At least, I think I must be...

[Rayonn]

Hi, I'm Rayonn, as in Rayonnoceras solidiforme. It's a fossil cephalopod. I actually joined a few months ago but I'm just now getting active.

I first start reading Sanderson when I picked up Elantris on Orson Scott Card's recommendation. Very much enjoyed it, but didn't realize what Brandon is capable of until I read the Mistborn trilogy a few months later. (I was reading Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norell in the intervening time.) Since then I've read all the Cosmere books, and Alcatraz and WoT are in my queue.

One of the cool things about Brandon's writing is how many layers it has. The Final Empire is almost a different book once you've read Hero of Ages, and all of them are different if you know about the Cosmere story. My reactions to the books escalated as I understood more of what was going on.

Elantris--'That was clever.'

TFE--'Awesome magic system.'

HoA--*catharsis*

TWoK--'Ok I have no idea what's going on here.'

Found 17th Shard and read about the Cosmere, Shards, and stuff--'Whoaah...'

Not that there's anything wrong with The Way of Kings, but you really don't know what to expect in the later books unless you know the background. I'm actually not sure which way I would prefer to experience it.

Out-of-book spoilers for TWoK:

I almost envy the people who are going to be surprised when they learn that there are people from other planets on Roshar.

--Rayonn

[Joe ST he/him]

Hey there Rayonn, interesting choice of name....are you fossilized too?

I agree with all of your points, Brandon is a genius *fanboy* XD

[KChan she/her]

Honestly, I think you'd be hard-pressed to find people on this forum who don't think Brandon is a creative genius.

Welcome, Rayonn! I'm glad you decided to come active! Have a cookie!