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The Stormlight Archive #2.5
Edgedancer
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson, a special gift edition of Edgedancer, a short novel of the Stormlight Archive.
Three years ago, Lift asked a goddess to stop her from growing older--a wish she believed was granted. Now, in Edgedancer, the barely teenage nascent Knight Radiant finds that time stands still for no one. Although the young Azish emperor granted her safe haven from an executioner she knows only as Darkness, court life is suffocating the free-spirited Lift, who can't help heading to Yeddaw when she hears the relentless Darkness is there hunting people like her with budding powers. The downtrodden in Yeddaw have no champion, and Lift knows she must seize this awesome responsibility.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published November 20, 2016
About the author
Brandon Sanderson
388 books246k followersI’m Brandon Sanderson, and I write stories of the fantastic: fantasy, science fiction, and thrillers.
Defiant, the fourth and final volume of the series that started with Skyward in 2018, comes out in November 2023, capping an already book-filled year that will see the releases of all four Secret Projects: Tress of the Emerald Sea, The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter, and Secret Project Four (with its official title reveal coming October 2023). These four books were all initially offered to backers of the #1 Kickstarter campaign of all time.
November 2022 saw the release of The Lost Metal, the seventh volume in the Mistborn saga, and the final volume of the Mistborn Era Two featuring Wax & Wayne. The third era of Mistborn is slated to be written after the first arc of the Stormlight Archive wraps up.
In November 2020 we saw the release of Rhythm of War—the fourth massive book in the New York Times #1 bestselling Stormlight Archive series that began with The Way of Kings—and Dawnshard (book 3.5), a novella set in the same world that bridges the gaps between the main releases. This series is my love letter to the epic fantasy genre, and it’s the type of story I always dreamed epic fantasy could be. The fifth volume, Wind and Truth, is set for release in fall 2024.
Most readers have noticed that my adult fantasy novels are in a connected universe called the Cosmere. This includes The Stormlight Archive, both Mistborn series, Elantris, Warbreaker, and various novellas available on Amazon, including The Emperor’s Soul, which won a Hugo Award in 2013. In November 2016 all of the existing Cosmere short fiction was released in one volume called Arcanum Unbounded. If you’ve read all of my adult fantasy novels and want to see some behind-the-scenes information, that collection is a must-read.
I also have three YA series: The Rithmatist (currently at one book), The Reckoners (a trilogy beginning with Steelheart), and Skyward. For young readers I also have my humorous series Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, which had its final book, Bastille vs. the Evil Librarians, come out in 2022. Many of my adult readers enjoy all of those books as well, and many of my YA readers enjoy my adult books, usually starting with Mistborn.
Additionally, I have a few other novellas that are more on the thriller/sci-fi side. These include the Legion series, as well as Perfect State and Snapshot. There’s a lot of material to go around!
Good starting places are Mistborn (a.k.a. The Final Empire), Skyward, Steelheart,The Emperor’s Soul, and Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians. If you’re already a fan of big fat fantasies, you can jump right into The Way of Kings.
I was also honored to be able to complete the final three volumes of The Wheel of Time, beginning with The Gathering Storm, using Robert Jordan’s notes.
Sample chapters from all of my books are available at brandonsanderson.com—and check out the rest of my site for chapter-by-chapter annotations, deleted scenes, and more.
Defiant, the fourth and final volume of the series that started with Skyward in 2018, comes out in November 2023, capping an already book-filled year that will see the releases of all four Secret Projects: Tress of the Emerald Sea, The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, Yumi and the Nightmare Painter, and Secret Project Four (with its official title reveal coming October 2023). These four books were all initially offered to backers of the #1 Kickstarter campaign of all time.
November 2022 saw the release of The Lost Metal, the seventh volume in the Mistborn saga, and the final volume of the Mistborn Era Two featuring Wax & Wayne. The third era of Mistborn is slated to be written after the first arc of the Stormlight Archive wraps up.
In November 2020 we saw the release of Rhythm of War—the fourth massive book in the New York Times #1 bestselling Stormlight Archive series that began with The Way of Kings—and Dawnshard (book 3.5), a novella set in the same world that bridges the gaps between the main releases. This series is my love letter to the epic fantasy genre, and it’s the type of story I always dreamed epic fantasy could be. The fifth volume, Wind and Truth, is set for release in fall 2024.
Most readers have noticed that my adult fantasy novels are in a connected universe called the Cosmere. This includes The Stormlight Archive, both Mistborn series, Elantris, Warbreaker, and various novellas available on Amazon, including The Emperor’s Soul, which won a Hugo Award in 2013. In November 2016 all of the existing Cosmere short fiction was released in one volume called Arcanum Unbounded. If you’ve read all of my adult fantasy novels and want to see some behind-the-scenes information, that collection is a must-read.
I also have three YA series: The Rithmatist (currently at one book), The Reckoners (a trilogy beginning with Steelheart), and Skyward. For young readers I also have my humorous series Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, which had its final book, Bastille vs. the Evil Librarians, come out in 2022. Many of my adult readers enjoy all of those books as well, and many of my YA readers enjoy my adult books, usually starting with Mistborn.
Additionally, I have a few other novellas that are more on the thriller/sci-fi side. These include the Legion series, as well as Perfect State and Snapshot. There’s a lot of material to go around!
Good starting places are Mistborn (a.k.a. The Final Empire), Skyward, Steelheart,The Emperor’s Soul, and Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians. If you’re already a fan of big fat fantasies, you can jump right into The Way of Kings.
I was also honored to be able to complete the final three volumes of The Wheel of Time, beginning with The Gathering Storm, using Robert Jordan’s notes.
Sample chapters from all of my books are available at brandonsanderson.com—and check out the rest of my site for chapter-by-chapter annotations, deleted scenes, and more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 8,408 reviews
November 16, 2017
I liked the story but didn't like Lift so much. She reminds me of Dee Dee from Dexter's Laboratory. Now imagine Dee Dee singing "Everything is Awesome" from the "Lego Movie" and try not to be annoyed.
February 17, 2023
Mini Review (I read this in Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection)
3.5/5 stars
Lift approaching the city of Yeddaw (This is an example of the kind of illustration that appeared in Arcanum Unbounded for each story.)
According to Khriss’s annotation, Roshar from The Stormlight Archive series is the most majestic planet and probably the most important System to the Cosmere universe. Out of all worlds that Sanderson has created until now, Roshar and Scadrial have always been my favorite worlds to visit and to read a small continuation to Words of Radiance is something that I’ll never miss.
Every reader of The Stormlight Archive series MUST read Edgedancer before reading Oathbringer, it’s basically The Stormlight Archive #2.5 and the story actually continues after Words of Radiance. Ever since Lift’s first brief appearance, it’s obvious that she will become one of the major characters in The Stormlight Archive series later on and Edgedancer is Sanderson’s way of providing the necessary character developments that she needs. Lift and Wyndel duo is as awesome and fun as ever the city of Yeddaw is gorgeous, there’s more information on Surgebinding (the magic systems.) and the world building remained grand even in this 130 pages book. As Lift said, it’s oozing with awesomeness.
The only con I had on this novella is that Lift's character (I know she's still young) was insanely annoying to read. I’ll state this once again, Edgedancer is a must read before Oathbringer, crucial characters from the series made an appearance and important events do happen here. You don’t want to miss this one if you’re a fan of the series. I’ll end my Edgedancer short review with a glimpse of Sanderson’s postscript on it.
3.5/5 stars
Lift approaching the city of Yeddaw (This is an example of the kind of illustration that appeared in Arcanum Unbounded for each story.)
According to Khriss’s annotation, Roshar from The Stormlight Archive series is the most majestic planet and probably the most important System to the Cosmere universe. Out of all worlds that Sanderson has created until now, Roshar and Scadrial have always been my favorite worlds to visit and to read a small continuation to Words of Radiance is something that I’ll never miss.
Every reader of The Stormlight Archive series MUST read Edgedancer before reading Oathbringer, it’s basically The Stormlight Archive #2.5 and the story actually continues after Words of Radiance. Ever since Lift’s first brief appearance, it’s obvious that she will become one of the major characters in The Stormlight Archive series later on and Edgedancer is Sanderson’s way of providing the necessary character developments that she needs. Lift and Wyndel duo is as awesome and fun as ever the city of Yeddaw is gorgeous, there’s more information on Surgebinding (the magic systems.) and the world building remained grand even in this 130 pages book. As Lift said, it’s oozing with awesomeness.
The only con I had on this novella is that Lift's character (I know she's still young) was insanely annoying to read. I’ll state this once again, Edgedancer is a must read before Oathbringer, crucial characters from the series made an appearance and important events do happen here. You don’t want to miss this one if you’re a fan of the series. I’ll end my Edgedancer short review with a glimpse of Sanderson’s postscript on it.
“The original plan for this novella was for it to be 18,000 words. It ended up at around 40,000. Ah well. That just happens sometimes. (Particularly when you are me.)” –Brandon Sanderson
October 20, 2020
A pretty awesome novella that fits in nicely between Words of Radiance and Oathbringer. Lift is a really neat, kooky character and Wyndle is a very cool spren companion. It's a 40,000 words tale that gives some more quality screen time to Darkness and Szeth. A nice bitesize Stormlight Archive story that doesn't take too long to read at all.
March 19, 2023
"LIFT prepared to be awesome."
Lift’s interlude from the Words of Radiance was one of my favourites: it’s not solely based on the hilarious nature of that chapter but also the heavy contrast it held to the rest of that book. We had all serious characters either trying to prevent disaster or cause it, and then out of nowhere, Sanderson just threw in a completely mischievous person with some curious abilities.. And as always, things always turnout perfectly for Sanderson.
The author might have labelled this as a ‘novella’ (and in fact, it could be considered as such considering that the average book length of SA is 1250 pages+), but this is quite long. From the looks of it, Lift is about to take part in the main storyline, and Sanderson has taken his time with Edgedancer to help shape the character to a solid one. And now I can’t wait to see how she’ll fit into the grand scheme of things.
Unlike some of the novellas from Cosmere, Edgedancer is not optional: there are a series of important things happening here, of which the reader must be aware of in advance... It is also possible that I could be completely wrong.
Lift’s interlude from the Words of Radiance was one of my favourites: it’s not solely based on the hilarious nature of that chapter but also the heavy contrast it held to the rest of that book. We had all serious characters either trying to prevent disaster or cause it, and then out of nowhere, Sanderson just threw in a completely mischievous person with some curious abilities.. And as always, things always turnout perfectly for Sanderson.
The author might have labelled this as a ‘novella’ (and in fact, it could be considered as such considering that the average book length of SA is 1250 pages+), but this is quite long. From the looks of it, Lift is about to take part in the main storyline, and Sanderson has taken his time with Edgedancer to help shape the character to a solid one. And now I can’t wait to see how she’ll fit into the grand scheme of things.
Unlike some of the novellas from Cosmere, Edgedancer is not optional: there are a series of important things happening here, of which the reader must be aware of in advance... It is also possible that I could be completely wrong.
Congrats! You’re a starvin’ Knight Radiant.
December 23, 2022
Wasza Placuszkowatość ♥️
August 10, 2023
My complete review of Edgedancer is published at Before We Go Blog.
"But you," the thing said, "did not come here for a contest, did you? We watch the others. The assassin. The surgeon. The liar. The highprince. But not you. The others all ignore you...and that, I hazard to predict, is a mistake."
"Edgedancer" tells the story of Lift, a 12-ish year old girl who is, perhaps, the youngest Knight Radiant and who has the special ability to metabolize food as Stormlight. As a result, she is constantly hungry. She is bonded to Wyndle, a cultivationspren who gives Lift her special abilities as an Edgedancer. Specifically, Lift has the abilities of regrowth and altering friction (her "awesomeness," as she calls it).
This book was a lot more fun than I was expecting. Lift is a delightful, lighthearted character, who is given a lot more depth here compared to the main books of the Stormlight Archive. The dialogue between Lift and Wyndle made me laugh out loud multiple times. The only downside is that this book made me really hungry, especially for pancakes.
The main antagonist in this book is Nale, the Herald of Justice, whom Lift refers to simply as Darkness. Nale is trying to prevent the next Desolation by hunting down and killing the emerging Knights Radiant. Lift must try to stop him, and also eat his breakfast.
Is this book necessary for understanding the Stormlight Archive? Probably not. But still, it fills in a few important gaps that I encountered when reading "Oathbringer" and "Rhythm of War," particularly related to Nale, Szeth, and Lift. Some of the scenes in "Oathbringer" and "Rhythm of War" make more sense now after reading "Edgedancer." I guess I should've read this first. Oh well.
Lift is apparently slotted to be the main point of view/flashback character in one of the later Stormlight Archive books, specifically Book 6. Presumably, it will become especially important to read "Edgedancer" before that book is published.
This book is a more humorous and lighthearted take on the events of the Stormlight Archive, but there are some rather dark moments in the latter part of the book. I really enjoyed spending this time with Lift and Wyndle. But now I'm starving and have a weird craving for pancakes.
Buddy read with Sofia!
"But you," the thing said, "did not come here for a contest, did you? We watch the others. The assassin. The surgeon. The liar. The highprince. But not you. The others all ignore you...and that, I hazard to predict, is a mistake."
"Edgedancer" tells the story of Lift, a 12-ish year old girl who is, perhaps, the youngest Knight Radiant and who has the special ability to metabolize food as Stormlight. As a result, she is constantly hungry. She is bonded to Wyndle, a cultivationspren who gives Lift her special abilities as an Edgedancer. Specifically, Lift has the abilities of regrowth and altering friction (her "awesomeness," as she calls it).
This book was a lot more fun than I was expecting. Lift is a delightful, lighthearted character, who is given a lot more depth here compared to the main books of the Stormlight Archive. The dialogue between Lift and Wyndle made me laugh out loud multiple times. The only downside is that this book made me really hungry, especially for pancakes.
The main antagonist in this book is Nale, the Herald of Justice, whom Lift refers to simply as Darkness. Nale is trying to prevent the next Desolation by hunting down and killing the emerging Knights Radiant. Lift must try to stop him, and also eat his breakfast.
Is this book necessary for understanding the Stormlight Archive? Probably not. But still, it fills in a few important gaps that I encountered when reading "Oathbringer" and "Rhythm of War," particularly related to Nale, Szeth, and Lift. Some of the scenes in "Oathbringer" and "Rhythm of War" make more sense now after reading "Edgedancer." I guess I should've read this first. Oh well.
Lift is apparently slotted to be the main point of view/flashback character in one of the later Stormlight Archive books, specifically Book 6. Presumably, it will become especially important to read "Edgedancer" before that book is published.
This book is a more humorous and lighthearted take on the events of the Stormlight Archive, but there are some rather dark moments in the latter part of the book. I really enjoyed spending this time with Lift and Wyndle. But now I'm starving and have a weird craving for pancakes.
Buddy read with Sofia!
May 29, 2019
Finished up my re-read in prep for Oathbringer. While still a good book which offered us lots of hints about events, heralds, the cosmere, the radiants...............
But, and there's always a but, I simply can only take Lift in small doses. The first time through I read this as part of Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection I thought perhaps it was just a big of Sanderson burnout reading that much of him in one sitting and also finishing off MB Era 2 about the same time.
This time it confirmed it. Nearly from the start I was tired of hearing about her awesomeness and foolish manner. It turns a great epic into a grade school series. I think she'll be fine again mixed in the main series and I do take a perverse joy in thinking about her pissing off Dalinar, Kaladin, Adolin or somebody else who takes themselves very seriously to no end. I'd actually be afraid for her if she pissed off Jasnah.
In the postscript however Sanderson indicates she's one of his favorite characters and he expects to expand her role in the series greatly and took this opportunity to fix some inconsistencies with her character. I hope in expanding her role he turns down her volume a bit.
Loved seeing more of Nale and Szeth. I would have loved an even bigger dose of them in this book.
All together now. Oathbringer, Oathbringer, Oathbringer, Oathbringer, Oathbringer.....
But, and there's always a but, I simply can only take Lift in small doses. The first time through I read this as part of Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection I thought perhaps it was just a big of Sanderson burnout reading that much of him in one sitting and also finishing off MB Era 2 about the same time.
This time it confirmed it. Nearly from the start I was tired of hearing about her awesomeness and foolish manner. It turns a great epic into a grade school series. I think she'll be fine again mixed in the main series and I do take a perverse joy in thinking about her pissing off Dalinar, Kaladin, Adolin or somebody else who takes themselves very seriously to no end. I'd actually be afraid for her if she pissed off Jasnah.
In the postscript however Sanderson indicates she's one of his favorite characters and he expects to expand her role in the series greatly and took this opportunity to fix some inconsistencies with her character. I hope in expanding her role he turns down her volume a bit.
Loved seeing more of Nale and Szeth. I would have loved an even bigger dose of them in this book.
All together now. Oathbringer, Oathbringer, Oathbringer, Oathbringer, Oathbringer.....
October 24, 2024
REREAD...Yes we must read all the books and novella again going into Wind and Truth. Wow...there are so many things that when you go back just make more sense the 2nd and 3rd time around. I can't wait to see what I re-discover this read.
What did I rediscover. Well my love of Lift for one. I mean she is just a fun character with remarkably hidden depths. I have so many quotes highlighted as she torments our little void bringer (spren) Wyndle and chases Darkness (Nalan the Herald) in a new city.
Just Fantastic!!!
Original Review
I loved Lift in the interlude of Words of Radiance (WoR). Her character and story was one that interested me a lot. She is so different than anyone else that we have yet seen with a spren. In fact she doesn’t even acknowledge that her spren is in fact a spren, instead she calls him a Voidbringer all the time. I find her irreverence and childishness sort of refreshing.
So after coming into some of her power in WoR she has lived in the palace with her good friend Gawx but apparently it is time to go.
Lift has always had a very different view of the world and that hasn’t changed any in this novella. She is definitely one in a million and has decided to set off to find someone or something. I was a bit shocked to learn it was Darkness himself.
The best thing about this novella besides Lift is getting a little insight into what Nalan (a.k.a. Darkness), Szeth and Nightblood (favorite sentient sword ever) are up to after the events in WoR. But not only that there is the introduction of ‘The Sleepless’ and some hints dropped about the Heralds and their madness along with who Nightwatcher might be.
I really don’t want to give too much away but this is a story that lets you see Lift’s transition from semi obnoxious pre-teen being blown around by the wind to someone who might just be an important force that everyone has underestimated up to this point.
There are novellas between books that are just extra and I don’t think you need to read them to carry on with the story but with what we learn about Szeth and Darkness along with the Sleepless I think this is one that is a must read before the next Stormlight book.
What did I rediscover. Well my love of Lift for one. I mean she is just a fun character with remarkably hidden depths. I have so many quotes highlighted as she torments our little void bringer (spren) Wyndle and chases Darkness (Nalan the Herald) in a new city.
Just Fantastic!!!
Original Review
I loved Lift in the interlude of Words of Radiance (WoR). Her character and story was one that interested me a lot. She is so different than anyone else that we have yet seen with a spren. In fact she doesn’t even acknowledge that her spren is in fact a spren, instead she calls him a Voidbringer all the time. I find her irreverence and childishness sort of refreshing.
So after coming into some of her power in WoR she has lived in the palace with her good friend Gawx but apparently it is time to go.
”Oh mistress,” he said “Can’t we stop playing out here, please?” We need to get back to the Azimir!”
“Go back?” Lift stood up. “We just escaped that place!”
“Escaped! The palace? Mistress, you were an honored guest of the emperor! You had everything you wanted, as much food, as much –“
“All lies,” she declared hands on her hips. “To keep me from noticin’ the truth. They was going to eat me.”
Lift has always had a very different view of the world and that hasn’t changed any in this novella. She is definitely one in a million and has decided to set off to find someone or something. I was a bit shocked to learn it was Darkness himself.
The best thing about this novella besides Lift is getting a little insight into what Nalan (a.k.a. Darkness), Szeth and Nightblood (favorite sentient sword ever) are up to after the events in WoR. But not only that there is the introduction of ‘The Sleepless’ and some hints dropped about the Heralds and their madness along with who Nightwatcher might be.
I really don’t want to give too much away but this is a story that lets you see Lift’s transition from semi obnoxious pre-teen being blown around by the wind to someone who might just be an important force that everyone has underestimated up to this point.
"We watch the others. The assassin. The surgeon. The liar. The highprince. But not you. The others all ignore you … and that, I hazard to predict, is a mistake.”
There are novellas between books that are just extra and I don’t think you need to read them to carry on with the story but with what we learn about Szeth and Darkness along with the Sleepless I think this is one that is a must read before the next Stormlight book.
August 26, 2021
I have the hardback I got for a $1 in a library sale! But, I listened to the audio and I loved the narrator. It was such fun!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
September 27, 2024
*** 4.75 ***
And now for the crown jewel of this collection, the never before published Stormlight Archive novella, “Edgedancer”. It takes place right after the second book in the series, "Words of Radiance". lift, our "Awesome" thief is the main protagonist here and this is one of the reasons I was not looking forward to reading it. Not because of anything else, but I was not a fan of Lift's character. Although I know she is young and the author is giving her plenty of place to grow, and I mean miles and miles of space to grow, her selfishness and almost destructive tendencies are just too much for me... Yes she is funny and whimsical and kind of adorable at times, she is a pain in the ass and if I had to live with her, I would have killed her before she got to this level of pain-in-the-assery!!! What really, really makes me dislike this character, and with this word I imply a lack of respect on my part, is her complete lack of inquisitiveness and care about anything that goes on apart from her and her stomach. How can a young person be so totally self-involved and content that nothing around them can make them feel the excitement of wanting to find out more about it, or just to experience some awe of things around her, anything but her own awesomeness??? No thought for tomorrow, no thought for yesterday... At this level of her development, Lift is everything I find abhorrent about those who feel happy in their ignorance.
Then why am I giving this story such high rating? Because it is a very important part of the overall arc of the Stormlight Archives. We get to see more and more individuals converting Stormlight and their existence itself tells us about what our guys are going to be in for and how much we will need all of them on our side. The other reason is the transformation Darkness undergoes and its importance in the story as we go on. Same for Szeth, who is trying to find himself after the chance he has been given for a do over. But most of all, I am in love with Lift's Spren, Wyndle. The poor plant elemental from the Cognitive Realm is just a scholar, a very inexperienced in humans lives scholar, who is forced to work with this 12 year old kid, who wants no responsibilities and cares not for consequences... The way they interact is wonderfully humorous, but also very touching and Wyndle has his hands full with this wild thing, who holds his life in her hands. It is hillarious as well, that Lift thinks he is one of the Voidbringers, who are the bad guys and opposite of the Spren, which he really is. Her offering him a soul to eat, when this is all what the Spren stand against, is hilarious!!! I love him sooooo much!!!
"...“All right. Maybe I can get you one soul. Perhaps a tax collector...'cept they ain't human. Would they work? Or would you need, like, three of them to make up one normal person's soul? -Lift” ...
So, if you plan on reading the third book in this series, "Oathbringer"m you have to read this before it! It is a must read!!!
And now for the crown jewel of this collection, the never before published Stormlight Archive novella, “Edgedancer”. It takes place right after the second book in the series, "Words of Radiance". lift, our "Awesome" thief is the main protagonist here and this is one of the reasons I was not looking forward to reading it. Not because of anything else, but I was not a fan of Lift's character. Although I know she is young and the author is giving her plenty of place to grow, and I mean miles and miles of space to grow, her selfishness and almost destructive tendencies are just too much for me... Yes she is funny and whimsical and kind of adorable at times, she is a pain in the ass and if I had to live with her, I would have killed her before she got to this level of pain-in-the-assery!!! What really, really makes me dislike this character, and with this word I imply a lack of respect on my part, is her complete lack of inquisitiveness and care about anything that goes on apart from her and her stomach. How can a young person be so totally self-involved and content that nothing around them can make them feel the excitement of wanting to find out more about it, or just to experience some awe of things around her, anything but her own awesomeness??? No thought for tomorrow, no thought for yesterday... At this level of her development, Lift is everything I find abhorrent about those who feel happy in their ignorance.
Then why am I giving this story such high rating? Because it is a very important part of the overall arc of the Stormlight Archives. We get to see more and more individuals converting Stormlight and their existence itself tells us about what our guys are going to be in for and how much we will need all of them on our side. The other reason is the transformation Darkness undergoes and its importance in the story as we go on. Same for Szeth, who is trying to find himself after the chance he has been given for a do over. But most of all, I am in love with Lift's Spren, Wyndle. The poor plant elemental from the Cognitive Realm is just a scholar, a very inexperienced in humans lives scholar, who is forced to work with this 12 year old kid, who wants no responsibilities and cares not for consequences... The way they interact is wonderfully humorous, but also very touching and Wyndle has his hands full with this wild thing, who holds his life in her hands. It is hillarious as well, that Lift thinks he is one of the Voidbringers, who are the bad guys and opposite of the Spren, which he really is. Her offering him a soul to eat, when this is all what the Spren stand against, is hilarious!!! I love him sooooo much!!!
"...“All right. Maybe I can get you one soul. Perhaps a tax collector...'cept they ain't human. Would they work? Or would you need, like, three of them to make up one normal person's soul? -Lift” ...
So, if you plan on reading the third book in this series, "Oathbringer"m you have to read this before it! It is a must read!!!
March 16, 2022
While interesting to read the backstory of one of the main characters, it ultimately falls flat
This book serves as a primer to reading Oathbringer, and is billed as being essential reading. While I do agree that it's useful information if you are really into the Stormlight Chronicles, this book is not nearly the quality of most of Sanderson's other works.
For me, Sanderson thrives when writing long books. It gives him time to set things up for interesting reveals. Sanderson is one of the best "plot" fantasy authors of all time, but he's not terribly great at prose. For a short book to be well done, the prose has to be very well done because there's not a lot of time to get a deep plot involved.
I do think you should read this book before reading Oathbringer, but don't come with high expectations.
This book serves as a primer to reading Oathbringer, and is billed as being essential reading. While I do agree that it's useful information if you are really into the Stormlight Chronicles, this book is not nearly the quality of most of Sanderson's other works.
For me, Sanderson thrives when writing long books. It gives him time to set things up for interesting reveals. Sanderson is one of the best "plot" fantasy authors of all time, but he's not terribly great at prose. For a short book to be well done, the prose has to be very well done because there's not a lot of time to get a deep plot involved.
I do think you should read this book before reading Oathbringer, but don't come with high expectations.
February 14, 2021
Danzante del filo, novela corta que tiene lugar entre los acontecimientos de Palabras Radiantes y Juramentada tratando sobre las aventuras de un personaje el cual ya se nos introdujo en Palabras Radiantes, Lift. Ha sido muy interesante leerlo por varias razones pero la principal es ella. Lift es maravillosa, un gran personaje que me llama mucho la atención que me divierte leer sobre ella lo que hace, piensa y dice, dejándome con ganas de conocerla más a fondo y personalmente quedándome con algo de hambre.
Sanderson también nos introduce otra zona del mundo de Roshar, mostrándonos más detalles interesantes sobre el Cosmere.
Me ha parecido una maravillosa y divertida lectura antes de adentrarme en Juramentada.
Sanderson también nos introduce otra zona del mundo de Roshar, mostrándonos más detalles interesantes sobre el Cosmere.
Me ha parecido una maravillosa y divertida lectura antes de adentrarme en Juramentada.
November 13, 2017
This Stormlight novella focused on Lift, who we met in the interludes of the main books. It was both a strength and a weakness because while Lift is an interesting character, and one with unique gifts, she also has the tendency to be a bit annoying. I think I prefer my Lift in small doses!
Feeling stifled in the Bronze Palace of Azir, where her friend Gawx rules, she flees the place and goes for a bit of sightseeing. Along for the journey is her long-suffering "Voidbringer" companion Wyndle.
The story was actually quite good. It soon becomes apparent that Lift is not as entirely frivolous as she likes to appear and that she had a deeper purpose for the location she chose to visit. It is a location that "Darkness" and his new Skybreaker trainees have also taken an interest in.
The bulk of this novella were light and humorous in tone. We followed Lift as she indulged in her own personal brand of craziness and chaos. I think this worked early as Lift is a weird mix of amusing and annoying but that this phase of the story lasted just a tiny bit too long. There is only so much of Lift's brand of humour I can take! The story finished strongly with some fun twists and turns and some significant confrontations, meetings, and revelations.
I'm not a giant fan of Lift but I do like the fact that, despite the way she acts, she is usually trying to help people. I even think she showed a bit of character growth in this one as she learned to accept that she might be one of the fabled Radiants. My favourite bit of the story was Lift's interactions with Wyndle, her Spren. The are often hilarious and I love how exasperated he gets with her antics! I've also realized that there is a specific type of Lift humour I like and a specific type I dislike. I love her chats with Wyndle as you can tell she likes him even if she insists on calling him a Voidbringer. The Lift humour I hate is when she openly insults people with supposedly funny comments. It is a brand of humour Sanderson loves but I hated it in his version of Mat, and in Wayne, and now here again in Lift!
The postscript mentions that Sanderson sees Lift as a character who will play a major role in future versions of the Stormlight series so the interludes she features in and this novella are her introduction to her as a character. I'm not sure how I feel about that news. If she does feature heavily I hope it is in the second phase of the Stormlight series and that she matures a bit by then!
All in all this was a good read. A fun start and a strong end but slightly hindered by a dull spot in the middle.
Rating: 4 stars.
Audio note: I must admit I have been listening to the GA versions of the Stormlight series lately so switching back to the regular audio narrator for the series was a bit tougher than I thought it would be. Those GA adaptations are so good! That said, I did think Kate Reading did a decent job and I do love her Wyndle.
Feeling stifled in the Bronze Palace of Azir, where her friend Gawx rules, she flees the place and goes for a bit of sightseeing. Along for the journey is her long-suffering "Voidbringer" companion Wyndle.
The story was actually quite good. It soon becomes apparent that Lift is not as entirely frivolous as she likes to appear and that she had a deeper purpose for the location she chose to visit. It is a location that "Darkness" and his new Skybreaker trainees have also taken an interest in.
The bulk of this novella were light and humorous in tone. We followed Lift as she indulged in her own personal brand of craziness and chaos. I think this worked early as Lift is a weird mix of amusing and annoying but that this phase of the story lasted just a tiny bit too long. There is only so much of Lift's brand of humour I can take! The story finished strongly with some fun twists and turns and some significant confrontations, meetings, and revelations.
I'm not a giant fan of Lift but I do like the fact that, despite the way she acts, she is usually trying to help people. I even think she showed a bit of character growth in this one as she learned to accept that she might be one of the fabled Radiants. My favourite bit of the story was Lift's interactions with Wyndle, her Spren. The are often hilarious and I love how exasperated he gets with her antics! I've also realized that there is a specific type of Lift humour I like and a specific type I dislike. I love her chats with Wyndle as you can tell she likes him even if she insists on calling him a Voidbringer. The Lift humour I hate is when she openly insults people with supposedly funny comments. It is a brand of humour Sanderson loves but I hated it in his version of Mat, and in Wayne, and now here again in Lift!
The postscript mentions that Sanderson sees Lift as a character who will play a major role in future versions of the Stormlight series so the interludes she features in and this novella are her introduction to her as a character. I'm not sure how I feel about that news. If she does feature heavily I hope it is in the second phase of the Stormlight series and that she matures a bit by then!
All in all this was a good read. A fun start and a strong end but slightly hindered by a dull spot in the middle.
Rating: 4 stars.
Audio note: I must admit I have been listening to the GA versions of the Stormlight series lately so switching back to the regular audio narrator for the series was a bit tougher than I thought it would be. Those GA adaptations are so good! That said, I did think Kate Reading did a decent job and I do love her Wyndle.
March 25, 2017
This book! O.M.G.
My prayers have been answered and I have been given the most relatable character ever.. A 12 year old girl?! So I guess what they say about my maturity levels are true, but anyway.... It was also about food and I love food and think about it 24/7, I had approximately 15 snacks while reading this due to the delicious wine hamper picture at the start of every chapter.
*turns on awesomeness*
More detailed RTC
Recommended to all fans of Sanderson. You do need to read his other books before this one, Stormlight Archive 1-2. Read in Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection anthology.
My prayers have been answered and I have been given the most relatable character ever.. A 12 year old girl?! So I guess what they say about my maturity levels are true, but anyway.... It was also about food and I love food and think about it 24/7, I had approximately 15 snacks while reading this due to the delicious wine hamper picture at the start of every chapter.
*turns on awesomeness*
More detailed RTC
Recommended to all fans of Sanderson. You do need to read his other books before this one, Stormlight Archive 1-2. Read in Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection anthology.
![Profile Image for Anna [Bran. San. Stan].](https://cdn.statically.io/img/i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1593184464i/98245866._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
October 8, 2024
Re-read via GraphicAudio (2021): I take it all back. I love Lift. All thanks to the amazing voice acting done in the GraphicAudio production (45% off until 4/27/2021).
Original review (2020): Enjoyable and entertaining! Though I am constantly on the fence regarding Lift’s character, I appreciated seeing her character developed further; especially since Sanderson plans on making her a main Stormlight character in the future (cf. postscript).
I also find Nale/Nin and the Heralds in general fascinating and finding out more about his motives was a treat. Szeth also makes an appearance and the Stump (whom we’ll meet in Rhythm of War) is introduced. So if you’re a fan of the series, this is a must-read and at about 140 pages it’s a very quick one.
Original review (2020): Enjoyable and entertaining! Though I am constantly on the fence regarding Lift’s character, I appreciated seeing her character developed further; especially since Sanderson plans on making her a main Stormlight character in the future (cf. postscript).
I also find Nale/Nin and the Heralds in general fascinating and finding out more about his motives was a treat. Szeth also makes an appearance and the Stump (whom we’ll meet in Rhythm of War) is introduced. So if you’re a fan of the series, this is a must-read and at about 140 pages it’s a very quick one.
January 18, 2018
Readalong for the BooktubeSFF Awards which is being hosted by Adriana from Perpetual Pages, Chelsea from TheReadingOutlaw, Samantha from Novels and Nonsense, Connor from Connor O'Brien, Elizabeth from Books and Pieces, Kaitlin from Kitty G, Sam from Thoughts on Tomes, Elena from Elena Reads Books, and Thomas from SFF180!
First and foremost, I haven't read The Way of Kings or Words of Radiance, and I know this had some spoilers for me and I'm a horrible person, but I really needed to read this for the BooktubeSFF Awards. Plus, after reading I don't really think it had that many spoilers. Like, I know there is obviously a resolution that happened after book two, and I know a new Desolation is about to cause a bunch of havoc in Oathbringer, but I still think I can enjoy all the books and still know very minimal.
(Art by Marie at jurassicpencil!)
This story surrounds a side character named Lift, who is freakin' awesome! I was a little apprehensive, knowing that the main character was going to be a twelve-year-old, but she completely won me over and quickly. I also loved her spren, Wyndle, who is a plant elemental, which everyone knows I'm a sucker for any magical companion! They were such a cute pair, and I loved the visual of them traveling together, on the hunt for different kinds of pancakes.
The adorable pair travel to a new city, where Lift is very adamant about using her Edgedancer powers so she can catch the attention of a man named Darkness, who she believes is hunting someone else who has powers. During her stay in the new city, she meets a strange woman that runs an orphanage for sick children who are no longer wanted.
Darkness was a wonderfully complex villain, especially for only a 130 page story. I never thought he was purely bad, just significantly misguided, and I really can't wait to actually read this series so I can read more about him and his questionable direction.
The only negative thing I will say is that I understand that Lift is young, but I'm not sure how problematic/unproblematic the mental health topic is in this book. I'm not the best judge of this, but a few of the things said in this book seemed like they could at least make someone else feel uncomfortable, so I think it's important for me to note it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and it made me really hyped to start The Way of Kings! This was a really beautiful story that warmed my heart and made me giggle on many occasions. Lift and Wyndle were so easy to love, and I want to know anything and everything about them!
(I read this in Brandon Sanderson's Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection!)
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First and foremost, I haven't read The Way of Kings or Words of Radiance, and I know this had some spoilers for me and I'm a horrible person, but I really needed to read this for the BooktubeSFF Awards. Plus, after reading I don't really think it had that many spoilers. Like, I know there is obviously a resolution that happened after book two, and I know a new Desolation is about to cause a bunch of havoc in Oathbringer, but I still think I can enjoy all the books and still know very minimal.
(Art by Marie at jurassicpencil!)
This story surrounds a side character named Lift, who is freakin' awesome! I was a little apprehensive, knowing that the main character was going to be a twelve-year-old, but she completely won me over and quickly. I also loved her spren, Wyndle, who is a plant elemental, which everyone knows I'm a sucker for any magical companion! They were such a cute pair, and I loved the visual of them traveling together, on the hunt for different kinds of pancakes.
The adorable pair travel to a new city, where Lift is very adamant about using her Edgedancer powers so she can catch the attention of a man named Darkness, who she believes is hunting someone else who has powers. During her stay in the new city, she meets a strange woman that runs an orphanage for sick children who are no longer wanted.
Darkness was a wonderfully complex villain, especially for only a 130 page story. I never thought he was purely bad, just significantly misguided, and I really can't wait to actually read this series so I can read more about him and his questionable direction.
The only negative thing I will say is that I understand that Lift is young, but I'm not sure how problematic/unproblematic the mental health topic is in this book. I'm not the best judge of this, but a few of the things said in this book seemed like they could at least make someone else feel uncomfortable, so I think it's important for me to note it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and it made me really hyped to start The Way of Kings! This was a really beautiful story that warmed my heart and made me giggle on many occasions. Lift and Wyndle were so easy to love, and I want to know anything and everything about them!
(I read this in Brandon Sanderson's Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection!)
Blog | Twitter | Tumblr | Instagram | Youtube | Twitch
August 28, 2024
Awesomeness!
December 29, 2021
"I will remember those who have been forgotten."
okay i honestly love Lift. like yes she was definitely annoying at times especially during the beginning of the novella but the character development she went through is awesome and she has such a big heart, it's so sweet🥺
Wyndle and Lift's convos were hilarious but wow how exhausting it is to deal with Lift ahaha
“It’s still far more than I can read. I can’t sift through all of that
information for you. It’s impossible. Not going to happen.”
She eyed him. “All right. Maybe I can get you one soul. Perhaps a tax collector…’cept they ain’t human. Would they work? Or would you need, like, three of them to make up one normal person’s soul?”
“Mistress! I’m not bargaining!”
“Come on. Everyone knows Voidbringers like a good deal. Does it have to be someone important? Or can it be some dumb guy nobody likes?”
“I don’t eat souls,” Wyndle exclaimed. “I’m not trying to haggle with you! I’m stating facts. I can’t read all the information in that archive! Why can’t you just see that—”
i love these two omg.
also seeing Szeth and Nightblood!! im so happy i can now notice that having read Warbreaker hehe im even more excited to read Oathbringer😌 i adore this world so much <3
"I will listen to those who have been ignored."
🎧~listened to on audiobook
November 12, 2020
Full video review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNzD7...
Well, that was a book. Personally for me I just cannot get down with Lift as a character. She's not funny, I don't find her silly antics I'm using, I don't care about how many pancakes she wants to eat because it's just not funny to me.
Hopefully since Sanderson is set on making her a main character in the Stormlight Archive and is somehow one of his favorite characters to write, I hope she sees some serious character growth and not just the same repetitive unfunny crap that this book was full of.
This felt very much like a middle grade story and I don't really understand why this is part of the Stormlight Archive and if I keep having to hear about her awesomeness in the next books I'm going to throw up.
Well, that was a book. Personally for me I just cannot get down with Lift as a character. She's not funny, I don't find her silly antics I'm using, I don't care about how many pancakes she wants to eat because it's just not funny to me.
Hopefully since Sanderson is set on making her a main character in the Stormlight Archive and is somehow one of his favorite characters to write, I hope she sees some serious character growth and not just the same repetitive unfunny crap that this book was full of.
This felt very much like a middle grade story and I don't really understand why this is part of the Stormlight Archive and if I keep having to hear about her awesomeness in the next books I'm going to throw up.
October 24, 2024
Reread September 2020
---
While Lift's style of speech and constant "food food food" talk is a little grating on my nerves, overall her character is a great one. I love the Edgedancer ideals, and the surge of Growth/Regrowth is really cool. The Slick thing is neat, but doesn't pique my interest as much. Wyndle is really adorable to me, a reluctant hero.
We see some growth (no pun intended) in both Lift and Wyndle in this one, along with her nemesis Darkness, and we get to meet another Surgebinder (who shares a little of Lift's gifts [hehe] but I feel like might be a Truthwatcher)... all in all, a nice little novella to keep us up to speed on Lift, since she's going to play a much bigger role in the back five Stormlight books, having one book as "hers."
---
While Lift's style of speech and constant "food food food" talk is a little grating on my nerves, overall her character is a great one. I love the Edgedancer ideals, and the surge of Growth/Regrowth is really cool. The Slick thing is neat, but doesn't pique my interest as much. Wyndle is really adorable to me, a reluctant hero.
We see some growth (no pun intended) in both Lift and Wyndle in this one, along with her nemesis Darkness, and we get to meet another Surgebinder (who shares a little of Lift's gifts [hehe] but I feel like might be a Truthwatcher)... all in all, a nice little novella to keep us up to speed on Lift, since she's going to play a much bigger role in the back five Stormlight books, having one book as "hers."
November 18, 2019
Fired up the Oathbringer audiobook on Friday, fully prepared to embark on a 55 hour journey back to the Shattered Plains. I hit the Play button, and the first thing that hits my ears is the Author’s Note, which I almost skipped because, I mean, who cares, right?
Sanderson says something about how he has all these people to thank and how he’s not the only person responsible for the book and he’s so humble and whatever who cares, but then...
Then, he strongly recommends stopping and reading his novella (which, come on, a Sanderson novella is any other author’s full-length novel) called Edgedancer before continuing and reading Oathbringer.
So I had a decision to make. I had seriously been waiting for months to listen to Oathbringer. I’m cheap. I didn’t wanna subscribe to Audible or pay to download it, so I put it on hold on my library’s app. That’s just me in a moment of vulnerability here letting you know how much I love (but hate to spend money on) books. I had waited months, and now I’m listening to the book, but now I’m second guessing if this is the right book. Should I track down this stupid novella and read it first?
There internet and Brandon Sanderson said yes. Yes, I should read Edgedancer.
Boy, what a surprise! I somehow tracked down this audio version of the story with a full cast, immersive music and sound effects, and it was actually pretty short after all. What a fun experience it was to take in the story this way! The way it was presented definitely made this a whole lot better than an ordinary audiobook or just reading it.
Lift is a pretty fun character, or dare I say... awesome. There is a lot of awesomeness in the story and a lot of pancakes. It was like an extended interlude story with lots of action and excitement. I’m anxious to start Oathbringer now and see how Lift and the events in this story tie in to the larger world of the Stormlight Archive. I’m glad I stopped, did some research, and ultimately decided to give this a shot. I had a blast listening to it, and it helped reconnect me to Sanderson’s world and writing.
This story, like Lift, was awesome. And now I’m gonna head to IHOP.
Sanderson says something about how he has all these people to thank and how he’s not the only person responsible for the book and he’s so humble and whatever who cares, but then...
Then, he strongly recommends stopping and reading his novella (which, come on, a Sanderson novella is any other author’s full-length novel) called Edgedancer before continuing and reading Oathbringer.
So I had a decision to make. I had seriously been waiting for months to listen to Oathbringer. I’m cheap. I didn’t wanna subscribe to Audible or pay to download it, so I put it on hold on my library’s app. That’s just me in a moment of vulnerability here letting you know how much I love (but hate to spend money on) books. I had waited months, and now I’m listening to the book, but now I’m second guessing if this is the right book. Should I track down this stupid novella and read it first?
There internet and Brandon Sanderson said yes. Yes, I should read Edgedancer.
Boy, what a surprise! I somehow tracked down this audio version of the story with a full cast, immersive music and sound effects, and it was actually pretty short after all. What a fun experience it was to take in the story this way! The way it was presented definitely made this a whole lot better than an ordinary audiobook or just reading it.
Lift is a pretty fun character, or dare I say... awesome. There is a lot of awesomeness in the story and a lot of pancakes. It was like an extended interlude story with lots of action and excitement. I’m anxious to start Oathbringer now and see how Lift and the events in this story tie in to the larger world of the Stormlight Archive. I’m glad I stopped, did some research, and ultimately decided to give this a shot. I had a blast listening to it, and it helped reconnect me to Sanderson’s world and writing.
This story, like Lift, was awesome. And now I’m gonna head to IHOP.
April 23, 2018
I will remember those who have been forgotten.
I will listen to those who have been ignored!”
I know I was supposed to read this before Oathbringer but things don't always go according to plans.
This book is everything I thought and wanted it to be and storming more. I even love Lift more than I did before, The world building,writing, plot is amazing, its BS so am not surprised.
Wyndle is so different from the other Sprens that bonded with Radiants, he is so whinny, he complains about everything, his relationship with Lift is so amazing, but Kaladin and Sylphrena's bond is still my favourite, seconded by Lift and Wyndle.
Wyndle's advice to Lift, whilst on a dangerous mission.
“Just try not to die too violently, mistress,” Wyndle said as she crept closer to the sounds of people talking. “A nice rap on the head, rather than a disemboweling.”
“I hear that suffocation is nice,” Wyndle said. “Though in such a case, don’t look at me as you expire. I’m not sure I could handle it.”
“I’m not sure about falling to your death,” Wyndle added. “Seems like it might be messy, but at the same time at least there wouldn’t be any stabbing.
This book is best read before Oathbringer because the later contains spoilers and also helps in connecting some dots.
I just love this conversation between Lift and Wyndle.
“Do you have any idea how much information is likely held in that place?” Wyndle said. “There will be hundreds of thousands of reports and ledgers. And to state it explicitly, yes, that’s a number more than ten, so you can’t count to it.”
“I’m not an idiot,” she snapped. “I got toes too.”
“It’s still far more than I can read. I can’t sift through all of that information for you. It’s impossible. Not going to happen.”
She eyed him. “All right. Maybe I can get you one soul. Perhaps a tax collector…’cept they ain’t human. Would they work? Or would you need, like, three of them to make up one normal person’s soul?”
“Mistress! I’m not bargaining!”
“Come on. Everyone knows Voidbringers like a good deal. Does it have to be someone important? Or can it be some dumb guy nobody likes?”
“I don’t eat souls,” Wyndle exclaimed. “I’m not trying to haggle with you! I’m stating facts. I can’t read all the information in that archive! Why can’t you just see that—”
“Oh, calm your tentacles,” Lift said,
November 14, 2020
https://youtu.be/_nXRAlfJh4o
I. Love. Lift. (Also Wyndle.)
This book (novella) really fleshes out Lift so much. She popped in for a short (kind of novella?) in Words of Radiance and now she’s given her time to shine. This is also VERY important for certain...character changes...in certain characters...before Oathbringer, buuuuuut to get into that would be way too spoilery.
This follows Lift as she travels to the city Yeddaw in Tashikk. She’s there for a reason...and that reason is food. I love that Lift loves food so much and when the main plot of this story rears it’s head you are SO on board for everything that goes down. Because although this may be short, there is a LOT of stuff that goes down. Very important stuff.
Also this really deepens Lift’s character and I LOVE HER. You fully understand why she acts out and doesn’t want to grow old (literally) and why it’s so hard for her to form attachements. I cannot wait to see what Brandon does with her later in the series!
5/5 stars
I. Love. Lift. (Also Wyndle.)
This book (novella) really fleshes out Lift so much. She popped in for a short (kind of novella?) in Words of Radiance and now she’s given her time to shine. This is also VERY important for certain...character changes...in certain characters...before Oathbringer, buuuuuut to get into that would be way too spoilery.
This follows Lift as she travels to the city Yeddaw in Tashikk. She’s there for a reason...and that reason is food. I love that Lift loves food so much and when the main plot of this story rears it’s head you are SO on board for everything that goes down. Because although this may be short, there is a LOT of stuff that goes down. Very important stuff.
Also this really deepens Lift’s character and I LOVE HER. You fully understand why she acts out and doesn’t want to grow old (literally) and why it’s so hard for her to form attachements. I cannot wait to see what Brandon does with her later in the series!
5/5 stars
December 29, 2021
Edgedancer is the story of a street urchin named Lift who likes food. A lot. She loves food even more than I do, which is saying something. Her journey as an Edgedancer is unique to the Stormlight Archive because of her circumstances. She's not a noble warrior or an honor-bound prince. She just wants to eat food and slide around using her awesomeness.
I loved reading from her point of view. On the outside, she appears to be very flippant about the whole Radiant thing, but she actually cares a lot. She wants to find purpose, to help the forgotten. I've seen a lot of people say Lift is annoying, but I disagree. She's just a kid trying to survive and have fun. It's a pleasant break from the whole I'm So Serious And Honorable attitude we get from Kaladin and Dalinar.
The setting wasn't Alethkar, which I was happy about. Sanderson is really good at building vibrant worlds, and he definitely displays his skills in this novella.
5 stars
Buddy read with John.
I loved reading from her point of view. On the outside, she appears to be very flippant about the whole Radiant thing, but she actually cares a lot. She wants to find purpose, to help the forgotten. I've seen a lot of people say Lift is annoying, but I disagree. She's just a kid trying to survive and have fun. It's a pleasant break from the whole I'm So Serious And Honorable attitude we get from Kaladin and Dalinar.
The setting wasn't Alethkar, which I was happy about. Sanderson is really good at building vibrant worlds, and he definitely displays his skills in this novella.
5 stars
Buddy read with John.
June 22, 2024
I know I should have read this before Oathbringer but doesn't feel like I missed much.
I love Sanderson but this novella did nothing for me unfortunately.
I love Sanderson but this novella did nothing for me unfortunately.
March 8, 2020
Sando unsurpisingly cleverly packs a lot into this novella. Taking us and his characters on quite the journey of discovery. Not only to a new & frankly ingeniously descriptive land unlike any other encountered so far but also an incredibly inventive journey of self-discovery for Lift & Wyndle who play so well off one another and the characters they meet along the way as to bring a levity to what is a contrastingly darker setting than the tone of the dialogue implies - Sando is so damn good at this!
Lift & her hunger steal the show and Wyndle delightfully divulges so many secrets that she is unwilling to hear until she listens 🤗
The other recurring characters who reappear from the main series go on quite the journey themselves as they have to reorient their beliefs with how the world is changing and what their roles may or may not be going forward - I am very curious to see how/when/if they appear in later books the knock on effects from this novella.
Although but a snapshot of time in the grand scheme of the Cosmere it is a fun and impactful step along the way and I am interested to see it dovetail and fold into the greater picture as we continue to move forward with the next book.
4*
Because while I deffo enjoyed it and can see how it will add to the greater narrative, it didn't quite sparkle or knock my socks off like some of his other books have.
#victimofhisownsuccess
Lift & her hunger steal the show and Wyndle delightfully divulges so many secrets that she is unwilling to hear until she listens 🤗
The other recurring characters who reappear from the main series go on quite the journey themselves as they have to reorient their beliefs with how the world is changing and what their roles may or may not be going forward - I am very curious to see how/when/if they appear in later books the knock on effects from this novella.
Although but a snapshot of time in the grand scheme of the Cosmere it is a fun and impactful step along the way and I am interested to see it dovetail and fold into the greater picture as we continue to move forward with the next book.
4*
Because while I deffo enjoyed it and can see how it will add to the greater narrative, it didn't quite sparkle or knock my socks off like some of his other books have.
#victimofhisownsuccess
October 27, 2020
“She stuck her tongue out at him. A totally rational and reasonable way to fight a demigod.”
“The world ends tomorrow, but the day after that, people are going to ask what’s for breakfast.”
Brandon's Sanderson's Edgedancer (Stormlight Archive #2.5) is more lighthearted and fun (and a much thinner volume) than the other installments in the series. I'd reread the first three books of The Stormlight Archive before going back to read Edgedancer. Even though I should have read it after the Words of Radiance, it was well worth the detour. Sometimes 12-year old Lift can be a little much, but as a duo, Lift and the spren Wyndel are very cool. Edgedancer is full of awesomeness!
“The world ends tomorrow, but the day after that, people are going to ask what’s for breakfast.”
Brandon's Sanderson's Edgedancer (Stormlight Archive #2.5) is more lighthearted and fun (and a much thinner volume) than the other installments in the series. I'd reread the first three books of The Stormlight Archive before going back to read Edgedancer. Even though I should have read it after the Words of Radiance, it was well worth the detour. Sometimes 12-year old Lift can be a little much, but as a duo, Lift and the spren Wyndel are very cool. Edgedancer is full of awesomeness!
September 23, 2024
Overall this was a fun read with a witty character who made
Me
Laugh. I feel like Lift will be such a fun character to bounce off of Kaladin and Dalinar. That’s why I love these Stormlight books so much, the character interaction is always even better than I hoped for.
This story had some great moments, and Darkness as a villain seems very interesting. I’m excited to see where his story goes.
I knocked this a few stars because I wondered about its need to be a separate novella, I almost felt like this could have been fit into the already massive books. But either way it was a nice quick read.
Me
Laugh. I feel like Lift will be such a fun character to bounce off of Kaladin and Dalinar. That’s why I love these Stormlight books so much, the character interaction is always even better than I hoped for.
This story had some great moments, and Darkness as a villain seems very interesting. I’m excited to see where his story goes.
I knocked this a few stars because I wondered about its need to be a separate novella, I almost felt like this could have been fit into the already massive books. But either way it was a nice quick read.
November 7, 2022
Lift is a young street urchin, always hunting for food. She’s got powers and while she’s got no idea why she has them, she doesn’t mind using them to get what she wants. She has a spren called Wyndle, but she doesn’t trust him. She thinks he’s a voidbringer. Wyndle has no idea why someone so childish and of no importance has been granted such amazing powers. But since he’s bound to her, he does what he can to stand by Lift and help her when she’s in need. Lift definitely needs Wyndle’s help as she’s hunted by a very bad man she calls Darkness. Just like Wyndle, Darkness knows exactly what she is. And he very much wants to execute her, swiftly and with style.
Edgedancer is a novella about Lift, a character who made a very brief appearance in Words of Radiance and will clearly have a bigger part further down the line in The Stormlight Archive series. In terms of plot, there’s not much to write home about. The story focuses mostly on fleshing out Lift. She’s a young adult character in the vein of Peter Pan, as she too doesn’t want to grow up. This collides a bit with the more mature epic fantasy feel of the series in general, but it definitely works. The chemistry between Lift and Wyndle is undeniable. Lift’s mistrust of Wyndle and Wyndle’s annoyance with Lift’s childish personality provides us with a very fun oddball partnership.
What makes this story a must read before the next book in the series are the little hints of information we get about the underlying magic system and the world building in general, from both Wyndle and Darkness. And there’s also a cool cameo appearance by another very important character from the series, that fleshes him out a little bit further.
This novella is the calm before the storm. It tries to whet your appetite for the next book in the series, Oathbringer. And in this, the story does succeed, giving you just enough to leave you wanting for more.
Edgedancer is a novella about Lift, a character who made a very brief appearance in Words of Radiance and will clearly have a bigger part further down the line in The Stormlight Archive series. In terms of plot, there’s not much to write home about. The story focuses mostly on fleshing out Lift. She’s a young adult character in the vein of Peter Pan, as she too doesn’t want to grow up. This collides a bit with the more mature epic fantasy feel of the series in general, but it definitely works. The chemistry between Lift and Wyndle is undeniable. Lift’s mistrust of Wyndle and Wyndle’s annoyance with Lift’s childish personality provides us with a very fun oddball partnership.
What makes this story a must read before the next book in the series are the little hints of information we get about the underlying magic system and the world building in general, from both Wyndle and Darkness. And there’s also a cool cameo appearance by another very important character from the series, that fleshes him out a little bit further.
This novella is the calm before the storm. It tries to whet your appetite for the next book in the series, Oathbringer. And in this, the story does succeed, giving you just enough to leave you wanting for more.
January 15, 2024
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2.5 stars
This Stormlight novella follows Lift as she enters the city of Yeddaw in pursuit of Nale, whom she calls Darkness. Although this novella does bring character development to Nale, Lift, and surprisingly Szeth (?), I must admit that I was bored most of the time.
As much as I enjoy Lift in the Interludes in the main books, I think this is evidence for the fact that I just wouldn't enjoy a fully Lift-centric novel. My main issues with the book were just the pacing and an incomprehensible-ish plot that occurs due to the fact that we aren't told everything from the beginning and have a similar attitude to everything as Wyndle. Did I ever find myself wanting to read more after I put it down? No, not really.
That all being said, I must say that as a character, I am liking Lift much more. She is so... different than any character I have ever read. What intrigues me about her most is probably the nature of her dabble into the Old Magic and what deal she made with the Nightwatcher. In the postscript of this novella, Sanderson writes that he likes Lift because he can chuck in little segments of character progression into jokes almost because of her nature. This is yet another aspect of her that I find interesting: trying to pick out what all her unique remarks might signify. Wyndle and Lift's relationship might be my favorite spren-human relationship other than Pattern and Shallan. Wyndle's cynicism mixed with endearment is quite fun to see and the ways that Lift annoys him through not understanding or flat out ignoring his suggestions.
The other character that I enjoyed was Nale. That one scene at the end with him was one of the sweetest things I have ever read.
Overall, I do not think Edgedancer is bad by any means. I see why people might like it, I'm just not fit for 200+ pages of Lift narration, I think. In my opinion it is ok. Not great, but I didn't really dislike it that much either. One word summary: meh, with interesting character stuffs.
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The Stormlight Archive:
#1 The Way of Kings: ★★★★.75
#2 Words of Radiance: ★★★★.75
#2.5 Edgedancer: ★★.5
#3 Oathbringer: ★★★★★
#3.5 Dawnshard: ★★★.5
#4 Rhythm of War: ★★★.75
2.5 stars
This Stormlight novella follows Lift as she enters the city of Yeddaw in pursuit of Nale, whom she calls Darkness. Although this novella does bring character development to Nale, Lift, and surprisingly Szeth (?), I must admit that I was bored most of the time.
As much as I enjoy Lift in the Interludes in the main books, I think this is evidence for the fact that I just wouldn't enjoy a fully Lift-centric novel. My main issues with the book were just the pacing and an incomprehensible-ish plot that occurs due to the fact that we aren't told everything from the beginning and have a similar attitude to everything as Wyndle. Did I ever find myself wanting to read more after I put it down? No, not really.
That all being said, I must say that as a character, I am liking Lift much more. She is so... different than any character I have ever read. What intrigues me about her most is probably the nature of her dabble into the Old Magic and what deal she made with the Nightwatcher. In the postscript of this novella, Sanderson writes that he likes Lift because he can chuck in little segments of character progression into jokes almost because of her nature. This is yet another aspect of her that I find interesting: trying to pick out what all her unique remarks might signify. Wyndle and Lift's relationship might be my favorite spren-human relationship other than Pattern and Shallan. Wyndle's cynicism mixed with endearment is quite fun to see and the ways that Lift annoys him through not understanding or flat out ignoring his suggestions.
The other character that I enjoyed was Nale. That one scene at the end with him was one of the sweetest things I have ever read.
Overall, I do not think Edgedancer is bad by any means. I see why people might like it, I'm just not fit for 200+ pages of Lift narration, I think. In my opinion it is ok. Not great, but I didn't really dislike it that much either. One word summary: meh, with interesting character stuffs.
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The Stormlight Archive:
#1 The Way of Kings: ★★★★.75
#2 Words of Radiance: ★★★★.75
#2.5 Edgedancer: ★★.5
#3 Oathbringer: ★★★★★
#3.5 Dawnshard: ★★★.5
#4 Rhythm of War: ★★★.75
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