+Quitecontrary she/her Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 Hi all! I can't believe I'm doing this. It's been a decade since I last joined a forum. I was a skeptic determined to hate Sanderson because I was still mourning Robert Jordan's passing and did so for almost 6 years...absolutely not touching the last three books until they were well and thoroughly out and reviewed. And of course, to my everlasting shame, I was proven wrong. Sanderson is gooood. So good, that I can't think of a witty and awkward metaphor (Steelslayer style) to describe him. I hope to enjoy my time here, with so much material to peruse and so many brilliant theorists around me. I want to know more...there are days when even the Ars Arcanum is not enough! I'm a Filipina businesswoman who loves the beach in her free time, and who absolutely does not look like a fantasy fan (if there is such a thing as a fantasy fan look). Thank you for allowing me this introductory post. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pechvarry Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 Welcome! I can't speak for everyone else, but I found he's a fantastic author first (subplots, character motivations, etc) and that's what drags you in. The theorizing is a fun way to pass the time while waiting for the next book. Don't be shy! Jump in and don't get discouraged if it feels overwhelming with all of the "cognitive aspect" this or "Lerasium" that. We are nice folk and don't mind answering questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elbereth she/her Posted February 4, 2014 Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 Welcome to the 17th Shard! I agree with practically everything above. I've felt that it was the setting that pulls me in, and the plot that finishes with me in awe. Which of the books have you read (apart from Wheel of Time, obviously)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Quitecontrary she/her Posted February 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2014 (edited) I started reading him late last year, and finished all of his Cosmere books plus Steelheart and Rithmatist. I put off reading Alcatraz for last because I thought it was a kiddie book, and I reread tWoK. Planning to read all of Alcatraz this February while waiting for Words of Radiance. Firefight is also taking its sweet time, and the Reckoners read so much like a comic book or a movie. Robert Jordan wrote much like Sanderson in Book 1-6 of WoT, but I have to admit that as much as I love RJ, Sanderson writes more fluid prose, and a tighter plot. Example, the last battle scene in WoK (Kaladin's rescue of Dalinar) left me breathless. I had to put the book down, as I can see the battle in my head, almost hear it. I loved Lightsong (and his death felt like Egwene's death). It was right to kill the character but oh how I wish they could've lived! ... especially after showing so much promise towards the end. Don't be shy! Jump in and don't get discouraged if it feels overwhelming with all of the "cognitive aspect" this or "Lerasium" that. We are nice folk and don't mind answering questions. >> Obviously, I'm emotional and a romantic, and yes, I am overwhelmed with how people here expound and flay the magic that it becomes a science. I don't want to figure it out too much that I lose that jaw dropping moment when the plot takes the unexpected turn. Oh. And I sincerely appreciate the welcome. All we're missing now is Rock's stew. Edited February 5, 2014 by quitecontrary 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skaa he/him Posted February 5, 2014 Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 Hello, quitecontrary! Glad to see you finally posting! Obviously, I'm emotional and a romantic, and yes, I am overwhelmed with how people here expound and flay the magic that it becomes a science. I don't want to figure it out too much that I lose that jaw dropping moment when the plot takes the unexpected turn. Don't worry. While there's a lot of (sometimes quite heated) debates, and there's a lot of theory-espousing going on, I don't think there is ever enough certainty that we can actually deduce plot twists with confidence. As Kelsier said, "There is always another secret." I myself would be quite astonished (in a nice way), not to mention unbelievably happy, if any of my speculations turn out to be correct. If you do decide to join in the theory discussions, I suggest you keep these links handy: Cosmere 101 (a quick introduction on how some of Brandon Sanderson's books are actually connected) The Coppermind Wiki (the 17th Shard's official repository of knowledge) Q&A with Brandon Sanderson (the only thread in the forums that Brandon has ever posted in!) Enjoy the forums! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Quitecontrary she/her Posted February 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 Hello, quitecontrary! Glad to see you finally posting! Thanks skaa, I did lurk for a while scouting the scene. I'm sure to enjoy the forums now that I can get some sense where things are stored. I'm not Syl that I can weed out where things are with ease. I don't know about others, but when I call you by your name, skaa, I can't help feeling a sense of superiority. It's wrong, but the feeling is there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skaa he/him Posted February 5, 2014 Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 I don't know about others, but when I call you by your name, skaa, I can't help feeling a sense of superiority. It's wrong, but the feeling is there. That is by design, believe it or not. I like the contrast between what my username seems to imply and how I generally behave in the forums. Cool username, by the way! It's been a looong while since I last heard that nursery rhyme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiver he/him Posted February 5, 2014 Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 I don't know about others, but when I call you by your name, skaa, I can't help feeling a sense of superiority. It's wrong, but the feeling is there. damnation it, there's some kind of a joke there about how Green Arrow is a social avenger, but I can't think of it. I really need to post more often and get my aim back in. Anyway, welcome to the forums. I'm really interested to hear anything you might have to say about the Wheel of Time, actually. I'm slightly backwards in that I found Sanderson and only started to read Jordan because of his recommendation, but In have to admit that, three books in, the series isn't grabbing me the way I thought it should. I guess you could say that liking Sanderson before Jordan makes me quite contrary, eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Quitecontrary she/her Posted February 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 That is by design, believe it or not. I like the contrast between what my username seems to imply and how I generally behave in the forums. Cool username, by the way! It's been a looong while since I last heard that nursery rhyme. It has always been my username, even during my spymac forum days. (OMG that was so long ago) There is value in being underestimated, but the contradiction that you offer opens you up to fame. This dilemma seems to occur in a lot of the characters in the Sanderson books, too - Lightsong, Vin, Steelslayer - the average-looking rusty cog, that when polished reveals something precious. Interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiver he/him Posted February 5, 2014 Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 Congratulations. You just put my ninja count up to two ; ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Quitecontrary she/her Posted February 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 I'm really interested to hear anything you might have to say about the Wheel of Time, actually. I'm slightly backwards in that I found Sanderson and only started to read Jordan because of his recommendation, but In have to admit that, three books in, the series isn't grabbing me the way I thought it should. I guess you could say that liking Sanderson before Jordan makes me quite contrary, eh? Thank you for the welcome. There were times in the WoT when the plot became too muddled and political, and Sanderson brought it back into focus. Stick with it, and it will reveal unexpected twists and twinges of pleasure. From Sanderson to Jordan, you might not find yourself quivering with excitement, but revealing the big picture will be totally worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Quitecontrary she/her Posted February 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2014 Congratulations. You just put my ninja count up to two ; ) What in Preservation's name is a ninja count? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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