Books › Shadows of Self
Shadows of Self
464 pages
A kinetic, steampunk-flavored magical mystery that lures you in with witty banter before delivering a devastating emotional gut-punch.
What it feels like
Reading this feels like stepping into a rapidly modernizing world where the soot of industry meets the spark of ancient magic. The experience balances on a knife-edge between a pulpy, fast-paced detective thriller and a profound exploration of faith, duty, and lingering trauma. At first, you are swept up in the kinetic momentum of gunfights and the effortless, witty banter of a classic buddy-cop dynamic. But as the shadows lengthen, the atmosphere grows noticeably heavier, pulling you into a gritty conspiracy that tests the characters' deepest convictions. It is a brisk, cinematic read that delights fans of intricate, rule-based magic and industrial fantasy, ultimately rewarding them with a surprisingly tragic and emotionally resonant climax.
- Mood
- gritty
- kinetic
- shadowy
- industrial
- Tone
- witty
- melancholic
- earnest
- cinematic
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- the weight of duty · crisis of faith · societal growing pains · grief and betrayal · the cost of progress
- The writing
- Accessible, transparent, and highly functional, prioritizing clear action choreography and snappy dialogue over ornate description.
- The arc
- Moves from a breezy, banter-filled detective romp into a devastating confrontation with buried grief and divine betrayal.
- Who it's for
- Fans of hard magic systems, buddy-cop dynamics, and industrial-era fantasy who appreciate a gut-punch of tragedy hidden inside a fun adventure.
Content notes
- gun violence
- grief and loss
- terrorism
- religious manipulation
About the book
Shadows of Self shows Mistborn’s society evolving as technology and magic mix, the economy grows, democracy contends with corruption, and religion becomes a growing cultural force, with four faiths competing for converts.
This bustling, optimistic, but still shaky society now faces its first instance of terrorism, crimes intended to stir up labor strife and religious conflict. Wax and Wayne, assisted by the lovely, brilliant Marasi, must unravel the conspiracy before civil strife stops Scadrial’s progress in its tracks.
Shadows of Self will give fans of The Alloy of Law everything they’ve been hoping for and, this being a Brandon Sanderson book, more, much more.
Description from Open Library.
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