For a guy who puts Rule of Cool at the forefront of all his works, Brandon Sanderson sure knows how to punch his readers in the gut. In Shadows of Self, class tensions in Elendel reach its breaking point as Wax is forced to confront his personal demons. It's as painful to read as it sounds, and everything about this book is wonderful. 
 (view spoiler)[ 
 Did I mention this book is painful to read? Yeah. Part of this is because I hate to see characters I'm attached to suffer. The book ends with Wax (sort of) killing his (psychotic) wife a second time and sinking into depression. While I think things will only get worse from here plot-wise, there's a lot of room for character development. He doesn't seem to be at peace with who he is and what he has to do, despite his assertions otherwise. Perhaps his character arc is about finding harmony (hur hur) within himself. 
 I love that respectable, heroic characters like Aradel point out Wax's flaws without diminishing his accomplishments. Sure Wax is effective in solving cases and catching criminals, but he tends to leave behind collateral damage that other people have to clean up. His refusal to work within the system - no matter how inefficiently bureaucratic it is - is causing strain on the people he should be working with. He's an alpha wolf who sticks to his own pack. These things don't make him any less of a hero, but they do make him more human. 
 Paalm is an interesting villain. She's a psycho with major identity issues who's desperately in love with Wax. She'd spent most of her life being controlled, first by the Lord Ruler and then by Harmony, and then she falls in love (and becomes obsessed with) Wax. MeLaan (who's awesome) says she followed Harmony/Sazed with a zeal the other kandra don't have. I wonder if her centuries of servitude under the Lord Ruler skewed her perception of Harmony and made her obsessive to the point of insanity. 
 Other notes: 
 -MeLaan is awesome. Have I said that before? 
 -I'm glad Marasi's character arc this book doesn't involve Wax so much. I love them both and like their friendship, but I'm glad I get to see her developing her career and honing her investigative skills without him in the picture (much). 
 -Wow, I actually can relate to Steris. I hope she has a greater role in the next book because she's awkward and hyper-efficient and adorable. I actually ship her with Wax, because they'd balance each other. She'd ground him, he'd excite her. Fingers crossed she has a bigger role in the next book. 
 -Vin and Elend's tomb. Okay, I made myself sad. 
 -SOONIE PUPS!!! 
 -MeLaan is awesome. 
 (hide spoiler)] 
 I can't praise this book enough. It's highly recommended, Brandon Sanderson is the best, etc. etc. Now I can't wait for Bands of Mourning.