Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere

[Taika Vinh]

^ Ha, me too.

 

[Rowain Sikar]

I am not sure I like this. It would mean I would have to read other series of his that I do not like to understand why a character acts the way they do in a series I do like. It is an interesting idea though.

You probably don't have to worry about this. Sanderson is good about making sure that character development happens in the characters book.

 

[Tazren Talamar]

As a matter of fact, I think that Sanderson has said that none of his series are supposed to depend on the others. That is, he tries to write them in a way that not having read the others shouldn't make it less of an experience. Knowing things about the Cosmere is more like something that makes you appreciate certain parts more, and something that might otherwise be a mystery could instead be a neat reference to the other books. You just get a different perspective on the stories.

I read Way of Kings without knowing there as something more behind his books, and I loved it a lot.

It's a bit like The Hobbit vs Lord of the Rings, only the connections are much, much fewer and more indirect. But in the end, you can read them in whatever order, and it doesn't really matter, and you can read one without ever reading the other.

 

[Megana Vallentin]

Or like the Marvel movies, you can see all the Iron Man movies without seeing any of the others for example. There are some fun things you pick up on if you know all the other films, but it doesn't hurt you if you haven't.

 

[Tazren Talamar]

Yeah, that's probably a better comparison!

 

[Tigraine Khodan]

I see what you mean. Which is a good thing because there are a few of his books I just can not get into enough to finish reading them.

 

[Tazren Talamar]

I just reread Elantris, and while I liked it a lot on my first read (and I still do), it's a bit easier now to stop how much better Sanderson has gotten. I've a friend who really dislikes Elantris and Mistborn, because she thinks they are too artificial. He doesn't do a great job of hiding the fact that he's made everything up; it just feels constructed and in Elantris in particular, the characters feel a bit ... flat.

That is most definitely not the case with The Way of Kings and Words of Radiance. Those books are so much more well-written in all aspects, but regarding the characters in particular. It's amazing how much better he's gotten at writing characters that feel real and alive.

 

[Kallarn Lo'Vosh]

I just reread Elantris, and while I liked it a lot on my first read (and I still do), it's a bit easier now to stop how much better Sanderson has gotten. I've a friend who really dislikes Elantris and Mistborn, because she thinks they are too artificial. He doesn't do a great job of hiding the fact that he's made everything up; it just feels constructed and in Elantris in particular, the characters feel a bit ... flat.

That is most definitely not the case with The Way of Kings and Words of Radiance. Those books are so much more well-written in all aspects, but regarding the characters in particular. It's amazing how much better he's gotten at writing characters that feel real and alive.

I found Elantris a little flat but Mistborn (2nd and most of the 3rd) just got dragged out too much. Loved alloy of law though.

 

[Wil Cambrae]

Yes Alloy of Law appears to be one he's having fun with, and it shows in the writing.

 

[Tazren Talamar]

Definitely agree.

 

[Aduiavas Ida]

Tomorrow is the day for a new Mistborn book Or the second book in the Alloy of Law trilogy, whatever you prefer
Also, a new version of Elantris is coming
http://brandonsanderson.com/elantris-tenth-anniversary-edition/

 

[Winterdawn Lightheart]

I am so excited for both of those! :joy

 

[Rollyn Montagorae]

Aduiavas, it's my understanding that the new Mistborn book is actually the first of the "Industrial Age" trilogy, and that Alloy of Law came about almost by accident as he was getting a feel for this new era. It's sort of a "prequel" standalone. I might be wrong on that, but I think the trilogy books are titled, "Shadows of Self," "Bands of Mourning," and "The Lost Metal." (The last being tentative.)

 

[Rollyn Montagorae]

Either way, yay more Cosmere!

 

[Kallarn Lo'Vosh]

And Bands of mourning is due fairly soon (28 Jan. 2016) according to amazon UK.

 

[Vealdan Annalin]

I pre-ordered (ibooks/epub) Shadows of Self one hour before the release which I found amusing and I am reading it now :joy (well now I am working (cough) but I was reading it in the morning, it started well)

 

[Winterdawn Lightheart]

His blog posts suggest that The Alloy of Law really should be read before Shadows of Self, so I think it's not so much considered a separate prequel as a part of the Mistborn Adventure series. (I think that's what they're calling this series, anyway.)

 

[Aduiavas Ida]

Yes, I am reading Shadows of Self now, and it wouldn't make much sense if you hadn't read Alloy of Law first
Can't go into specifics without spoilers

 

[Sabriane Diamodred]

Have started SoS today.. have to say, much as I love this world and am enjoying reading this book, the writing isn't Sanderson's best

 

[Kallarn Lo'Vosh]

Definitely enjoying it, not noticed any badly written bits.