Bloodfalcon

Point being that we would think those options are uncontrollable, but some of them actually have processes that aren't so random.

Bondsmith doesn't sound like more of a Builder title to you? I think 10 as well, but you can make a case for either based on that.

That one KR was offering Dalinar (in another body) a spot just for having some killer swordsmanship. I think we have a lot of missing information on the "attract types of spren" issue that will help this along. There has also been a hint at a certain method for spren bonding that doesn't seem so random.

I don't understand. Aren't the visions memories? It doesn't really matter when they started because any people who seem to have been acting on the message previously might have been a member of the original audience, no?

I thought the same thing and decided on Yes. He has been writing those Wheel of Time blog posts that talk about what he has learned as a writer throughout the process, and much of it is based off of fan opinions and reactions. I think that sort of criticism is helpful to him, especially when he knows it comes from some fairly hardcore fans who have positive opinions overall.

There are still several books that I have not read as well. Mostly the shorter ones. However, I can say that I thought the weakest was Elantris. I enjoyed a couple of the characters, but I really thought the description was lacking in a few areas. I have only read it once, and I am not proud of this next point, but I still don't understand the magic system past probably 30% comprehension. Things would happen and I would think "why is the POV character acting like they understand that event. I have no idea how that is allowed." Runner up for weakest, I thought, was Final Empire. There are a lot of things that I like about it, but the relationship between Vin and Elend just did not hit home for me. It felt really really awkward. And I know the awkward/endearing feeling, but I did not have it there. But then again I have never been good at accepting really fast transitions from stranger to fight-through-a-crowd-to-save-my-true-love. All that said, I still really enjoyed both of those books. if you asked me to name one that I didn't like or felt neither way on, I wouldn't have anything for ya.

Well, I know it is a small sample size, but I think Brandon can take comfort in his decision on which series should be his focus. After you tell the world you are going to write ten of them, it must feel like hitting the lottery when it is at the top of everyone's list.

Like the post a lot. I thought it was very organized even in blob form (no disrespect). I'm curious though, what is all the evidence that spren gain human characteristics? We have Syl, but I thought we had a WoB that she was more of an outlier. There is a certain Steelhunt chapter that talks about a spren whose conversation and complaining might contradict this.

Let's do it. Let's get in this deep. The big question, as stated in the title: What is your favorite Brandon Sanderson story? I used the word "story" on purpose. It does not have to be a full novel. Heck, it doesn't even have to be a book. But make sure that whatever it is that you name, you prefer it to all other Sanderson stories. Let's hold to these rules: - You can name up to three stories, but they need to be ranked. First, second, third. - No middle ground answers like "I can't decide between ___ and ____." If you can't decide, don't name them. If that is the case, just name your favorite two, or one, or NONE. Feel free to include details on reasoning for those you do end up ranking. - Take it easy on yourself. It is not a crime to love some things more than others. You can play favorites here without hurting anyone's feelings. I'll start 1: The Gathering Storm: Not 100% Brandon work, but he wrote it and the writing was noticeably helpful with my enjoyment of the story. I cannot even explain how relieved I was when I looked up from the book about 30% in and realized things were going even better than expected. It began a much needed increase in pace and held one of my favorite scenes of all 14 books - the reveal of a certain Aes Sedai's double agency. It felt like more than a desperate attempt to finish up a story to appease fans. It really felt like a book filled with enough attention to truly honor Robert Jordan. A feeling that earned Brandon my respect and ultimately hooked me on the rest of these great stories. 2: The Way of Kings (e-book format) - Definitely my favorite Brandon original. Probably has something to do with the raw content amount. Both in the number of pages and level of detail built into each concept. I like the characters, world, magic- everything. E-book format allows jumping from chapter to chapter (which can be difficult with a hardcover when the book is so big) and my favorite tool in the world: CTRL+F!!!!! 3. The Alloy of Law - Takes what I love about the first trilogy and speeds it all up. Fast paced, full of action, and has characters I deeply enjoy (while keeping a tidy cast list). It delivers on a dream I have for many of the universes I love; it gives a glimpse of what the results and consequences are years after some original world changing events. I could write and write on why I love these books, but I tried to keep it as brief as possible.

Hah! I did say Voidbrinders! Unofficial I told you so - Voidbrinders are combination voidbringer-voidbinders that will eff your day up.

I googled "spren descriptions" once and got a nice tor.com article that listed "all" of them. There's not any crazy amount of detail, but we know they come in different shapes and colors. We also know that Syl is an Honorspren though she looks like a Windspren. That means Bondable spren can look like any other, and some of those descriptions might fit other symbols on that chart. Some won't obviously, but the fact that Wyndle and light-spren-guy fit so well IMO leaves me thinking that is the case. I like obsessing over it too. I don't care that much about many of the mystery topics on here, but the ones I want desperately to solve are the ones that I know are all laid out in front of me, just waiting.

You'll notice that the surges are flipped on different axis in all of their representations on the other chart. I'm under the impression there is some sort of order flipping or something like that to account for it. In addition, I haven't expressed this anywhere yet, and it doesn't count as evidence, but I don't think we have that chart as figured out as we think. Nobody understands what those connection lines represent and I think the answer to that will play into the order of spren on that chart. It is convenient enough that those two are swapped next to each other that I don't consider it a matter of coincidence, if you know what i'm saying. EDIT: I made a point in that other thread that the maps of the physical realm and Shadesmar seem to follow the same art styles, and it is easily noticeable that they are land/sea inverses. Then you have the surges being inverses.... I think that order of Orders (lol) should be considered extremely flexible with those pieces considered. EDIT 2: I don't mean to jack your thread, I was just raising a point because they do look like little animal shapes, but I think spren often look like little animals in the same sort of zoomed-out, foggy-lens way.

I posted a while back with my theory on this. Some of them look a bit like animals, but they remind me much more of spren descriptions. you could probably make out a few for yourself without any help, but the couple that are convincing are the green one with vine looking tentacle things at spot 5 (looks like Wyndle) and the white one that looks like light with rays being emitted (looks like.. uhh... the learther worker guy's spren.... i forget). Here is the topic. I get way carried away quickly, but I think some of the correlations are cool if you haven't seen them yet. http://www.17thshard.com/forum/topic/4463-theory-on-voidbinding-chart/#entry71064 Could be animals though. I wouldn't be surprised. It just seems like we've seen much more spren interaction on a personal level, and almost none with animals. If it is animals, there is some connection we have seen almost none of - that or the chart is for animals specifically, and just kind of cool rather than crazy important (doubt it).

I really appreciate the effort you are putting into this, hoser. I've said it once before, but it is becoming really helpful for organizing my general thoughts. Thanks. That being said, row 17 in the doc is just a smidge off from what I posted. I said "Voidbinders" and we have "Voidbringers" in the question. What I really meant was that there will be chief Voidbinders in the same way as the Heralds are chief Surgebinders. I've heard some say 10 fools, but wherever we read about those, it went right over my head. EDIT: Oh, there it is just a few rows down. You might as well delete number 17 unless someone wants to make a case for that wording specifically.

Oh but you know who would make a great Templar leader in opposition to Szeth? Taravangian. DUH Duh duhhhhhhhh...

I could see him being on a "We must subdue the light-eyes so they never abuse power again" sort of thing.... I don't know how similar that is to Templar ideals.

I always assumed it meant that she could take multiple steps without dribbling and wasn't in danger of turning over the ball. Like immunity to the rules. A powerful Surge, indeed.

Yeah, it helps, and I think you got it right. I saw primes and thought we were talking about the Lift chapter for some reason. My post up above shows how off I was, hahaha.

I don't mean to back out of what I said earlier, but I had really muddled #3 in my mind. What I thought was suggested was not even close. We are both late to the update, but Meg's post above clarified what was being asked for me. EDIT: That is to say, I am proven wrong by my ignorance of the actual question and accept my fate. But would still like an explanation by someone who knows how it was settled. Also 4 I would give a Yes to, but 5 I need to pass on as I know nothing about that bird. Anyone able to reference a thread about it?

He would actually use his xray vision the same way the rest of us would. I bet he could shotgun a beer better than anyone in the whole chapter.

As special as we think Windrunning is, I doubt it will be THAT special. I bet you can gather stormlight from any type of gem. My hope is that then there is some special ability that goes with drawing stormlight from your Order's favorite type. We've only seen a couple types of Surgebinding, but if you think about them, they are never picky on where they get the Stormlight from. Being intentionally vague as to not give away things, but in one of the interlude's we've received, there is a comment made to remove spheres that is very general coming from someone who appears to have a lot of knowledge.

It is pretty gripping by the characters alone, but that is probably 10% of why I like it. The real meat of it is: If a writer as good as Brandon promises a ten book epic fantasy series, I know it will be done right. He has the organizational skills to really pull it together. Coupled with the staggering amount of mystery to be resolved in plot, science, and magic.... Stormlight Archive is a perfectly suspenseful RAFO that I know I can bank on for an entire decade. For the sake of following the prompt, I am leaving out the bit about my undying respect for certain other series that may be related... PS - A designated community site that is as active as this also plays a role. I genuinely enjoy the story more when I get to discuss it with some really really creative people on 17thshard. PPS - Southpaw, lets hear yours!

Yep! It's honor. That is one of the more confusing lines in an already confusing introduction/beginning. And Natans, you just crushed it. 14 gold hexagons for you, and one upvote for always pulling through.

That sounds interesting. Can someone post a "what we know" summary to compare it against? Like, we know Szeth used to be a respected member of society before he was Truthless. And that would fit just fine.

I've been Bloodfalcon since I was 10 years old. I needed to make a Xbox Live gamertag and that's what I produced. My father has always used Polish Falcon as his nickname, so I sort of.... modified it for myself. It was like a 2 minute process, but my friends think it is hilarious now. I admit it is a little childish and corny (in that it is way too intense and odd), but it stuck and I've embraced its silliness.