Book Review of Bands of Mourning by Brandon Sanderson
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Book Summary

With The Alloy of Law and Shadows of Self, Brandon Sanderson surprised readers with a New York Times bestselling spinoff of his Mistborn books, set after the action of the trilogy, in a period corresponding to late 19th-century America.

Now, with The Bands of Mourning, Sanderson continues the story. The Bands of Mourning are the mythical metalminds owned by the Lord Ruler, said to grant anyone who wears them the powers that the Lord Ruler had at his command. Hardly anyone thinks they really exist. A kandra researcher has returned to Elendel with images that seem to depict the Bands, as well as writings in a language that no one can read. Waxillium Ladrian is recruited to travel south to the city of New Seran to investigate. Along the way he discovers hints that point to the true goals of his uncle Edwarn and the shadowy organization known as The Set.

*****

So, where to start?? It would have been easy to write this if I had waited some days. My mind is still whirling in the possibilities this book kicks open. But I just can't wait another day to write. Towards the end I was listening to 'Starchild' and was so into this book, you couldn't have removed me from my seat even if I was caught in a stampeding herd of elephants. You could hear me rooting for the protagonist as the music reached its crescendo. Now after telling my overawed mind to shut up, here I am...

The book starts six months after the previous one ended. To be frank I was hooked in the first 2-3 chapters. Steris and Wax. Just seeing those two together gave me an inclination that I was in for one hell of a ride. Steris has always been one of those characters who remain in the background and contribute with their subtle remarks but she takes a frontseat in this one. We get to see her wild and adventurous side, the 'real' Steris; one she aspires to be but can't due the society and her own self-doubts. 

And well Wax, the lawman, he is his usual dashing self in the book. Following a trail of his uncle, he makes some startling discoveries all the while protecting himself and his associates. For a warrior you would generally not think of him as a thinker but Sanderson reveals his tender and thinking side, the way he views this world. Dangerous but not infallible, lawman yet lawbreaker one wonders how he copes with all the 'explosions' in his life. And he brings the age old adage -'Opposites attract' to a head by getting involved with Steris, a punctilious and conscientious woman, if there was one. They are like fire and ice, poles apart yet drawn to each other, needing to fill a void that none of them knew was there.

Sanderson keeps the plot interesting all the way. A slow start and one long drawn action sequence are my only complaints but 'rustings', who cares!! The book is fast paced with the steampunk character of the series being expanded upon halfway. Revelations, back-stabbings and gunfights are the order of the day. With so much seriousness going on, you wouldn't expect lot of humour, would you? But here the author shows his skill, dispensing and moulding the humor of Wayne and MeLaan like an icing on the cake. Wayne follows his friend doggedly all the way, even going so far as to overcome his trepidations and handling a gun, just showing the kind of character and steel this man has. The legend of the Bands and the overarching story of the Cosmere is well handled with nothing being rushed and nothing being held back. Sanderson is like the master who is playing with his dog, teasing him just enough to jump higher but never giving the full prize, tantalising him with the promise of more. 

With a smattering of humour, a pinchful of romance, a hint of danger and loads and loads of action, this book is a fun feast for all the Sanderson fans. How he manages to churn out one masterful book after the other is beyond any of us. We can only speculate on the possibility of Harmony whispering in his ear. :D But whatever be the case, you will not be disappointed in this one. So, until the next one comes, hold onto your seats and 'Survive'.

Book review of Magicians by Lev Grossman
Follow the book on goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6101718-the-magicians?from_search=true&search_version=service

Book Summary

Like everyone else, precocious high school senior Quentin Coldwater assumes that magic isn't real, until he finds himself admitted to a very secretive and exclusive college of magic in upstate New York. There he indulges in joys of college-friendship, love, sex, and booze- and receives a rigorous education in modern sorcery. But magic doesn't bring the happiness and adventure Quentin thought it would. After graduation, he and his friends stumble upon a secret that sets them on a remarkable journey that may just fulfill Quentin's yearning. But their journey turns out to be darker and more dangerous than they'd imagined.

*****

Have you ever felt like something is missing from your life? Do you dream about fantastical worlds in the night? Do you like reading about dark, soul searching fantasy? If yes, this book is meant for you my friend.
Admittedly, when I first started reading the book I was not very sure if I would like it. Had heard lots of negative reviews. But still many websites considered this series to be a landmark in fantasy. This conundrum aroused curiosity in me and I trudged along.  The starting is slow and full of details with lots of retrospection on the part of the protagonist Quentin. But once you are accustomed to the theme and pace of the book, every sentence becomes eye catching. It's not about the world that Grossman weaves but the personality and dreams and aspirations of each character. The first half, though thick and viscous with self remunerations gives a great insight into each of them. The characters are well fleshed out and the reader slowly comes to empathise with the protagonist. We associate with him, want him to be successful but every grain of happiness he finds is met with a gust of sadness which blows away all hope. Even when Quentin finds what he believes he has been looking for his all life, he loses that which matters the most in the end. Twists in the latter half and and explosive climax are more than enough to make up for the lack of pace. 
Grossman writes beautiful prose. IMO he is third only to Patrick Rothfuss and Scott Lynch in terms of sheer style of writing and his ability to capture the readers emotions and bottle them up in the pages of the book, seemingly never to let them go. By the end of the book you will feel as a part of your soul has been torn of. The book explains the reality of emotional attachment and entanglement, with lots of deep symbolic meanings in the way of life.
Not meant for those addicted to the regular fast pace of today's novel. Read this if you like focussed and character driven fantasies. Full 5 stars. Cheers!