BEFORE YOU READ THE STORMLIGHT ARCHIVE | EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
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- čas přidán 10. 06. 2024
- Before you read the Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson, here's everything you need to know, including information on its place in the Cosmere, the fandom, the format, style, character work, themes, synopsis, and more :)
Time stamps for topics:
What's it about: 1:15
Format, style, and character work: 3:27
The Cosmere: 9:02
Fandom: 11:36
"Rating" and themes: 13:55
A note about the artwork! I did the art for Kaladin and Shallan, but the Dalinar art was done by the wonderful Zirael Art. Here's her IG! / zirael_art
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#stormlightarchive #beforeyouread #brandonsanderson - Zábava
Time stamps for topics:
What's it about: 1:15
Format, style, and character work: 3:27
The Cosmere: 9:02
Fandom: 11:36
"Rating" and themes: 13:55
A note about the artwork! I did the art for Kaladin and Shallan, but the Dalinar art was done by the wonderful Zirael Art. Here's her IG! instagram.com/zirael_art/
Brandon Sanderson playlist: czcams.com/play/PL-WCMA9LkyewXJ6w64z19u5sBkocaiTAQ.html
Elliot Brooks I read the books before I saw this oh well
I knew Sanderson from wheel of time and decided to jump in Mistborn. After the last pages of Final Empire I rushed through the trilogy like crazy, I was barely doing anything other than reading until I finished! Became a Big fan. In a Rush of Hype back couple years I bought the first 2 books but I am really skeptic of Brandoms caliber to maintain the quality through 10 books.
If you flip the order of the timestamps in your description they'll now become chapter markers on the timeline :) (X:XX TOPIC)
She? Brandon is a male, last time I've watched him... (Around 6' )
@@ChristmasLore what are you even going on about??
Brandon accidentally wrote another novel while she was making this video.
I wish George RR and Rothfuss would have the same pace ... I never began with A Wise Man's fear for that reason.
@@marcusappelberg369 I get that but, you really should read A Wise Mans Fear, it's something else.
@@Industrialitis Yeah, hopefully he will finish the third one so I can, cause I've heard so much good things about the series. Right now I'm mostly focused on reading Swedish fantasy novels, since I want to support my own friends in the industry.
@@marcusappelberg369 What are you reading? I'm always looking for something new and I would happily support them too.
@@Industrialitis I'm reading Skärvor av En Brusten Värld by Mattias Kuldkepp. It is the first part of 3 in an awesome Swedish fantasy series that can be compared to anything written by Brandon Sandersson. It is seriously a masterpiece. Hopefully it will be translated into English some day!
There is a lot to read if you know and speak Swedish, otherwise not so much. Swedish fantasy literature is not big, if not for children and teenagers. A serie of books by Sara Bergmark Elfgren and Mats Strandberg are translated into English and have good grades.
"if you're a person who doesn'T want to start an unfinished series" *sweats in kingkiller chronicles, song of ice and fire and wakening*
HA!
Yea but bradon puts out more books inb2 years than any other 2 authors combined :p
xyr3s Kingkiller is a much harder series to write imo, that first person perspective for 3 fat novels must be a real killer on the brain stem. Vast majority of Novel series are in 3rd person for a reason. Martin is just lazy and rich lol.
Gaddamit it feels like the doors of stone will never be released
@@ramana4330 , at this point, it seems Rothfuss is so pissed of at his lectorate that he's doing it on purpose, and might even never release it, wether he's written it or not.
He's that much of an AsS.
Have I read the Stormlight Archive twice already? Yes! Am I still going to watch the video because I’m absolutely trash for the series? Yes!
Same tbh :D (but I read it about uhhhh 3 times at least???)
Same. I am rereading the series in anticipation of the fourth book in November. I just started Oathbringer this morning.
Sammmee
🙋♀️🙋♀️🙋♀️ same! I’ve read them each 3 times and now I’ll go through and read select parts when i feel like it. I also have all three in hardcover and audiobook, and now ebook for WOK since Tor had it free. To say I’m obsessed with series is an understatement lol.
Four times... Last year... Some of them were the audiobooks though. I just love Stormlight so much!
Please don't skip the interludes...YOU WILL HAVE TO GO BACK TO READ THEM...TRUST ME..EACH ONE OF THEM WILL SHOWCASE AN IMPORTANT PLACE IN THE WORLD THROUGH THE EYES OF SOME CHARACTERS...LATER ON IT ALL TIES TOGETHER..
Agreed!! Plus, why would you ever skip Szeth? Szeth is so interesting imo
Just finished the Way of Kings. The interludes were my favorite part. A smart way to take a break from the main plot and flesh out the rest of the world.
J Shroud Yeah, I know😤
can't be believe people actually skip whole sections of books
ishikk interlude, my personal favorite n.n
i literally just started mistborn. i’m a little past page 100 and wow, i can’t believe i stayed away from this author for this long, he is spectacular. i can’t wait to keep reading this series and start way of kings soon too!
I was the same way. I have binged almost his entire Cosmere in two months. I still have Oathbringer and Warbreaker, but I’ll have those done in the next two weeks hopefully.
Ty Young i’m super excited to get that far and keep reading, is there a decent amount of magic in the stormlight archives?
@@aden.e yes there is a magic system that is small at 1st, not truly seen in centuries, but grows and expands pretty quickly.
@@ytyler2012 And there is always another secret, remember.
mikewazowskiscooch yes. A ton of it. Its also completely different than Mistborn too. I love the variety in the systems Sanderson created for this universe.
700 pages into The Way of Kings and it’s easily the best book I’ve read this year.
Funny you say that, because I know that at 700 pages is where story finally glues you to the book.
@@OrbitalCookie The Sanderlanche begins!
True.
SAME!!!
Same here. 😁
My first Sanderson book was the Way Of Kings and I absolutely fell in love with his writing! I totally agree with you on the prose - while I appreciate beautiful writing sometimes, I actually think Sanderson's straightforward writing style and the way it allows him to place the focus on character development is his biggest strength.
Totally wish this video existed before I started the series!!
My first book to read by him was mistborn And I LOVED it!!!
I'm halfway through Way of King's.
My first Sanderson was Way of Kings, too! Nothing like jumping into the deep end, right? And 100% agree with you about straightforward writing style. For me, at least, 1,000+ pages of "purple prose" would've been too much.
@@Jennheartsqs it's still my favourite book by him and possibly one of my all time favourites!
Can't wait for the leather-bound edition of The Way of Kings! I don't own any of Sanderson's leather-bounds but the Stormlight ones might be the first I pick up. I agree with you about the prose, I'm a big fan of super beautiful and detailed writing-- but Sanderson, who has fairly straight forward prose, is still my favorite author. His world-building, amazing magic systems, and incredible character depth and progression are the main focus and I'm totally okay with that.
I fully agree with this. Brandon Sandersons straight forward writing style also makes it easier to get into I find. I actually prefer straight forward writing because then I can focus more on getting absorbed in the story rather than having to divide my attention between the story and gorgeous writing 🥰 I think some stories use beautiful writing really well and that's great when it suits but I don't think it would suit Sanderson's books. I think his straight forward writing suits much better and allows me to focus in the story 100 percent ❤️💖💓🦇🦇👻👻💌💌💝
I’ve never been so ready to drop $250 on a book in my life. I can’t wait for it.
mattisart 200 what ?
@@jasontodd5356 Sanderson said that due to the length of the books and some other things the way of Kings leather bound may end up being released as a two book set for $250.
@@Scorch-qy6by In his Mistborn signing livestream he mentioned being able to bring down the cost of his leather bound books to $200. I can't remember if that's for everything or a specific book, but hopefully!
I had plans to finish Warbreaker today and start the Stormlight Archive tomorrow, so this was impeccable timing haha
Warbreaker is so damn good.
Warbreaker is so so good! I'm halfway through Way of King's
@@masoninho8 YES!
It's way better than she describes them.
I envy you the journey you are about to begin fresh for the first time!!
So, I've never read a Brandon Sanderson book before. I'm around page 150 in The Way of Kings and I'm speechless.
Cenn's POV and being introduced to Kaladin that way was done so perfectly.. You see Kaladin as this amazing solider/leader. His group trusts him with their lives and he's seen as this amazingly strong character.. To then be introduced to him as a slave just left me speechless and hooked for the rest of the story.
Think my favorite and a largely an underrepresented point about SA is just how much hype they create in a singular scene, how the whole book comes together for a specific scene, the way character progression culminates is really amazing and very reminiscent of how Anime works.
Uzair Nasir - I love the way almost every single chapter ends in a fulfilling way and begs you to keep reading,
There have been some great nail biting moments for me.I enjoy the life inherent in his characters , they are incredibly human!
I thought I was the only one who made this connection with anime. It’s probably in my head, but I feel like how Sanderson writes a scene, he pays attention to the aesthetics and the set up and pay off always make every big moment feel earned. I feel like these are aspects of writing in anime that often work really well too. So, at points I kind of get the same vibe when reading his work as I would watch a really good anime.
@@joelman1989 Yeah, like one of the series I was recommended for liking Re:Zero was actually Stormlight despite the vastly different nature of each story was because of the way character progression culminates into amazing scenes of growth like Re:Zero.
Perfect timing. Just finished the first Mistborns. I'm in the middle of Warbreaker. Stormlight next. Thanks. Regarding "purple prose:" I always thought that if you notice the prose, it isn't very good. If you read the story and never notice the prose, it is perfect. The purpose of prose is to convey meaning.
i just gotta say right now, thank you so much for mentioning how this series, while planned to be ten books long, is going to be split into two 5 book arcs. that made me much more eager to get started with the series than i was before.
I need a video like this for The Wheel of Time books.
I've almost read every book Sanderson has written so far and it's hard for me to talk to people who don't like them, I don't need that kind of negativity in my life.
Have you ever watched Daniel Greene's CZcams channel?
He has some great WoT videos.
Check out Daniel Greene..he has a lot of videos like this for ppl just starting WOT
I had that problem. That's how I found Daniel Greene.
Art and literature are subjective, I don't think they meant to be negative.
I'll add a shout out to how Sanderson, through the eyes of characters who hold very different beliefs, explores/compares/contrasts a bunch of philosophies/theories of morality. Just a cool bonus on top of all the storytelling.
There's a debate about who's backstory is the best? To me there is no debate, it's Dalinar's.
Kyle Aitken they’re all amazing and give such a rich backstory that when you finally see where they came from, you understand their actions. That being said, Dalinar is amazing.
Liked Kaladins, didn’t care much for Shallans, couldn’t get enough of Dalinar!
@@hawkfu I agree, I found shallans backstory to be very boring and didn’t care much for the whole ghostblood thing
I'm so pumped about the influx of Stormlight Archive content across the booktubers channels this year!
I also love Kaladin so much! He’s my favorite character in the series so far.
Fantastic video! One thing I would add is that the series deals with psychological trauma, depression and mental illness a lot which can be a trigger for some people. IMO it is exceptionally well handled and adds to the characters rather then detracts. Some people may still want to avoid it since it might hit too close too home, others might find it fascinating and relatable. Regardless it's there and it's good to know before starting the series.
Thank you for this comment. I myself do not struggle with some of these things, but having read Rhythm of War it definitely has a bit of a trigger warning, even more than the first three. I also think it is handled exceptionally (and many of the other beta readers who do struggle with mental illness agree), but something to be aware of for sure.
I was so confused about the whole "10 book series". Thanks for clarifying it, I have been trying to figure it out for a while now and thought there were another 7 books left... it makes it even harder to understand because I'm in Australia and the UK editions they sell here are split into 2 books each, so I wasn't sure if I essentially was going to have 20 books total on my shelf of what!
Now that I know there's only 1 more book after Rhythm of War I'm even more excited to keep reading!!!
In North American editions it's 10 books - 2 arcs of 5. In UK/Australia, it's 20 - 2 arcs of 10 physical books.
One of the most engaging writers I've come across.
The books are intimidatingly long, but you find yourself getting through it pretty quickly!
Mid-way to the way of kings and already in love with the characters, world, and whole Cosmere universe.....Will read all the Cosmere books this year.....I think Brandon Sanderson is the next big thing in fantasy.... Tolkien level great
Thank you for this! I find videos like this so helpful when starting a new big fantasy series. Knowing how the books are set up and introductions to the main characters gets me hooked and already invested into the world.
read the excerpts at the top of the chapter, they make no sense at first, but tie in later. The prologue and interludes are my favorite parts, so much to wonder at.
Great point! I'd pretty much been "ignoring" the excerpts at the top of the chapters, until my roommate (who was buddy reading this series with me) starting putting it together - and she actually guessed what they were leading to! I won't say here, because spoilers, but you're totally right: do NOT skip/ignore these!
The 17th shard have specific podcasts discussing the excerpts. Fascinating stuff if you haven’t checked them out yet,
Here's what I know: he was studying English Lit and working as a receptionist at night, and while he was doing that, he wrote twelve books. I understand Stormlight Archive is not one of these; it is a manuscript he started and didn't finish either before or during that time. It does strike me as the sort of book that would be written when one has some experience at the job. Also I understand the Kaladin we see isn't the original Kaladin... although that is not unusual for an evolving MS and character.
This book does have a few pacing problems, but the revelations at the end are worth it. *please don't skip anything.*
I would also say, as much as Way of Kings is one of my absolute favorite books, it can be hard to get into for the first bit. There are a number of prologues and flashbacks to open the books, which are awesome scenes but makes it a bit hard to figure out who are the main characters you want to care about. Just knowing the names of Kaladin, Shallan, and Dalinar will help to watch for those! And give it a chance to build up the world. It's also one of my favorite book series to reread in all of its thousand pages of glory, because a lot of that intro you might forget the details, and then go back and realize they were talking to someone who became important later, or talking about this important event etc, that is really cool to go back and get those details since the books are so filled with them. He's a master at making his books have tons of content, but if you just read through and miss a lot of it, you'll have no trouble following the main plot of the book and enjoying it, you can just dive in to however deep you want! Enjoy!
I’m so happy I found this comment lol. Im about 100 pages or so in to the Way of Kings, and I’m having a hard time really getting immersed in the world. This gives me hope, and I’ll keep reading!
@@austenrodriguez3902 glad I could help! I know not every book is for everyone but way of kings and the rest of the stormlight archives really are incredible once you get into the world! Its interesting too when I recently reread the series the early part of way of kings hits a lot different when you're already emotionally attached to the characters lol and there's a lot of details I missed due to not knowing oh this person is X's brother etc.
I love The Stormlight Archive so far.The writing style is very approachable. Some other authors try to use such advanced vocabulary that you have to constantly be looking up definitions of words you have never heard and probably will never hear again. That’s is so unnecessary. His style is modern and simple in a way that really keeps you reading.
I’m just so happy that one of my friends is picking up a Way of Kings! It’s so hard when none of your friends read fantasy and you have no one to talk about this awesomeness with. Oh and btw....I recommend reading Warbreaker at least before Words of Radiance. I read Warbreaker while waiting for the second SA book to come out (I didn’t have the temptation to just jump ahead to the next book). That paid off so much.
Seeing all these people who like Brandon Sanderson’s stuff just makes me so happy idk why
I like straightforward prose. A key point here is that just because it is straightforward doesn't mean it is bland.
Sometimes I like to be immersed in the non-stop motion of the plot's flow and I don't want to be distracted by the pretty descriptions.
What I love about TSA is that it gives us insights into the minds and story of various characters making no one to be the villain and actually showing how each of them have their own believes of rightfulness. Most of them follow the way of Gavilar but in different ways.
No matter what people say..
I AM GOING TO BUY IT.
I've just begun the Stormlight Archive today (having been introduced to Brandon Sanderson through my absolute favorite author of all time; Robert Jordan), & I'm wholly enamoured. I'm completely sold.
So true regarding the fandom... There is so much hyperbole used with Sanderson's work and that everything he does is absolute gold. I'm in the minority in that I didn't love the Stormlight series like others do (I still enjoy reading them, but they don't crack my top 20), and whenever I vocalize that it's like, "GET THE PITCHFORKS OUT".
Also spot on regarding the "good guys" -- Sanderson's "good" characters tend to all have modern day sensibilities yet exist in a world where there's a lot of black and grey as well, which I think is a bit of an easy way to have the reader root for them as they are more relatable. I'd love to see him do a main character whose a bit more grey (maybe he has already as I haven't read too much of his work!).
Im still waiting for The Way of Kings hardcover edition that I ordered to arrive 😫 so thanks for making this
Great explanation. I think my favorite thing about the Stormligh Archive is how mental health is at the forefront and dealt in an positive way.
This video was so timely as I've just started reading Way of Kings! You make it sound very good so I hope I do get into it!
Thank you for making this. I always want a non-spoiler look into a book as grand as these ones before I commit my time to them. Much appreciated!
I picked up Way of Kings recently, largely because of your channel ( and one or two others that kept mentioning it ) and at only 400 pages I love it already. I loved Mistborn so much but this one looks to be even better … thanks for the great videos
This was such perfect timing I’m about to pick up Way of Kings 🥰 also just wanted to say you got me into Sanderson and a lot of adult fantasy in general. I feel like your videos and recommendations are always so genuine. You can really tell you’re passionate about reading and it makes me want to pick up everything you read so thank you so much and hope you and your fam are doing well !
Thank you!!! I hope you enjoy Stormlight-I’m so happy you’ve been having a good time picking up some of the books talked about :D
HUGE missed opportunity not calling ourselves Standersons
That’s actually a great term. Haven’t hear of it until now.
Just what I was thinking. A little hyphen perhaps to avoid confusion:
Sander-sons
@@qstone777 to "Stan" someone it means you're a stalker-fan... put together, a stan. Hence Standersons
@@jhart1127 I always thought Stan came from the Eminem song
@@ThisIsHazo both of you are correct. It's from the Eminem song and he coined Stan from Stalker+Fan
Ah yes before you start reading the stormlight archives perfect video for before I reread it for the third time.
I have been wanting to start this series for years! Big fan of his YA books and Mistborn so far! Stormlight is so daunting to me, especially since I’m a slow reader. But I’m very much a fan of character driven books, and this video made me want to dive right in starting today!!! I’m soooo excited!!
Well said and thank you for making the video. I'm half way through TWoK and absolutely love it. There is already so much world building going on and I have so many questions, just like the characters.
I'm listening to the audiobooks and it took a few hours to get a hang of the narrators but now I'm in love with them. Sometimes I'll read along while listening, which sounds wierd but it's kinda neat because I get more of an understanding in a way.
Thank you for sharing your spoiler free thoughts :)
Ahh, so exciting that you’re starting the series! I hope you continue to love it :D
I ordered the first book so I appreciate this being posted now.
This is pretty good timing, I JUST ordered the books yesterday!
Thanks for the video. Once it's easy to get into stores again, I will probably end up getting these.
Also, those bookshelves are frighteningly well organized.
I am starting a reading group with my friends starting on the first. So this is perfect timing. Gonna share this with them incase they want some more info before they start. Thank you for this.
I honestly couldn’t read the book but I’m doing the audiobook it’s so good and much easier for me
OMG! I was just about to start it today! Thank you Eliot!
Thanks for the wonderful series preview! Now, I know what to expect. 🤓🥰😅
I was a big Robert Jordan fan ..thats how I found Sanderson after wot..then I was left with the question what to read next!
Sanderson did great ending the wot.....the way of kings was my favorite book ever
I’m in the middle of Well of Ascension right now, and then after I finish Hero of Ages I really want to get to Stormlight! You’ve got me so excited for them!
Don't forget Secret History. It's a treat.
I have just started the first book (audiobook). It is my first ever Sanderson so am looking forward to the journey. Thank you for this.
Impeccable timing! My copy of The Way of Kings is arriving sometime this week from Book Outlet 🥳
You have impeccable timing and this video was super helpful! I read Warbreaker a couple months ago at your recommendation and I literally JUST ordered the first Mistborn trilogy yesterday! And of course immediately afterward I found out that the Way of Kings ebook is free on 5/4, so I've been debating whether it's a good idea to start that before Mistborn arrives. I'm very impatient and not being able to buy books in person has been trying my patience haha
I just jumped right into the stormlight archive. Now I can’t wait to read this whole universe!
I realized that I should've started with Warbreaker after finishing Oathbringer 😅. I'm halfway through Warbreaker now and if you haven't started SA yet I would definitely recommend starting with it first.
Yeah, potential mild spoiler warning
But im at the part in Oathbringer now where im really beggining to realize why everyone reccomend warbreaker early on. 😂
Best after the first book of SA, in the second there is already some details, for you people who wonder WHEN to read it.
Why is it important to read war breaker first?
@@michael305m3 In really late, but if you've read Warbreaker, there are some things in the second SA that you may recognise (one of them is a very obvious big thing) and then even more in the third SA.
My stormlight ranking.
1. Words of Radiance
2. Dawnshard
3. Rythem of War
4. The Way of Kings
5. Oathbringer
6. Edgedancer
Being dark isn't something I look for in a series. I watched Game Of Thrones, but I would never read it because I wouldn't want to linger in that fatalistic headspace for that long. I read Zelansky's 10 book Amber series and I noticed the jaded attitude of the main character rubbing off on me, so I prefer a little hope. So far my Sanderson experience has been confined to the first Mistborn trilogy and I think the ending provided plenty of realism even if it wasn't how I'd like it to have ended. Really looking forward to ending more off his Cosmere once I complete Wheel Of Time which I am only on book 4 right now.
You know a book series is complicated if it has to broke down into sections in a video lol 😆 Nonetheless Elliot this is what makes your channel so helpful and refreshing to be apart of. My favorite part is the introduction to the characters and the formatting of these books. If i have to courage to take on the challenge of reading these amazing books; I'll definitely be referring to your video here. Have a blessed happy reading day 💫💜
I just started WoK yesterday!!! I’m beyond excited to start digging deeper into this story
I really liked how the interludes! Esp how they are so organised compared to The Wheel of Time
Great video. I’ll share it with a friend who still hasn’t started it thought I’m pretty sure she’ll like it.
Also, vert honest of you that you’re also including what you don’t like. But couldn’t you have hyped this series up a bit more? The series is sooo good!
Nah, I take that back. Low expectations make the experience only better
After reading the first book, I felt the opposite about Kaladin and Shallan. Since the book focused on Kaladin sooo much, I eventually started getting fed up with him, so any Dalinar, Adolin or Shallan-focused chapters felt like a breath of fresh air.
Don't get me wrong, his story is quite fleshed out and interesting, but there's just so much of it.
You are very good at explaining things. Love your videos ❤
I'm reading The Way of Kings right now and I LOVE the tone shifts between the different perspectives
Idk why I stayed away from this series but I started April 15th and finished oathbringer on the 30th, I just couldn't put it down (also I had nothing to do lol)
This is PERFECT timing!! I’m about 200 pages in to The Way of Kings! This is so helpful!!
Just wanted to add that the audio books, narrated by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading, are also great! I almost always have them in the background when I'm cooking or cleaning house.
just saying, if you are a big baller (or a sucker for brandosando) check the graphicaudio edition of stormlight.
I just gotta say; Sanderson did SUCH a good job finishing Wheel of Time after the great Jordan passed.
I started reading The Way of Kings last year. I really enjoyed it but I was overwhelmed by the fact there are going to be 10 books and only 3 were out. Knowing that the first arc is five books and that the fourth book is about to come out, I feel more encouraged to start the series again.
As a big Sanderson fan, I would say most if not all points were 10/10 accurate. Thanks for the amazing BEFORE YOU READ!
Omg this is perfect! I've been meaning to start Stormlight this whole year (in preparation for Rhythm of War) but have been dragging my feet and making excuse after excuse. I even bought them on audio and have read three books over 1,000 pages this year alone, so I have ZERO reason to be as intimidated by this series as I am. And yet I am. 😞
The WoK is fantastic. Last year I really dove into Sanderson’s work. I’m enjoying it so far and I look forward to everything else that he puts out moving forward, especially Cosmere related.
The books can be intimidating due to the size and scope of the world building but he is a master at his craft.
I have read Warbreaker because you recommended. The book is amazing! I want to start Stormlight Archives soon!
I bought Way of Kings months and months ago, I'm dying to read it, but I was caught in the middle of mistborn, and then I have to read warbreaker, and THEN move on to way of kings, all while weaving other author's books in between Sanderson's so I don't get burned out. I have like 3 books left I have to get through before I can start Way of Kings.
I've never had to go through such a journey just to crack open a book and start reading it lol.
I don't know if you remember me, but I was complaining about the first Mistborn a few videos back. It did get better, especially when Sanderson stopped saying "paled" 6 times per page, but it still never quite got me as invested as Name of the Wind. I've got 200 pages left of Hero of Ages. But all the while, Way of Kings is burning a hole into my bookshelf.
This is the final push I needed. My body and mind are ready. BRING FORTH THE ARCHIVE!
I’m gonna download it tonight. I was so hoping the third book of KKC would be out by now. I finished LOTR earlier today; I totally see & respect the way it inspired everyone. & it wasn’t a bad read, either. I should have read it before any other fantasy series, is all. But I’m wanting to start something GOOD. That lasts. I finished WoT last summer, & finishing that series was rough. We all know the feeling. I’m ready to fall in love with another story.
I promised myself I would get to Stormlight in 2020, so I think the goal will be to read books 1-3 riiight before book 4 comes out. Fantastic art Elliot!
A great video, about a great author, about a great series!
I only came across Sanderson because he finished of the Wheel of Time, and then got absolutely addicted!
I'd go as far to as to say that I think the Stormlight Archive is quite a lot better than the WoT... (Let alone the whole "Cosmere" stuff - one day I'll get my head around it!)
I've always predominantly been a Sci-Fi fan, and often found it difficult to get absorbed in a Fantasy series, but these books completely proved me wrong, and made me read as much other Brandon Sanderson as I could get my hands on... (yes, including the Starsight books, which were a great present for my niece - she loved them, and is now a Sci-Fi/Fantasy fan!)
I just wanted to echo some of the great things Elliot has said, and add a couple more things I love about Brandon's writing:
1) I think you're right, Elliot, it's not the most colourful prose I've come across, but I think that's a good thing. It reminds me quite a lot of what Orson Scott Card referred to as "American" style Sci-Fi... The aim is for the Author to be as Transparent as possible, and let the character and ideas be the main driver of the readers imagination. I think Brandon is excellent at this - you get completely absorbed into the characters and the plot, and don't really think about the language used. Any colourful language is then woven into the world itself, usually by quoting literary works within the story... (Like you, I'm trying to avoid spoilers!)
2) It's another Sci-Fi writing link actually.... It feels like he started with the "Rules of the world", and then writes his characters and story into that world - this means the "magic" (or whatever) is absolutely rooted in EVERYTHING in the stories - The "rules of the world" are so well thought out, detailed, and self-consistent, all you really need to do is put a character into a situation, and all the story just flows beautifully (probably more prominent in the Mistborn series', but I think it applies here too). Whenever I've tried to read fantasy novels in the past, it always seemed that the "magic" was never well defined, and was just twisted to further whatever plot the author had in mind, (like some sort of bad DC Comics TV series) - I never got that impression with any of Brandon's books - he lays out the rules, usually nice and slowly, using a character to discover them at the same time as the reader, and then just asks the great Sci-Fi question "so, given that... what would happen if...?"
3) He loves an Underdog! I've sensed a bit of a running theme, and I don't really think I'm giving away any spoilers when I say this - he likes to set up a random (some might say "arbitrary") class system, and then set about turning it completely on it's head... we all love an underdog story, and Brandon just knocks that idea up to the next level - definite "Fist Pumping" material... Like you, I also found myself shouting "Yes!" quite a bit - often in some inappropriate situations!
I can't wait for his further works - it looks like we've got plenty to look forward to - More Stormlight and Mistborn Eras!
The worse thing about the fandom is that they compare Brandon’s writing speed to Rothfuss and Martin every single time their books are brought up. Other than that, they’re great and so are Brandon’s books!
it is relevant
How so?
He might churn out stories likea machine, but his prose is *so* damn overly simple. Everything I've read of his has felt like it was aimed at teenagers, and absolutely couldn't compare to, say, ASOIAF.
Not this his books are *bad* , but that's not a comparison you wanna make. lol
@@lsdeann_3293 so True! Thanks for saying it. The prose quality is not even comparable. They are different so respect the difference. Style may not matter to everyone but writers are distinguished by them.
@@lsdeann_3293 I get where you're coming from. Brandon's talked about this before I think in a lecture, and he used the analogy of a stained glass vs. clear window as two distinct styles to writing prose. Some authors paint this beautiful picture of the world they're depicting that makes use of tons of metaphor, and it's heavily stylized. It's like viewing the world they're portraying through a stained glass window. Other writers just try to portray the world they've built in the clearest possible light, as if looking through an unobscured, clean window. Sanderson describes his approach as the second - it's an intentional stylistic choice to not focus too much on flowery prose. Of course, those are the two extremes and most authors fit in the space between those extremes. Having read Rothfuss, GRRM, and Sanderson, I just think they're all doing very different things. For instance, I think Rothfuss's prose is more engaging than Sanderson, but Sanderson's strength is as a story outliner and world-builder, and I think the universe he's built and portrayed is 10x more interesting than the actual plot details of Kingkiller.
@@lsdeann_3293 Interesing. Having read both Martin and Sanderson, I can’t really say that Sanderson’s prose strikes me as “overly simplistic” in comparison. ASOIAF is very simple and easy to follow as well. However, Martin’s character dialogue is leagues ahead. Even if Sanderson’s characters have interesting conversations, Martin’s characters are unique and each have their own voice.
I love this series and can't wait for book 4 through 10.
great video! I was just about to start Way of Kings
Moving Warbreaker up on my TBR. Bought it a while ago on your recommendation, but has had to wait its turn. But after this, it may had lived up a couple of spaces. Maybe after six of crows.
Now someone finally explains it to me. Half-way through my second read through. I think this works more as an intro to the Way of Kings than the archive as a whole, because things get dark. But there's always a bright side.
i "read" Stormlight Archive though audible and ITS AMAZING! makes the books feel way shorter and the people telling the story are DOPE! also YOU MUST READ EDGEDANCER! its amazing the MC in it is the best ever she is AWESOME!
This was fucking incredible! As a massive Sanderson superfan, you nailed this! Consider me subscribed.
Well thanks! Happy to have another Sanderson fan to chat with :D
this is it. You and other booktobers convinced me to get a kindle to read stormlight archive! There are no printed versions of it in my country and I'm tired of waiting!
Ah, I’m sorry they don’t have physical copies available! If you don’t mind me asking, where do you live?
@@ebnovels Don't mind at all, I live in the southern part of Brazil. We have Mistborn and Elantris copies here (in portuguese, very good versions) , but the publisher promised stormlight archive in 2017 and again in 2018... and never talked again about it. Since imported versions are way too expensive here, My brand new kindle is on the way and Roshar, here I go!
@@ebnovels Got my kindle last week and Started Way of kings. Incredible so far!
Also, got the news today, the Braziliam publisher lost their rights for Brandon's books. That was somewhat expected. Thanks to amazon, my kindle arrived in 2 days after the purchase and now I'm in Roshar!
I’m trying to decide if I should reread the three that are out before the fourth one! I’ve only read them once so I probably should, but I should start soon (ish!). Maybe one a month on the lead up. Great video!!!!!
Noo! Now I want to read Oathbringer even though I have at least three books before it on my TBR... I'm such a chaotic reader.
Btw, love your videos😍 I feel like I really can relate with a lot of your opinions.
Aaaah shoot. I was trying to gather the courage to start Way of Kings this month, which I really want to read but is kind of intimidating... But now I'll have to read Warbreaker first, since I'd like to get as many references as possible. Thanks for the info!
Don't know if this video was planned or not, but it's good timing. Brandon Sanderson and Tor are giving away The Way of Kings in ebook format on 4 May.
New fav author 💖😳
This was such a helpful video!
Great video..alot of great info without giving out to much 👍
Cool. And over 1000 pages each book, oh, count me in. Thanks for the video
8:19 "size matters not" when it comes to a good book.
The idea for the video was brilliant. So thank you for the Sanderson lesson. I loved Warbreaker. I can't get through Elantris though. Did you like Elantris?
how do you not like the interludes? they're so fricken cool.... Roshar is amazing, and I love every single page of it.