Shadows of Self by Brandon Sanderson | Mistborn Era 2, Book 2 | Epic Fantasy

The boys keep the first 15 spoiler-free for the undecided — after that, all bets are off.

Rich swears he coined "Brandy Sandy" with zero evidence and full confidence. Ryan files it as fact anyway. Shadows of Self is the lowest-rated Cosmere book the boys have ever covered. Rich's line of the night — a lot of worlds, not a lot of building. Wax discovers hemalurgy like he skipped Era 1, Harmony won't stop chatting like a guy at the bus stop, and the twist lands too late to hurt.

Wayne still walks off with the book. Rich plants his flag on Team Staris. Plus: the angriest one-star reviews on the internet, a "check the history books" moment, and a Cosmere Corner that spirals into Trell, a timeline bombshell, and Rich's Avengers comparison.

Verdict: Borrow

Episode Type: SpoilerTake
Book: Shadows of Self by Brandon Sanderson
Series: Mistborn Era 2 (Wax and Wayne), Book 2 — part of the Cosmere
Score: Worldbuilding/Lore (the low point, lowest of the three) / Characters 7 (Rich 7 / Ryan 7) / Storyline Rich 5 / Ryan 6
Verdict: Borrow

• [00:24] — Cold open: the "Brandy Sandy" origin debate + Rich teases a surprise new segment (Ryan is nervous)
• [~01:55] — Intro + framing: Shadows of Self, Mistborn Era 2, Book 2
• [03:35] — Spoiler-free vibe check (first 15 min): should you read it? Go straight from Alloy of Law
• [~13:00] — 🚨 Spoiler warning — deep dive begins
• [13:30] — Worldbuilding & Lore: a lot of worlds, not a lot of building; the labor unrest; Harmony too involved
• [~29:24] — Characters (Rich 7 / Ryan 7): Wayne's well scene, Marasi, Milan, Captain Aradell, Team Staris
• [~45:35] — Story (Rich 5 / Ryan 6): the late twist, the recycled "who's the Kandra?" whodunit, Bleeder's spike
• [~52:38] — One-star reviews (including the "check the history books" political read)
• [1:00:32] — "Answers on the Mic": Rich's surprise segment / the trial of Ryan
• [~1:03:46] — 🚨 Cosmere Corner warning (spoilers for Stormlight + Mistborn Era 1 + Warbreaker)
• [1:04:16] — Cosmere Corner: is Trell a Shard? the timeline bombshell, the Cosmere Avengers, hemalurgy/compounding theories
• [1:24:20] — Wrap-up

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