Wax

Thanks for the summaries. It helped make some sense of the series. I had to go back and read the summary for the Alloy of Law to make any sense. Basically, I had a blank spot for the Steris/Marasi/Wax romantic triangle from the first book (I read the Alloy of Law half asleep originally). So, I couldn’t work out what was happening with any of the female characters.

I am a little sheepish as I type this. I barely remember the previous books in the series except random snippets. As I gear up for The Lost Metal, is there a summary somewhere of the previous books? I only remember being so lost when I read the Bands of Mourning, and now I barely remember that as well. So, please a summary or a link?

So interesting, no one posted here in 2020 or the first half of 2021.

Let me preface by saying I’ve only read book 1 - 15 years ago. Couldn’t stand the idea of a 10-15 series book which was unfinished (at that time) - and never bothered checked the following books later. Yes, BS finished it - just don’t have the stomach to read the middle books which usually get fairly mixed reviews online. So, my main hope was that the show would be so good that I could watch it instead of reading the rest of the books. Also, wanted to see how AES Sendai got shown - Rosammund Pike’s character was a cool and older version of Jasnah, in my mind. Sadly, 15 minutes into the first episode, I turned it off. I felt like it was trying for too much of GoT vibe. I remember the original book having elements of LoTR. This one just had the vibe set at the grungy horror of GoT. You know - some people don’t like GoT. Most likely, there are people like me who like lighter tv shows. I only watched 1 episode of GoT - and stopped there. Because it was so involved and “gritty”. I really hope that tv shows stop trying to copy GoT’s vibe. Just my thoughts- sorry, not a huge fan.

I don’t think the Cosmere is getting out of control. It’s more of the writing direction where the narration choices, ie who gets screen time and how much is variable. Too much fabriel mechanics and Shadesmar, meant the book was just seriously bloated. All of us sit there wishing for the current book to be like the last. And it isn’t. Sometimes it’s better, and sometimes it is the Well of Ascension. (Still haven’t finished it, despite reading Hero of Ages) The book was about raising stakes which it did. It also sets up the back 5 with new magic system of Honor/Odium combo and potentially Cultivation/Odium combo.

Ok... I skim read a lot of the book mixed in with part audio. My reactions.

Part 3.... I don’t mind it. Skimmed a lot of flashbacks though. The Sibling seems more human than something like Honor or Cultivation. It is like a sanderlanche action novel with a lot of flashbacks and side plots thrown in. Very different pacing. Kaladin doing the mission impossible sequences, and Navani with the dialogue. It’s good though. I have abandoned the audiobook in favour of Kindle for part 3, just to get through it quicker.

I do want to discuss. But still not done with part 2 yet. The whole day went by with work. Will peek back in when part 2 is done to post in that thread.

At OB release, it took 2-4 hours between kindle and audible. So, this time, I am keeping my expectations from audible lower. You can listen to Part One from audible book on YouTube on Brandon’s channel if you haven’t already (up to Chapter 19).

Got email... reading kindle. Audible pre order is still “processing”...

I think it is Szeth who will have the critical role again in helping save Urithiru. While Kaladin might have a command type role. Szeth is likely to use Nightblood a lot in the end, setting him up for Book 5.

Remember at the end of Oathbringer, the singers/fused were searching for something in the walls? They were searching for any hidden Dawnshard Commands. What about the other photo that no one could figure out from Shallan's discoveries at the start of OB? PS - doesn't it all sound like Dawnshard is like a nuclear button?

What about the musical tone of the captain’s voice? World hopper?

I am shocked myself when people don’t try The Curse of Chalion despite my recommending it a million times. Oh well, people will always have personal preferences

Firstly, the Goodreads ratings are very generous. 3 stars means that it is ok, when at other places, a 3 star means it's passable. Secondly, for any sequel, you need to discount the rating somewhat, as most people go to the sequel only if they liked the first book. So, it is a bit of preaching to the choir. You would be better off looking at the rating of the first book to get an idea of it. And finally, people will have different opinions. Other fans including this forum respect your opinion in not liking WoR so much. I have other popular books I never got to sequels to because I never liked the first book:- Dresden Gentlemen Bastards It happens. I love WoR. Excellent scenes. I have heard the audiobook over & over 10 times or more. Is it the best ever fantasy book that I have ever read? No. It will be somewhere in the top 10 though.

Well, Wit is a unlikable (old) man with a pointy nose. That’s what I got as Navani’s viewpoint there. I know there are people hanging out for 1-1 girl talks (Overlady). Looks like that’s not happening here. Did anyone think that Wit’s taking of a Cryptic affected how he appeared to Navani as well?

So it appears she won her own shardplate in Aimia, but doesn't carry a blade I think she carries a shard bow?

What are all the possible spoilers in RoW for the Dawnshard novella? One I picked up was Navani mentioning the soulcaster cache discovered in Aimia earlier in the year - chapter 9.

Just reading after the release of RoW chapter 16, and I am thinking about Dalinar boosting radiant powers. Dalinar boosting :- Shallan:- 3D virtual map projections. I wonder what Dalinar boosting Hoid will do... Kaladin - the entire army becomes squires temporarily. Lift:-??? Renarin :- crazy number of visions Malata :- the bomb/flamethrower Jasnah:- soulcast the wall of China Szeth:- a million lashings Stoneward:-??

Chapter 16 predictions? I am guessing Shallan now. Second likely is Venli

BS has mentioned that chapter 15 has a scientist who acknowledges his mistakes.

Particularly, Shallan mentions memory loss as something she hasn't felt yet in the same chapter. It's so tropey that I struggle with the idea that BS would implement it.

I think Shallan has a hidden persona who is the mole

The Sulkstorm returns...!

My impression of Jasnah came from a big 5 personality traits theory which one of the most reliable personality theories going around. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Five_personality_traits The question than is what kind of person is Jasnah. I think of her as neurotic, ambivert/extravert, disagreeable, open to new experiences and highly motivated/conscientious. Extraverted people are generally more inclined to dress up regularly because of the need to seek external stimuli. They like bling and material things (note that doesn’t mean they don’t appreciate books, etc.). As the below link also explains, there is higher likelihood of sexual activity for extraverted people tempered by neuroticism going the other way. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29878796/ So, I am not discounting her sexuality being repressed by childhood events, alluded multiple times in the books. http://www.tpof-thepsychologyoffashion.com/features/fashion-psychology/personality-traits See multiple quotes where Jasnah is described as perfect in her appearance So, overall, an intimidating fashion presentation. And, this lines up here http://www.tpof-thepsychologyoffashion.com/features/fashion-psychology/personality-traits So, in my eyes, her ambiversion is tempered by high neuroticism, and this is making her come across as disinterested.