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- Title: Bands of Mourning: A Mistborn Novel
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- Narrator: Michael Kramer
- Length: 14:42:58
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 26/01/2016
- Publisher: Macmillan Audio
- Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Epic Fantasy
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
It’s not every day you get to strap into a tale that feels like a train barreling through the dusty plains of a world teetering on the edge of modernity, but that’s exactly what Brandon Sanderson delivers with “Bands of Mourning: A Mistborn Novel”. Narrated by the masterful Michael Kramer, this audiobook experience swept me up like a gust of wind across the Chilean altiplano, where I once listened to “One Hundred Years of Solitude” while driving through the Atacama Desert. The surreal landscape outside my window back then mirrored the magical realism of García Márquez, and now, years later, Kramer’s rich, weathered voice conjures a similar alchemy for Sanderson’s Scadrial – a place of railroads, electric lights, and steel skyscrapers clawing at the sky.
The story unfolds like a well-worn map, revealing Waxillium Ladrian – our reluctant hero – as he’s pulled south to New Seran on a mission tied to the mythical Bands of Mourning. These legendary metalminds, once wielded by the Lord Ruler, promise unimaginable power, and Wax’s journey to uncover them is a heist wrapped in political intrigue and dusted with martial-arts flair. It reminds me of a time when I stayed with a family in Oaxaca, listening to their grandmother spin tales each evening. Her voice carried the weight of history, pausing just long enough to let the silence sink in, and Kramer channels that same intimacy here. You can almost feel the creak of the train cars, taste the metallic tang of Allomancy in the air, and hear the whispers of The Set, a shadowy cabal pulling strings behind the scenes.
What struck me most as I listened was how Sanderson balances this steampunk-tinged world with the personal stakes of Wax and his crew. There’s a moment early on – Wax grappling with his uncle Edwarn’s schemes – that hit me square in the chest. It took me back to a night in Portugal, sipping vinho verde with a fisherman who’d lost his brother to the sea. He spoke of legacy and betrayal with the same quiet intensity Wax carries, and Sanderson nails that human connection amidst the epic fantasy. The themes of power, identity, and the cost of progress weave through the narrative like threads in a tapestry, each one tugging at questions I’ve carried from my own travels: What do we inherit from those who came before us? And what do we leave behind?
Kramer’s narration elevates it all. His gravelly timbre gives Wax a rugged authenticity, while his pacing – slow and deliberate in the quiet moments, sharp and urgent in the action – keeps you hooked. It’s a performance that rivals those Oaxacan evenings, where every pause was a gift, every inflection a revelation. The audio quality is crisp, with just enough ambient texture to make you feel like you’re standing in Elendel’s bustling streets or the dusty outskirts of New Seran. At just over 16 hours, it’s a commitment, but one that rewards you with every twist – like finding a hidden mercado after hours on the road.
That said, it’s not flawless. The sheer scope of Sanderson’s Cosmere can feel daunting if you’re not already steeped in “Mistborn” lore. I found myself wishing for a bit more grounding early on, especially around the kandra researcher’s cryptic findings – those untranslated writings felt like a puzzle I didn’t have all the pieces for. And while Kramer’s range is impressive, a few secondary characters blur together vocally, lacking the distinctiveness I craved. Still, these are minor quibbles in a listening experience that’s as immersive as any I’ve encountered.
How does it stack up? Think “The Way of Kings” meets “The Lies of Locke Lamora” – epic in scale but grounded in a crew you’d want at your table. Compared to “Alloy of Law” or “Shadows of Self”, “Bands of Mourning” leans harder into the industrial vibe, trading some of the earlier books’ raw grit for a broader canvas. It’s a shift that works, though I’ll admit I missed a touch of that initial trilogy’s primal edge.
Who’s this for? If you’re a fan of epic fantasy with a steampunk twist – or if you just love a narrator who can make a story feel like a fireside chat – this audiobook is a must. Newcomers might want to start with “Mistborn: The Final Empire” to get their bearings, but for seasoned Cosmere travelers, it’s a thrilling ride. And here’s the kicker: you can snag this gem as a free audiobook through certain platforms – check Audiobooks.com or your local library’s digital stash.
Reflecting on it now, “Bands of Mourning” lingers like the aftertaste of a good mezcal – complex, smoky, and a little haunting. It’s a journey that reminded me why I love stories: they take us places we’ve never been, yet somehow feel like home. For me, it was a companion through late-night drives and quiet mornings, a tale that echoed the voices of people I’ve met along the way. Sanderson and Kramer have crafted something special here, and I’m already itching to revisit Scadrial’s dusty trails.
Until the next road calls us, happy listening,
Marcus Rivera
