What is the best Sanderson book? (all, not just Cosmere)

[WayneSpren Kandra]

I know everybody has their favorites, but I'd like this topic to be a place to discuss, using logical arguments, which books have the best creativity factors, which has the most developed characters, and similar stuff.

 

For example, my favorite book is Mistborn, the Hero of Ages. By this time in the series, most of the characters are all very well developed. In this book some characters we'd wanted to know more about (Spook and Goradel) have their moments and we finally get to see how they affect the world around them and how they face the growing threat by Ruin and the koloss. 

 

The worldbuilding in Mistborn amazed me, especially the prospects of the ever-falling ash and the Shards' affects on the world (hemalurgy and allomancy).

I loved the intricate magic systems and the setting of the series: what if the Dark Lord won?  Most of all, I loved the ending of HoA, where all the connections connected and revelations abounded.

Overall, this is not only my favorite Sanderson book, but most likely my favorite book of all time, at the level of works such as J.R.R. Tolkien.

[The Honor Spren Dawnshard]

If you want awesome world building, go read Stormlight! If you want awesome anything, go read Stormlight! (Not implying that his other works aren't, but in Stormlight, everything is)

Although. . . I feel Stormlight gets overused (even if it is the pinnacle of Brandon's work). I, personally, really enjoyed Sixth of Dusk. I found it intriguing.

[WayneSpren Kandra]

If you want awesome world building, go read Stormlight! If you want awesome anything, go read Stormlight! (Not implying that his other works aren't, but in Stormlight, everything is)

Although. . . I feel Stormlight gets overused (even if it is the pinnacle of Brandon's work). I, personally, really enjoyed Sixth of Dusk. I found it intriguing.

You know that Mistborn will have 13 books, while Stormlight will only have 10.

 

Hmph. Airsick lowlanders.

[NathanielHellman Crew Leader]

You know that Mistborn will have 13 books, while Stormlight will only have 10.

 

Hmph. Airsick lowlanders.

Only 10? You are so spoiled by Sanderson you realize that right?

 

Anyways my favorite is the Way of Kings, because holy c**p is that a good book with amazing world building! Seriously, everyone read this book! It is the best fantasy book out there.

[Edgedancer Hero of Ages]

You know that Mistborn will have 13 books, while Stormlight will only have 10.

 

Hmph. Airsick lowlanders.

Well, Mistborn originally was only supossed to have 9, so we could end with 15 Stormlight books for all we know.

[natc Mistborn]

When people tell you to stop restlessly pacing around in circles while thinking and you think "gotta stop inhaling my stormlight".

That's how much I like WoK.

Edited August 23, 2015 by natc

[Mestiv Knight Radiant]

I may be in minority, but I find Alcatraz series to be truly unique, even more than Stormlight or Mistborn I don't know which Brandons book is the best, but Alcatraz deserves to be recognized!

[Patar Artifabrian]

Why would you even ask this? They are all incredible.

 

I guess if I had to chose, I'd go with Hero of Ages as well. I don't really know how to explain it. To me it was just... so perfect.

Edited August 24, 2015 by patar365

[WayneSpren Kandra]

Why would you even ask this? They are all incredible.

 

I guess if I had to chose, I'd go with Hero of Ages as well. I don't really know how to explain it. To me it was just... so perfect.

Agreed. I am rereading WoK again though...and it's just as amazing the second time through.

[acatnamedkaren Prelan]

Anyone who likes the Rithmatist the most? Please don't tell me that I'm the only one

[the winter system Lerasium Mistborn]

Mistborn. MISTBORN MISTBORN MISTORN!

[The Honor Spren Dawnshard]

Anyone who likes the Rithmatist the most? Please don't tell me that I'm the only one

Well you're asking us not to, so guess I could just leave it unsaid. . .

[The Sovereign Mistborn]

This is a tough question, I'm going to go with Warbreaker.

With that said, I could have very easily gone with The Hero of Ages or The Gathering Storm.

[Steel Compounder Bridgeman]

the mistborn series, or words of radiance.

[Recca Awakened Object]

I first found Sanderson books when I grabbed mistborn at a library because it look intersecting evenually I found his website after reading most of his books I found this form. It lasted as my favorite for about a year (which is a long time for me since I read A LOT). It recently got beat by Way of Kings which I have reread 5 times now. Since reading Way of Kings no book has come anywhere close to beating it expect for Mistborn books. Who knows maybe Shadows of Self will beat Way of Kings. 

[Mistrunner Dawnshard]

This question is not okay.

I do feel like Elantris is the Martha Jones of his works, though- horribly underrated. It isn't some of his best writing in stuff like word choice and flow, but man, that plot twist.

And, you know, Elantris.

[WayneSpren Kandra]

This question is not okay.

I do feel like Elantris is the Martha Jones of his works, though- horribly underrated. It isn't some of his best writing in stuff like word choice and flow, but man, that plot twist.

And, you know, Elantris.

If you're referring to my creation of the topic, I am truly sorry. Sanderson books should not have to compete and should never be told they are not the best ever. In my revised opinion, they are all so amazing it would be impossible to choose the "best" one, and while people have their own opinions, I do not think anymore one should claim the title.

 

And yes, Elantris is awesome.

[Hoid Is Dead Grand]

I wanna say the Rithmatist but Mistborn really leaves an impression for me

 

Edit: The final Empire

Edited September 16, 2015 by Hoid Is Dead

[Zathoth Tarachin Superstar]

Mistborn is my favorite series, I cant decide what his best book is though. Impossible.

[ADIMORTIS Cobalt Guard]

I'll go with 'The Way of Kings' .. That book is the most perfect book I gave ever read..

[Mistrunner Dawnshard]

If you're referring to my creation of the topic, I am truly sorry. Sanderson books should not have to compete and should never be told they are not the best ever. In my revised opinion, they are all so amazing it would be impossible to choose the "best" one, and while people have their own opinions, I do not think anymore one should claim the title.

 

And yes, Elantris is awesome.

I just meant it was impossible to choose. It was a joke. You're fine.

[Toaster Retribution Prime]

The best Brandon book? Words of Radiance, hands down. Its epic, it has great character moments, great twist, a good plot and introduces a lot of interesting stuff, everything from the Everstorm to the Ghostbloods.

[Orlion Blight Voidbringer]

The Emperor's Soul. It's the best written and does not require reading thousands of pages in order to establish character connections or world building for the writing to be effective. And, unlike his other "standalones", this book actually stands alone. It's a complete experience whether you stop there or check out his other work. More then any other Sanderson book, it does not rely on sequels to expound on its themes and mysteries or prequels to set up stakes and pay offs or supplemental novels/stories/WoB to truly "get it."

[AonEne Shard]

I'm not even going to get into this discussion. Nope. Staying on the other side of the forum. Faaaar away. You can't make me pick a favorite.

[Nathrangking Prime]

I'm torn on the one hand as @TheOrlionThatComesBefore said ES is brilliant. It is in a nutshell an intro into realmatics. On the other hand Warbreaker is an Epic standalone!! I guess I have two tied bests.