StormingTexan

Man I just hope SA adaptation is held off for a bit. I'd worry that it would become a GoT situation where studios outpace the source material (although I have like 500% more confidence in Sanderson of making it work). Granted there is a ton already and with the in-world time skip the studio would get a buffer of 10 years of actor aging but you never know what can happen.

What if Kaladin killed Szeth? Oh wait...

They were transcribed on his website for a while but there has not been an blog update since the end of March so yes maybe just Youtube now.

Sorry I meant more of the pacing and moving the story along to the ending not the actual "ending" that Brandon used his notes to write. I do not want to speak badly about Jordan but the later books really really drug along and feel pretty bloated so Brandon's felt more like the early books to me.

Me too! Her, Adolin and Jasnah are two of my favorites. I tend to like goofy characters as well so The Lopen and Lift are up there although I know they are not as popular choices.

This is a good point. I had a really tough time liking him in WoK specifically until the very end and this continued a bit in WoR but OB and RoW I think we really see improvement which I think was Brandon's idea all along. For sure my opinion of him improved as the story has moved along.

I think I get where you are coming from. He seems to be universally liked and I have also struggled at times to like him as well (I actually wouldn't say he is my favorite character). I have had friends and family with severe depression some of the worst kind that ended it so it can be tough to read after a while. He is flawed. He also does the right thing even when it is not easy (although in a round about way sometimes) and his caring for his "people" is endearing. I guess I just take the good with the bad and I do like him as a character even if he is not my favorite. I feel like big things are going to happen to him in book 5 that may sway my feelings but this is purely a hunch.

I liked WoT especially the first few and last few books (this may be sacrilegious but I kinda feel like Brandon saved the ending). I also agree with all of your criticisms. It is not perfect and I'd even say cringe worthy, repetitive and boring at times but it was also epic in scope with it's world building, characters and plot lines. For this specific genre of fantasy I am not sure anything really rivals it (that is complete). I feel like at some point SA will but as it is not a complete work it is not there yet.

I feel like this needs more specifics. If we are just talking about the chicken sandwich then sorry Popeyes hands down. If we are talking about the restaurants in general then Chick-fil-a hands down.

Overall B+

Should have clarified I am not sure this has to do with the contest of champions although I agree it sounds like it. I meant just in general and sorry my comment was a little random. As far a Gavinor I think he is past "suckling" or at least I hope so lol. Although I do not disagree of him being a potential champion. It would for sure create a no win situation. My problem is wouldn't he have to agree to be a willing champion? Not sure how a 3 year old could be a willing champion at least if he also needs the intent.

I am worried the child will be Adolin and Shallan's spawn.

I do not have any solid evidence but agree I have always thought something is up with Wayne.

I used to always say this too but with the newest SA books I think reading certain things before really enhances those books. Obviously not mandatory but I think it helps getting the most out of the books. I think Brandon is even backtracking on this a tiny bit recently recommending reading shorts before W&W 4.

Welcome! You are on the right track as far as your reading order. The later SA books will only be better with what you are reading now. Only thing I would consider is reading Mistborn Secret History before reading Rhythm of War (and possibly the Wax and Wayne books) but not 100% necessary. Btw Warbreaker is one of my favorite of Brandon's books and I think a little underrated.

Episode 3 was the best so far. I loved the showdown!

So what does everyone think so far? I have only watched the first two episodes but so far I think it is off to a good start and will deliver on what I was hoping it would.

Currently reading The Choice of Magic. It is a very familiar S&S style book but I am enjoying it.

I'm an Australian trapped in a Texan's body but I hate Texans so I curse them.

I completely agree with all this. While I think this criticism form the OP's sister is a little harsh this above is all fair criticisms of OB. I also too felt like it was a little slow until the ending then really rushed. There were some great moments for sure and I actually probably enjoyed the flash back sequences in this one more than the other books but in it's entirety I think OB probably ranks the lowest for me as far as favorite SA books.

I guess I need an example. Obviously some people will want to dive deeper in to things than other people will. I actually finished the first Mistborn trilogy, Elantris, Warbreaker and WoK before I found this forum or even knew there was a Cosmere. I didn't even catch Hoid was in all these books! Not knowing there was an interconnected Cosmere didn't really take away from my enjoyment of the books but did enhance it once I knew. I think if you are casual reader some things will not make 100% sense but as of right now I do not think it is a huge detriment to enjoying the individual stories/series although I will say the books are getting a lot more "Cosmere aware" so this may change. Example Mistborn Secret History and RoW spoilers:

Welcome! I kind of envy you getting to read Brandon's books for the first time. Do you have the Mistborn series on your to-read list? To get the most out of the next Stormlight books I'd recommend reading Mistborn and Warbreaker. Not absolutely necessary but there is some fun stuff specifically in the 3rd and 4th Stormlight books that will benefit from reading those other books first. Also be careful of the forums lots of spoilers for those here

Hoid was with all of the original Vessels on Yolen during the shattering and knew them. This story has not been published yet though and will be Hoid's origination story. The info we have on this is essentially all through Words of Brandon. Here are a few relevant ones in tags for length.

Yes I think I have seen this discussed and on Coppermind these are credited to Kaladin. I think I like the one @Veez posted and have always felt this one has something to do with either Kaladin or Szeth and the only thing I can come up with for the suckling child would be a future child of Shallan and Adolin