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Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere |OT| Journey Before Destination
- Thread starter ExMachina
- Start date
I finally have time to read again! :D
First, my copy of Oathbringer came in last week and this book is huge. The largest one I've ever owned. I can't wait to get to it, but I need to finish Way of Kings and Words of Radiance first.
Speaking of Way of Kings...
First, my copy of Oathbringer came in last week and this book is huge. The largest one I've ever owned. I can't wait to get to it, but I need to finish Way of Kings and Words of Radiance first.
Speaking of Way of Kings...
Someone wrap Kaladin in some blankets and give him some hot chocolate. He's suffered enough already thanks.
I have a feeling that him wanting to not have his fellow bridge-men die might bite him back, but who knows he could succeed.Hopefully please so he doesn't suffer anymore.
I have a feeling that him wanting to not have his fellow bridge-men die might bite him back, but who knows he could succeed.
1. What was the first Cosmere work you read? Why did you choose to read it?
Mistborn: The Final Empire. I don't have particular reason to read it besides I need some fantasy at that time.
2. When did you realize/find out that these works share a universe?
When I googled and wikiwalk to find out more about Brandon Sanderson.
3. What's your favorite Cosmere book/story? Favorite character from the Cosmere?
Mistborn: Alloy of Law is my favorite and as you might have guess, Wayne in this book is my favorite character as well.
4. Do you have any Cosmere fandom related stories to share (signings, conventions, etc.)?
I don't live in the US so no.
5. What aspect of the Cosmere do you enjoy the most (e.g. awesome magic systems, worldbuilding and theorizing, etc.)?
I like his character. Maybe it sounds odd, but I'm not very big or indifferent to magic system. His worldbuilding is good though and makes me wished he redistribute some of his effort from action scene and magic system to that.
Mistborn: The Final Empire. I don't have particular reason to read it besides I need some fantasy at that time.
2. When did you realize/find out that these works share a universe?
When I googled and wikiwalk to find out more about Brandon Sanderson.
3. What's your favorite Cosmere book/story? Favorite character from the Cosmere?
Mistborn: Alloy of Law is my favorite and as you might have guess, Wayne in this book is my favorite character as well.
4. Do you have any Cosmere fandom related stories to share (signings, conventions, etc.)?
I don't live in the US so no.
5. What aspect of the Cosmere do you enjoy the most (e.g. awesome magic systems, worldbuilding and theorizing, etc.)?
I like his character. Maybe it sounds odd, but I'm not very big or indifferent to magic system. His worldbuilding is good though and makes me wished he redistribute some of his effort from action scene and magic system to that.
Oh, hey, so I finished Oathbringer a while ago and I'm starting on a second read-through to make sure I didn't miss anything. Easily my favorite Sanderson book so far; it's got some problems, but it's captured the huge scope I love in the Stormlight books and tons of juicy worldbuilding, without the dragging backstory in Way of Kings and Words of Radiance. Really just a fantastic read.
Great book. Left me wanting another so damn badly.
There's this long segment, between the fall of Kholinar and Dalinar defying Odium in fromt of Thaylen City that just captures this constant, low-key rising tension incredibly well. Things just keep getting worse, it's like an unsettling note that just keeps going and going until finally it breaks in a glorious moment. Granted, it was a little bit of an asspull, but I dig it.
Primary issue I have is that despite the book's length, the ending still feels kinda rushed. They really should've carved out some time to have the characters react to stuff like Azure's revelation that she (and Vasher) aren't from Roshar, the Taravangian betrayal (more on him in a moment), the two Heralds they've gotten, and whatever Szeth can tell them about the Skybringers. The Azure thing is especially huge. We've got Vivienne, Vasher, and Nightblood, and there's apparently no room in this ungodly huge book to dwell on the fact that their entire theology is radically altered, and even the new fragment of history they've uncovered is woefully incomplete. It'd be like the end of a book revealing that there's aliens on earth, walking among us, and nobody in said book really dwells on it 'cause THERE'S A WEDDING Y'ALL! Not that I minded the wedding, of course. Nice to kill the Shalladin stuff off for good.
Now, Taravangian... man, he's a dumbass. That special kind of stupid you only get in really, really smart people who're capable of rationalizing literally anything. That doesn't excuse Dalinar, of course - I know that he can't afford to alienate the king of Jah Keved right now, but he could at least put two and two together and realize that the only person they knew to be capable of unlocking the Oathgate and letting the Voidbringers in from Kholinar was Taravangian's Radiant. Like damn, son, process of elimination is your friend here!
Moving on from issues, stuff I'm super excited for moving forward:
Primary issue I have is that despite the book's length, the ending still feels kinda rushed. They really should've carved out some time to have the characters react to stuff like Azure's revelation that she (and Vasher) aren't from Roshar, the Taravangian betrayal (more on him in a moment), the two Heralds they've gotten, and whatever Szeth can tell them about the Skybringers. The Azure thing is especially huge. We've got Vivienne, Vasher, and Nightblood, and there's apparently no room in this ungodly huge book to dwell on the fact that their entire theology is radically altered, and even the new fragment of history they've uncovered is woefully incomplete. It'd be like the end of a book revealing that there's aliens on earth, walking among us, and nobody in said book really dwells on it 'cause THERE'S A WEDDING Y'ALL! Not that I minded the wedding, of course. Nice to kill the Shalladin stuff off for good.
Now, Taravangian... man, he's a dumbass. That special kind of stupid you only get in really, really smart people who're capable of rationalizing literally anything. That doesn't excuse Dalinar, of course - I know that he can't afford to alienate the king of Jah Keved right now, but he could at least put two and two together and realize that the only person they knew to be capable of unlocking the Oathgate and letting the Voidbringers in from Kholinar was Taravangian's Radiant. Like damn, son, process of elimination is your friend here!
Moving on from issues, stuff I'm super excited for moving forward:
- Adolin healing his Shardblade
- Kaladin reaching the Fourth Ideal
- Vasher and Nightblood explaining their whole deal
- Correspondingly, Dalinar & co. dealing with the reality of the Cosmere
- Venli's inevitable full Face Turn
- Shallan finally getting her personalities under control
- Queen Jasnah fuck yeahhhhh
- The whole stuff with Sja-Anat defecting
- Them finally getting Urithiru up and working
That's the one I bought last week.
On that note, I just finished reading it a couple of days ago. Finally going into Oathbringer as soon as possible, trying not to click on the Oathbringer OT has been torture.
I have a very specific question. It concerns the Audible audiobook version of Arcanum Unbounded. I am considering spending my last discounted Audible credit on it so that I'll just have it and can listen to the individual parts as I read the relevant series. But I need to know: is the organization good? Are the various stories and parts clearly labeled by name? Or is there at least a separate chapter for each? Is it easy to jump to whatever story I want at a glance?
Just now finished Oathbringer, what a ride that one was.
Probably will take my first spot, I loved it from start to finish but will have to wait for my second read-through.
Dalinar went from a cool character to a favourite, Shallans development throughout the book was fantastic and soooooo much stuff happened and got explained.
There is only one thing that bothers me and that is that it is over now.
Probably will take my first spot, I loved it from start to finish but will have to wait for my second read-through.
Dalinar went from a cool character to a favourite, Shallans development throughout the book was fantastic and soooooo much stuff happened and got explained.
There is only one thing that bothers me and that is that it is over now.
Finished reading Shadows of Self last night, and jumped right into Bands of Mourning.
Over the course of the 2nd Mistborn Era, Wayne has definitely evolved into my new favorite character of the saga, but if I'm being honest... I want more Steris. I know she's a minor character, but I'd love to see her expanded on. I feel like there's something hidden under the surface there, just waiting to break free. She has to be more than just obsessive with order and planning to the nth degree
I'm looking forward to what I presume will be a lot more insight into the Lord Ruler, and more unveiling of Scadrial though.
2018 will be when I start Stormlight, so looking forward to that too
Over the course of the 2nd Mistborn Era, Wayne has definitely evolved into my new favorite character of the saga, but if I'm being honest... I want more Steris. I know she's a minor character, but I'd love to see her expanded on. I feel like there's something hidden under the surface there, just waiting to break free. She has to be more than just obsessive with order and planning to the nth degree
I'm looking forward to what I presume will be a lot more insight into the Lord Ruler, and more unveiling of Scadrial though.
2018 will be when I start Stormlight, so looking forward to that too
oh you're gonna love Bands of Mourning if you want more Steris!
Yeah... we'll see how it turns out. Keeping my expectations low (as with everything that's gonna come out of the DMG deal lol).
I forgot to check since Oathbringer was released, but WoK annotations for chs 8-11 were posted at some point. I think that's all of them, sadly!
https://brandonsanderson.com/annotation-the-way-of-kings-chapter-8/
https://brandonsanderson.com/annotation-the-way-of-kings-chapter-8/
Sounds cool. Haven't touched any of his non-Cosmere works yet but I'll have to dig into them eventually.
Whoa, what was Apocalypse Guard supposed to be? I thought the Reckoners was decent YA and I'm interested to see more stories in that universe
Having just finished Bands of Mourning, that definitely hurts. That reveal at the very end, goddamn
I couldn't finish Bands of Mourning. Finding
and escaping with some weird plane? Ehhh. For some reason that turned me off. The whole book felt weak compared to the first two.
I started Oathbringer this week and the introduction told me to read Edgedancer first. Great. Maybe if it wasn't always listed with a delivery time of several weeks on Amazon and bookstores for my country I'd actually have that to read. Please tell me I can continue with Oathbringer without missing too much.
I get that it's weird compared to expectations, but this ties in significantly to the overall plot of not only the book, but the series. You'll find out more if you keep reading.
I didn't much care for Edgedancer personally, but I'm pretty much alone in that opinion it seems.
If you don't want to wait, got could always just read a summary instead.
It definitely felt off at first, but the payoffs are worth it in the end
Okay, okay, I'll continue after finishing Oathbringer. Still I'd have preferred
.
On Oathbringer, how did I blank out on *everything* from Radiance's plot dealing with
. I read that book twice. Not recently, but woah. I remember the interlude characters from Way and Radiance and his story in Way of Kings, but everything that happened with that guy in the second book I had to look up. Really weird.
angry monkey demons
On Oathbringer, how did I blank out on *everything* from Radiance's plot dealing with
Amaram
Ah alright, that's better. I don't even recall the name so I'll assume he's just one of the interlude characters.
She, and yeah, she's the subject of an interlude in WoR.
Just read the State of Sanderson, sounds like he's had a tough year overall. I hope he's not being too hard on himself—up until now, he has always seemed able to publish far more content than any other fantasy author I know of, so it wouldn't surprise me if that pace was unsustainable long-term.
Nah. The primary cause of the longer production time is the complexity increasing as time goes on. However, after having worked on Wheel of Time, it seems Sanderson learned a bit, so there's essentially a soft reset after book 5 (time skip iirc, leading into a new arc).
So book 6 and 7 should be relatively quick.
But it all depends on his inspiration and how quickly he gets burned out. Sometimes he gets crazy spurts and can release two books in the same series within 6 months of each other. Other times it's more than a decade between books in a series (assuming Warbreaker ever actually does get a series).
I don't think the Stormlight books will have quicker turnarounds going forward (although he may surprise us there). Each one so far has had a higher word count than the three Wax and Wayne books combined. I also remember him saying he was going to take a break from the Stormlight books after the first arc ended (maybe in a State of Sanderson?). Depending on how long that break is the endpoint could be further out as the gap between book 5 and 6 might be longer than 3 years. I think 2-3 years between books is a safe bet though so I could easily see the endpoint being around 2036.
Even if he plans to take a break between arcs, it really does depend on his inspiration and how burned out he is. There's been more than one occasion where he gets an idea that is just too much of a bug in his head and he has to get it out, altering his previous plans.
I just finished Oathbringer last night, what a crazy series. I only started reading The Way of Kings last month after having owned the book for 3 or 4 years.
1. What was the first Cosmere work you read? Why did you choose to read it?
Mistborn: The Final Empire. I saw it on that NPR top 100 science-fiction and fantasy novel list. The name and the cover really hooked me. I also picked up The Way of Kings at the time for the same reason but held off reading it until recently because of how long it was.
2. When did you realize/find out that these works share a universe?
I think I read about it on Wikipedia when I was looking to find out more about Sanderson.
3. What's your favorite Cosmere book/story? Favorite character from the Cosmere?
Mistborn: The Final Empire, although Words of Radiance is pretty close. As for favorite character I would probably go with Vin.
4. Do you have any Cosmere fandom related stories to share (signings, conventions, etc.)?
I saw Sanderson at a signing for Oathbringer. There were a crazy amount of people there so I didn't get my book signed until after midnight. I hadn't actually read any of the Stormlight books at the time, just Mistborn and Elantris. That event was a big part of the reason I read through the Stormlight books as quickly as I did.
5. What aspect of the Cosmere do you enjoy the most (e.g. awesome magic systems, worldbuilding and theorizing, etc.)?
The magic systems are probably the biggest draw. The characters, world building and the action are all big factors too though.
1. What was the first Cosmere work you read? Why did you choose to read it?
Mistborn: The Final Empire. I saw it on that NPR top 100 science-fiction and fantasy novel list. The name and the cover really hooked me. I also picked up The Way of Kings at the time for the same reason but held off reading it until recently because of how long it was.
2. When did you realize/find out that these works share a universe?
I think I read about it on Wikipedia when I was looking to find out more about Sanderson.
3. What's your favorite Cosmere book/story? Favorite character from the Cosmere?
Mistborn: The Final Empire, although Words of Radiance is pretty close. As for favorite character I would probably go with Vin.
4. Do you have any Cosmere fandom related stories to share (signings, conventions, etc.)?
I saw Sanderson at a signing for Oathbringer. There were a crazy amount of people there so I didn't get my book signed until after midnight. I hadn't actually read any of the Stormlight books at the time, just Mistborn and Elantris. That event was a big part of the reason I read through the Stormlight books as quickly as I did.
5. What aspect of the Cosmere do you enjoy the most (e.g. awesome magic systems, worldbuilding and theorizing, etc.)?
The magic systems are probably the biggest draw. The characters, world building and the action are all big factors too though.
That's true but I don't think his bursts of inspiration have led to him putting out a book the size of a Stormlight novel. They're usually novellas or smaller novels (Alloy of Law-sized). He's also said the Stormlight books are a lot more involved and tend to require more outlining work before he gets down to the business of writing them. I suppose the burst of inspiration could be to trim the last 5 books down in size but somehow I doubt it :p
Finished Warbreaker. Probably one of, if not the best novel written by Sanderson so far (disclaimer, I've only read Mistborn Trilogy and Alloy of Law Trilogy). I really like, and would have loved it dearly if it not were for Sanderson's typically modern prose in his writing that too many times broke my engagement to the story (a pet peeve of mine). The novel plays Sanderson's strength in his writing, that is characters and their interaction to the greatest extent. While other works of his tends to be more plot driven and as such sometimes deprived the agency or moment of decisions that his characters desperately need, Warbreaker story totally left it all to its wonderful cast of characters. Also I vastly prefer BioChromatic (never like this name, sounds to scifi or modern for me) or Breath over Allomancy conceptual and execution wise. I always found the latter to be strict and extremely utilitarian in nature with little mystery in it. I know, there is a lot of the unknown in Allomancy but how Sanderson executed it in his novel never makes the magic had any mystery depth into it. It is different Breath, which is much more mysterious despite the various utilitarian uses that shown in the story, probably thanks to Breath being more pervasive and more ever present than Allomancy did.
Honestly I'm quite surprised that Warbreaker was released in 2009. I thought it was more recent because in this novel Sanderson's writing is more tight, consistent, and better all around with little padding. There is little useless chapters in this one unlike his latter novel like The Bands of Mourning where there is 30 or less of page where Wayne is just fucking around and only the last 5 pages being actually relevant. Can't believe his editor actually let him do that shit. I guess this had to with how the novel written and edited online with many beta readers. Being written as a stand-alone novel might help too I think.
In short, I really like Warbreaker, more than I expected it. Plus, it got one of the best title drop I've seen in a book.
Honestly I'm quite surprised that Warbreaker was released in 2009. I thought it was more recent because in this novel Sanderson's writing is more tight, consistent, and better all around with little padding. There is little useless chapters in this one unlike his latter novel like The Bands of Mourning where there is 30 or less of page where Wayne is just fucking around and only the last 5 pages being actually relevant. Can't believe his editor actually let him do that shit. I guess this had to with how the novel written and edited online with many beta readers. Being written as a stand-alone novel might help too I think.
In short, I really like Warbreaker, more than I expected it. Plus, it got one of the best title drop I've seen in a book.
so since I finished Oathbringer (finally!) I've moved onto a new book I've had my eye on for some time called City of Brass.
I wanted to read it because it sounded interesting with a cool magical middle eastern setting and there was some positive buzz. What I didn't know going in was how much it would remind me of Mistborn. It's almost eerie how similar certain aspects of it are. I'm only about half way through so I can't tell you if the story goes in a similar direction at the end, however.
I could probably draw a few more comparisons but I think you get the picture. By the way, I'm not disparaging it at all, it's a great book so far. Just thought this was interesting!
edit: I completed reading this today. I don't want to spoil anything but I think people who love Mistborn will love this book too. It's really quite excellent. The story is not quite as similar as I thought it might be, but i feel the spirit of the books is similar in many ways.
I wanted to read it because it sounded interesting with a cool magical middle eastern setting and there was some positive buzz. What I didn't know going in was how much it would remind me of Mistborn. It's almost eerie how similar certain aspects of it are. I'm only about half way through so I can't tell you if the story goes in a similar direction at the end, however.
- main protagonist is a young adult orphan girl who is impoverished and gets by as a thief with the aid of certain natural gifts she possesses, which she doesn't understand
- it is implied that she is a half-breed born of an elite, supposedly purebred line of magical beings, and a human
- when she gets into trouble early in the story and attracts the ire of her pursuers, she encounters a magical being, and winds up in his care
- one of the other protagonists is a son of the authoritarian leader of the titular city, and he sympathizes with the plight and treatment of half breeds.
- it is implied that she is a half-breed born of an elite, supposedly purebred line of magical beings, and a human
- when she gets into trouble early in the story and attracts the ire of her pursuers, she encounters a magical being, and winds up in his care
- one of the other protagonists is a son of the authoritarian leader of the titular city, and he sympathizes with the plight and treatment of half breeds.
I could probably draw a few more comparisons but I think you get the picture. By the way, I'm not disparaging it at all, it's a great book so far. Just thought this was interesting!
edit: I completed reading this today. I don't want to spoil anything but I think people who love Mistborn will love this book too. It's really quite excellent. The story is not quite as similar as I thought it might be, but i feel the spirit of the books is similar in many ways.
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I finished Way of Kings sometime last week, and loved it. I'm looking forward to the convergence of characters that seems to be coming.
I think my favorite character, outside of Kaladin, is probably Shallan. I really enjoyed her chapters and interactions with Jasnah.
I really enjoyed the slow reveal of Kaladin's backstory too. Really well done, and look forward to seeing what comes next for him.
And really gained a lot of respect for Dalimar when he
Still numerous questions about just how Stormlight works, but I'm sure those will be answered in due time.
But before moving on to Words of Radiance, I've started to read Elantris. I really like the concept there, of peoplr basically bring transformed into living dead, and exiled to Elantris. Early in, but enjoying it nonetheless.
Szeth v Kaladin?
I think my favorite character, outside of Kaladin, is probably Shallan. I really enjoyed her chapters and interactions with Jasnah.
Kabsal trying to assassinate Jasnah surprised me; did not see that coming. The breads and jams was a clever murder weapon/antidote combo
I really enjoyed the slow reveal of Kaladin's backstory too. Really well done, and look forward to seeing what comes next for him.
And really gained a lot of respect for Dalimar when he
walked into the throne room and shattered the kings shardplate with a well placed kick. Just a great moment
Still numerous questions about just how Stormlight works, but I'm sure those will be answered in due time.
But before moving on to Words of Radiance, I've started to read Elantris. I really like the concept there, of peoplr basically bring transformed into living dead, and exiled to Elantris. Early in, but enjoying it nonetheless.
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I know I shouldn't be asking this, but I'm early into Words of Radiance now and is
I really hope not. Part of me thinks it's a red herring, but...
Amyhow, my love for Stormlight keeps growing. What a great series so far.
Jasnah really dead?
Amyhow, my love for Stormlight keeps growing. What a great series so far.