About the Book
The Bands of Mourning is the sixth book in Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series and the third in the Wax and Wayne sub-series, following The Alloy of Law and Shadows of Self. It's set in a world that mirrors a late 19th-century industrial society, part frontier western, part urban thriller, layered over the same magic system established in the original Mistborn trilogy. If you haven't read the earlier Wax and Wayne books, this is not a good entry point.
The story follows lawman Waxillium Ladrian and his companions as they pursue a legendary artifact tied to the god-like figures from Mistborn's history. The plot moves quickly and involves multiple factions, significant reveals about the world's mythology, and some of the larger cosmere connections Sanderson is known for weaving across his different series. Readers already familiar with the world will find this installment raises stakes considerably.
In terms of tone, it sits somewhere between adventure serial and epic fantasy, lighter than the original trilogy, but with more weight than The Alloy of Law. There's humor in the character dynamics, particularly around Wayne, but the plot itself becomes progressively more serious as it unfolds.
Narration & Audio Performance
Michael Kramer has narrated most of Brandon Sanderson's adult fiction catalog, and his familiarity with the material shows here. His delivery is confident and consistent, he knows these characters and doesn't overplay them. Wax gets a measured, slightly worn quality; Wayne benefits from Kramer's willingness to lean into comic timing without going broad.
Pacing is well-matched to Sanderson's prose style, which tends toward shorter chapters, steady momentum, and dialogue-heavy action sequences. Kramer doesn't rush the quieter expository moments, which matters in a book where the worldbuilding occasionally needs room to land. His character differentiation is reliable, though not always distinct, if you're not already tracking who's speaking, you'll want to pay attention to dialogue tags.
Production quality is clean. No noticeable audio issues. This is a professional, competent narration without being particularly exceptional. Longtime fans of Kramer's work on Sanderson's books won't be disappointed. First-time listeners should try the Audible sample to confirm his style works for them.
The Audible Verdict
The Bands of Mourning works well in audio, the pacing is strong, Michael Kramer is an experienced fit for the material, and the linear structure requires no visual reference. That said, the narration is competent rather than exceptional, and the book's full value depends heavily on familiarity with the earlier Wax and Wayne installments. A free trial credit is a reasonable use here; spending a paid credit is better reserved for listeners who are already committed to the sub-series.
Listen on AudibleIs This Book a Good Fit for Audio?
The Wax and Wayne books are structured as episodic adventure fantasy with clear narrative momentum, short chapters, shifting perspectives, and a plot that keeps moving forward. That structure translates cleanly to audio. There's nothing in The Bands of Mourning that requires a visual reference: no maps you'll need to consult, no charts, no dense appendices interrupting the flow.
The main caution is series complexity. Sanderson's cosmere connections and the accumulated mythology of six Mistborn books involve a lot of proper nouns, factions, and callback moments. Audio listeners who are coming to this without having recently read the earlier books may find it harder to track certain reveals. If you've been listening to the series in order on Audible, that's less of a concern, but returning to the series after a long gap in print and then switching to audio mid-run could create friction.
Popular Listener Questions
Do I need to read the earlier Mistborn books before this one?
Yes. The Bands of Mourning is the third book in the Wax and Wayne sub-series and the sixth Mistborn book overall. It builds directly on events from The Alloy of Law and Shadows of Self and references the original trilogy extensively. Starting here would leave significant gaps in context.
Is this part of a larger series?
Yes. It's part of the Wax and Wayne sub-series within the broader Mistborn sequence. The story also connects to Brandon Sanderson's wider cosmere universe, though knowledge of other cosmere series isn't required to follow the main plot.
Is Michael Kramer the narrator throughout the entire Wax and Wayne series?
Yes. Michael Kramer has narrated the Wax and Wayne books consistently, so if you've been listening to the earlier audiobooks in the sub-series, the voice and style will be immediately familiar.
Is the book suitable for listeners new to fantasy?
Not as an entry point. The series assumes familiarity with a detailed magic system and extensive worldbuilding from previous books. New fantasy listeners would be better served starting with The Final Empire, the first Mistborn book.
Similar Audiobooks
The first Wax and Wayne book, the essential starting point for this sub-series before listening to The Bands of Mourning.
The direct predecessor to The Bands of Mourning, plot threads from this book carry over, so listening in order matters.
The original Mistborn book and the foundation for the entire series, including its magic system and mythology.
Sanderson's other major epic fantasy series, also narrated by Michael Kramer. A natural next listen for readers who finish the Mistborn books.
Another long-running epic fantasy series with a devoted readership and consistent audio production, appeals to readers who like deep worldbuilding with character-driven plots.
Audiobook Details
| Title | The Bands of Mourning |
|---|---|
| Author | Brandon Sanderson |
| Narrator | Michael Kramer |
| Genre | Epic Fantasy |
| Year | 2017 |
| Abridged | Unabridged |
| Cast | Single narrator |
| Author-narrated | No |
Ready to listen?
The Bands of Mourning is available on Audible and is a reasonable use of a free trial credit if you're already invested in the Wax and Wayne series.
Open on Audible