# Anyone read "Mistborn: Alloy of Law" by Brandon Sanderson yet?(open spoilers) \[edited title\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 19, 2012, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-read-mistborn-alloy-of-law-by-brandon-sanderson-yet-open-spoilers-edited-title/610022 "2012-01-19T15:37:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-read-mistborn-alloy-of-law-by-brandon-sanderson-yet-open-spoilers-edited-title/610022/1 "2012-01-19T15:37:03Z")
**Absolutely no spoilers** in this thread, please. If you must, spoiler-box, but I have not read the book and am curious what Dopers think of it. I adored the Mistborn trilogy and really view it as a modern classic in the fantasy genre. I have the Kindle version of Alloy of Law and will probably pick up the actual book at the library soon enough. It’s on my reading list for my flight to Korea(picking up my son). Was it a good stand alone book? Disappointing? Interesting? Boring? I also plan to read Elantris soon, but haven’t gotten it yet. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-read-mistborn-alloy-of-law-by-brandon-sanderson-yet-open-spoilers-edited-title/610022/2 "2012-01-19T16:15:05Z")
Read it, enjoyed it. Not as much as the original Mistborn stuff, nor as much as his “Way of Kings” tome, but it was a nice diversion. You don’t need to have read the Mistborn novels to appreciate it either. The “Twinborn” concept is intriguing, individuals with both an allomancy and feruchemy ability. ---
**Author:** ![dataguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eada6e/32.png) [@dataguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dataguy)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-read-mistborn-alloy-of-law-by-brandon-sanderson-yet-open-spoilers-edited-title/610022/3 "2012-01-19T17:07:53Z")
I agree with previous post. It’s okay, but not as good as the original trilogy. I fully agree that the original Mistborn trilogy is a classic–and I’m not traditionally a fantasy fan. I keep hoping for a movie version. I keep visualizing Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as Vin and Elend. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-read-mistborn-alloy-of-law-by-brandon-sanderson-yet-open-spoilers-edited-title/610022/4 "2012-01-19T17:25:18Z")
I liked it too, though it wasn’t as…grand, I guess…in scope as the original trilogy. Well worth reading, though. ---
**Author:** ![svrider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@svrider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/svrider)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-read-mistborn-alloy-of-law-by-brandon-sanderson-yet-open-spoilers-edited-title/610022/5 "2012-01-19T17:31:15Z")
Liked it, but not as much as the Mistborn trilogy. I’m looking very much forward to him being done with the WOT books and get back to Stormlight archives, so I can read something new from him again. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-read-mistborn-alloy-of-law-by-brandon-sanderson-yet-open-spoilers-edited-title/610022/6 "2012-01-19T17:37:59Z")
**SPOILERS ALLOWED FOR ORIGINAL TRILOGY AND SOME FOLLOW!** The “Twinborn” concept is intriguing, individuals with both an allomancy and feruchemy ability. [/QUOTE] Isn’t that what the original villiain of the books could do? Isn’t that how he never aged, or at least reset his youth frequently? Or am I mixing up powers? > [@dataguy](#): > > I fully agree that the original Mistborn trilogy is a classic–and I’m not traditionally a fantasy fan. I keep hoping for a movie version. I keep visualizing Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as Vin and Elend. Jolie and Pitt? Yikes, I totally do not see them like that at all. I tend to picture Vin being rougher around the edges and Elend needs to be…kind of odd and goofy. I don’t think I’d want to see a movie of the books. Maybe a TV miniseries or something, but it seems like it would be awfully difficult to show the burning of metals and explain what they do. Then again, I could be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-read-mistborn-alloy-of-law-by-brandon-sanderson-yet-open-spoilers-edited-title/610022/7 "2012-01-19T20:19:06Z")
I think a movie would be nearly impossible to do right while making it clear what the people are doing with their powers. Regarding the standaloneness of the latest book (best spoiler it in case): I’m a bit confused. In the intro, Sanderson says he envisioned three trilogies: the first one we have, the second one based in some “urban setting”, which I interpret to mean being in a time roughly equivalent to now, and one in a far future setting. But then he had this idea for a one-off story set in Old West time, which was The Alloy of Law. All fine and good. Except then at the end, it was clearly set up for at least one sequel, which contradicts what he said. Is this going to be a fourth trilogy? Or what? ---
**Author:** ![Helena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c68b51/32.png) [@Helena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-read-mistborn-alloy-of-law-by-brandon-sanderson-yet-open-spoilers-edited-title/610022/8 "2012-01-19T20:46:37Z")
[Here’s a video where Brandon answers a bunch of questions](http://vimeo.com/32226518). There are three trilogies planned (with increasing levels of technology), but Alloy of Law is not part of the second trilogy. (My brother is Brandon’s assistant, so we like to keep up on these things!) ---
**Author:** ![Helena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c68b51/32.png) [@Helena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-read-mistborn-alloy-of-law-by-brandon-sanderson-yet-open-spoilers-edited-title/610022/9 "2012-01-19T21:06:01Z")
The relevant part starts about seven minutes in. ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2012, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-read-mistborn-alloy-of-law-by-brandon-sanderson-yet-open-spoilers-edited-title/610022/10 "2012-01-19T21:32:58Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > I think a movie would be nearly impossible to do right while making it clear what the people are doing with their powers. > > Regarding the standaloneness of the latest book (best spoiler it in case): > > I’m a bit confused. In the intro, Sanderson says he envisioned three trilogies: the first one we have, the second one based in some “urban setting”, which I interpret to mean being in a time roughly equivalent to now, and one in a far future setting. But then he had this idea for a one-off story set in Old West time, which was The Alloy of Law. All fine and good. Except then at the end, it was clearly set up for at least one sequel, which contradicts what he said. Is this going to be a fourth trilogy? Or what? I totally wouldn’t put it past him to leave us hanging until the next “urban setting” trilogy to get some answers. That said, I’d really PREFER that he didn’t do that, but I can easily see it. Technically, everything related to the original plotline got resolved, just some ancillary points got raised and left hanging. (I said many cursewords when I got to the end. Many. Just saying.) Otherwise, this could be the first of a duo of shorter works set between the “official” sets of trilogies, or he could finish it out as a short story in an anthology or set it up as a webcomic or blog-posted novel or something totally different. (Other authors, notably Jim Butcher, have set up minor subplots which were resolved in short stories several times) or he could, as I said, simply leave us hanging there until the plot point comes up again as a major or minor plot point of the next “official” trilogy set. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-read-mistborn-alloy-of-law-by-brandon-sanderson-yet-open-spoilers-edited-title/610022/11 "2012-01-23T16:24:37Z")
> [@Helena](#): > > [Here’s a video where Brandon answers a bunch of questions](http://vimeo.com/32226518). > > There are three trilogies planned (with increasing levels of technology), but Alloy of Law is not part of the second trilogy. > > (My brother is Brandon’s assistant, so we like to keep up on these things!) Very cool. And faster-than-light travel using metalurgy? Wow. I would love to see Mistborn continue with ever increasing technology. Great idea. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-read-mistborn-alloy-of-law-by-brandon-sanderson-yet-open-spoilers-edited-title/610022/12 "2012-04-22T00:35:48Z")
\*\*BUMP \*\* I just finished reading it a few hours ago. Yes, it takes me awhile to get to things. I thought it was pretty good and I wish it _was_ a new trilogy, as I’d love to see what Wax, Wayne, and Marasi find/uncover in the future. What exactly do you think “Mr. Suit” is up to with all the female Allomancers? ---
**Author:** ![Helena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c68b51/32.png) [@Helena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-read-mistborn-alloy-of-law-by-brandon-sanderson-yet-open-spoilers-edited-title/610022/13 "2012-04-22T00:57:38Z")
> [@](#): > > What exactly do you think “Mr. Suit” is up to with all the female Allomancers? My understanding is that at this point there are lots of Mistings/Twinborn but no actual Mistborn anymore. So I figure he’s trying to breed Mistborn. ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-read-mistborn-alloy-of-law-by-brandon-sanderson-yet-open-spoilers-edited-title/610022/14 "2012-04-22T01:11:52Z")
Seconding this - he’s setting up a breeding program to get true Mistborn, rather than simple 1-power Mistings. ---
**Author:** ![Helena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c68b51/32.png) [@Helena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-read-mistborn-alloy-of-law-by-brandon-sanderson-yet-open-spoilers-edited-title/610022/15 "2012-04-22T15:10:01Z")
If you have any questions Brandon (or my brother) is good about answering people on Facebook (or wherever). Even if the answer is “Wait and see!” ---
**Author:** ![Lasciel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2012, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-read-mistborn-alloy-of-law-by-brandon-sanderson-yet-open-spoilers-edited-title/610022/16 "2012-04-22T15:32:13Z")
> [@Helena](#): > > If you have any questions Brandon (or my brother) is good about answering people on Facebook (or wherever). Even if the answer is “Wait and see!” Well, yes, but that takes all the fun out of flagrant hypothesizing!! ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-read-mistborn-alloy-of-law-by-brandon-sanderson-yet-open-spoilers-edited-title/610022/17 "2012-04-23T01:19:18Z")
> [@Helena](#): > > If you have any questions Brandon (or my brother) is good about answering people on Facebook (or wherever). Even if the answer is “Wait and see!” Brandon Sanderson’s your brother??? ---
**Author:** ![Helena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c68b51/32.png) [@Helena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-read-mistborn-alloy-of-law-by-brandon-sanderson-yet-open-spoilers-edited-title/610022/18 "2012-04-23T01:25:26Z")
No, my brother is his assistant, and he’s usually the one who ends up answering all the email and social media stuff. (Peter Ahlstrom–he’s the one who gets the creative “in\_\_\_\_\_\_” adjectives in the acknowledgements) ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-read-mistborn-alloy-of-law-by-brandon-sanderson-yet-open-spoilers-edited-title/610022/19 "2012-04-23T13:44:58Z")
Changed thread title from “no spoilers” to “open spoilers” at OP’s request. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2012, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-read-mistborn-alloy-of-law-by-brandon-sanderson-yet-open-spoilers-edited-title/610022/20 "2012-04-23T17:52:34Z")
At the end, who was that guy with metal in his eyes? It’s been too long since I read Mistborn. Is that Kelsier’s brother? If so, what ability does he have that lets him live so long? Also, how many years after Mistborn Trilogy is this book? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-read-mistborn-alloy-of-law-by-brandon-sanderson-yet-open-spoilers-edited-title/610022.md?page=2)