I’m really excited to be sharing my review of The Alloy of Law with you today! If you are a regular reader you will know that Brandon Sanderson has become one of my favourite authors of all time. The first books/series of his I read is the Mistborn trilogy which precedes The Alloy of Law. I read those books as a teenager so it has taken me a while to get back into the series. Honestly, too long! It was worth the wait though!
Three hundred years after the events of the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity, with railroads to supplement the canals, electric lighting in the streets and the homes of the wealthy, and the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds.
Kelsier, Vin, Elend, Sazed, Spook, and the rest are now part of history—or religion. Yet even as science and technology are reaching new heights, the old magics of Allomancy and Feruchemy continue to play a role in this reborn world. Out in the frontier lands known as the Roughs, they are crucial tools for the brave men and women attempting to establish order and justice.
One such is Waxillium Ladrian, a rare Twinborn who can Push on metals with his Allomancy and use Feruchemy to become lighter or heavier at will.
After twenty years in the Roughs, Wax has been forced by family tragedy to return to the metropolis of Elendel. Now he must reluctantly put away his guns and assume the duties and dignity incumbent upon the head of a noble house. Or so he thinks, until he learns the hard way that the mansions and elegant tree-lined streets of the city can be even more dangerous than the dusty plains of the Roughs.
My Thoughts…
It’s natural to be dubious about how an author attempts to replicate the brilliance of a previous book or series. It’s all-to-easy to end up being disappointed because a reader’s expectations are far too high. I did have very high expectations for this additional series, but Brandon Sanderson pulled off recreating the magic of the first series and updating it to fit a whole new character base and setting. More often than not, this doesn’t work as it doesn’t have the same feel as the original, but that’s not the case with The Alloy of Law in my opinion at all.
I love the steampunk/western vibe of The Alloy of Law. It has a significantly more modern feel than the previous books; an element I really enjoyed. I loved the Mistborn trilogy and I wasn’t sure how well I would take to the jump in time period between the novels. I can hand on heart say that I think I preferred it to the original series.
There is more to this second series than the first, namely, the inclusion of Twinborn ability. I don’t remember much if any of this in the Mistborn trilogy, but it’s a huge part of this modern reboot. I think it adds a lot of depth to the magic system already established and fits with a modernisation/advancement theme. It’s a natural fit with the new storyline set in the future – more is going to be known about the ability and it will have been cultured into society as an ‘advancement’.
The dynamic between the two main characters, Wax and Wayne is hilarious. It’s one of my favourite things about the storyline as a whole. The two work together so well even though they are polar opposites as individuals. Wax, the lawman, cannot leave an injustice and always takes it upon himself to right a wrong. He can’t leave alone and walk away even if he wants to. I admire that about him – it’s one of his more altruistic points. Equally, however, he isn’t perfect at all. He despises his social stature and the expectations of society about him; he actively pushes the boundaries of propriety as well which is very funny to read.
Wayne, on the other hand, is Wayne. He is wicked with a firearm and excellent at going undercover but as a person, he is 100% more laid back than Wax. His ‘trading’ (stealing) habit is trademark to his character and it’s funny because he has a strange sense of what has value. He doesn’t steal the conventional items for the most part, but what he picks up does miraculously prove invaluable to the duo.
The biggest advocate of how much I love this book is how quickly I have gone on to read the rest of the series (published so far). I read the next two books within just over two months after finishing this one. With my reading schedule, that’s impressive! I wouldn’t hesitate to go back and read it again either – I enjoyed it that much!
Today’s Sunday Summary post is coming to you a little bit late, but that’s totally intentional! When taking part in a blog tour, it is general etiquette not to post anything that might take the spotlight off of the tour post. So, this is being published a whole minute after midnight. I hope you haven’t been waiting up for this post. I doubt it!
So, what have I been up to this week? Well, the main focus was to catch up with some reading, but I did manage to squeeze a few blog posts in too! My first post of the week was published on Monday. I have read and loved a number of books by K. J. McGillick now, and Monday’s post featured my latest read of hers, Two: Mind Games and Murder.
I then took a break for a few days before posting a First Lines Friday post. This week’s featured book is one I have had on the TBR for around six months, but bought a copy of at the beginning of the week. I know I said I was going to be buying fewer books this year, but cut me some slack – I had credit with Waterstones. If I don’t have to spend my own money then it doesn’t count, right?
Finally, I’m rounding this week off not with a Sunday Summary, as mentioned above, but with a blog tour post for A Crown in Time by Jennifer Macaire. Jennifer Macaire is also the author of several books I have read and really enjoyed. If you enjoy time travel/historical fiction novels, I recommend you give this a look!
Books Read
In last week’s Sunday Summary post I said I wanted to make more progress on Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson. True to my word I did; I got to around 30% of the way through the book before I had to DNF it. It’s rare that I can’t finish a book, but I could not keep track of what was going on in this at all. Don’t get me wrong, each chapter was great, all written well. The problem I found is that it jumps around an awful lot and it’s disjointed. I get that it’s all world-building, which is usually a huge positive. I just couldn’t follow it and consequently, I wasn’t enjoying it. It’s a huge disappointment since it’s taken me so long to get around to but never mind…
I had much better success with the next book on January’s TBR, which goes towards my Beat the Backlist challenge. Not that I had any doubts about this book at all. I read the first trilogy of the Mistborn series several years ago. Even though the next set of books take place a long time after the original trilogy, reading this felt nostalgic. The Alloy of Law was really easy to pick up compared to Gardens of the Moon as well, so I flew through this book in a few days.
Another book I read really quickly and finished last night is These Are Not the Trinity Papers by Vale Zalecki. This book surprised me for a number of reasons: it was more horror than I expected, and yet, it has touching moments too. I would argue it brings together a lot of ideas and genres but does so really well. I really enjoyed reading something different.
My current read is One: Rage Vengeance Murder by K. J. McGillick. It is the last book in the Path of Deception and Betrayal series and I can’t wait to see how it concludes. I’ve only just picked this up really – I’m around 10% of the way through. I’m looking forward to sharing my review very shortly for this book!
The last book to feature in this section is my audiobook adventures with Darkdawn by Jay Kristoff. I have just less than six hours left and boy it’s getting good! I have no idea how the book is going to end and I can’t wait to see what happens!
Books Discovered
So, I went to Waterstones on Monday. I remembered that I had some credit on my membership card and a gift card from Christmas. Naturally, I did what any booklover would and decided to spend it! I also took advantage of their sale and got four books. It didn’t cost me a single penny!
The first book I picked up was The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz by Jeremy Dronfield. I really love historical fiction books, but particularly those about WW2 and the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Call me morbid, perhaps you’re right!
The second book I picked up was The Taking of Annie Thorne by C. J. Tudor. I really loved reading The Chalk Man last year – it even made my Top Reads of 2019 post. I knew the moment I finished The Chalk Man that I wanted to read more by this author!
The third book I picked up is one I have had on my TBR anyway – Vox by Christina Dalcher. I read a review of this book ages ago and decided then that I wanted to reading. I saw it in the sale and figured, why not?
Lastly, I picked up a psychological thriller novel that caught my attention called Someone Like Me by M. R. Carey. I hadn’t seen or heard of this before, but I’m really intrigued by the synopsis, so I want to give it a try.
Coming Up…
It’s a brand new month, so it’s only fitting that I start the week by publishing February’s TBR. You already know the first book on this month’s TBR, as I am currently read it! I have plenty more on the list though, so I hope you can check out my post and find out what other books I am picking up this month!
On Friday I want to publish another Shelf Control post. This week’s featured book is a science-fiction/fantasy novel that is heavily based on the concept of virtual reality. I really like the sound of it, but I’ll tell you more about why I want to read it on Friday.
On Saturday I am taking part in the blog tour for my current read, One by K. J.McGillick. As I said above, I have only just started this particular book, but I have loved the wider series to date and I have no doubt I’ll enjoy One as well.
Finally, I will be rounding off this week with my Sunday Summary post, scheduled as the name implies!
That’s all (like this post isn’t long enough!) from me in today’s Sunday Summary – what have you been reading this week? As always, I would love to hear from you!
It’s the 7th January and I am only just publishing my TBR now! Yes, I’m later than usual, but I had some really fun posts I wanted to share that rounded up 2019 and introduced 2020. In fact, I still have one post left to share! If you want to see which books I rate the best of 2019, keep an eye out on my blog over the next couple of days.
For now though, let’s take a look at which books I am kick-starting 2020 with!
On a group trip to Rome, musician Clementina is whirled back in time to 17th century Italy.
Amidst court intrigue and creaking carriages, Italy becomes a chiaroscuro backdrop to her growing feelings for young violin-maker Antonio Stradivari. They kiss under an orange tree, and she persuades him to help a poor young boy from the nearby orphanage.
But people begin to notice just how ‘strange’ the young woman at the artist’s side is. She must be a witch!
Meanwhile, in present-day Scotland, her brother suffers a life-threatening accident, and in an icy corner of the Arctic, a professor frets about global warming.
Can Clementina find a way to return to the 21st century?
It feels weird talking in the sense of “I’m going to be reading this book in January” because, well, I already have! I read this within the first few days of January as I am taking part in a blog tour in a week’s time.
I’m looking forward to sharing my review of this one; it combined an element of science-fiction, time-travel, and historical fiction. Previously, I have really enjoyed how these genres work together and this was no exception for The Violinist’s Apprentice.
Nith of Tarras helps Enya of Garrigill in the search for her kin, missing after the disastrous battle at Beinn na Ciche fought between the Caledonian warriors and the mighty Ancient Roman legions. Enya soon has a heartrending choice to make. Should she tread Vacomagi territory that’s swarming with Roman auxiliaries to find her brother? Or, should she head south in search of her cousin who has probably been enslaved by the Romans?
The Commander of the Britannic Legions and Governor of Britannia – General Gnaeus Iulius Agricola – is determined to claim more barbarian territory for the Roman Empire, indeed plans to invade the whole island, but finds not all decisions are his to make. It increasingly seems that the goddess, Fortuna, does not favour him.
The adventures of the Garrigill clan continue…
In Book 4, the tales of the Garrigill Clan come to readers of the series via members of their second generation of Brigantes – their fight against the oppressive forces of the Ancient Roman Legions and their General Agricola a continuing and unending struggle.
Agricola’s Bane is my current read at the time of drafting this post. Again, this read is in preparation for a blog tour which I am taking part in a little later this month. This is the last book of The Celtic Fervour series and I’m at that point where I want to read it to find out how the author concludes events but I don’t want it to end at the same time! You know what I mean?
Her husband wants her tucked away in a psychiatric ward. His business partner wants her dead.
Exclusive Paris art gallery owner Isabella Armond’s life spins out of control when she discovers her husband Dr. Adrien Armond has been brokering and trafficking in black market organs and using her beloved gallery to launder the money. Now Europol believes she is a key part of the conspiracy that destroyed Notre Dame, Westminster Abbey and St. Peter’s Basilica.
In a race against time, Isabella must use all the resources at her disposal to clear her name, outwit her husband and salvage her life and business.
I have read a number of books by K. J. McGillick and I have enjoyed every single one to date. You guessed it, this is another read and review for a blog tour. That said, I do have a little longer for this as my post is due towards the end of the month! All I can say is thank goodness I started my blog tour reading last month; otherwise I’d be in trouble at this point!!
I love the sound of this particular novel. It sounds so sinister, and makes you wonder who you can really trust!
Since it was perfected in 2900, time travel has been reserved for an elite, highly trained few. However, on certain occasions, a Corrector is needed to rectify a mistake in the past.
Do your job well, and you’ll go down in history. Fail, and you will be erased from Time . . .
In the far future, a convicted criminal is given a chance at redemption. The Corrector Program at Tempus University is sending Isobel back in time, to the year 1270, to rewrite history.
Her mission? To save the crown of France.
If she follows the Corrector’s Handbook everything should run smoothly. But soon, Isobel finds herself accompanying a hot-headed young noble on his way to fight the infidel in Tunis: a battle Isobel knows is fated to be lost.
Isobel must fulfil her duty, knowing she can never return to her time, knowing one wrong move can doom the future, or doom her to be burned as a witch . . .
The first in an exciting new time-slip series, from the author of the action-packed Time for Alexander series, Jennifer Macaire. A CROWN IN TIME will have you on the edge of your seat from the very first page . . .
Jennifer Macaire is also fantastic at bringing together historical fiction and science-fiction. This time last year I was introduced to her as an author and since I have enjoyed a number of books in her The Time for Alexander series.
I am looking forward to A Crown in Time as, like The Time for Alexander series, it combines science-fiction and historical fiction. I’ve read and enjoyed quite a few time-travel related novels lately, so I have high hopes for this one too!
The Malazan Empire simmers with discontent, bled dry by interminable warfare, bitter infighting and bloody confrontations with the formidable Anomander Rake and his Tiste Andii, ancient and implacable sorcerers. Even the imperial legions, long inured to the bloodshed, yearn for some respite. Yet Empress Laseen’s rule remains absolute, enforced by her dread Claw assassins.
For Sergeant Whiskeyjack and his squad of Bridgeburners, and for Tattersail, surviving cadre mage of the Second Legion, the aftermath of the siege of Pale should have been a time to mourn the many dead. But Darujhistan, last of the Free Cities of Genabackis, yet holds out. It is to this ancient citadel that Laseen turns her predatory gaze.
However, it would appear that the Empire is not alone in this great game. Sinister, shadowbound forces are gathering as the gods themselves prepare to play their hand…
Conceived and written on a panoramic scale, Gardens of the Moon is epic fantasy of the highest order–an enthralling adventure by an outstanding new voice.
I set myself a challenge this year to take part in the Beat the Backlist challenge. My aim for the year is to read the 25 oldest items on my TBR (minimum). Gardens of the Moon is number one – and the oldest! Added to my TBR in December 2014… it really is about time I got to it. I have heard amazing reviews of it too, so I’ll be getting stuck in very soon!
Three hundred years after the events of the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity, with railroads to supplement the canals, electric lighting in the streets and the homes of the wealthy, and the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds.
Kelsier, Vin, Elend, Sazed, Spook, and the rest are now part of history—or religion. Yet even as science and technology are reaching new heights, the old magics of Allomancy and Feruchemy continue to play a role in this reborn world. Out in the frontier lands known as the Roughs, they are crucial tools for the brave men and women attempting to establish order and justice.
One such is Waxillium Ladrian, a rare Twinborn who can Push on metals with his Allomancy and use Feruchemy to become lighter or heavier at will.
After twenty years in the Roughs, Wax has been forced by family tragedy to return to the metropolis of Elendel. Now he must reluctantly put away his guns and assume the duties and dignity incumbent upon the head of a noble house. Or so he thinks, until he learns the hard way that the mansions and elegant tree-lined streets of the city can be even more dangerous than the dusty plains of the Roughs.Three hundred years after the events of the Mistborn trilogy, Scadrial is now on the verge of modernity, with railroads to supplement the canals, electric lighting in the streets and the homes of the wealthy, and the first steel-framed skyscrapers racing for the clouds.
The Alloy of Law is another candidate for my Beat the Backlist challenge! I have a lot of Brandon Sanderson books making up this challenge, so I am trying to spread them out as best as I can.
The Alloy of Law is a second Mistborn series; it has been years since I read the first one! It might be wise to brush myself up on what happened in it, but not essential. It’s set much later than the first series, so it shouldn’t make too much difference that I read the others ages ago!
Isaac Beringer knows the thesis he penned during his psychotic fit was utterly absurd and he was right to be laughed out of academia. Yet decades later, he finds himself summoned to the United States by Elias Cohen, the CEO of a multi-billion dollar technological giant who just happens to be his biggest fan. Elias may be beautiful and brilliant, but Isaac knows he must also be extremely batty to consider Isaac’s thesis the greatest scientific work of the 21st century. He soon finds out how deep the rabbit hole goes; a rabbit hole that houses a sprawling neural network of servers designed to emulate human learning, human corpses 3D-printed with flesh and blood, and a monumental amount of effort to resurrect one particular person from the dead. And Elias isn’t even his only fan.
Isaac might have shaken off his insanity, but unfortunately, the world around him has just fallen in love with it.
I suspect this will overlap into February, but my last read of the month is one I was asked to review by the author. His request came in after reviewing another science-fiction book, Ctrl+S by Andy Briggs.
Again, this one has a definite science-fiction theme. Maybe I can’t classify this as a lesser-read genre anymore. Anyway, I was really intrigued by the synopsis so I am grateful Vale Zalecki approached me to ask for a review.
It’s a good job I feel motivated with the New Year and a fresh start because I have plenty of reading to be getting on with this month!
What book blogger wouldn’t proclaim themselves an avid reader?
If found without a book in hand, send for medical aid!
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