Book Review: Wind and Truth (Stormlight Archive #5) by Brandon Sanderson

Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The culmination of journeys, discoveries, and struggles on the planet of Roshar occurs in a showdown between the champions of two gods as their forces battle up to the moment of the confrontation. Wind and Truth is the fifth book and concluding installment of the first arc of Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive series as the forces of Honor and Odium struggle over ten days for the control of territory before a Contest of Champions is set to hopefully settle the war between the two Shards for good.

Sanderson had a three-fold challenge of crafting an ending to the first arc of his signature series while simultaneously planting the seeds for the second arc throughout along with establishing the connections with the wider Cosmere already hinted at in other series and standalones. Add to all of that the fact that Sanderson firmly established the early history of Roshar in this book along with glimpse of the Spiritual Realm via the visions that numerous characters experienced. Of all the point-of-view character arcs that have featured throughout the five books, Sanderson seemed to highlight three—Dalinar, Kaladin, and Szeth—because they came to an end or a major transition point that’ll affect the second arc. The 1344-page book has the typical multi-prong climax that one expects from a Sanderson novel of this scale and a series of scenes covering the aftermath. Honestly, my opinion on this book has changed a lot since I finished reading it and thus influenced my rating of it on its own, so my rating reflects it as a concluding volume at this moment however when the series resumes and ultimately concludes it could widely change.

Wind and Truth is a colossus of a read, but it completes the first arc of Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive series and changes the complexion of the Cosmere that had only been hinted at in recent entries in other series and standalones.

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Book Review: Isles of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson

Isles of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The future of the Cosmere is filled with travel between worlds in both the Physical and Cognitive Realms in spaceships with two major powers developing a cold war and creating proxy empires with less worlds. Isles of the Emberdark by Brandon Sanderson returns to First from the Sun—aka Drominad—to find former trader Dusk looking for meaning in his life and finding it in trying to save his people from being oppressed by visitors from the stars and then meets a dragon that is trying to do right by her ship’s crew.

Instead of forcing readers to find the novella Sixth of the Dusk to learn of Dusk’s story before this book, Sanderson wove the novella into the first part of the book as flashbacks to Dusk’s present. As someone that had read the novella I wasn’t necessarily upset by this decision by Sanderson as it allowed him to avoid an info dump for non-novella readers that needed to be caught up. Set in the future of the Cosmere, Sanderson shows off how the various magical systems on various worlds have been engineered towards technology and the creation of ships for both space travel and traveling in the Cognitive Realm. To that end, Sanderson introduces Starling, a dragon trapped in her human form, leading a crew of misfits of an debt-ridden cargo ship in search of a extremely thin chance of hope to get a break by attempting to find a potentially unknown Perpendicularity only to find the soldiers of Malwish Empire, of Scadrial, having potentially found it first though as soon as Starling and her crew arrive so does Dusk, who navigated the Cognitive Realm in a little boat after finding a new way of navigating in the Cognitive Realm. And this is only the first half of the book, how the three interact with one another and attempt to figure out the importance of a small island guarded by a huge 100-foot anti-Investiture snakelike monster. Overall, Sanderson creates a fascinating future look at the Cosmere with several callbacks to other books and series while also making a long-time reader want to see how things developed from where certain worlds left off when last I read them.

Isles of the Emberdark is the fifth Secret Project book by Brandon Sanderson that returns to the tale of Dusk on First of the Sun while introducing the dragon Starling whose own journey is just beginning within the Cosmere.

Book Review: The Lost Metal by Brandon Sanderson

The Lost Metal by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The world of Scadrial doesn’t know it’s under attack by a god from another world that has multiple plans to take control from the planet’s sole god. The Lost Metal is the seventh Mistborn novel in Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere which sees Waxillium “Wax” Ladrian, Wayne, and Marasi Colms travel to the city of Bilming to confront the Set and save the world.

Over the course of almost 750 pages, Sanderson weaves three interconnected story arcs focused on Wax and Wayne, Marasi, and Steris each doing what they can to stop or mitigate a disaster put into motion by the Set led by Wax’s sister who is the avatar of the god Autonomy looking extending her reach beyond her home domain. This culmination of a four-book series not only completes the arcs of the character’s mentioned but also shows how over the course of less than a decade in the timeline the planet went from late 19th Century/early 20th Century technology to the verge of Scadrial’s version of an “atomic” and early Cold War era rocket technology all while including the magical system first introduced in the original trilogy making interesting stories to read. This last installment of this Second Era finds the greater Cosmere truly impacting Scadrial as well as having vibrations across the rest of the Cosmere as a result given the reveal of a certain character in the epilogues. Overall, this was a very good read that brought things to a satisfying conclusion while also making me interested in how Scadrial will develop in two planned future trilogies.

The Lost Metal concludes the Second Era of the Mistborn series in satisfying fashion, once again showing Brandon Sanderson knows how to construct a multi-volume story.

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Book Review: Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection by Brandon Sanderson

Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This collection of short shorties and novellas ventures to various locations within Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere. Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection contains nine pieces of varying lengths that add to various worldbuilding of several series or introduce new worlds in Sanderson’s shared universe.

Of the nine stories featured in this collection, I had read three already due to being published novellas (The Emperor’s Soul, Mistborn: Secret History, and Edgedancer), so the other six pieces were my focus in reading this book. While the short “The Hope of Elantris” is a nice additional scene that takes place during the climax of the novel and the prose draft of “White Sand” of the prologue and chapter 1 of Volume One of the graphic novels, these are both the weakest pieces in the collection. The other four are simply fantastic parts of the overall Cosmere from how Kelsier’s crusade began in “The Eleventh Metal”, to a funny pulp adventure in Mistborn’s Second Era with Allomancer Jak, and introduces two new worlds in Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell and Sixth of the Dusk. Also included before the stories for each planetary system are essays about said system written by Kriss of White Sand fame and to one’s overall knowledge of how the Cosmere physically exists.

Overall, Arcanum Unbounded is a very good book for any Brandon Sanderson fan who wants to collect all the stories taking place in this vast universe.

The Emperor’s Soul (5/5)
The Hope of Elantris (3.5/5)
The Eleventh Metal (4/5)
Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltantia, Episodes Twenty-Eight Through Thirty (5/5)
Mistborn: Secret History (3.5/5)
White Sand (3.5/5)
Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell (4.5/5)
Sixth of the Dusk (4/5)
Edgedancer (5/5)

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Book Review: White Sand Omnibus by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson's White Sand Omnibus by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The desert planet of Taldain is locked between two suns so that that with one side is constantly in light and the other in constant darkness, each side has powerful magic apparently exclusive to it but is it possible that isn’t the case? White Sands Omnibus is the only graphic novel entry into Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere where if follows two individuals looking to save their cultures, Kenton is attempting to save the Sand Masters after a surprise attack left their ranks decimated while Khrissalla and her entourage have arrived from the dark side of the planet to enlist the help of the Sand Masters to save her homeland.

While there are times when a writer’s style and storytelling differ from one format to another, this graphic novel is not one of them as it is quintessential Brandon Sanderson. In fact, given the magic involved, as Sanderson said himself in the forward, the graphic novel worked to showcase it. This omnibus edition included a new prologue that gave better background to Kenton and Khrissalla before the opening of the original first volume of the trilogy, which not only showcased the Diem before it was decimated while Khrissalla’s personality traits are developed for her eventual appearances in other Cosmere locations. The script—translated from Sanderson’s original prose draft—was by Rik Hoskin, who overall did a good job keeping Sanderson’s voice throughout the whole of the book though there were times it was quite Sanderson. A variety of artists and colorists worked on the projected over the course of the three volumes and the new prologue but while those early on had a unique style those later in the prose had a crisper though “generic” style, the sudden change was a bit of a jar but not out of the ordinary. Overall a good story for those interested in continuing their journey through the Cosmere especially as it’s the homeworld of a Shard that is impacting other locations.

White Sand Omnibus is a unique entry in Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere as it only graphic novel, yet it’s a fun engaging story once collected in one place that features a new prologue that helps start things off well.

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Book Review: The Sunlit Man by Brandon Sanderson

The Sunlit Man by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A man decided to agree to a request from his mentor and now he is on the run for his life while unable to fight even though he is a Knight Radiant. The Sunlit Man is a standalone Cosmere novel by Brandon Sanderson that sees a familiar face from Roshar finding himself mixed up with a culture in conflict on a weirdly Invested planet.

A man called Nomad, known to longtime Cosmere fans as Sigzil, arrives on the small planetoid of Canticle on the run from the Night Brigade who want him so they can find the bearer of the Dawnshard he had briefly held. Unfortunately for him the planet is small, and the sun’s light is so intense that it burns and melts the land as well as vaporizes humans. Sigzil soon finds himself caught up in an ongoing rebellion of humans from the floating city of Beacon from the tyrant Cinder King who rules over the large floating city of Union. For most of the novel, Sigzil is the narrator while a native character named Elegy gets a point-of-view near the climax to show all the action that is happening. As a result, the narrative is tight as the reader gets an idea about why Sigzil is so different than when we last saw him and in a far future era of the Cosmere so different than seen before. As usual Sanderson’s worldbuilding and his characters are fantastic while a thrilling climax to the story is just icing on the cake. Give the time period the story takes place in, Sanderson only drops hints about events in various series that have yet to be seen so while Sigzil as the main character is a spoiler that he’ll survive the upcoming fifth Stormlight book and space travel by various cultures there is no massive spoiler that will make anyone mad. It took me a while to read this book, mostly due to real life issues but once I was able to sit down and read the last half the book, it was done in just two days and just shows that when Sanderson is on his game the quality of the work keeps you very much engaged.

The Sunlit Man is a fast-paced novel that only seems to gain momentum as the pages turn with fantastic Sanderson worldbuilding and fleshing out a known secondary character given the spotlight while keeping as yet unseen events hidden from the reader.

Book Review: Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Two individuals must deal with the spirits in two different ways as one must be creative to get their attention to ask for help while the other must search for them before they attack the residents of his city, but what if they switched places? Yumi and the Nightmare Painter is a standalone Cosmere novel by Brandon Sanderson that sees the action take place in a never-before-seen corner of his universe.

It all begins with a spirit asking for help from Yumi and teams her up with Painter, the problem they’re in each other’s bodies—well sort of—and must learn each other’s skills when dealing with spirits as well as figure out why the spirit needs help. Hoid narrates this standalone novel but does take part in the action until the book’s denouement, and because of this the prose was engaging and as always Sanderson’s climax is a highlight. However, there was something that just did not hook me as there were days I didn’t pick up the book because I didn’t feel the urge to keep reading until the last third of the book when it was hard to put down. Honestly, I can’t really figure out why as both titular characters were great and the worldbuilding was spot on, so it was either the romance subplot or maybe one of the characters must endure a monotonous routine every time they go to the other’s place. Whatever the issue I had influenced this review and thus relates only to myself.

Yumi and the Nightmare Painter has two very well written characters, Sanderson quality worldbuilding, and a fantastic climax. Yet for whatever reason there was something in this standalone novel that just did not click with me.

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Book Review: The Bands of Mourning by Brandon Sanderson

The Bands of Mourning by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the Cosmere having interactions with a god is not uncommon depending on what planet you live on, but sometimes one just can’t stand meeting them and frankly don’t like them personally because of that god’s actions. The Bands of Mourning is the sixth Mistborn novel within Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere as Waxillium “Wax” Ladrian, Wayne, and Marasi travel to the south of the Elendel Basin to save a kendra as well as to save Wax’s sister from his villainous uncle.

In just over 500 pages Sanderson covers a lot of ground as the main characters travel, develop as characters, and learn about one another. Besides the long narrative of Wax versus his uncle and “the Set”, Sanderson adds nascent political intrigue outside the city of Elendel as well as expanding the world of Scadrial by showing the Sazed-Harmony is not a very good god by ignoring half the world’s population that is only surviving outside the Basin thanks to the creator of the titular Bands of Mourning that many are looking for. There are several twists throughout the novel, the main one was blatant mainly because Sanderson didn’t want to insult his readers and try misdirection however the twist at the very end has ramifications for the history of Scadrial and possibly the entire Cosmere going forward.

The Bands of Mourning sees not only Brandon Sanderson continuing the arcs of the second Misborn era and setting up a potentially fantastic conclusion, but also is a good narrative on its own.

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Book Review: The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson

The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There are many versions of medieval England as seen in various media, but what if those existed a short trip through a dimensional portal? The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson is a science fiction romp through a version of Anglo-Saxon England on the verge of a massive Viking invasion while dealing with an infestation of a Seattle-based mafia boss and his cronies.

In the only non-Cosmere related novel among the Kickstarter Secret Project, Sanderson combines an alternate version of early medieval England with trans-dimensional travel. The narrative follows a dimensional travel who didn’t take precautions for his travel and wakes up with amnesia after an explosive entrance then we follow him as he navigates his way through this different version of England while trying to figure out himself. As my first non-fantasy Sanderson book it was interesting to see if there were going to be any differences and frankly there weren’t as only the “rules” of the world were different, but the interesting characters and engaging narratives were the same high quality. The interludes of outtakes from the titular handbook were excellent worldbuilding devises while the bottom of the page doodles were nice little stories appeared independent of the main story but nice additions.

The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson is a fun, interesting, very well written science fiction novel that any Sanderson fantasy fan who is looking to check out his science fiction work.

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Book Review: Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A young woman sees her noble-born go off to find a “proper” wife with his parents only to disappear at sea, so she decides to find him then the adventure begins. Tress of the Emerald Sea is a standalone Cosmere novel by Brandon Sanderson that sees the reader travel to a never-before-seen planet within his fantasy universe.

After Tress learns her best friend is in the clutches of the evil Sorceress she doesn’t give him up for dead, but goes to rescue him even though no commoner is permitted to leave her island home. After tricking her way onto a ship after a well thought out plan, Tress begins thinking about the next hurdle when things go awry, and the story takes off. This is the first book in which the Cosmere staple Hoid not only plays a significant role—even though he isn’t like we’ve usually seen him—but also narrates. The titular character is a great character to follow as she is both naïve but quick-witted to figure out how to stay alive on the spur of the moment, but as the story progresses wises up a tad. The various antagonists slowly escalate in danger to both Tress and those she befriends throughout the book, which ultimately helps teach her skills. The magic system and the unique environment are high tier Sanderson creations which are engaging as readers learn about things at the same time Tress does throughout the book. It’s hard really find an issue to criticize in this adult fairytale, but there is a reveal that I guessed right off mainly due to a friend’s nickname from my childhood though I wouldn’t be surprised if people got it as quickly as myself but for different reasons.

Tress of the Emerald Sea is a fun adult fairytale set within the Cosmere with quality worldbuilding that Brandon Sanderson is known for.

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Book Review: Shadows of Self by Brandon Sanderson

Shadows of Self by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The city of Elendel is seething with angry workers, corrupt politicians, and crime syndicates running amok now throw in an insane immortal out of legend. Shadows of Self is the fifth book in Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series as legendary lawman Lord Waxillium “Wax” Ladrian, his sidekick Wayne, and future sister-in-law and new constable Marasi race to stop a conspiracy that has even the god Harmony concerned.

Over the course of almost 450 pages that cover an exhausting day and a half, Sanderson writes a racing narrative that sees Wax and Wayne come up against a creature of legend that has gone insane and meet characters the readers remember from the original trilogy who are themselves considered holy now. As the two and the constables of the 4th Octant race to save the city’s governor, who probably is corrupt, from assassination there are priests of various religions getting killed by imposters from competing religions ramping up tensions from overwork or no work and growing concern for food. Not since the fall of the Lord Ruler has there been this many people on the streets, but to save the day Wax confronts something that makes him question everything.

Shadows of Self is a quick-paced fantasy thriller that sees Brandon Sanderson take us the reader through a myriad of emotions and action scenes to a stunning conclusion.

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Book Review: The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson

The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After Scadrial’s brush with extinction three centuries before, the survivors rebuilt civilization with help but as life and society recovered and brought about good times a shadow slowly developed. The Alloy of Law is Brandon Sanderson’s return to the world of the Mistborn as a lawman returns to high society to take up his family’s position only to find crime and his former partner barging back into his life.

This story is a mishmash of fantasy and western genres with a dash of mystery and hint of conspiracy thriller thrown in as well. The main character of Waxillium Ladrian, better known as Wax, as a lawman-turned-money aristocrat who can’t stand seeing crime happen in front of him is an engaging individual that drives the narrative. The secondary characters of Wax’s partner Wayne and aspiring prosecutor Marasi Colms add a nice change of pace to the narrative and add to the worldbuilding as well. As there is a 300 year gap between this book and the original trilogy, Sanderson evolves the magic system of Scadrial by having individuals with mixed abilities but has made “Mistborn” now legendary which in fact is hinted at to be the subtle reason behind the main arc of this new set of books. Overall Sanderson reminds the reader of what has gone before without diminishing those characters while establishing a “new” present-day with new characters and situations that result in a fun narrative.

The Alloy of Law is a fun, quick read within the Cosmere as Brandon Sanderson shows what happened after the original Mistborn trilogy in an engaging way.

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Book Review: Mistborn: Secret History by Brandon Sanderson

Mistborn: Secret History by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Survivor, the man whose sacrifice led to the downfall of the Lord Ruler and freedom for the oppressed skaa on Scadrial, died in the first book of the original Mistborn trilogy. Mistborn: Secret History by Brandon Sanderson follows Kelsier after death during the events of the climax of the first novel and then Well of Ascension and The Hero of Ages.

Throughout the original trilogy, the reader knew Vin’s life was being influenced by greater forces that were playing out on a different plain or Realm and in this novella the reader learns that Kelsier prevented himself from going to the Cosmere’s afterlife (the Beyond). Then we follow Kelsier through the background events of the next two books from the Well of Ascension to the final showdown as the Hero of Ages emerges. The supernatural elements of the Cosmere are explained, especially those specific to Scadrial, and other characters from the Cosmere appear for knowledgeable readers through are also intriguing introductions for beginning readers. Absolutely this should be read only after finishing the Mistborn trilogy.

Mistborn: Secret History is exactly that, the now revealed background events that affected Vin’s story in the original trilogy.

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Book Review: White Sand Volume II by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson's White Sand Volume 2 Tp by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Kenton struggles to save the Diem while trying to understand its secrets that might have led to its betrayal in the desert while the Duchess Khriss tries to continue her mission. Brandon Sander’s White Sands Volume 2 finds the various protagonists introduced in the previous volume struggling to accomplish their goals.

The middle installment of this trilogy sees politics and mysteries take center stage as Kenton and Khriss work separately and together to achieve their goals. This is a classic Sanderson story though in graphic novel form, which is brought to the page by the art of Julius Gopez (Chapters 1-5) and Julius Otha (Chapter 6) in addition to colorists Morgan Hickman (Chapters 1-2) and Salvatore Aialas Studios (Chapters 3-6). Overall, the story is good and engaging, however given the format the book the art and color are important. Given the multiple artists I would say that the coloring of Salvatore Aialas Studios worked with both comic artists even though Gopez was more unique while Otha seemed more “generic” in character design but was satisfied in the results.

White Sands Volume 2 is a good continuation of the story in Brandon Sanderon’s Cosmere but shortness of the book made me feel that all three volumes had been combined in an omnibus edition.

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Book Review: Dawnshard by Brandon Sanderson

Dawnshard: From The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brandon Sanderson’s novella Dawnshard focuses on the quest to a mysterious island of Aimia that has ramifications not only for Roshar, but also to the Cosmere as a whole. The primary characters are Rysn and the Lopen, secondary characters from the main Stormlight novels in either the Interludes or Kaladin chapters. While the story begins slowly, Sanderson’s writing really gets things moving soon enough and the surprising foreshadowing of some conversations between characters to developments in the narrative are so subtle that only seeing those conversations again do you realize what Sanderson did. Overall, the novella doesn’t need to be read before Rhythm of War but if one chooses to, you’ll better understand some of the character development that Lopen exhibits from Oathbringer.

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Book Review: Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson

Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

War always brings about innovation, but when immortal forces begin their conflict again like they’ve always done anything new will have dramatic consequences. Rhythm of War, fourth installment of Brandon Sanderson’s The Stormlight Archive sees the war over a year old and looking like it might be a long conflict.

This latest installment takes place a year after the events of Oathbringer, Sanderson bridges the time gap for each character in various ways—Kaladin in battle, Shallan in an undercover situation, etc.—that is explanative while not making the beginning of the book a slog. While dealing with the war from the perspective of at least one participant from each side, Sanderson tackles the effects of various mental illnesses that two of his primary characters must learn to cope with as part of their greater narrative arcs which came across as well written and not glossed over. However, in attempting not to shortchange the issues the characters are dealing with it feels Sanderson dwells on them too much in some scenes. The twist-and-turns in allegiances in the war, the surprising other half of one of the most infamous events in the history of Roshar, and the agreement between two characters to bring the war to an end in a short time highlight the climax of the penultimate volume of the first half of the series.

Rhythm of War is filled with twists and turns in both the narrative and character development that sets the stage for what is shaping up to be a stunning climax to mark the end of the series’ first half. With each new book Brandon Sanderson expands the connections of the Cosmere and Roshar appears to be the place where a showdown will eventually take place, but what kind and between who is going to be interesting to find out.

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Book Review: The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson

The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The future of an empire rests in the hands of a heretical magic user who is tasked with restoring the Emperor or else. The Emperor’s Soul by Brandon Sanderson is a novella set on the same world as his first novel Elantris, but far away from that magical city in the capital of the Rose Empire.

Shai is a thief and practitioner of magical forgery who has been arrested and sentenced to death. The Emperor's corrupt advisors offer to free her if she agrees to forge a new soul for the Emperor, who has been left brain dead by an assassination attempt. She agrees but plans to escape. She is given 100 days to forge the soul, given only official histories, the Emperor's diary, and Gaotona, the only non-corrupt advisor, a task even she deems impossible. As they research the Emperor's past, Gaotona learns more about forgery, a generally detested practice, and the two develop a grudging respect for each other. During this task, Shai realizes the Emperor had once been idealistic, but a life of leisure resulted in his recent indulgence and resolves to create and tweak the soul as her masterpiece, setting him on a better path. Though many opportunities present themselves, Shai puts off escaping until the work is done, whereupon Gaotona helps her win her freedom against his colleagues' treachery. The Emperor, with the forged soul, resumes his rule.

At approximately 175 pages, this novella is a very quick not only thanks to Sanderson’s writing style but also because Shai is an interesting character that the reader wants to follow. The subplot of Gaotona’s relationship to the Emperor and his view of “art” is a nice addition that adds to the novella without attempting to stuff too much in too little space.

The Emperor’s Soul is a quick reading novella following an interesting character set in the same world as Brandon Sanderson’s first novel but in no way connected to the events of that book.

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Book Review: White Sand Volume I by Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson's White Sand Volume 1 by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The desert planet of Taldain is locked between two suns so that that with one side is constantly in light and the other in constant darkness with powerful magic apparently only occurring amongst the sands on the dayside. The first volume of Brandon Sanderson’s White Sand graphic novel trilogy is an introduction to a new world of the Cosmere and another unique magic system.

Kenton, a weak but skilled sand master, tries to earn a higher-ranking position in the guild of sand masters by running the Mastrell's Path, despite the disapproval of his father, the Lord Mastrell. The day after Kenton proves himself on the Path, the sand masters gather for a ceremony where new rank advancements will be granted. One man, Drile, is demoted for having attempted to sell out himself and others as mercenaries. Just as Kenton is grudgingly granted the highest rank, his father is shot with an arrow, and an army of Kerztian warriors attacks. The sand masters, being surprised and unprepared, are soundly defeated. Just before his death, the Lord Mastrell unleashes a wave of power that leaves Kenton buried beneath the sand. After waking, Kenton is joined by Khrissalla, Baon, and two Darkside professors who are lost. They are searching for information about Khriss' late fiancé and the "sand mages" he sought. On the way to the nearest city, they are attacked by a small group of Kerztian warriors. Kenton's sand mastery suddenly proves to be inaccessible, but Baon drives the warriors away with his gun. Upon arriving in Kezare, Kenton's powers return with greater strength than ever, and he stands before the Taishin, who plan to disband the Diem of sand masters. He is granted the position of acting Lord Mastrell and is given two weeks to convince the Taishin otherwise. Kenton returns to the Diem and drives away the rebellious Drile, who Kenton believes was responsible for betraying the sand masters to the Kerztians. Elsewhere, Trackt Ais works to catch a crime lord, Sharezan, amid threats to her family. The Lady Judge meets with Ais and asks her to spy on Kenton. Meanwhile, Khriss inadvertently locates Loaten, an infamous Darksider, in her search for information. He offers little direct help but sets her on a path to meet with the leaders in the city. Ignorant of the role of the sand masters, and of Kenton's new station, she arrives at the Diem just as Drile returns to do battle with Kenton.

The story has all the hallmarks of Sanderson book with excellent execution of character introduction and conflict amongst the important members of the cast. The art of Julius Gopez and coloring of Ross A. Campbell bring this unique world and environment alive very well. However, while the elements that makes Sanderson, well Sanderson, are there the book also doesn’t feel like Sanderson. I do not want to blame scriptwriter Rik Hoskin for this, the change of format to graphic novel from the usual book could be the main factor and Hoskin could very well be the reason this story still reads like a Sanderson story but there is a noticeable difference from other Sanderson works. The other main issue I somewhat have is more biological than story, the color pigmentation of the characters is reversed from what it should be given the planetary environment they are living in unless there was a cosmic shift that changed things.

White Sands Volume I is a wonderful addition to Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere and is given a unique place in it with the graphic novel format. The art and color are amazing, yet the change from word medium to visual does have an impact on how Sanderson’s style comes across. Overall a very good beginning with story, characters, and atmosphere.

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Book Review: Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Princesses, an atheistic god, two near immortals who have history, a zombie army, and an interesting magic system that involves color can only result in something very interesting happening. Brandon Sanderson’s Warbreaker follows two princesses in a strange land, a grumpy near immortal, and a god that doesn’t believe in himself as politics, religion, and personal conflicts swirl together to either bring peace or war.

Idrian princess Vivenna has been prepared her entire life to marry the God King but at the last moment her father sends her unprepared and carefree youngest sister Siri instead. Vivenna follows hoping of save her sister and meets with Lemex, her father spy in the city, and a team of mercenaries in his employ led by Denth. However, Lemex dies shortly thereafter, though not before bequeathing his large sum of BioChromatic Breath to her. Vivenna and Denth’s team begin making guerilla attacks against Hallandren's supply depots and convoys that will hopefully give the Idrians an advantage in the seemingly inevitable war all the time watched by one Vasher, a mysterious man who can use his Breath to Awaken objects and wielder of a sentient sword called Nightblood. Siri, after spending many terrified nights waiting for the God King to consummate the marriage, finds that he is not actually the feared entity that she thought, but has actually had his tongue cut out by his priests, making him nothing more than a figurehead. They bond as Siri teaches the God King to communicate, however she comes believes that the priests are secretly plotting to kill her and the God King if she produces an heir, and fears that Hallandren will soon launch a war against Idris. Siri finds potential allies in the unorthodox god Lightsong, who is plagued by nightmares of war and is struggling to discover his purpose, and the Pahn Kahl servants headed by Bluefingers. After being temporarily kidnapped by Vasher, Vivenna discovers that Denth is not working for her but against her, having been hired by an unknown third party to instigate the war with Idris, and she barely escapes their custody with her life. Vasher finds her after weeks hiding and living destitute in the Idrian slums of Hallandren. Together, Vivenna and Vasher work to undo the damage done by Denth and avert the war before Vivenna convinces Vasher to try and save her sister. However, Vasher is captured and tortured by Denth, who is revealed to have been working for the God King's Pahn Kahl servants, who are trying to incite war between the Idrians and Hallendren so that they can take gain their freedom. The servants capture Siri, kill many of the God King's priests, and throw the God King in the dungeon along with several gods including Lightsong. The Pahn Kahl, having gained the Commands to control the city's undead Lifeless army, send them to attack the Idrians and start the war. Lightsong sacrifices himself by giving the God King his Breath, which heals the king, giving him his tongue back and allowing him access to his godly cache of BioChromatic power and save Siri from being murdered. During this Vivenna uses her own budding powers to break into the God King's palace and free Vasher, who kills Denth. Vasher reveals that he is actually one of the Five Scholars, ancient beings who originally discovered the Commands for using BioChromatic Breath, and bestows upon the God King the code to awaken the city's secret army of nearly indestructible D'denir Lifeless soldiers that sent to destroy the Lifeless army before it can reach Idris. While Siri and the God King begin a new rule and life together, Vivenna joins Vasher as he sets out on another quest to a distant land.

The narrative of the story is divided between point-of-views of Siri, Vivenna, Lightsong, and Vasher thus giving a wide swath of the two distinct cultures and religions that have vast misunderstandings not only with one another but within themselves. Sanderson’s creation of such a unique magic system is by itself a reason to read the book because of just how innovative it is and how it’s still not completely understood by those who use it even a long-lived individual like Vasher who helped shaped what is already known. Sanderson’s princess swap at the beginning of the story caused instant character reexamination and growth that helps drive the narrative while at the same time Lightsong’s quest to figure himself out while the populous believes him to be a god was another unique perspective that helped pushed the narrative forward in many locations. There is so much that was good, that it’s hard to find something to criticize.

Warbreaker is a unique standalone book within Brandon Sanderson’s larger Cosmere that blends fascinating characters and cultures with a stunning magical system to create an amazing narrative. If you’re interested in reading a Sanderson book and don’t want to be stucked into a series, this is the book you should read.

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Book Review: Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The city of Elantris was home to magical individuals that ruled Arelon for centuries then the magic died and there was chaos. Elantris the first novel by Brandon Sanderson follows a cursed Prince, his “widowed” Princess bride, and a foreign Priest come to Arelon to convert it from it’s pagan ways before judgment falls.

Raoden, the beloved Crown Prince of Arelon, wakes up to find himself transformed in a “cursed” Elantrian and escorted into the city by the priests with funerary offering as he is considered already dead. Days later, Princess Sarlene arrives from Teod to find out that her betrothed is dead and due to the marriage contract she is now the daughter of the Arelon King but sees the arrival of the Derethi priest Hrathen came to convert the Arelon in three months or it would be destroyed. As Raoden comes to grips with is now fallen home, Sarlene and Hrathen duel one another for the future of Arelon until eventually Elantris and its residents become part of their political game. Meanwhile Raoden has used his political savvy to begin “New Elantris” within the city to make life worth living among the cursed inhabitants and gives him time to find out the old magic still works but weakly and begins trying to figure out what went wrong. Through numerous interactions with another Raoden figures out what happened to the magic and begins “repairing” it thanks to Sarlene falls in love with him then learns who he is only to be separated thanks to Hrathen who is almost able to convert Arelon and Teod only to learn they were meant to be murdered because only citizens from those two nations can become Elantrians. Raoden is able to “cure” the Elantrian magic and now empowered goes to Teod to save Sarlene and battle the Derethi warriors alongside Hrathen who feels betrayed by his religious superiors.

Unlike Sanderson’s future books, the plot literally starts at the book’s beginning without a little buildup which was both different and nice. Yet this is a first novel and has problems that go along with it as Raoden and Sarlene are essentially perfect with any mistakes they make coming back to work out in the end while Hrathen’s inner struggle between having faith in his god and the leaders of his religious shows the maturity of writing that Sanderson would show in future books. Another quality that Sanderson is known for is connecting everything together at the end is present here making a very engaging finish to the book.

Elantris is the first novel of the prolific career of Brandon Sanderson that has an engaging plot that has a quality climax. While having some problems that are typical of a first novel there are the wonderful writing elements that Sanderson is known that makes you want to read the next book he writes if this is your first.

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