StormingTexan

I like this idea and think it is pretty plausible even by the description of the spike.

Ah yes I do remember now about the light deal. I realize the Pits were always close to the Homeland but now it is all right next to each other including the well and Wax knows how to get there.

Ah yes I remember the moss thing I guess I missed the part about that preventing the Atium. Time for a re-read already!

I had a thought reading the book and completely slipped my mind after the tragic ending. When Wax and TenSoon were in the caves before the attack didn't they mention that Harmony moved the Pits of Hathsin to the same place as the Kandra Homeland? Wax saw them and said something about them but I would have to go back and look. I also remember something about it taking 300 years for the Atium crystals to repair. So...It has been 300 years and now Wax knows where to get Atium right?

It is entirely possible I am not smart enough for this conversation but just like a diver does flips and twist his body as he is falling to a pool couldn't Wax whirl as he pushes up. Going up from a steel push is just the opposite of a diver falling down right? I guess a better example would be an NBA player spinning in the air when he dunks a ball.

Well now that you said it Yes!

^^ Agreed

I posted this in the reactions thread but it is more appropriate here. I think 1980's era will actually be from the POV of the Southern Scandrians and may not be that far ahead (possible 40 years or so) of WaW era as they appear to be a lot farther along than the North. What almost destroyed them may be WW1 or WW 2 like situation and they are in the process of rebuilding. Perhaps we learn that Harmony built the North based on Preservation and the South on Ruin as separate experiments or to balance out the struggle from the opposing forces. Also if I recall correctly the 1980's era is about a team of Allomancers hunting down a full Mistborn. I feel like the Set's plans are to make a full Mistborn through hemalurgy from the captured women in AoL perhaps this is the tie in between the two eras. Of course this is all just crazy speculation. The thing that doesn't make sense is to me is why the Southern Scandians would not explore the North if they are that much more technologically advance. Now I did forget about the possible 40's era but that may be directly after the WaW era but in the Southern continent that would be closer to that time period already.

I too think that Wax killing Lesse triggered Paalm to break away from Harmony. I re-read the AoL prologue because I had it stuck in my mind after reading SoS that Lesse could have done something to cause Wax to shoot her. She did not though it says Tan suddenly jerked as Wax shot so it is pretty apparent Tan knew somehow and more than likely Harmony was controlling him. So Harmony didn't lie just didn't tell the whole truth. Paalm must have known Harmony had a hand in it and this could have been what made her seek the "New God" to free people of Harmony's control. I think it is interesting we are seeing some different sides to Harmony. He preaches noninterference yet after SoS I do not see how he is not pulling some strings. It reminds me a lot of how I felt about TLR but in reverse. TLR seemed like a pretty bad dude in the Final Empire but during The Well of Ascension I started to see he may have had good intentions at least by keeping Ruin in check. Now we someone all thought was a pretty good guy possible not walking the walk entirely. Maybe it is the inherent struggle of holding both Ruin and Preservation.

I slightly suspected the Governor but I admit I also thought it was MeLaan as soon as she arrived on set. Just shows how well Brandon keeps us on our toes should have known the same trick wouldn't happen twice.

Me too I googled "Broadsheets Shadow of Self".

I am intrigued by this as well. I agree I think 1980's era will actually be from the POV of the Southern Scandrians and may not be that far ahead (possible 40 years or so) of WaW era as they appear to be a lot farther along than the North. What almost destroyed them may be WW1 or WW 2 like situation and they are in the process of rebuilding. Perhaps we learn that Harmony built the North based on Preservation and the South on Ruin as separate experiments or to balance out the struggle from the opposing forces. Also if I recall correctly the 1980's era is about a team of Allomancers hunting down a full Mistborn. I feel like the Set's plans are to make a full Mistborn through hemalurgy from the captured women in AoL perhaps this is the tie in between the two eras. Of course this is all just crazy speculation. The thing that doesn't make sense is to me is why the Southern Scandians would not explore the North if they are that much more technologically advance.

I guess I see Wax shooting Lesse as the possible catalyst for her removing her spike. Tan was also probably being controlled (or mearly spoken to) from his rants it seems pretty obvious (it's late but I think there is a WoB something about him being influenced). Setting aside the real death of Paalm the previous events even if manipulated by Harmony for the greater good of getting Wax to Elendel didn't really kill her she's a Kandra after all. It did however cause Wax a lot of pain which was mentioned at the end of SoS as being purposeful on someone that could bear it.

I see where you are coming from and I'd not completely rule out it was Bleeder just doesn't fit to me with her other actions. Not sure what happened to them is temporary though. Like if you took out the spike they go back to looking like a normal human being they seem pretty much transformed physically. Of course we do not know enough about the "howlers" to say this for sure.

I'd agree if she simply killed them and that could be considered "freeing" but that's not what's happening here. The "howlers" are clearly being spiked and doing their masters (I still think it's the Set) bidding which is the exact opposite of freeing and completely against her MO in my opinion.

I vote for the Kandra in the woodpile of Wayne's ancestors theory. No idea how that could possible happen (I know it's not possible as Kandra were made by spikes and not conception) but would make so much sense.

I'm not completely sold that these "howlers" were the work of Bleeder. Does not seem to fit with her MO at all of freeing. Even if her intent was to slow Wax down its more aggressive than the other attempts (like shooting him in the leg instead of killing him). At the end of the book we see she still seems to care about him so I don't see her using a bunch of man eating beast against him. I think they come from the same source the new metal (descriptions of the spike are similar) but kind of think the Set may have made them. Possible the new more efficient (only one spike) Koloss to fight for them.

I had a crazy busy week so even though I got the book on release day I just now finished it. I have to say this was not really what I was expecting at all. AoL was pretty lighthearted and felt like a "bonus" after the original trilogy. Something to tide us over until the 80s era. Maybe this was Brandon's original plan. I loved it but never got the deep emotional roller coaster like the rest of his books. Then came SoS and BAM! Man so much packed into such a small book. I feel like this is now more than a bonus as we are getting a setup for the events to come in the next era. In other words this isn't just "filler" now. I'm kind of perplexed though. I guess because I was prepared for another Wax and Wayne lighthearted Wild West adventure. It started out very similar then took a very dark turn. I still liked the book a lot just trying process it all I think. New metal? New God? New shard pool? Additional powers of twinborns? Visitors from another planet?!! As usual Brandon left us with so much to discuss and ponder. I am so excited we do not have to wait but until January to get another fix. Wayne is probably my favorite character Brandon has written. Then he went and brought back TenSoon and I suddenly remember no he's my favorite. No wait it's Sazed. No wait what about Breeze.. Ok so I have a lot of favorites but man it was good to see Kandra again one of my favorite things about Mistborn. One thing that keeps me scratching my head is there were only around 500 Kandra and yet Harmony sent one to Wax when he's basically a newbie lawman in the rough. Obviously Wax is a descendent of Breeze and the main protagonist for this era but is he possible going to be planet saving important like Vin and Elend down the road? So yes this was a lot deeper and darker than I was expecting. Regardless I can't wait to see what comes next (hopefully we will get back to the Set in BoM).

Just finished The Great Hunt liked it a lot. I'm re-reading AoL in preparation of Shadows of Self. Can't wait! The re-read is reminding me how much I liked it the first time.

Really enjoying The Eye of The World so far. Reading the whole series seems a little daunting and I have seen a lot of mixed reviews about the second half of the books before Brandon took over but so far I cant put the first book down.

I am on the third book of The Cycle of Arawn and glad I am nearing the end. I just want to finish it at this point. It is not a bad story I just cant seem to get in to the characters at all. Thinking of starting WoT. Oh and I read The Carpet Makers which I thought was awesome and haunting.

Agreed on the characters. Similar to the King Killer books in that aspect for me. I actually liked some of the secondary characters more than the main. As dark as it was I thought the ending somewhat made up for it.

I liked the books. Fair warning it is pretty dark. It is an adult version of Harry Potter meets Narnia Chronicles with a little bit of originality. Currently reading Lord of All Things by Andreas Eschbach. I am about half way through and like it so far although took a while to really get going for me. I just got The Cycle of Arawn complete trilogy audio book purely for the fact it is 65 hours. A great value for one audible credit. Hopefully it is good.

I decided to take a little break from my usual Fantasy/Sci Fi and read some physiological thrillers. I read "The Girl On The Train" was just ok then "Defending Jacob" which I liked and now "Before I Go To Sleep" which I haven't decided what I think about yet. Is the Apt series good? I have seen lots of mentions to it but the synopsis of the series didn't peak my interest.

Yeah pretty much how I felt. Worst part is it's not like the overall story is that original in the first place and then this just adds insult to injury. I'd love to tell you it gets better and there is this awesome twist that saves the book but it never comes. Pretty much RPO 2 without even a hint of originality.