Do I need to read the first two Era 2 books first?

Yes. The Bands of Mourning is the third of four Era 2 books and assumes familiarity with the events and characters of The Alloy of Law and Shadows of Self.

Does this book expand the world significantly?

Yes — it introduces the southern continent of Scadrial, with cultures, technology, and Metallic Arts traditions previously unknown. It dramatically widens the scope of what Scadrial is.

What are the Bands of Mourning?

The Bands of Mourning are legendary metalminds supposedly created by the Lord Ruler himself, said to store the abilities of both Allomancy and Feruchemy in a form any person can access without being born to the magic.

Does this book end on a cliffhanger?

Yes. The Bands of Mourning ends with a significant revelation that sets up the final Era 2 volume, The Lost Metal.

The Bands of Mourning

Reader reviews of The Bands of Mourning

Joshua White · 2026-09-12T02:40:24.000000Z

How in the hell did Sanderson make Steris one of my favorite characters of his?!

High Fantasy Steampunk

Pages: 455
Published: 2016
Language: English

Synopsis

A mythical set of metalminds said to grant the abilities of the Originators — the godlike figures of Scadrial's history — has been found, or at least reported found, in the southern continent. Wax, Wayne, Marasi, and Steris travel to the city of New Seran following the trail of the bands and the mysterious Lord Sequence who controls them.

The Bands of Mourning widens the geographical scope of Scadrial considerably, introducing new cultures and new understanding of the world's technology, while delivering answers to mysteries planted across the first two Era 2 books. It ends on a significant revelation that sets the stage for the series' final volume.