How does someone read mass-produced paperbacks? Like they are cheap I can understand the appeal but it's sooo small! Give me overpriced hardbacks and an empty wallet any day!
One of my absolute favorite things about the Mistborn series (era 1, specifically) is the bait-and-switch of the overarching plot.
Like, you go into it and you're like, "Yeah, okay. I'm reading one of the Big Fantasy Trilogies of the modern era. Hell yeah. What's this all about?"
And so you read. You get introduced to the characters, the magic system, and, most importantly, the central conflict: it's an assassination plot.
Clearly, the whole trilogy is going to be about finding a way to kill the god-emperor of the cruel and oppressive regime, and the final book will have them overthrow him and everything will Be Good.
"Of course that's what will happen," you think to yourself. "That's a pretty standard narrative structure."
So you keep reading.
But as you read the book, something doesn't feel right. The pacing seems... Off. Isn't this book moving too quickly?
And then, as you get around the second act of the book, it hits you all at once.
"Are they... Are they gonna successfully assassinate the Lord Ruler?? IN THE FIRST BOOK??"
It sure looks like it.
SO WHAT THE HELL ARE THE OTHER TWO BOOKS GONNA BE ABOUT.
Illustration from the 10th anniversary leatherbound edition of ‘Words Of Radiance', book 2 of 'The Stormlight Archive' series, written by Brandon Sanderson.
so funny how kaladin and adolin keep *almost* having normal conversations until they remember who the other person is and quickly revert back to insults in order to forget that it ever happened. like just admit that you're obsessed with each other good lord
i just finished words of radiance and my dudes this is probably the best fantasy book I’ve ever read
points about it:
. okay so mr kaladin “honor is dead but i’ll see what i can do” stormblessed carried this book, he is becoming one of my all time favorite characters
. my bestie shallan working the oathgate? revealing to dalinar that she is one of the radiants? i love her honesty
. my boy adolin killed sadeas, finally that slimy rat got what he deserved
. renarin????? truthwatcher????? i knew he was going to be important, i’m so happy for him
. moash my dude, i’m disappointed
. dalinar bonding with the stormfather, you go bondsmith!!
. the whole parshendi summoning the everstorm part was so freaking good
. kaladin saving everyone while revealing he’s radiant, not going to lie. i’ve cried a bit at that part
final consideration:
it is certainly one of the best fantasy books out there, sanderson manages to build the world and the characters so well. can’t wait for what oathbringer has in store for me.