A Book Review: The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn #4)

Most fantasy novels are set in pseudo medieval worlds, where the level of technology remains static for thousands of years. In a conventional fantasy novel, despite its world being inhibited by intelligent people, but the warriors never progress beyond fighting with swords and arrows, and its people never illuminate their homes with anything other than candles. Why is that? Is it because having supernatural powers, such as magic, makes everyday life too easy, thereby dissolving the spirit of scientific progress and technological innovation?

The fantasy genre, however, has been evolving in the recent years. Modern fantasy novelists are beginning to challenge the genre's trope, and depicting the interlock between magic and technology as a dynamic relationship. For example, in Sir Terry Pratchett's Discworld stories, the advancing technology often led to major changes to Discworld's culture and tradition.

Inevitably, the attempt to revolutionize the fantasy genre brings some interesting questions to the surface:

1. In a fantasy world, how would supernatural powers, such as magic, interact with the laws of physics?
2. How would supernatural powers, such as magic, impact the technological progress in a fantasy world?

Best-selling novelist Brandon Sanderson does not believe the fantasy world should remain static. In The Alloy of Law, the 4^th novel in the famous Mistborn series, Sanderson told a ground-breaking story, of a fantasy world at the onset of a 19^th century styled, Industrial Revolution.

Synopsis:

Three hundred years has disappeared in the river of time since the Age of Heroes. Scadrial is stepping into a new era; a time of railroads, electricity, street lights and towering skyscrapers. In Elendal, the capital city, under the flourishing city hubs and buzzing streets lies a social tension, strut tight by the increasing disparity between the classes, the rich and the poor.

Here enters Lord Waxillum, AKA Wax, a law keeper and an allomancer, from the dusty Roughs, who returned to his noble heritage in Elendel after a personal tragedy. Instead of finding a peaceful retirement from policing works, however, Wax discovered a wisdom - always keep his gun and allomancy powers ready in the hostler...

My thoughts on this book:

Bradon Sanderson intended The Alloy of Law to serve as a bridge, connecting the original Mistborn trilogy (set in a medieval world) to his new trilogy (set in a world resembling the 19^th century). Two books from his new trilogy, book 5 and 6, respectively titled, Shadows of Self and The Bands of Mourning, have already been published.

What does this mean? I am reading this series out of its chronological order! I have already read Shadows of Self and The Bands of Mourning, and now I am returning to The Alloy of Law (book 4). Yep, I am jumping back and forth in this series, but has it impacted my perception for The Alloy of Law? To be honest, not much impact at all. This is because The Alloy of Law meant to tell a stand alone story. While this book's ending did leave room for the next book, but at its conclusion, this book also resolved most of its plots. However, if you have an interest in reading Sanderson's new Mistborn series, then I would strongly recommend that you start from The Alloy of Law. Do not read the series out of its chronological order like I did. Why? Because the latter books are extensions from the central plot in this book. If you read The Alloy of Law first, then it will help you at better appreciating book 5 and 6.

Now the question about chronology is out of the way, let me start to discuss the quality of this book. Is The Alloy of Law any good? In short, I like this book more than the original Mistborn trilogy, but I also think the original Misborn trilogy did something better than this book.

The Alloy of Law attracted me with its fascinating world. This is a fantasy world where technology thrives alongside magic. Make no mistake, the theme of this book is NOT pitting technology against magic. No, The Alloy of Law draws a reader with its wonderful worldbuilding. Especially, Sanderon's interesting magic system, one that integrates magic with the laws of physics. For example, the protagonist in this book, Wax, has the magical power to push all types of metals except aluminum. But when he pushes on metals, a reactionary force pushes back at him (Newton's 3^rd law applies here). In other words, although Wax's magical power makes him a superhuman, but his power is still abiding to the laws of physics. Sanderson's magic system eliminates the damning trope in most fantasy novels, where magic solves everything. Instead, in Sanderson's books, when a character uses magic without considering the laws of physics, it could backfire on him/her. 

Other than offering an interesting magic system, The Alloy of Law also features a dynamic, vividly portrayed world. The story is set in a time and place bearing resemblance to the 19^th century, where technology's rapid progress also introduced social problems, such as class distinctions and the disparity between the rich and the poor. In fact, class distinction and social tension, set the main theme in this book. Sanderson used this this theme to drive the book's narratives, in the style of a detective fiction. That is right! The Alloy of Law is a hybrid between high fantasy and detective fictions. If you like both of these genres, then you will probably enjoy this book immensely.

So the worldbuilding in The Alloy of Law is superb, but what about its character developments? When it comes to characters, I think The Alloy of Law shows some minor signs of weakness. Ok, look, the characters in this book are memorable and likable. From the protagonist, supporting characters, to the villain, each character is unique and interesting enough to leave an impression on your mind. However, I couldn't help but feeling that the book could be even better, if the story had gone an extra mile by exploring the characters a bit more. Having said this, The Alloy of Law is a short book, so it has a limited space for exploring the characters. Perhaps Sanderson intentionally kept this book short because it was an experiment, a novel bridging the old trilogy to the new one. Having read the latter installments in the series, I can say the sequels did explore the characters in greater depth.

I also shared a slight dissatisfaction with this book's pace. This story beats with thrills and wonders, but it beats at an uneven rhythm. The first act in the book flowed very nicely; it established Sanderson's wonderful vision for Elendel, and it also mounted the suspense for the story. When the stage for the second act unveiled, the story dipped in its momentum. In the third and final act, the adventure finally picked up its pace, and Sanderson thundered the story with actions, left, right and centre. In other words, the explosive actions in the third act was the climax of the story, and it was fun and entertaining. But towards the end of it, I felt a bit... burnt out, from reading too many action scenes. Why? Because Sanderson's action scenes, while masterfully written, but it is often too drawn out.

The Alloy of Law provides an excellent transition from the original Mistborn trilogy to the new one. This book might have a few weaknesses here and there, but its worldbuilding, its concept, are revolutionary and admirable. Personally, I prefer the new Mistborn trilogy to the original one, and I believe The Alloy of Law is a fine entry point to Sanderson's wonderful adventures. If you want to read a fantasy novel that challenges the genre's convention, then you might want to check out this book.

Until the next time, happy reading!