The Lost Metal, (The Mistborn Saga, #7), Brandon Sanderson, 2022.
This is the concluding volume in the second era of Sanderson’s history of the world of Scadrial. This sits in an unstable conjunction of the forces of rapid modernization and industrial development and what are essentially gods with supernatural powers on the other. I was ambivalent about the three earlier books in the series (#4-6) when I read them in 2022. My thought then was that they were “solid and entertaining but unlikely to be a go-to in the library.”
The Lost Metal continues the rest of the series’ trends of being entertaining -- there is a great mix of plot twists -- while also a bit over-engineered. Sanderson layers some depth on what had been supporting characters like Steris, Wayne and Marasi. He also offers new insights into Wax’s conflicted relationship with the god-figure Harmony and his trouble adjusting to his new reality as a husband, father and politician. The pseudo-alchemical system of powers and metals remains a sometimes interesting, often-annoying bolt-on to the main story. Its main benefit seems to be providing a sort of scaffolding to support what otherwise would seem like superpowers.
“City folk, particularly politicians, were intimidated by small arms. They preferred to kill people with more modern weapons, like poverty and despair.”
”They still hadn’t seen their actual server, which made sense. This was a seriously fancy place; you could tell by their contempt for their customers.”
”Just because he was secretly rich and posh didn’t mean he couldn’t appreciate terrible booze anymore. He merely had to call it “retro” or “authentic” or something.”
”“Rusts, I feel old. I’m not supposed to feel old. I’m the spry one!” Wax settled down next to him on a dry part of the concrete. “You’re thirty-nine, Wayne. It catches up to you.”
Thirty-nine isn’t even middle-aged, kids…
If you liked the ealier books, I’d think you’d continue to like this, and vice-versa. If you’re not familiar with the universe, this isn’t the entry point for it. Overall, my sense was that this is the natural end of this story arc. While still well-written, this volume felt more...tired?...that the others, and I was left wondering if it’s not time for the talented author to move on to something fresher.
Smirk factor: All clear: 2 pts (Zero smirks given.)
Immersion factor: Damp: 0.5 pts (If a story can be tired, this may be it.)
Writing quality: Above-average: 1.5 pts
Character/plot development: Average: 1 pt
Innovative/interesting: Average: 1 pt
Total: 6.0/10