published. Publishers Weekly praised Sanderson's skill in weaving new opportunities for the dynamic duo's next adventure and noted that the novel would be a delight for die-hard Mistborn fans.[5] The Speculative Herald described the novel as an action-filled romp through a fantasy world on the cusp of an industrial revolution, with strong Western vibes and excellent characterization and humor.[6]
References
- ↑ Brian Sanderson (Oct 29, 2013). "Two More Mistborn Novels". Brandonsanderson.com. Retrieved 2014-07-13.
- ↑ "Tor Acquires Two More Mistborn Novels from Brandon Sanderson". Tor.com. 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2014-07-13.
- ↑ Brian Sanderson (Dec 18, 2014). "State of Sanderson December 2014". Brandonsanderson.com. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
- ↑ "The Bands of Mourning: Chapter One". Tor.com. 7 December 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- ↑ Bilmes, Joshua. "The Bands of Mourning". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
- ↑ Sheung, Stephenie. "Review: The Bands of Mourning by Brandon Sanderson". The Speculative Herald. Retrieved 21 February 2016.