This was less of a novel, and more of a very long short story. First off, I have to say that it was nowhere near the level of mistborn in terms of depth or quality (it was obviously very short, and there was very little development or sidetracking in the book). I'd say it is worth the read if you're a Sanderson fan and don't mind that it's not as serious as his other work.

Perhaps my biggest problem with the book (sadly) was the mechanics of the magic. I'd always loved mistborn for being innovative with its magic system, but in the Alloy of Law it feels like Sanderson goes too far. Too many characters have both allomantic and feruchemic powers, which cheapens the concept to some extent and makes the world somewhat less believable. Miles, Wax, and Wayne are so much more powerful than anyone else in the book that it's actually just absurd, and while that's great for an action-movie type of book, it leaves a great deal to be desired in terms of the book's subtlety and quality.

EDIT - Reread June 29, 2022

I’m very surprised that I gave this a 4 last time - this time it felt more like a 2, so I’ve changed the score to a 3. This book just doesnt hit on any key themes that I care about - its an overdone western/steampunk style book with characters that are all more caricature than substance. A real step down from the last series. ( )

Una buena entrada a la Era 2 de Mistborn. Me ha gustado más de lo que me esperaba. Pistoleros y alomancia, esto promete mucho!!

Además de algún giro que me ha molado, tengo ganas de ver como exploran los poderes en esta nueva sociedad.

A este ritmo me pongo al dia rapido. ( )

Nothing in this story captured me and I found that I kept looking for something else to read. So this is a DNF for now.

good ole brandy sandy ( )

:mumbles under my breath: I don't understand how Marsh and Kelsier are worshipped...

I made a few predictions in the Sanderson Collectors Guild discord that turned out to be true and one I regretted being true.

Someone (I'm looking at Dave currently with sus eyes) sent me the first three books in paperback to read before TLM's release and I've been feverishly trying to finish them.

In general I enjoyed TFE more at first glance; Vin was a more likeable and relatable char to me and I enjoyed Kelsier's crew (if not him). I also found the whole unhinged plot to kill the Lord Ruler more interesting than this women being kidnapped and theft ring (both are horribly simplified versions of the plot).

The twist at the end of TFE also serviced my personal interests moreso then the one at the end here. Perhaps because I called AoL's twist so quickly.

Anyhow I enjoyed Steris, found Wayne charming in a way, nearly smacked Wax several thousand times and eyed Marasi a bit suspiciously often so at least it made sense why she was so unforthcoming about her history. ( )