I think everybody has read Sanderson at this point so I don't know what to offer other than this has all of his hallmarks. Compelling characters, goodI think everybody has read Sanderson at this point so I don't know what to offer other than this has all of his hallmarks. Compelling characters, good storyline, distinct magic system, ties into the Cosmere......check, check, check....
Hopefully we'll see book two at some point....more
It was good to be back in this world after recently reading Secret History book 3.5. I liked the story and characters but the book was much shorte3.5*
It was good to be back in this world after recently reading Secret History book 3.5. I liked the story and characters but the book was much shorter than the ones in era one and didn't have the depth of different story lines. A few reveals at the end were interesting especially after reading Secret History and having an idea of where they will lead. ...more
So I have to confess I didn't read this until well after I read the first trilogy because the name misled me. I figured this was going to be an overviSo I have to confess I didn't read this until well after I read the first trilogy because the name misled me. I figured this was going to be an overview about the magic system and world. I had already read up a lot about it on 17th shard and Coppermind so I figured no big hurry. Reading Arcanum Unbounded it was finally time and this was quite the pleasant shock.
I don't want to give too much away so I'll just say it's about Kelsier and what happened to him from the point he sacrificed himself to the Lord Ruler. The book is a lot of fun and fills in some gaps in the first trilogy and some things going into the second. ...more
What amazes me in Sanderson's shorter works is how quickly and simply he creates a world. There's nothing superfluoRead as part of Arcanum Unbounded.
What amazes me in Sanderson's shorter works is how quickly and simply he creates a world. There's nothing superfluous or verbose about it yet it is engrossing and thought provoking. Definitely worth the read.
The postscript in Arcanum Unbounded about how the idea came about was very interesting after having the story just unfold. ...more
I reviewed each of the works individually. The breakdown below. The emperor's soul was the best surprise of the book. Shadows for Silence the biggest I reviewed each of the works individually. The breakdown below. The emperor's soul was the best surprise of the book. Shadows for Silence the biggest disappointment. Mistborn Secret history wasn't what I thought it would be. I thought by the title it would be more about metals and the lord rulers reign, etc. It was about Kelsier and what happened with him after he sacrificed himself to the lord ruler. Quite good.
The Hope of Elantris 3* The Eleventh Metal 3* The Emperor's Soul 4.5* Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell 2* Sixth of Dusk 3.5* Mistborn: Secret History 4* Edgedancer 4.5*
4.5*'s and what a fabulous ending. Plenty of surprises and unexpected flips. Definitely one of the better YA series I've read. 4.5*'s and what a fabulous ending. Plenty of surprises and unexpected flips. Definitely one of the better YA series I've read. ...more
Quick, fun read. Gave a few hints toward the series. Found one inconsistency that bothered me. (view spoiler)[A gun replicated to each clone but yet tQuick, fun read. Gave a few hints toward the series. Found one inconsistency that bothered me. (view spoiler)[A gun replicated to each clone but yet the clones had to pass a knife forward. Pretty basic flaw to miss. (hide spoiler)]...more
I don't think I've ever given something this short 5*'s but Sanderson delivered. Very thought provoking, original and a twist at the end I didn't see I don't think I've ever given something this short 5*'s but Sanderson delivered. Very thought provoking, original and a twist at the end I didn't see coming. ...more
Another good story. The best of era two but I still only liked didn't love it like era one. Some of the revelations at the end hopefully will brin3.5*
Another good story. The best of era two but I still only liked didn't love it like era one. Some of the revelations at the end hopefully will bring book 4 up to epic standards. Wayne is a great character. ...more
Better than the first book of era 2 but still not as good as era 1. However I will say the ending was quite good and the cliffhangers going into book Better than the first book of era 2 but still not as good as era 1. However I will say the ending was quite good and the cliffhangers going into book 3 really open up the possibilities.
It's not that I dislike era 2. It's quite enjoyable. Wayne very entertaining. It's that it has lacked that epic quality of era 1 or to an even further extent Stormlight Archieves. It's been more like the Reckoners series. Enjoyable but simple.
Given the cliffhangers and what I know from reading Mistborn 3.5 the secret history I'm hoping Bands of Morning takes on that epic quality.
Re-read to prep for Rhythm of War. I highly recommend everyone does a re-read. I had forgotten so many details especially in that frenzied last quarteRe-read to prep for Rhythm of War. I highly recommend everyone does a re-read. I had forgotten so many details especially in that frenzied last quarter of the book where it's just nonstop action flung at you where you can't put it down. I also liked this even more on re-read. Little nuances popped more for me this time around. November 17th, I cannot wait!
--------------
First read:
Another amazing volume in this epic series. I find myself at a point much like in Book of the Fallen where how do you review this without giving away spoilers or just reviewing all the events? So much has happened. So much has changed.
I think at times this book outshined its predecessors it terms of action, suspense, unforeseen reveals and especially character development. After three tomes to deliver new nuances into beloved iconic characters is truly special. Dalinar, Kaladin and Shallan who have been the big three to this point in the series all grew and yet were shown to have even greater flaws.
The bridgemen received a much needed voice in this series. We saw into their hopes, dreams and flaws sometimes in horrific or sorrowful fashion. The Heralds became, somehow, at the same time more mortal, ethereal, fragile, everlasting and human all at once. Odium has a voice and a face as does Cultivation. Szeth and Lift grew into their roles. Taravangian, Moash and Ammeran all once again play major roles and not what you might think.
Sanderson for the first time, for me anyway, crossed over into Grimdark. It wasn't Erikson bleed you out with empathy, Lawrence dark or Fletcher caustic but he did offer the bait of happiness to snatch it away in a NO it can not end that way bitterly ironic fashion that left you reeling.
One of the other marks of a truly great series is the trail of breadcrumbs left from the start leading you to things. The balance between overt to the point of there being no reveal and obscure to the point of lacking meaning is a constant balance. Sanderson has it down.
The ending was nonstop action that surpassed the first two books in scope, ramifications for the future, heartbreak, double crosses and of course "the thrill" of they finally got what was coming to them.
Yet for all that I'm going to say it wasn't as good as the first two books. It was close but I felt there were some missed opportunities to make certain events especially in Shadesmar and Kolinahr truly epic when they were merely good. I think it's a bit of quibbling since compared to everything else out there this was definitely a 5* effort but much like in my other favorite series there's the 5* and then there's the beyond 5* books that truly need their own category. Even for that I feel the urge to do an instant reread to see what little breadcrumbs I missed for the future....more
2.5*'s with a rare round up. I just didn't think this was the usual Sanderson quality. 2.5*'s with a rare round up. I just didn't think this was the usual Sanderson quality. ...more
Every bit as good as the Way of Kings. The characters, plot, magic........it's all terrific. Every bit as good as the Way of Kings. The characters, plot, magic........it's all terrific. ...more
The last three books of this series were simply outstanding. While I'm sure a good deal of that was Jordan setting it all up over the course of the prThe last three books of this series were simply outstanding. While I'm sure a good deal of that was Jordan setting it all up over the course of the previous eleven books I just feel like Sanderson cleaned up Jordan's work while preserving the essence and making it better than it would have been with all due respect to the diseased. ...more
Loading...
