Book Review: Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson

Overview:
Alloy of Law is a stand-alone novel set in the same universe as Sanderson's Mistborn trilogy  300 years after the events of that trilogy, when the events it covers have passed into religion and history.  The book is a quick easy read for new readers, and a great place to discover Sanderson's work.
The book follows Waxillium Ladrian(Wax) as he returns to the city of his birth to take up his position as head of his family.  He quickly discovers that the complex workings of the capital are more dangerous and twisted than the rural outback where he has spent his life.

Plot:
The plot is pretty basic, and the story is told in a straightforward and easy to read manner.  It is easily the most straightforward plot of all of Sanderson's adult novels, which is to be expected from a book that started as a novella.
I liked the book, and zipped through it very quickly.  If I didn't find myself too surprised by any of the plot twists, I wasn't disapointed by the way he wrapped it up.  If he decides to write the sequel that the book is almost begging for, I will be very glad to read it.

Characters:
Wax is a rather likable, if not particualrly unique character.  He's a good guy, in all senses of the word, and Sanderson never really gives him the sense of being as tormented as he should be by his ghosts.
Wayne(and yes, I caught the pun) is at first confusing, and eventually the best part of the book.  I have no desire to ever see him as a main character, but I love him as he develops in the book.  He is the character who reveals the most of himself, in many ways.
The young lady who slowly emerges as another important character(her identity could be considered a spoiler), is also interesting, and I would like to have seen Sanderson really develop her, though with the relatively short time he gave her on screen, that wasn't really possible.  What we did see is delightful.

Worldbuilding:
Describing the world-building of this book is in some ways a tougher call, as it is on one level world developement.  Sanderson has allowed his world to grow in the 300 years since the events of 'Hero of Ages' and the world-building contains hidden gems for readers of the older books. My personal favorite bit of world-building is his sly insertion of an actual use of tinfoil hats.

Summary:
On the whole, 'Alloy of Law' is a minor work by a significant talent in the field, and is a great light read for the holiday season when you might get called away frequently while trying to read it.  It requires very little investment on the readers part, as far as immersion into the world goes(a far cry from his monstrously huge, and convoluted, 'Way of Kings').