Alina Two

Sorry, I accidently double posted. My computer likes making me look silly.

Of course I can't find the WoB to back this up now, but I feel I've read that the color of the hard cover of each book will match the order of the main character of that book. So Kaladin's book was blue/sapphire, Shallan's was a blood-red/garnet sorta color, and so on. This is why I'm sticking with the idea that garnets are still often red on Roshar. I will admit it's weird that the negligible chemical difference between ruby and sapphire is so significant. However, there are multiple colors of sapphires, diamonds etc. as well. Maybe a culture's cognitive perception of a gem's identity has an impact on how it performs magically? For example, we persist in referring to sapphires and rubies as different gems in spite of now knowing that they're essentially the same thing. And we know on Roshar that the cognitive assumptions about an object make a big difference.

Garnets can be maroon or purple in our own world too - I actually own one. Garnets can be green, orange, or yellow as well, though a deep red is the most common hue. I think there would be a similar spread of garnet colors on Roshar - it doesn't necessarily mess with the idea that deep red is the color most associated with the stone and hence the Lightweavers.

I was started on the Mistborn series, and it was obviously an effective way to get me hooked. The books were a manageable length, and I had someplace to go after I finished the first novel. I recommended the same series to a friend of mine, and she powered through the trilogy but stopped after that. I think Elantris may have been a better start for her - three books with compounding magic systems were a little overwhelming to her at first. My brother, by contrast, started on Way of Kings. He's a bit more of a "pretentious" reader - by which I mean he likes a truly EPIC scale and lots of space for character and theme development. After that, he went back and read the Mistborn books at my insistence and enjoyed those too. So my point is, you may want to tailor your recommendation to your friend. A person who is your "average fantasy reader" will do great with Mistborn. Someone who usually reads non-fantasy literature should probably start with a novella or single novel like Elantris (I find it has the magic system which seems least boggling to many newcomers). If your friend is a fan of "important" books and epic scale, go ahead and start them on SA. *Edited because I am a grammar nerd.

I feel this might be a symptom of Brandon's tendency to give most of his characters (female and male) the same witty, banter-dependent sense of humor. I'm not complaining - it's always fun to read. However, if you look at many of the witty/humorous dialogue-heavy group scenes from Mistborn, Stormlight Archive, Elantris, etc, they all read as very similar. If all of our favorite Brandon characters were at the same dinner party, they would have a grand old time because they would all find each other hilarious. So, yes, many of these female characters sound the same at times. I think it has more to do with Brandon's sense of humor than actual character sameness.

I had all the appropriate grief reactions when Jasnah died, but when Navani remained so certain that she was alive, I began to wonder otherwise. And I began to wonder what had happened to the body. Etc, etc, etc. By the time she showed up alive at the end of the book, I was actually thrilled to be proven right about her survival. I rarely pick up on these things, so a theory confirmed felt like a personal victory. Needless to say it didn't feel cheap or out-of-nowhere to me. I don't mind the use of a resurrection trope as long as it's done well. Szeth's reappearance, however, got a slight eye roll.

I imagine this is actually just an instance in which Jasnah is not quite as adept at reading people as Shallan is. She may be a genius, but her own father reprimands her in the Prologue for being too dismissive of all others as idiots. As for Sebarial and Palona, they're great. I imagine they will land on their feet regardless of the setbacks of relocation/rebuilding.

Okay, this is the longest thread ever, so pardon if I rehash something that's been said. Let me preface by saying that I'm not much of a shipper in general. I don't feel like I'm personally backing a certain team in this race. It's a little disheartening to see triangulation happen between Shallan, Adolin, and Kaladin mostly because I like all of these characters so much, and I'm fond of all of the relationships that are developing betwixt and between them. The Adolin-Kaladin antagonist/bromance thing that's happening is just super. Also, I adore the way Kaladin and Shallan verbally spar and then connect in the chasms. Third, I love Adolin and Shallan because REALLY - any relationship that begins with a conversation about how to crap while wearing armor is hilarious and unexpected and great. That said, I feel like I can't deny that there is a triangle on the horizon. The clues are all there - at this point, if nothing comes of it, I'll almost feel disappointed. Like we're all being jerked around a bit. Now I'm really more interested in how this whole triangle thing is going to shake out. As I see it, there are only a few possible conclusions to this particular romantic snarl. A) Shadolin is somehow dissolved before anything can come of the Kaladin-Shallan connection: This could happen a number of ways. Things just fizzle out, or Adolin gets in major Trouble with the whole Sadeas thing. Like relationship threatening, life imperiling Trouble. I'm scared as all getout he's just going to die. This would be one of the ways Brandon could avoid the "dreaded love triangle" that many readers despise to such a degree. I don't like a triangle much myself, but if its drama or death - well, I'll take the drama. B ) Classic triangle angst: Folks, I fear a full-on Lancelot and Guinevere fallout for our heroes. This could be the kind of interpersonal tangle that would seriously poison the fledgling Knights Radiant as a group. Even if things don't progress to that extreme, the bromance is doomed, and that's just not a happy thought. C) Brandon figures out a third option: This could be where fans of Renarin or Jasnah place their hope. Or maybe Shallan just realizes she doesn't need a romantic entanglement to be a compelling character. Or maybe everyone is just too busy saving the world to get bent-out-of-shape about their relationship drama. On the whole, I know Brandon is good at subverting expectations, so I'm probably way off. Either way I am quite excited to see how things develop in future books. So far the character and relationship arcs have been satisfying in the extreme so I guess I'll trust that the end result will be so as well. Or if not satisfying, at least cathartic?

Well, whether or not it's a universal sign of intelligence, it's evidently a skill that Brandon is pretty impressed with! I personally support the idea that it's a type of intelligence, because if that's the only indicator, I'm in trouble.

I was introduced to Mistborn a few years back, and proceeded to systematically devour all other Sanderson works I could get my hands on. My husband and I were even motivated to give the Wheel of Time another attempt when we ran out of new Sanderson books to read. (We read out loud to each other like a couple of dorks. My son hates it.) I just finished WoR, and realized again the vast amount of Cosmere stuff I just don't pick up on by myself. I'm not a careful reader - it makes rereading more fun, but it means I miss out on a lot of references if I don't spend awkward amounts of time lurking on forums and comment threads. So, since I'll be lurking, I might as well be able to talk as well. Besides, I'm a stay-at-home mom for the moment, and until I can continue grad school, I'm always in need for more non-diaper-related, pseudo-intellectual conversation. I read for characters and ideas. My husband likes plot and fight scenes. It's pretty cool to read books that make us both equally happy.