The Bands of Mourning
"The Bands of Mourning" is a 2016 steampunk-fantasy novel by Brandon Sanderson and the third book of the Wax & Wayne era in the Mistborn series. The story follows lawman Waxillium “Wax” Ladrian and his allies (including his witty partner Wayne, detective Marasi, and betrothed Steris) on a globe-trotting adventure. They pursue the legend of the Lord Ruler’s “Bands of Mourning,” mysterious metal bracers that could grant the powers of a Mistborn (Allomancer) and a Feruchemist. In classic Sanderson fashion, the plot quickly becomes an Indiana Jones–style treasure hunt: train robberies, forbidden cities, and even flying warships are featured in their quest.
The journey picks up directly after "Shadows of Self". Wax and Marasi team up at the behest of a Kandra named VenDell to hunt clues (Wax secretly tagging along when his missing sister is mentioned). They travel undercover to the distant city of New Seran and then to the frontier town of Dulsing. Along the way, Wax foils an armored train robbery (Marasi snagging a strange Allomantic cube in the process). At Dulsing, they discover a massive, damaged metal warship and rescue a mysterious masked man named Allik from its hull. Allik, hailing from lands beyond the frozen Roughs, reveals that he and his people have long searched for the Bands of Mourning. Sanderson uses these scenes to expand the world: we see new cultures, Allomantic flying ships, and political tensions (a possible war with the Outer Cities) that go beyond Wax’s home of Elendel.
At the climax, the group storms the mountain temple said to house the Bands. In a tense confrontation, they disable deadly traps – only to find the temple empty. Wax’s uncle Edwarn and Wax’s sister Telsin turn out to be traitors: in the ensuing battle, Wax is shot and falls gravely wounded. In his near-death state, Wax meets Harmony (the god of the world), who forces him to confront his own guilt over past tragedies. In this supernatural moment, he sees Scadrial itself encircled by a foreboding red mist. Back in the real world, Marasi deduces that the temple was a decoy; the true Bands were reforged as a metal spear at a nearby statue. She uses their power to find and heal Wax. Revived and empowered, Wax and his allies quickly suppress the remaining villains. They escape on an Allomantic airship, and the adventure concludes with Wax finally marrying Steris in private. In a final twist, Wax discovers that the mysterious spike-eyed man was not the Lord Ruler at all but Kelsier, the famed Survivor of the original trilogy. (This revelation sets the stage for future books.)
With "Bands of Mourning," Sanderson significantly deepens the Mistborn setting. Long-simmering elements from earlier books pay off: kandra and Terris magic play key roles, the kandra Council (represented by VenDell and MeLaan) guides Wax, and Harmony’s involvement highlights the series’ spiritual themes. New technology appears (especially the discovery of Allomancy-powered aircraft), new lands beyond the map are revealed (Allik’s frozen homeland), and geopolitics comes into play (trade deals and the threat of war). Harmony’s vision of Scadrial in red mist hints at a looming global crisis, suggesting that Wax’s adventures are part of a much larger Cosmere plot. Meanwhile, the personal stakes remain grounded: Wax’s romantic feelings for Steris finally blossom into love, providing an emotional payoff to threads from "Alloy of Law." All of these layers make the world feel much larger and more connected.
The character development shines. Wax himself grows through the ordeal: starting the novel burdened by grief, he confronts that trauma in Harmony’s realm and emerges determined to live fully. Wayne remains the loyal comic-relief sidekick (with explosive speed-bubbles and emergency healing powers), and Marasi proves her mettle as a detective and Allomancer (her cube, which can replicate a burnable metal’s power, becomes crucial). The standout growth is in Steris: once dismissed as a rigid, boring noblewoman, she becomes capable and loving. Reviewers praise Steris’s arc—one fan notes she “received tremendous character development” and became one of his favorite characters. By the end, Wax and Steris have each earned the other’s trust and affection. Even the villains are given depth: Edwarn’s use of Hemalurgy and Telsin’s betrayals reflect tragic family tensions. Overall, "Bands of Mourning" ties up its heroes’ arcs nicely while introducing fresh motivations for future stories.
In terms of style and pacing, "Bands of Mourning" is often called the best of the Wax/Wayne novels. It combines the brisk adventure feel of "Alloy of Law" with the deeper themes of "Shadows of Self." The tone is generally light and witty (with plenty of snappy banter and quirky gadgets), though the darker elements from earlier books (Wax’s anger, city politics) still resonate. Critics observe that dialogue and humor are slightly dialed back, making the storytelling feel “fresh” and focused. The pacing picks up steadily: the first half serves more setup and investigation, but the payoff is enormous. Multiple reviewers highlight an extraordinary final sequence (often termed a “Sanderson-ian” action climax or “Sanderlanche”) that is intense and hard to put down. In fact, one review calls it “the strongest of the newer Mistborn books.” (Sanderson is known for these high-octane endings, and here it’s delivered with style.) Themes of power and responsibility are woven through the plot: the notion of wielding the Lord Ruler’s power raises moral questions, and Wax’s character arc touches on forgiveness and duty.
Overall, "The Bands of Mourning" is a thoroughly satisfying entry in the Mistborn saga. It expands the universe in exciting ways while delivering on character arcs introduced in "Alloy of Law" and "Shadows of Self." We recommend it especially to fans who enjoyed those earlier books: be warned it requires a bit of patience through its expository setup, but the reward is a rich adventure that “won’t disappoint.” One reviewer sums it up by saying Sanderson is “back on his game” with this volume. The novel’s blend of imaginative worldbuilding, witty banter, and epic action makes it a standout read – it deserves a place near the top of the Wax & Wayne series and will leave readers eager for the next installment.