Wafflecakes
Member
When I read the Wheel of Time I read Crown of Swords first, because that is what my Middle School library had at the time.
I think I read 3 or 4 of the later books before I picked up the first two.
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Brandon Sanderson - The Cosmere |OT| there's always another secret...
- Thread starter ExMachina
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When I read the Wheel of Time I read Crown of Swords first, because that is what my Middle School library had at the time.
I think I read 3 or 4 of the later books before I picked up the first two.
woops
though... realistically, I don't think it would have bothered me too much if I did that. I'd just go back and read the first one after. I never would do that though because I'm extra cautious about such things.
TheMissingLink
Member
Finished the Mistborn trilogy and I feel like the last book in the trilogy, Hero of Ages, was hyped just a little bit. Lots of people with their, "...just wait!" and "you're in for a treat!!" - maybe because I truly believe that the end, or payoff, of books is Brandon's weakest writing trait.
He is a master at building tension, that Christopher Nolan-esque way of having multiple stories happening at once...but I don't know, probably just me, but his payoff never live up to the build-up.
Either way, it was a great series. Stormlight is still what I enjoy of his the most, but I didn't think I would hold Mistborn in such high regard before reading it.
FWIW...I then read Secret History and LOVED it.
He is a master at building tension, that Christopher Nolan-esque way of having multiple stories happening at once...but I don't know, probably just me, but his payoff never live up to the build-up.
Either way, it was a great series. Stormlight is still what I enjoy of his the most, but I didn't think I would hold Mistborn in such high regard before reading it.
FWIW...I then read Secret History and LOVED it.
Wait, just to clarify you read Secret History BEFORE the currently available Wax and Wayne (aka Mistborn Era 2) books?
I don't see it as a problem tbh; if I could go back and do it over, I would've done the same. The spoiler is pretty minor and to read SH immediately after the trilogy would have more of a punch I feel.
That said, if you're less versed in Realmatic theory prior to reading SH, I could see it as being a little bit more confusing than if you read all the way up to Bands of Mourning already.
Actually the one book I'd recommend reading before SH is Elantris for obvious reasons :lol
TheMissingLink
Member
Correct, the Arcanum Unbounded said there was only a very minor spoiler and it covered the story in the original Mistborn trilogy, so I said WHY NOT.
That's uh, a pretty unique opinion, haha. What most people seem to love about Sanderson is exactly what you say he's weakest at.
macfoshizzle
Member
Pretty much the same assessment i have. I'm almost done with Ally of Law and it's really meh. There is really nothing going on. It's almost like a stale detective story. Does it get better?
Imp the Dimp
Member
I really like Sanderson's endings but I agree Mistborn 3's ending was overhyped. The Way of Kings has it beat comfortably.
Alloy of Law was originally intended as a short one-off to fill the gaps between his other projects, so it's definitely not as fleshed out as I think we've come to expect from Cosmere works. I thought it was fine but not exactly compelling in its own right.
Both of its sequels, however, are much better IMO. The story in Shadows of Self is just overall excellent, and Bands of Mourning is particularly intriguing because of how relevant it is to the overarching plot of Mistborn. If you're like me, you'll also come to like the characters a lot more in the sequels as they become more fully developed.
Sephiroth503
Member
Yeah I just finished Elantris recently myself after reading the Mistborn Trilogy. From "Part 2" to the end I couldn't put it down, really enjoyed it.
Correct, the Arcanum Unbounded said there was only a very minor spoiler and it covered the story in the original Mistborn trilogy, so I said WHY NOT.
Ok... I'd quibble with Unbounded labeling it "minor". It's something of a mystery that runs through Bands and Secret History kinda makes it obvious and the revelation at the end has no impact. The preface to the Secret History novella (the separate publication edition) Brandon says he would prefer you to read Bands first. "I'd actually prefer you wait until you've finished book six, the Bands of Mourning, because some of the reveals in this story will spoil that book as well." IMO the Unbounded blurb is insufficient.
/shrug
it might just be a matter of taste. yes the reveal was somewhat surprising but it wasn't all that impactful, to me. it was more like a "huh neat" than a "holy crap" reaction. inferring that Kelsier is behind what's going on doesn't really affect much about the actual story as it's happening; it's more like background knowledge.
I wouldn't tell someone NOT to read Bands first but I do feel there's a balance somewhere between not knowing that spoiler for Bands, and appreciating the happenings in Secret History just a little bit more by reading it immediately after the trilogy. which way the scale tips is a matter of preference I'm sure.
I wouldn't tell someone NOT to read Bands first but I do feel there's a balance somewhere between not knowing that spoiler for Bands, and appreciating the happenings in Secret History just a little bit more by reading it immediately after the trilogy. which way the scale tips is a matter of preference I'm sure.
I picked up Elantris last year and got done with maybe 25% of it before I stopped. Might have to pick it back up again if that's the case.
It does pick up in the second half - but make no mistake, it's still very rough compared to more recent works. It's absolutely worth reading for the larger cosmeric connections and it's not a long read so the investment is small, but I want to keep expectations in check.
Imp the Dimp
Member
lmao at that Redditor. But hell, he finished a 1000 pages book, it can't have been that bad a torture. The SA books are so good man.
VR is being used to pitch a show based on Brandon Sandersons Cosmere universe
So it looks like a show based on the Stormlight Archive is being developed.
So it looks like a show based on the Stormlight Archive is being developed.
Incandenza
Banned
Well after a long build-up, I'm finally reading Way of Kings. Just finished Part One and yeah, it's damn good. I love that the world is truly alien, the only thing I could think to compare it to is Morrowind.
TheMissingLink
Member
Plowed through his short story "Snapshot" in an evening...
From reading the synopsis, I was worried it was going to be cliché and trite. I was wrong - it was a neat idea and I'm continue to be marveled at Sanderson's way of creating a believable world so quickly in his writing!
Not my fav from him, but an enjoyable, quick read.
I believe "Snapshot" was his short story picked up for film or tv rights, and it would make a very interesting show.
The one thing: he really needs to work on his names. I couldn't get over the names of the two detectives in it: Anthony Davis and Chaz. Chaz. Ugh.
From reading the synopsis, I was worried it was going to be cliché and trite. I was wrong - it was a neat idea and I'm continue to be marveled at Sanderson's way of creating a believable world so quickly in his writing!
Not my fav from him, but an enjoyable, quick read.
I believe "Snapshot" was his short story picked up for film or tv rights, and it would make a very interesting show.
The one thing: he really needs to work on his names. I couldn't get over the names of the two detectives in it: Anthony Davis and Chaz. Chaz. Ugh.
So I read the way of Kings novels and warbreaker and really liked both. Now on mistborn series and I liked the final empire but well of Ascension is such a drag. Like wtf. I'm at
but I'm really really having trouble moving forward. I don't feel the story is progressing fast enough. Please tell me it gets better.
Cett being nominated as king
I... don't know. I really enjoyed it but it seems to be the least popular of his major novels. The climax is fast paced and fun as you'd expect and the ending is intriguing. Hero of Ages is generally considered as good or close to Final Empire fwiw.
Incandenza
Banned
The end is good, and then Hero of Ages is leagues better. WoA is definitely the weakest book of the three.
I appreciate the character building but it seems to drag on with Vin's and Elend's insecurities. Like I get excited when new things get introduce but then it cuts off abruptly and goes back to their insecurities. I realize that this might be a build up for their relationship which might have to do something with the ending but I think it could have been approached better?
That's good to hear. I've been binged reading Sanderson's work since I got my hand on way of Kings by accident lol.
Man Kelsier was so interesting, none of the new characters in WoA do it for me.
Oh well back to reading.
"It gets better" is kinda subjective so... maybe? I felt like Mistborn improves every step of the way, and Brandon's improvement as a writer from FE to WoA was palpable. The progression is somewhat subtle for a good chunk but I feel like it's a tightly woven narrative with very very little extra.
Wowfunhappy
Member
- The Final Empire is incredible, and one of my favorite books ever.
- The Well of Ascension just sucks. The climax is great but it's not until the very end, and not enough to save everything that came before.
- The Hero of Ages is okay, I guess. Definitely better than WoA.
That said, if you're invested in The Cosmere the entire trilogy is absolutely worth reading. It's also worth noting that Secret History and the Mistborn Era 2 books are quite good.
Incandenza
Banned
After the wild climax of Part 4 of The Way of Kings, I expected Part 5 would just be chill character resolution.
I was not prepared.
I was not prepared.
Incandenza
Banned
So I'm reading Words of Radiance (~100 pages in) and I'm wondering if someone can answer a question for me. (spoilers for Way of Kings below)
Is this series eventually going to actually address the whole slavery/racism angle? Because I'm growing increasingly uncomfortable with the way the Parshendi/parshmen are portrayed in this series. When they were first introduced as being dumb, docile, sub-human, etc. I thought "Okay, he's introducing this culture's prejudices so that he can subvert them later" but... that hasn't really happened yet? Kaladin seems to understand that they might be more cultured than people think, but so far nobody, not even him, has ever questioned the morality of keeping parshmen as slaves. Which would make more sense in an uglier, grimdarkier world, but in a series where I'm supposed to root for all the main characters, it's pretty strange. If anything, the reveal at the end of WoK doubles down on my discomfort by suggesting that the Parshmen are everything the Alethi say they are and they're secretly evil monsters too. Since he's already addressing issues of race with the lighteyes/darkeyes conflict, I would hope this is all just a setup for something later on that turns all this stuff on its head. But if this series is going to try to pitch to me that I should actually feel bad for the Alethi because their slave race might rebel against them... then fuck that, honestly. The Alethi can get fucked.
Aaronrules380
Member
Some of the intermission chapters take place from a parashendi point of view and they address it in other ways as well
Poodlestrike
Banned
Mmmm... sorta.
The issue of keeping Parshmen as slaves is never really dealt with on a moral level, more a practical one. The unfortunate implications of the Parshmen=Voidbringers situation you're (rightly) seeing at that point aren't QUITE right, though, for reasons I can get into in more detail if you like. Fair warning, they're fairly spoilery.
Public library finally got copies of White Sand (after I asked them to order it lol), so I'll pick that up when my reservation is confirmed. I enjoyed the excerpt in Arcanum Unbounded, but graphic novels are a bit pricey to purchase for me.
If there's ever an omnibus with all the volumes, maybe then.
just to add to the above posts, apparently this topic is going to be central to the plot of Oathbringer. So expect it to be important.
If there's ever an omnibus with all the volumes, maybe then.
just to add to the above posts, apparently this topic is going to be central to the plot of Oathbringer. So expect it to be important.
Incandenza
Banned
I'm gonna keep reading for sure, so I'm sure I'll be on the lookout for that. It was just odd because this is the only time I've ever had this kind of an issue with a Sanderson book. But since the series is still technically just getting started I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now.
That's good to hear. I'll add that I'm really enjoying this series outside of this one thing.
Basically, yes. Kaladin's relationship with
his parshendi bridgemen
But as a broader notion, while it's certainly not as Grimdark as ASoIaF or First Law, I feel it's important to remember that the Alethi are a warrior based culture. The very notion of basing your ideals in the fighting and slaughter of others kind of ingrains a sense of dehumanization toward others in it's people. It's cleaned up and better than many other examples, but it's kind of inevitable.
If it helps, the preview for Oathbringer seems like it will address this issue.
Wowfunhappy
Member
I think you'll be mostly satisfied by the end of Words of Radiance. It's also important to remember that this is a ten book series, so you're basically only through 15% of the overall story.
or as Brandon thinks of it, two 5 book series... supposedly
Jest Chillin
Member
3 6-book series; confirmed.
finally got around to reading White Sand. really enjoyed it, can't wait for volume 2.
can't say I expected
lol, I wouldn't be surprised
can't say I expected
Khriss to be a "duchess"
lol, I wouldn't be surprised
Just wrapped up my reread of Way of Kings and going through Words of Radiance now before Oathbringer is released later this year. Something I've noticed and I don't know if it's by design but I've noticed whoever is the main focus in the book seems to have the more interesting character arc. Like the Shallan parts in Way of Kings were slightly more difficult to read through and I really looked forward to Kaladin's story. In Words of Radiance though, it's the reverse.
10 books?! I always thought it was 7.
10 books?! I always thought it was 7.
Yep, sorry, it's always been 10, later clarified as two separate five book arcs.
Brandon Sanderson really is a prolific writer so he's one I can definitely see getting it done in a reasonable timeline. The books are all super long too. Impressive stuff...I just hope the quality does not dip.
fireatwill
Member
I just finished part 1 of The Final Empire and have been absolutely loving the story so far. I like the world, the characters, the science, and setting of the story. I'm looking forward to experiencing the rest of the trilogy and more.
Last year I read the Reckoner's trilogy. I've seen a lot of similarities between the two stories so far (super human abilities, a band of rebels overthrowing a ruler, team member makeup, etc.) Does all of Sanderson's work follow this formula?
Last year I read the Reckoner's trilogy. I've seen a lot of similarities between the two stories so far (super human abilities, a band of rebels overthrowing a ruler, team member makeup, etc.) Does all of Sanderson's work follow this formula?
Stormlight doesn't. Then again there's been only 2 books so far out of a 10 book series. But there's no "ruler" being overthrown, but there is sort of a big bad but details on them are still a bit scant.
Wowfunhappy
Member
IMO, there are a lot of similarities between:
The Final Empire & SteelHeart
Shadows of Self & SteelHeart (for different reasons than above)
Elantris & The Way of Kings
I don't think there's anything particularly egregious beyond those three.
Really not seeing it.
Imp the Dimp
Member
The Final Empire is insanely good. One of the most entertaining reads in memory for me.
fireatwill
Member
Thanks for the quick feedback. Glad I wasn't the only one who saw the similarities.
Jest Chillin
Member
Sanderson's most defining trait is his intricate magic systems. All of his stories will have some sort of magic system involved. So, in that sense, there will always be some level of "superhuman abilities."
Outside of that, there's really no egregious similarities. Some character personalities will be similar but that's due to large casts and characters being people.
There will always be parallels that can be drawn, if you really want to focus on it. Even then, the parallels are pretty superficial for the most part.
Continue reading the first Mistborn trilogy and you'll see it goes a completely different direction than Reckoners.
Outside of that, there's really no egregious similarities. Some character personalities will be similar but that's due to large casts and characters being people.
There will always be parallels that can be drawn, if you really want to focus on it. Even then, the parallels are pretty superficial for the most part.
Continue reading the first Mistborn trilogy and you'll see it goes a completely different direction than Reckoners.
Interestingly, Brandon himself has drawn a lot of comparisons between Elantris and Warbreaker. He originally conceived Warbreaker as a sort of alternate reality Elantris where the "city of gods" is still thriving rather than in decay.
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