Stormrunner1730

Well of Ascension. Too long winded, and not enough happened. I actually liked Zane's character and his interplay with Ruin and Vin. There are alot of good ideas in this books (I enjoy the political discussions), but it's just way too drawn out and doesn't really have a focus other than "two armies are going to attack the city at some point". Probably Warbreaker after that (I'm not counting White Sand until all three volumes are released). I love Vasher and Nightblood. The concept of Awakening and Breaths is super unique. But I just wasn't as drawn in as a lot of his other books.

I'd say that Mistborn: The Final Empire is the best entry point because you get a very good sampling of what Sanderson does as a writer. The book is a complete story, but plants seeds for the rest of the Mistborn series. You also get a good sense for how he writes characters, plots story arcs, writes actions scenes, and discusses religion, politics, and other broader societal issues. While I think Stormlight Archive will ultimately be my favorite series from Sanderson, I wouldn't recommend starting with Way of Kings since it's rather long and not as much of a complete story of The Final Empire. That being said, if you you're not an epic fantasy fan, I would start with some of his non-cosmere stuff.

"What Are You Going To Do When You'Re Not Saving The World?" by Has Zimmer (Man of Steel Score).- Anyone of these three scenarios: 1. Kaladin flies/falls for the first time. 2. Right before Kaladin fights Szeth (and during the fight). 3. When Kaladin says the Windrunners' Third Ideal.

Novels 1. Words of Radiance 2. The Final Empire (This would be my first recommendation to anyone wanting to get into Sanderson). 3. Way of Kings (higher than HoA because I think the entirety of the book is stronger. However, I'm still blown away by the last third of HoA). 4. Hero of Ages (mostly because of the last third of the book). 5. Bands of Mourning 6. Shadows of Self 7. Elantris 8. Alloy of Law 9. Warbreaker. 10. White Sands (mostly because it's an incomplete work until the "trilogy" of graphic novels is complete") 11. Well of Ascension (I'm sorry, but this book is a struggle. Zane is really cool, as is his dynamic with Vin. There's also some cool worldbuilding. However, I just found the book to be way too long winded without much happening). Novellas (This is more difficult as they all do something pretty unique) 1. The Emperor's Soul (Because it functions so well as a standalone, but also gleams interesting insight into how Identity can be used in the Cosmere). 2. Sixth of the Dusk (Such a unique and well written idea.) 3. Edgedance (Only below Sixth of the Dusk because I think some of this should have been in an Oathbringer interlude or something, as it's pretty crucial to the plot of Stormlight) 4. Secret History 5. Shadows of Silence in the Forests of Hell

1. A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin- If you don't mind the graphic nature of the writing, Martin is a genius. Just know that books 4 and 5 (Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons) get pretty long winded. 2. Dresden Files by Jim Butcher- The best Urban fantasy series in my opinion. 3. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman- A standalone and probably his shortest book. I like this because I think he gets too long winded with American Gods and Anansi Boys. But the language and story of this book are awesome.

Gotcha. So it's mostly independent with influence from Honor and Cultivation's respective magic systems (I'll need to look at the map at the back of the first book again). Thanks!

I'm not sure if there's a previous topic on this, but do we know what Odium's form of Investiture is/does? Is voidbinding based on surgebinding, or is it completely different? Or am I way off base in how I'm think of Odium/The Voidbringers' Investiture?

"I will protect even those I hate, so long as it is right."- Kaladin, WoR One of my favorite scenes I have ever experienced in a story. "Honor is Dead, but I'll do what I can." -Kaladin, WoR

These are kind of theories, but kind of things I'm looking forward to seeing. 1. Adolin will confess to killing Sadeas. There will be some sort of major consequence for this (either his execution or he'll flee). 2. Taravangian will make some sort of move against Alethkar. The Diagram and Taravangian's fluctuating intelligence levels are two of the most fascinating ideas Sanserson has ever come up with. 3. Kaladin confronting Roshone. 4. Dalinar's relationship with the Stormfather and what abilities/insights it give him (Dalinar). 5. Nale and the Skybreakers will be coming back to Uirithiru. I'll be very interested to see how that interaction works Because 1. A confirmed Herald interacting with the Radiants in a non hostile way (I'm not counting "Taln" until it's confirmed that he's who he says he is.) 2. What place the Skybreakers will fill in Dalinar's reformed Radiants. 6. Learning more about Gavilar and hopefully what his goals were (that last part might be a bit of a stretch for this book). 7. How Shallan uses her in with the Ghostbloods. 8. Jasnah meeting up with the Radiants at Uritthiru and explaining what she knows to them. 9. How Elokhar fits into the bigger picture. 10. What Dalinar's boon was.

Yes to this. If I went a little further I'd say that really the Windrunner Ideals are pretty close to how I want to lead my life (the general concept of protecting and aiding those who need it. "so long as it is right.") Admittedly, my attraction to the Windrunners is definitely influenced by how much I like Kaladin's character. But his personal journey and what he stands for ultimately represents the Windrunners as well. And I'd love to be able to fight with Gravitation haha.

I would generally agree with this. I think he's referring to the sapient races of Roshar not under odium's influence. In the context of the first two books, I think it references uniting Alethkar and the Radiants. But ultimately I think it will mean uniting Roshar against Odium.

Szeth was an antagonist to anyone opposing Taravangian until the end of the WOR. As of now, my interpretation is that Eshonai is under Odium's influence. I think Shallan will be doing shifty stuff with the Ghostbloods, but I don't think she will be a direct antagonist to the Radiants.

Hey Everyone- I've read different stuff on the site for awhile, but I only recently started posting. A little info about my favorite Sanderson stuff. Kaladin might be my favorite fictional character ever. His backstory and character arc are so fricking compelling. I also just love his ability set and his journey to gaining said abilities. Szeth would probably be my next favorite, with Marsh and Sazed behind him. My favorite Sanderson book is Words of Radiance, with Mistborn: The Final Empire being a close second. That being said, the ending of Hero of Ages is one of the best endings I have ever read in a book or series (well, for that trilogy at least). What I love about Sanderson's writing is that he definitely has his own moral stances and beliefs and makes them rather clear, but does so in a way that does not make contrary views feel invalid or that they are being talked down to. This shows in how he portrays his characters and ideas across the cosmere, with certain characters and themes obviously getting more attention than others (i.e. religion, politics, people different internal struggles and how they perceive them). I don't mind this at all since I love talking about both religion and politics, but that's a whole different discussion. The First Ideal of the Knights Radiant is basically my life motto right now (Life Before Death, Strength Before Weakness, Journey Before Destination). I'll leave it at that before I start ranting too much. I'm looking forward to exploring the different stories and ideas with the community!

Interesting. I attributed Szeth not specifically flying as a choice, but it makes sense that it's due to lack of ability. Thanks for the clarification!

No. In Edgedancer Szeth has Nightblood and is with the Skybreakers.

Question about Szeth's abilities going into Oathbringer: How does he still have access to the Gravitation surge? We (the reader) see him flying/falling in Edgedancer. Since he no longer has Jezrien's honorblade and does not have a bond with a spren, how is he accessing the surges? Does it have something to do with Nightblood? Or how Nale resurrected him? Or maybe even the cognitive shadow/aftereffect he has going on?

Thanks for the clarification! So the basics that I've gathered are that... 1. Nicrosil is needed to store the type of Investiture wanted in the medallion. 2. Another medal is needed in the medallion for the ability (allomatic or feruchemical) to be stored. 3. It is still unclear what the conditions are for someone who does not innately have the ability to access it.

This is my first actual post here. I'm sure there's already a topic on this, but can someone please explain exactly how medallions work? In other words, what makes it possible for a medallion to allow a non-Mistborn/Misting to use Allomancy? I'm mostly trying to understand the Identity piece of this.

1. Kaladin swearing his second oath- One of the most powerful and inspiring moments I have ever read in a story. 2. Kaladin fighting Szeth in the Everstorm. One of my favorite fictional fights ever. 3. Dalinar binding the Stormfather. 4. The Radiants assembling in Urithiru 5. Kaladin, Dalinar, and Adolin fighting Szeth in the hallway. 6. "Honor is Dead, but I'll see what I can do." 7. Kaladin "flies" (falls upward) for the first time. 8. Szeth assassinating Gavilar (the entire WOK prologue, really). 9. Lift hugging Nale. 10. Szeth starring out at the mountains (I think it's in WOR before he goes to attempt to kill Dalinar).