Mistborn Era 2 Review (Wax & Wayne Series by Brandon Sanderson)

I read the original Mistborn trilogy about five months ago, and it was easily one of the best series I’ve ever read – and I don’t say that lightly! And so I was really excited to finally dive back into the world of Scadrial for this era 2 a few weeks ago, set 300 years after the events of the Final Empire.

Well, excited, but also nervous. Would the “Wax and Wayne” installments live up to its predecessor? Will I like the new characters? Will I like the direction Sanderson goes with the story? If you’re worrying about similar questions, you’ll enjoy this spoiler-free Mistborn era 2 review!

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In a nutshell:

Read if You Like

• Gun-slingin’, action-packed stories

• Western-inspired fantasy settings (Think Clint Eastwood meets Batman with magical powers)

• Dynamic duo main characters

Pass if You Don’t Like

• Smaller-scale fantasy (compared to Mistborn era 1)

• Less world-building compared to other Cosmere books

What is Mistborn Era 2?

Mistborn Era 2, also known as the Mistborn: Wax & Wayne Saga, is a set of four books that takes place 300 years after the original trilogy. The planet Scadrial has been slowly advancing in society since Harmony saved (and essentially rebuilt) the planet from destruction.

This reborn world has evolved over 300 years, showcasing a mix of familiarity and new elements, with the old magics of Allomancy and Feruchemy playing a crucial role.

This era has turn-of-the-century vibes with a sprinkling of the wild West; the emergence of automobiles and electric lighting becoming commonplace throughout the series, and there are lots of gun-slinging, bowler hats, and dusters.

If a four-book series seems odd, that’s because it wasn’t planned that way; The Alloy of Law, which is the first book in the series, is what Brandon refers to as an experiment that he wrote while exploring this new era of Mistborn to serve as a stopgap between eras while he was working on the Stormlight Archive series. Books five through seven were written after as a trilogy.

Era 2 is a finished series, although Sanderson does have plans to start writing a new trilogy, or Era 3, in 2025.

This series is best read after era 1 and honestly, I recommend reading it after Stomrlight Archive also. For more information, check out my cosmere reading guide!

My Mistborn Era 2 Review

Reading Experience Overview

I could have read Mistborn era 2 right after the original trilogy, but I read the Stormlight archives first, and I’m glad I did; I felt like it gave me a much deeper understanding of the cosmere by the time I got to Wax and Wayne and I was also ready for something lighter and more action-packed after those chonky Stormlight Archive books.

I went into this series with tempered expectations because I had seen other reviewers complain that it wasn’t as epic as the original trilogy. But while that may be true, this is till an excellent series, and there is plenty of references and cameos tying it to the original to make it exciting for original Mistborn fans.

That said, I will be the first to say it’s not brain-meltingly awesome the way the original trilogy was. But that doesn’t mean it’s not better than the average fantasy book! I’ll break it down a bit further by category:

Writing Style

Sanderson’s writing style is very distinct, and by the time I got to these books I knew what to expect. He always writes in close third person narrative across several POVs. The tone of writing changes with the character he’s writing about; for example, Wax’s chapters are more serious and buttoned-up, whereas Wayne’s chapters use lots of slang and humorous (if purposely ridiculous) analogies.

As an aspiring fantasy writer, I love studying Sanderson’s writing because I find it to be the perfect blend of direct phrasing and powerful imagery.

It’s definitely the most action-based of any other Sanderson book I’ve read; as well, I think it is the best candidate for being adapted into a movie or TV show; the story is straight-forward enough that the nuances won’t get lost in translation to the screen and the action scenes would be brilliant to watch!

Themes and Motifs

There are lots of recurring themes throughout this series, many of which will seem familiar if you’ve read other cosmere books.

Law and Order vs. Chaos:

The series often pits the structured, lawful approach of the main characters, particularly Waxillium Ladrian, against the chaotic elements of the criminal underworld and rogue elements.

Identity and Transformation:

Characters struggle with their identities and roles in society. Wax grapples with his dual identity as a lawman and a nobleman, while Wayne deals with his past and his sense of self-worth.

Morality and Ethics:

The novels frequently explore the moral complexities of justice and the ethical dilemmas faced by the characters, particularly in their roles as law enforcers.

Technological and Societal Progress:

The series is set during a time of the planet’s Industrial Revolution in Scadrial, bringing themes of progress, innovation, and the impact of technology on society.

Friendship and Loyalty:

The bonds between the main characters, especially between Wax and Wayne, highlight themes of trust, loyalty, and camaraderie.

Redemption

Both Wax and Wayne have tragic pasts that they are having trouble moving on from. Self-forgiveness is a recurring theme throughout the books.

World-Building

Ideally, you won’t read Mistborn Era 2 without reading Era 1, and you can tell that Sanderson is relying on you having read the original trilogy since you will find less in the way of explanations in this series than in his other books. He does recap and explain details briefly, so if it’s been a long time since you read The Hero of Ages, don’t fret, there’s enough of a refresher to help you understand how the magic system works and who the major players were in the original. Era 2 is set in the same world as the original Mistborn books, showcasing the continuity and evolution of Scadrial.

But in general, there world-building isn’t all that detailed. Since the setting is turn of the century inspired, a lot of things don’t require much explanation in order for you to picture them effectively.

Magic System

The same concepts of allomancy and feruchemy continue in this series (as well as hemalurgy) with some new twists that I won’t share to prevent spoilers. The intricate and interconnected magic systems within the Cosmere evolve significantly in Mistborn Era 2, showcasing the distinct nature of magic on different planets and its underlying rules.

But there are some new abilities in the mix, including bendalloy which can produce “speed bubbles” and while there are no mistborn in this era, there is such a thing as a twinborn, which is someone who is both a misting and a feruchemist – our main boys, Wax and Wayne, are both twinborn, and their combination of skills makes for some interesting (and at times brilliant) action sequences!

Plot

The plot is not nearly as epic as the first Mistborn trilogy and is – by design – more tightly centred around a smaller cast of characters. The plots are still clever and well executed, but the “Sanderlanche” is far less pronounced in these books than in the original or in Stormlight Archive.

The stories are a little more serialized feeling and while the stakes are still high, it still feels like it’s on a smaller scale compared to other things going on in the cosmere. It’s definitely not a bad thing, but you might feel disappointed if you went into this hoping for something as complex and deep as Stormlight Archive or the first Mistborn books.

Character and Character Development

We have an interesting array of well-developed characters that bring the story to life, the most notable of which are:

Waxillium Ladrian – A distant descendant of Breeze’s, Wax is a gun-slinging lawman in the roughs – but also a noble. He is forced to return to his mansion in Elendel to take over the house after family tragedy leaves him the only surviving member to manage affairs.

Wayne – Wax’s partner and friend from the roughs, Wayne is a master of disguises, speed bubbles, and comedic relief.

Steris – A unique young woman of a noble house whose engagement to Wax serves to benefit their two houses. She believes in being prepared for any outcome, which manifests in a number of quirky ways.

Marasi – Marasi is introduced to Wayne as Steris’s younger cousin who is brilliant, beautiful – and is fascinated by criminal justice and, indeed, Wax’s impressive history as a lawman of the roughs.

MeLaan – a Kandra of the “younger generation” with a noticeably different personality from our beloved TenSoon.

Some characters from the original Mistborn also make cameo appearances throughout the four books, but I won’t spoil it by saying which ones! Reading the previous books in the Mistborn series is essential to fully appreciate the character development and connections in Era 2.

Series Review By Book

I find it always helps to know how well each book helps to carry a series and so here is a breakdown of how good each book is:

Alloy of Law – 4 Stars

The Alloy of Law sets the tone for the rest of the series, and is by far the shortest book of the four. When Steris gets kidnapped, Wax teams up with his old partner Wayne, and Steris’s cousin, Marasi, to save her and unravel a deeper conspiracy.

This first installment successfully blends Western and industrial elements, creating a fresh and engaging setting within the Mistborn universe. The urban landscape of Elendel, with its elegant tree-lined streets, is deceptively dangerous, contrasting the common perception of such streets as safe and peaceful. While it serves as a lighter, more action-oriented adventure compared to the original trilogy, it effectively introduces new characters and sets the stage for the subsequent books.

Shadows of Self – 3.75 Stars

In Shadows of Self, Wax and Wayne face a new threat as a series of murders destabilizes Elendel. As they delve deeper, they uncover a plot involving a rogue Kandra, which challenges their understanding of law, order, and the very nature of their society.

I liked this book, but it was my least favorite of the four books.

Bands of Mourning – 4.5 Stars

The Bands of Mourning follows Wax, Wayne, and their companions on a quest to find the mythical Bands of Mourning, ancient metalminds said to have belonged to the Lord Ruler and granted its user immense power. Their journey takes them far from Elendel, uncovering secrets that could alter the balance of power in their world. The modernizing world of Scadrial, with steel-framed skyscrapers racing toward the sky, serves as a backdrop to their adventure, symbolizing progress and change.

This installment was the most exciting of the four, and probably my favorite. In this book, Sanderson finally expands on the geographical and historical scope of the series. The exploration of new settings and deeper character arcs make it one of the most compelling books in the Wax and Wayne series, blending high stakes with personal growth.

It’s also got one of the best teaser endings!

The Lost Metal – 4.5 Stars

Wax and Wayne face their greatest challenge yet as they confront a powerful new enemy threatening the stability of their world. The story culminates in a dramatic showdown that tests their abilities and resolves the series’ overarching mysteries.

It’s a satisfying (and highly emotional) conclusion to the Wax and Wayne saga, tying up loose ends and delivering on the promise of epic confrontation. The book skillfully balances action, character resolution, and thematic depth.

Final Thoughts and Overall Rating

While the Wax and Wayne saga is far from my favorite from Brandon Sanderson’s bibliography, it is a great series and I definitely recommend reading it after reading the original Mistborn books. I love the idea of exploring the same planet and magic system in different eras, and the execution so far has been excellent. I’m very curious to read what Sanderson will do for Mistborn era 3!

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