Unpopular Brandon Sanderson Opinions

[Orlion Blight]

Just now, Lightblood said:

I mean obviously he likes them enough to read all the books and search out the fan site, but @TheOrlionThatComesBefore He was asking why are you on 17th shard not this specific thread. 

But also he likes 17th shard enough to have 3,000+ posts so...

All the Cosmere books, specifically. I've read some of the other stuff and concluded that I did not want to read a non-Cosmere Brandon Sanderson novel again. 

As far as the actual implied question, I don't feel the poster's antagonism warrants or entitles an explanation of any positive views I may have about Sanderson that might have led me to seek out the site. 

Perhaps in a more appropriate topic, or if you DM me 

 

[Bacon]

Lift not liking bacon is a horrible character decision that will keep her from being an influential figure the Cosmere and will stifle the reader’s ability to accept her as a viable POV character throughout the Stormlight series once her personality quirks become stale

Edited March 27, 2019 by Bacon

[+Doomstick]

9 hours ago, TheOrlionThatComesBefore said:

All the Cosmere books, specifically. I've read some of the other stuff and concluded that I did not want to read a non-Cosmere Brandon Sanderson novel again. 

As far as the actual implied question, I don't feel the poster's antagonism warrants or entitles an explanation of any positive views I may have about Sanderson that might have led me to seek out the site. 

Perhaps in a more appropriate topic, or if you DM me 

 

ROASTED!!!!!

[Jaywalk]

On 3/27/2019 at 9:34 AM, Bacon said:

Lift not liking bacon is a horrible character decision that will keep her from being an influential figure the Cosmere and will stifle the reader’s ability to accept her as a viable POV character throughout the Stormlight series once her personality quirks become stale

I mean, bacon’s good, but it’s just okay by itself.

[Wyndlerunner]

On 3/27/2019 at 8:03 AM, TheOrlionThatComesBefore said:

All the Cosmere books, specifically. I've read some of the other stuff and concluded that I did not want to read a non-Cosmere Brandon Sanderson novel again. 

As far as the actual implied question, I don't feel the poster's antagonism warrants or entitles an explanation of any positive views I may have about Sanderson that might have led me to seek out the site. 

Perhaps in a more appropriate topic, or if you DM me 

 

I hope this isn't antagonistic, but I'm highly curious as to what you do enjoy about Sanderson.

[Jaywalk]

On 3/27/2019 at 8:03 AM, TheOrlionThatComesBefore said:

I've read some of the other stuff and concluded that I did not want to read a non-Cosmere Brandon Sanderson novel again. 

 

I was almost at that point after the train wreck that was Calamity, but then I read Skyward, and the Rithmatist, and Perfect State, and I realized that his Non-Cosmere is amazing too.

Legion was really good as well.

[Orlion Blight]

4 hours ago, Wyndlerunner said:

I hope this isn't antagonistic, but I'm highly curious as to what you do enjoy about Sanderson.

Remorselessly criticizing his work! 

Like I said, maybe in a more appropriate thread. But I will say that I enjoy his Cosmere work like I enjoy MCU movies: as fun entertainment. 

4 hours ago, Jaywalk said:

I was almost at that point after the train wreck that was Calamity, but then I read Skyward, and the Rithmatist, and Perfect State, and I realized that his Non-Cosmere is amazing too.

Legion was really good as well.

Did not care for Legion, personally. 

I never read Calamity (thankfully). I was out upon finishing Firefight.

[Lightblood]

Here's not a super unpopular belief but still unpopular from die hard sanderson's 

Apocalypse guard should not be written...

 

It just shouldn't, It's not a very interesting premise, is based off of the steelheart books, and is just going to distract from him writing the books that we actually want.

14 minutes ago, TheOrlionThatComesBefore said:

Did not care for Legion, personally.

And yeah same, Legion just wasn't worth seeking out for me, I feel like apocalypse guard will be the same.

[Reckless Reader]

Why does everyone not like Calamity? (genuine question)

I really liked it -- but then again I'm very gullible when it comes to books and will often view them through the stuff I've heard about them.

[Orlion Blight]

2 hours ago, Lightblood said:

 

Apocalypse guard should not be written...

Yep. Imagine if he ended Reckkners properly instead of trying to open up another franchise, we would probably still have Skyward for those that like it AND the Lost Metal AND that horrid Magic Novella.

Apocalypse Guard was a misstep. It was not ready for primetime, and honestly I don't know if it ever will be. The way he talks about it, it's going to be completely different anyway. 

So, time for another unpopular opinion that I've mentioned elsewhere, but not in this thread! 

Apocalypse Guard was a mistake, the Magic novella was a betrayal. 

[Embrisk]

I've said this in another unpopular opinion section, but..
I prefer Harry Potter.

[Lightblood]

5 hours ago, Embrisk said:

I've said this in another unpopular opinion section, but..
I prefer Harry Potter.

Prefer it to all of Brandon's books on a whole? Or prefer it more then specific series?

[bschnebs]

I don't think either Lightsong or Wit are funny

[Arcoss]

Stick should have agreed to become fire

[Herowannabe]

Warbreaker is Brandon's best single novel

[Embrisk]

21 hours ago, Lightblood said:

Prefer it to all of Brandon's books on a whole? Or prefer it more then specific series?

To me, Harry Potter scores 9.7/10
Non-cosmere about 9.2/10
cosmere about 6.8/10

Most important to least important:
Engaging
Characters doing what the established character would do in that situation
Humour
consistency (consistent magic, too)
Certain story points all adding up perfectly.

Yeah, Harry Potter has some odd stuff. Why are a few first year students able to get past obstacles designed by teachers?
Why is moaning mertyl not questioned about the basalisk?
Why is Harry Potter protected by plot armour?
BUT it is engaging, with characters that feel real, and is full of humour. The magic might not follow strict rules, but it's fairly consistent, eg: magic tends to wear off depending on how well the spell was performed. That's why I like it so much.

I like his non-cosmere works next.

And then cosmere works last, (unpopular opinion,) because the plot seems to be dragging the characters around all the time to save the world from imminent doom, especially Shallan. Stormlight series is my favourite cosmere work, though.

[Jaywalk]

On 3/29/2019 at 8:28 PM, TheOrlionThatComesBefore said:

Apocalypse Guard was a mistake, the Magic novella was a betrayal. 

I’m with you that Apocalypse Guard shouldn’t be written, but is the Magic novella really a betrayal? Brandon is a huge Magic fan, and I’m glad he got the opportunity to write it. The fact that he consistently gives us books anyway is enough for me to overlook the delay of the Lost Metal.

[Orlion Blight]

11 minutes ago, Jaywalk said:

I’m with you that Apocalypse Guard shouldn’t be written, but is the Magic novella really a betrayal? Brandon is a huge Magic fan, and I’m glad he got the opportunity to write it. The fact that he consistently gives us books anyway is enough for me to overlook the delay of the Lost Metal.

Yes, specifically a certain betrayal of trust, as in he chose to do one thing he wanted to do instead of what he had committed to do. 

To be sure, that's different from not delivering because of failure. Your reasoning with how consistent he has delivered product coupled with genuine attempts to fulfill an obligation would be reasons to forgive. So, let's say The Lost Metal was delayed because he wanted to deliver on something for his contract left unfulfilled by the Apocalypse Guard fiasco, that would not be betrayal, and I would still grumble but not have this sense of not being able to take Brandon away his word. 

That's not the same with the Magic novella. It was a late decision that he knew would affect (possibly alienate) a good portion of his fans. In my case, he's lost a good bit of my trust, hence why I call it a betrayal. That's also why, for me, looking to his record does not help, I'm particular because I can't recall a similar past event, whereas in my "failure" example, I could say "Words of Radiance was put on hold so he could finish Wheel of Time and the end result was fantastic." We don't have that here. 

And to be sure, I would never call him out directly on it, be it online or in person. I'm a bit too stoic for that and even I am not that big a jerk. 

[Datan Nomlibash]

Slightly off topic but whats up with the "mtg novel" that every one is talking about?

[Orlion Blight]

6 hours ago, Datan Nomlibash said:

Slightly off topic but whats up with the "mtg novel" that every one is talking about?

Brandon talks about it in his 2018 State of the Sanderson. That will give you the best summary and you can decide how to feel about it, if anything. 

I'll even do part of the work for you and link to it! 

https://brandonsanderson.com/state-of-the-sanderson-2018/

Edited March 31, 2019 by TheOrlionThatComesBefore

[IGetLIFTed]

 

On 3/26/2019 at 11:06 PM, TheOrlionThatComesBefore said:

2) Brandon's focus on the mechanics of magic turns it into a fantastical physics, not magic. 

What do you think magic is? Is a well explained magic system your definition of fantastical physics? The fact that it is “fantastical physics” already show the nonreal, magical element there. Just because there are logical rules and mechanics of Brandon’s systems of magic doesn’t mean that it’s not magic. If anything, it’s better than having inconsistent magic that seems to have no rules, because it’s “predictability” makes it cooler when someone uses it in a creative and interesting way.

Edited April 5, 2019 by IGetLIFTed

[hoidanalsium]

the lopen was better when he only had one arm

book 1 Shallan is boring 

[TheGirlWhoLookedUp]

Stick shouldn’t be as popular as it is. IT’S A STORMING STICK! I mean really, that stick probably got blown away by a highstorm or is floating in the middle of the ocean. 

[Truthless of Shinovar]

9 hours ago, TheGirlWhoLookedUp said:

Stick shouldn’t be as popular as it is. IT’S A STORMING STICK! I mean really, that stick probably got blown away by a highstorm or is floating in the middle of the ocean. 

      Stick is known to be one of the most quintessential beings in the cosmere. Stick can grow and become a tree. Sticks can give nutrients and bear fruits to sustain the environment. Without sticks, the cosmere would be a mess, and no one would be able to fix it. In this (lamely and hastily written) five-paragraph essay, it will be proven to you the importance of stick in a few ways, including the contemporary issues that surround stick, the stick in the cosmere, and lastly, of course, the ideals of the stick.

      Stick is a heavily debated item that surrounds many of the threads. People care about the stick, for it brings joy and happiness to them, and unites all of the Alleyverse. However, there are many different ways that people choose to view stick. In the thread "Church of the Stick," we see @Seloun state, "But... are you a Frostlands stick or a Kharbranthian stick? I think we all know that the Kharbranthian Stick came first, and all else are merely splinter religions," after which @PorridgeBrick replied, "Truly splinter religions in all senses of the word." One can dive into a much deeper meaning of this brief exchange. These quotes show that stick is cared about, enough to create many different religions of the stick. People are devoted to the stick, and though some go away from the Church of the Stick, sticks are what keeps the forums running. In addition to this, there is the War of the Stick, a war that is occurring between @Emperor Stick and @Karger, over the fact that Emperor Stick briefly suggested the idea of all sticks being soulcast into fire. This, of course, is heresy to the Church of the Stick, and Emperor Stick shortly atoned for his sins, with a vow to never burn sticks again, except in rare cases. This can be found in the thread "War of the Stick," where Emperor Stick said, "There is NO NEED for war! I have decreed the end of all Stick burning." All of these pieces of evidence go to show that people care about the stick, and show how it affects their everyday lives.

     Consequentially, because the stick is such an important matter in the forums, it has become an even larger matter in the cosmere. As @Draconis so beautifully put it, "In the beginning there were three realms, and never did they meet.  In time, there grew a tree, with roots in the physical, branches in the cognitive, and leaves in the spiritual," as is found in the aforementioned "Church of the Stick" thread. This tree brought forth incredible numbers of stickbinders (who will be addressed in the next paragraph) all of which have become loyal and faithful to the wonderful cause of the stick: to unite everyone. Also, sticks have been found all over the cosmere in cannon books. For example, in Elantris, 

Spoiler

"Raoden grabbed a long stick from the ground, then he started to run, dragging the length of wood behind him." This effectively restored Elantris to its former beauty, and saved the entire kingdom. Thus we see that without the stick, many a poor soul would have died on the fateful day.

     Lastly, one must acknowledge the Ideals of the Stick. They read as follows, "1. Stick before fire. Stick before fire. Stick still before fire. 2. Thou art a stick. 3. Thou art not fire. 4. Thou shalt be a stick, even when others claim thou art fire. 5. Thou shalt stand firm in thy belief of stickdom," (spoke by @PorridgeBrick in the "Church of the Stick." The stick is a peaceful being, for all it wants is to grow and to spread, and to bring happiness to all that it goes to. To blaspheme against the stick is a sin, for the stick only brings joy and happiness. In addition to this, stick is opposed to fire, the common enemy of us all, as is evident in its ideals. Without stick, the 17th Shard would not be the happy and joyful place that it is today. 

     To conclude, stick is unequivocally the most important thing in theses forums, the cosmere, and the internet as we know it. Though it is true that the stick is easily blown away by a highstorm, or perhaps is indeed floating in the middle of the ocean, one fact has been proven time and time again: stick finds a way. Stick will always grow back, will always grow to be something greater, and will always keep this forum alive. Stick was never meant to bring upon itself the doubt and hate from the forums, despite its peaceful and happy ways. Stick was meant to grow.

 

 

 

Hopefully you enjoyed this and I have converted you from your heathen ways

Edited April 6, 2019 by Truthless of Shinovar

[TheGirlWhoLookedUp]

I see. 

You have me convinced. Before I was ignorant and uncultured in the ways of Stick and his role in the greater Cosmere. I will now use this knowledge to better myself and fellow 17 sharders.