pfranklin51

It helps when you proclaim you're staying until the end despite having to wait for another 200+ people to go through after your initial spot. Also, being in the handful of people who had already gotten through *almost* the entire book at that point made a big difference in who I talked to.

Enjoyed getting to meet everyone (or at least the dozen or so people that I spent a significant amount of time talking to).

This is exactly right. I read them for the first time 15-ish years ago. At that point in time, they were solid works. I wouldn't say they were world-alteringly original, but nowhere near the trite mass produced novels of some of his contemporaries (*cough* Piers Anthony)

My first two were WoK and WoR. They're fantastic and I absolutely love the world, but Mistborn is my favorite (for now). I also REALLY liked The Rithmatist.

I'm shocked that no one has recommended David Eddings. I haven't read all of his books (specifically any of his books from the 2000s), but I would suggest his 2 5-book fantasy epics: The Belgariad and The Mallorean. The trilogies The Elenium and The Tamuli are also high quality.

But Amaram IS reluctant to take him. It's only after Roshone keeps whining that he agrees (after explaining to Lirin that they can't afford to turn anyone away from service), and even then says he won't send him out into combat for a few years. If he had only been small, I don't think Amaram would have been so hesitant to take him.

Not sure if this has been discussed before, but is it possible that Tien had Down Syndrome? His size, facial features, and his perpetual naivete all seem to point in this direction. Thoughts?

Cute at first, but grows into something deadly. Dalinar is like a fine whiskey...

Okay, I realize this is a long shot, but does anyone know what the linguistic origins of some of the more unique names in the series are? It's entirely possible that Sanderson just made them up on his own, but that doesn't leave them without influences... Any language nerds out there taken the time to look at this? EDIT: I am especially curious about Thaylen names, but I'll take anything.