bedtime

Am I allowed to talk about books other than Sanderson's? If so, which forum would be most appropriate. Also, am I allowed to say what I don't like about a Sanderson book (i.e., having big issues with WaT)? After reading 700 pages, I've a lot to say about it, and it's not entirely positive. Figured it would be better to ask here than to take the chance of getting a post shut down or look like a troll. Thanks so much.

@Chaos Thanks so much for that reply! This has put the issue to bed for me in the best way, so please excuse my short reply. Really, all I wanted was to do was see a script turn into an AI video on this forum for the OP, but I hadn't thought of the scope of its implications. Perhaps, having been so focused on my objective, I got a trifle carried away with my points and lacked many considerations... I really liked your comment on the time vs effort for the artists. This makes sense. Seems that one artist I referred to (the one Sanderson talked to) had a effect on me, but I know that there's a plethora of great Stormlight Archive art. Anyways, I'm content with this. Loving the job you guys are doing with the forum!

Answered in this post: ... Okay, the forum admin got back to me with a reply of why letting AI on the forums wouldn't be the best idea. Have to say I agree with their points. However, you could still just as easily post this script to Reddit, requesting that someone please use their AI to turn this into a video. I'm sure somebody would be curious enough to do it. If it happens, and if you're comfortable with it, please PM me with a link. I'd love to see it!

The goal at the time was simply curiosity which started in this thread: The OP of the thread above made a trailer for WoK, and I commented that it would be interesting to see what AI would create if fed that script. The OP seemed curious too. Along with curiosity, I think it would be fun to talk about the results and maybe even have polling threads for best AI produced trailers/scenes? There are already AI videos that are very decently done, so we know good AI output is possible. And if it's not, we get to laugh at the attempt. Keep in mind that it's likely that real artists are already spamming their human drawn work on this forum as well as in Sanderson's YouTube videos. In one of Sanderson's videos, Sanderson chats with an artist who drew a picture (not sure if it was Shallan or some other lady as I saw the video weeks ago). Brandon comments on the fact that both her hands were fully exposed—and, storms, without so much as even a glove! Anybody who has read SA knows that she covered her safehand in her sleeve or at the very least wore a glove. The artist didn't even seem embarrassed or concerned about this mistake, and chances are that this artist didn't even read the Stormlight Archives; he was just trying to get his name out and likely does this for other books he knows little to nothing about. He likely doesn't even participate in chatting with any of the forum members or community. That's spam. You might be questioning if allowing AI content would result in an influx of trolls onto the forum. I can't say for sure, but I highly doubt it. I'm thinking this forum is too niche to draw a net big enough to make much of a difference in spam/trolls by simple allowing AI. I'd be more worried about people using this forum as a platform to sell their own work (such as real artists)—who don't even read the actual novels—than people who are already interested in the books, genuinely love them, and who happen to be able to create AI works. All I'm talking about is adding one forum/thread. If somehow got out of control, then it could be easily revoked or archived. If you really wanted to make sure trolls didn't just join the forum to post AI content, you could invoke a minimum post count to post AI (perhaps 100-200 posts?). You'd get real book lovers posting it this way. Btw, thanks so much for answering me and allowing conversation on the topic.

Didn't know Sanderson was against it. Okays. It is what it is I guess.

Nevermind. I just read that AI content is banned. Would love if the owner/mods would reconsider that rule and make an AI only thread or forum.

How about an AI only thread/forum for all AI content?

Please don't hate me too much, but I'm wondering what you'd get if you fed that script into AI and told it to make a video. Might be total slop, but it would still be interesting to see what it came up with.

I'd have to say that this is probably my favorite as well. That said, perhaps it's me, but I feel like there might have been a drop-off in jokes and humor in his 3rd and 4th book (haven't read the 5th yet). This is with the exception of when Lift is around. I remember reading this post when I starting reading The Way of Kings, so I was on the lookout for humor.

I found Venli to be quite interesting, especially her relationship with her sister Eshonai (in RoW). ... I'm surprised that a few of you have mentioned skimming through or wanting to skip sections. I've never had that feeling, even with Shallan. Though I have had this feeling in other books. Sanderson really has me dialed in, I suppose. As for Shallan, stuff is happening (I'm on part 5 in RoW): So I'm starting to really like her again, as I did in the beginning. Good times ahead? Maybe!

It's 18C (64F) here in Ontario, Canada. Been reading out on the balcony for hours and hours every day. Soaking in the beautiful weather while it's here. I have about 150 pages left to go in RoW. And today I put a hold on WoT at the library, which should be available for pickup just in time. Feel free to post your reading area and book progress (area and temp too if you're comfortable). Would love to see it! ... Also, have to mention that I love how ratty this library book looks. Clearly it's gotten a lot of use. Like Barbie dolls, had it been in perfect condition, we'd know that it wasn't used and loved nearly as much. A loved Barbie looks she's been abused; she'd have a mangled hair cut, holes in her ears (attempted ear piercing), makeup marks, dents, and rips... Had Barbie been in perfect condition, she was never played with or loved. She was set aside. Alone. Storms, that's the worst life a Barbie can have. This library book has a bent spine, several crinkled and wet pages, and food/other marks throughout (which I might have made worse by reading in the tub and on the balcony when it was raining)... That's love.

Who are your favorite and least favorite characters in the Stormlight Archives? My favorite—though this is likely not popular opinion—is Lift. Apparently, Brandon really likes her too, but I've heard lots of people saying she's a real turnoff due to her immaturity. She's young, and young people are typically childish. I've been so happy to see her in the books following Edgedancer. She's a nice change for me from the very serious characters that tend to fill most of the book. As for my least favorite, it might be Shallan. RoW spoil: That said, I don't dislike her. She's just not as I want her right now. Was really curious what your favorites/least favorites are too.

(Hope it's okay to bring this back from the dead, but I was going to make the very same post topic) I like Lift. She's so unpredictable and quirky. Never get tired of her. Really loved reading Edgedancer. Close secondary favorites are Szeth for his mysteriousness, and Kaladin for his fighting scenarios.

I'm 100 pages into Rhythm of War, and so far I'm liking it more than Oathbringer.

I do both here and Discord. Sometimes I just wanna ask a quick question or saying something quick, so I'll post on Discord. Currently I'm near halfway through Dawnshard. So far haven't really met with much action, but Sanderson is slowly setting it up. Really liking the positive vibe of Rysn. It seems to be rubbing off on me, and makes me wanna be like her. My only worry is that Rhythm of War won't be as good as the previous books. I've heard a bunch of reviews on YouTube saying it's the worst book of Stormlight Archives so far (aside from Wind and Truth, which is apparently even worse). That said, many people didn't like Edgedancer, and I liked it, so I guess I'll have to read it to find out. Thing is, I'm not the type of person that pushes through books. If I don't like them, they go straight to the DNR pile, and I won't be likely reading WaT.

Here is a quote from early in the book that might sum it up: Here's another picture of Rysn, but she's wearing a glove:

Just finished Oathbringer, and now I'm onto Dawnshard. I figured it would be nice to hear your opinions and express my thoughts as I read it—storms, this forum could use a few more posts these days, in any event... From what I've heard from reviews, much of this book is about a sea adventure which focuses on Rysn, a female merchant with paralyzed legs. Apparently, Sanderson interviewed a paralyzed person before writing this to get a better perspective on what this type of disability entails. Gotta love his thoroughness! Would love to hear your thoughts. Anywho, time to start the book! *** EDIT *** Just noticed that Rysn doesn't seem to be wearing a glove on her safehand in that picture. Bizarre. Perhaps the artist overlooked it?

Maybe he'd go for Rock and they could cook up something hot, lol.

I like using the coppermind (as was recommended by @Treamayne) to give me chapter summaries. It can be especially helpful if a day or so goes by, and I just want a concise refresher for the past couple chapters, such as I've fallen asleep reading, and the next day I had slightly forgotten what I'd read. The AI route with ChatGPT, Gemini, and Brave's AI seem to be work, but not all the time and not to any great effiency. Sometimes just mentioning that you want only a review of a certain chapter and not to spoil with chapters after it will result in a complete spoiler-free review of that chapter with a summary such as "Shallen is facing an issue and needs to do it her way or follow another's advice... She realizes that she is growing, but she wonders if the cost is worth it... The time has come and she knows she can't keep on depending on her friends to bail her out..." Essentially, just a spoiler-free, vague, outline, and not at all what I asked for. That said, sometimes it will do what you want, somewhat. Currently, I'm reading Oathbringer, about 50 chapters in. I decided to ask ChatGPT to do a summary of chapter 49 with "give me a chapter summary of chapter 49 of oathbringer by brandon sanderson" It gave a decent result this time: I found the coppermind summary had given much more information which really helped to remind me what happened: The mention of Dalinar using a particular substance was what really triggered me to remembering what happened, due to the addictions which another character had in a previous chapter. ChatGPT didn't think to mention it. Gemini, for comparison, printed out some sort of study note bullet points and other info that sounded more like a paper a student would hand into a teacher. It wasn't at all preferable to read as a summary as it wasn't nearly as efficient: As you can see, most of that is pure garbage... Not to mention that it's not even describing chapter 49. It's another chapter entirely. We know that coppermind summaries will give a concise recap, true information, and no spoiling, so why not just use it?

It was the time machine. I had it set to 'before Oathbringer'. It's working now.

It seems that the chapter summaries for these two sites end at part 2 of Oathbringer: https://coppermind.net/wiki/Oathbringer/Summary#Interludes https://stormlightarchive.fandom.com/wiki/Oathbringer:_Chapter_Summaries Anyone know where I can find summaries for part 2 and beyond of Oathbringer?

It'll be read unless I decide to read something else entirely after Words of Radiance (currently at 91%). I'll be sure to let you guys know how I feel about Lift. I'm betting some of you will be curious at this point. ... Finished the book yesterday, and I liked it. Have to say that Lift did have some strange ideas, but she's around 12 years old, and at that age people don't tend to have enough life experience to grasp all the implications of their actions. That said, I was digging the outright silly choices she made and the situations she got herself into, and I found it relaxing after having read Words of Radiance. So, I do think Sanderson did a good job with her. Apparently, he said she was one of his favorite characters and that we'd be seeing more of her in future books, so I'm hoping this happens. I think she's one of my favorite characters as well. And now, I'm on chapter 5 of Oathbringer.

It'll be read unless I decide to read something else entirely after Words of Radiance (currently at 91%). I'll be sure to let you guys know how I feel about Lift. I'm betting some of you will be curious at this point.

Thanks. Looks like I'll be reading Edgedancer soon then. It seems the book is only 272 pages and rated 8/10, so I'm sure I'll be fine. I didn't have any issues with—what little I read of—Lift in so far, so I'll give it a try.