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Brandon Sanderson - The Cosmere |OT| there's always another secret...
- Thread starter ExMachina
- Start date
The key to Sanderson is not just reading the Stormlight Archives books once every three years. He is a fantastic author and releases stuff all the time. While he has been writing Stormlight we've gotten the Calamity trilogy, Rithmatist, three Wax and Wayne books, Secret History and I think the last Wheel of Time book and a bunch of short stories. That is what makes the Cosmere so cool, is you can get stories that are tangentially related to the Stormlight books once or twice a year even while waiting for the big novels.
So glad to have found this thread.
I haven't read *any* of his work yet, but I just bought The Way of Kings.
Should I buy and read Mistborn first, then?
To be clear for our new reader: Same universe, different worlds.
And I absolutely recommend reading all of the Cosmere works in the order they were printed. It isn't mandatory but I feel you will get the most out of it.
wesleyshark
Banned
Cheers. Was a bit confused by them saying it was different universes, given that it all is contained within the Cosmere. Same universe, different worlds makes more sense.
Imp the Dimp
Member
I will soon start Elantris and then Warbreaker. I'm anxious to see how I'll perceive Sanderson's writing after having read Rothfuss, Hobb and Steven Erikson.
Hmmm. I wouldn't go with Elantris as your first time with Sanderson.
Imp the Dimp
Member
Not my first time. I read both SA books and the original Mistborn trilogy. All 5 back to back.
Oh! My bad. Well, Elantris is kinda terrible after reading those books, imo. Warbreaker is decent.
Imp the Dimp
Member
Yeah I heard he got better with time. SA was clearly better than Mistborn too. I'm not ready to jump into the second Mistborn era yet but I crave Sanderson and I'll have to read all the Cosmere stuff eventually so I'll get the weaker books out of the way now.
Wowfunhappy
Member
The Final Empire is still my favorite Sanderson book by far, for whatever its worth. And Elantris is crap as far as I'm concerned.
Emperor's Soul is awesome. I thought Warbreaker was pretty weak, to be honest.
I'm about halfway through the last book of the Wax and Wayne trilogy. While I loved the first Mistborn trilogy, I'm just not liking this one as much. I'm still enjoying it and would recommend it, but just not as much as the original 3. The only characters I like are
Wayne and Steris. Not sure that's a spoiler but she DOES get kidnapped in part 1
Do we have even a vague idea when Stormlight 3 will be released? I can see the progress on his site but that's draft one, I'm sure there's loads of revision and editing to go. Within the next 12 months maybe?
I thought the first book was good and the second was super. Really looking forward to the third
I thought the first book was good and the second was super. Really looking forward to the third
The Stormlight Archive books are easily his best-written, and where it seems he tries the hardest with more interesting prose. Those hold up well to the likes of Rothfuss and Hobb, even if it's not as consistently flowery.
Imp the Dimp
Member
He said Oct or Nov '17
You don't need vague ideas when Brandon consistantly updates, like on the subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Stormlight...thbringer_spoilers_stormlight_three_update_3/
Not Cosmere related but I've just finished the Reckoners Trilogy. It's a decent series that could have been even better if it was targeted at an older audience. Powers morally corrupting the Epics was a good idea and actually explored quite well in the second book with Megan and Prof. I enjoyed reading their struggle to stay good and to be true to themselves. There was a bit of moral struggle and ambiguity about the characters in 1&2 which wasn't present in 3.The third book sort of swept it under the carpet though and tied things up too neatly for my liking.
Really the third book was a disappointment after what preceded it. We had two thirds of a good trilogy. The final book just felt rushed. Ending spoilers
Really the third book was a disappointment after what preceded it. We had two thirds of a good trilogy. The final book just felt rushed. Ending spoilers
The search for Calamity and subsequent battle needed more time devoted to it. The ending felt tacked on.
Wowfunhappy
Member
Clegg, you should really go in and add spoilers to that post.
Edit: Not just the ending of book 3. The whole thing about [spoilers]powers morally corrupting epics.[/spoilers] That isn't revealed until the end of the first book.
Edit: Not just the ending of book 3. The whole thing about [spoilers]powers morally corrupting epics.[/spoilers] That isn't revealed until the end of the first book.
Poodlestrike
Banned
Oh, I should probably start posting here. Starting on a full first-time Cosmere readthrough. So far, I've gotten done with the first Mistborn trilogy and the first two Wax & Wayne books. The former, I have to say, did not live up to the hype. I found Sanderson's writing overly mechanical (except, amusingly, for the powers, which were actually a little sloppier than I was expecting). As far as moderately unconventional high fantasy goes, enjoyed Codex Alera much more.
Wax & Wayne, however, is proving to be excellent. This is some entertaining shit. Sanderson's writing is much more natural here, and the voices of the various characters are much more distinct. He's clearly grown a lot as an author. The core mystery of the first book was a bit easy, though, but the second was structured more like a thriller and works a lot better. Looking forward to biting into Bands of Mourning later today.
After I catch up on that, I'm thinking Stormlight Archive or Warbreaker for next.
Wax & Wayne, however, is proving to be excellent. This is some entertaining shit. Sanderson's writing is much more natural here, and the voices of the various characters are much more distinct. He's clearly grown a lot as an author. The core mystery of the first book was a bit easy, though, but the second was structured more like a thriller and works a lot better. Looking forward to biting into Bands of Mourning later today.
After I catch up on that, I'm thinking Stormlight Archive or Warbreaker for next.
Man I love the Stormlight Archive books so much. Warbreaker was quite good, too.
Wowfunhappy
Member
I was meh on the first and I don't love the third (which I'm still in the middle of reading), but I thought the second was fantastic.
Poodlestrike
Banned
Guess I'll go Archive first, then!
Since you're planning on reading both, I'd like to suggest this reading order: Stormlight 1, Warbreaker, Stormlight 2. For max Cosmereness references.
Poodlestrike
Banned
Since you're planning on reading both, I'd like to suggest this reading order: Stormlight 1, Warbreaker, Stormlight 2. For max Cosmereness references.
Aight.
I actually read a bit of Warbreaker once at a library, it made a favorable impression. Breaking up the Stormlight books might not be a bad idea, they're pretty hefty.
H.Cornerstone
Member
I loved warbreaker, more then most and agree you should read it before SA2Since you're planning on reading both, I'd like to suggest this reading order: Stormlight 1, Warbreaker, Stormlight 2. For max Cosmereness references.
What I liked the most about Warbreaker is that it felt very different from most of Sanderson's work. It's the only one of his novels(if I recall) that had nudity, for example. Most of his other works avoid nudity(almost to an unnatural point) but there was a fair bit of it in the book.
Lightsong was one of my favorite characters he ever wrote, and by far Sanderson's best attempt at humor.
It's a great novel and I hope he can keep it feeling as distinct from the rest of his work if he ever does a sequel.
Lightsong was one of my favorite characters he ever wrote, and by far Sanderson's best attempt at humor.
It's a great novel and I hope he can keep it feeling as distinct from the rest of his work if he ever does a sequel.
I would have to say Wayne is his best attempt at humor by a mile. Love Wayne.
BrianRoyale
Member
Been a while since I posted, finished Warbreaker, really really liked that book a lot. It was kind of nice reading a one off book of his (i think now he's thinking of making another one). I liked the progression of all the characters in it, Vivenna, Seri and Lightsong especially grow over the course of the book.
Now I'm more than halfway through Words of Radiance, and yeah those books are epic. Not really into Kal right now, but I kind of understand his attitude and can see (hope) that he will become less of a brooding person.
Sanderson is just doing it for me right now, I'll be pretty sad when I've read all his books. The wait will be rough.
Now I'm more than halfway through Words of Radiance, and yeah those books are epic. Not really into Kal right now, but I kind of understand his attitude and can see (hope) that he will become less of a brooding person.
Sanderson is just doing it for me right now, I'll be pretty sad when I've read all his books. The wait will be rough.
Final five hours for the Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/craftygames/mistborn-house-war/description
Currently at 1000% funding. All stretch goals have been met, extra cards, miniatures, and even an expansion for 30 dollars extra have been added, so if you want in, this is your last chance.
Currently at 1000% funding. All stretch goals have been met, extra cards, miniatures, and even an expansion for 30 dollars extra have been added, so if you want in, this is your last chance.
I put in the $100 myself and barely expected this to get funded.... now 300k later I'm shocked its going over this well.
Cant wait for April to play it
I will assume that due to the popularity of this kick starter that craft games will have it for sale outside kickstarter when it comes out. As much as I love Sanderson and trust in his judgement, ive been burned on kickstarter a few times by doing the big donations. The Prestige edition was tough enough for me to get....
On that note, finished up Words of Radiance last night.... Dear god give me more....
I emailed Brandon to get a copy of the White Sand manuscript as others have done, but haven't heard a response. Can anyone who has it PM me? If like to read it to get context for the graphic novel, as I prefer books to graphic novels.
I was putting off reading Elantris and Warbreaker for whatever reasons, but I was very impressed by Elsntris and halfway through Warbreaker it's starting to get quite interesting. Those were basically the only Cosmere novels I hadn't read yet and I'm glad I finally got to them.
In general I found Elantris to be a good metaphor for depression, and Raoden felt distinctly different from his other protagonists. And I really want more from Sel. It's fascinating how he balances all these different settings.
One thing that I've been wondering, why are all Cosmere worlds (or at least the dominant culture in each) so patriarchal and regressive towards women? In Roshar women are supposed to stick to feminine arts and cover their hand and dress modestly, in Arelon women are supposed to be subservient, in Idris women are supposed to dress modestly etc. I know these are common fantasy tropes but given how Brandon always highlights strong female characters I'm curious about why the "main" culture in each book is so sexist. Most books have alternative cultures where women are a lot more liberated as well. But the POV is always from cultures where women are supposed to be meek. I wonder if there's some in universe explanation of this. I don't think Brandon is sexist and it would be interesting to see what his perspective on this is.
I was putting off reading Elantris and Warbreaker for whatever reasons, but I was very impressed by Elsntris and halfway through Warbreaker it's starting to get quite interesting. Those were basically the only Cosmere novels I hadn't read yet and I'm glad I finally got to them.
In general I found Elantris to be a good metaphor for depression, and Raoden felt distinctly different from his other protagonists. And I really want more from Sel. It's fascinating how he balances all these different settings.
One thing that I've been wondering, why are all Cosmere worlds (or at least the dominant culture in each) so patriarchal and regressive towards women? In Roshar women are supposed to stick to feminine arts and cover their hand and dress modestly, in Arelon women are supposed to be subservient, in Idris women are supposed to dress modestly etc. I know these are common fantasy tropes but given how Brandon always highlights strong female characters I'm curious about why the "main" culture in each book is so sexist. Most books have alternative cultures where women are a lot more liberated as well. But the POV is always from cultures where women are supposed to be meek. I wonder if there's some in universe explanation of this. I don't think Brandon is sexist and it would be interesting to see what his perspective on this is.
Wowfunhappy
Member
Will second this. I'm not sure if it would go against the promise Brandon requires, but I also asked for White Sand almost a year ago and haven't heard back.
Jest Chillin
Member
I would assume he stopped sending those out the moment he decided to make a commercial release of it.
I mean, Warbreaker still has a free version up but I don't know that he'd do the same for White Sands.
I mean, Warbreaker still has a free version up but I don't know that he'd do the same for White Sands.
H.Cornerstone
Member
Just finished Elantris, it was ok but definitely my least favorite Sanderson novel.
Original or 10th Anniversary Edition?
Wowfunhappy
Member
White Sand the prose novel ≠ White Sand the graphic novel. Just like putting a book online for free ≠ sending it out to the small number of super passionate fans who specifically ask for it in an email.
Jest Chillin
Member
I need you to elaborate what your point is because I don't think I'm getting it.
My point was that he would stop sending out the rough novel transcript because he's releasing a commercial version of it. Hence encouraging people to buy the commercial version instead of reading the free version for the story.
Warbreaker is an interesting situation because while he's left it up it's initial release and drafting process was pretty unique.
Poodlestrike
Banned
Okay, so since I last posted I chewed through Bands of Mourning and both Stormlight books; I was going to take a break between them and read Warbreaker, but by god those grabbed me something fierce. Haven't enjoyed a book that much in a WHILE. Easily my fav Sanderson stuff so far, and the only books of his that gave me a real thrill while reading. Warbreaker time now!
That was fast! Too bad you didn't read Warbreaker in between those books cuz I would've liked to see your reaction, haha. I'm glad you enjoyed them.
Poodlestrike
Banned
Yeah, they're much better written than either of the Mistborn trilogies, VanWinkle is definitely right on that count. Much more evocative imagery. First thing of his I've read to give me genuine thrills, the kind where I have to get up and punch the air and whatnot. It helps that most significant action scenes aren't built on people Capitalized Wording their way around. Although, I do unfortunately suspect that that's going to become more common as
more of the cast becomes Surgebinders
Kaladin Lashing himself to and fro
Kaladin holding the bridge single-handedly at the end of Way of Kings
final battle with Szeth
Still, that's for the future. Aside from the faults I'm starting to see in his works as a whole (feeling the need to show AND tell, inappropriately timed exposition), these two are a HUGE step up, even if they didn't have anything as funny as Wayne. Though Shallan and Wit/Hoid come close, sometimes.
Wowfunhappy
Member
Can't say I agree with this at all. I freaking loved that airborne battle at the end WoR. Sanderson is a master of these types of cinematic action sequences, and I was really happy to see them make an appearance in Stormlight.
Yea but I think once he submits a complete draft the editing process and publishing process takes like 8 months. Looks like he hopes to cut that down but the best made plans....
All in all though, he is the fastest fantasy author I know of. Stormlight 3 and Warbreaker 2 can't come soon enough.
He is sending in each part separately for editing and revisions, he is basically going straight from completing the first draft to starting on what would normally be the third and final draft without downtime, so it's looking good.
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