Board 8 > Oathbringer, Book 3 of The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson

(+) Yeah! (+)

Alright, then that settles it. I haven't finished Edgedancer yet, but if it's explained, then I'm happy with that. I just wanted it to be an issue that Sanderson addressed rather than something he just waves off.

Whenever I read a book, it's a battle between me and the author. To be fair, I HOPE the author wins. That's typically the sign of a good book. But if minor issues aren't resolved or the worldbuilding fails to explain something, then that gives me points until my questions are answered. There are, of course, MUCH larger problems that can turn the battle in my favor, which is part of the reason I say that Sanderson has been improving with every book.
---

Grimmer posted...

Darkness got a hold of her by throwing his knife through her shirt/cloak/whatever which pinned her to a wall

That's right, thanks! Glad I wasn't completely off at least!
---

Picking a fight with Sanderson's Laws of Magic. Pffft. You never had a chance.
---

RaidenZeroX posted...

Is Kaladin really the main though? Every book features a different character with backstory and flashbacks and he was the main in the first book, but WoR featured Shallan, and Oathbringer features Dalinar in that way.

You're entirely right that he's not the super-centralising main, and that's part of why I am currently enjoying the books so much despite being kinda lukewarm on him. However, I do think that he's the main; even in "Shallan's book" he got almost as much screentime as her (and got more screentime than her in the present, I believe), and one could argue that his fight with Szeth is a bigger part of the book's climax than anything Shallan does.

EndOfDiscOne posted...

You're comparing Kaladin to a character who had like 14 books to develop. Rand's character climax was at the end of book __ and it was amazing, but after 2 books? I think Kaladin is the better character at that point.

Yup, it's currently a completely unfair comparison, I agree. And I agree with CoolCly's post that Kaladin after two books is better than Rand after two, even! But just because Rand got a lot better as the series progressed doesn't mean there's a guarantee the same will happen to Kal; I can see ways for it to happen but I can also see ways for it to not happen. I prefer to temper my expectations about a good story (or character) becoming great as it progresses; it means I'm pleasantly surprised when it does happen. :)

It's kinda funny because I actually never found Mats banter in Wheel of Time particularly entertaining either until Sanderson started writing him and now I love him. A lot of people hate how Sanderson wrote Mat and Sanderson himself hates hearing about reactions like mine because just like the people that didn't like it, it means he didn't capture Mats voice properly and changed him.

Yeah I'm with you on Mat generally (I liked when Jordan poked fun at him indirectly, but I didn't really care for his banter until Sanderson took over). I didn't know that about Sanderson's feelings there but it makes a lot of sense.

Sanderson did a good job taking over (I'm not convinced someone else could have done better) but it was never going to be perfect. I was pleased with what we got even if a few characters (Mat for sure, but the aiel in general and Aviendha in particular as well) felt different.
---

ClyTheCool posted...

a lot

Sold, thanks. I love stuff like the avalanche thing you described.
---

ClyTheCool posted...

Picking a fight with Sanderson's Laws of Magic. Pffft. You never had a chance.

The entire point of my 'battles' is to give the author a chance to impress me, but it's about more than just magic. It's plot, worldbuilding, and tiny minute details that normal people don't even consider. It's also something that I do with every book, not just Sanderson's. Elantris, Warbreaker, and Well of Ascension are books where I won the battle, although my recent battles with him have started to turn in his favor. Still, I won't let an author rest on his laurels. I will still wage a battle with him even when book 10 of Stormlight Archive comes out.
---

Are you familiar with Sanderson's Laws of Magic? He genuinely believes it's important for the author who creates a magic system to think farther ahead of into how something will work and affect the world than the reader will.

So as an example I've heard him use. If it's possible for a wizard to turn dirt into gold, a reader might ask "well doesn't that make him rich? Can't every wizard just make gold and be rich "? So the author should already thinking ahead to how this would affect the economy - if gold can be plentifully made then it's not scarce and not so valuable. But it might be a very common building material adorned on everything. The author doesn't straight up have to tell us these things - it should be in the details of how buildings and trinkets are described for the keen reader to notice, or maybe not notice.

The point is, he alwas tries to have thought several steps ahead of how his abilities work even if he hasn't included it in the text.

Brandon is always trying to think several steps ahead of us on how his magic systems would play out. The ecosystems of his societies are a lot of fun to this k about. One of my favourites is the capital of Warbreaker and how plentiful colourful threading was.

Or how the people on Threnody live based on the short story Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell. How do you live your life when ghosts that can kill you are floating around apathetically everywhere 24/7 but will get pissed and come after you if you run too fast or bleed? Brandon has thought about that and it's in every fiber of the storytelling.

Basically Brandon entire philosophy on writing mean's hes locked in a battle with you to make sure every detail of how something works is thought out. I'm sure if you asked him about how Lift works he has an answer for you.
---

I am well aware of his ideas on how magic systems should work, and I agree with him. But just because an author SAYS he's gonna follow some rule doesn't mean he DOES. This is where my battle comes into play: Does Sanderson put his money where his mouth is? For the most part he does, and I haven't been disappointed with his most recent books. However I'm not going to stop questioning things just because he says he's thinking ahead. He (and all authors) need to SHOW me, prove to me, that they are thinking ahead.

I would love to ask him about Lift's clothes, but it's not satisfactory if I were to send him an email or ask on an AMA or however the heck people get in touch with authors. It needs to be in the work itself.
---

Eerieka posted...

I would love to ask him about Lift's clothes, but it's not satisfactory if I were to send him an email or ask on an AMA or however the heck people get in touch with authors. It needs to be in the work itself.

No it doesn't. This is absurd. If anything, the fault lies with you for not remembering about the clothes and then making tons of posts about it. I'd assume that any problems you have with his previous books are the same thing, where you just weren't paying enough attention.
---

What? It's absurd that I want an author to put the answer to something in an actual book rather than just as the answer to some AMA? Quite the opposite. I expect Sanderson to have enough respect for his readers that he would explain everything that needs to be explained in his books. People shouldn't have to go through internet posts to find a canon explanation.

My problem has nothing to do with not paying attention. It has to do with years going by in which I've consumed more media where I may not remember the plot line to something I read 5 years ago. And all the things I've forgotten had nothing to do with Lift. All my posts where I said "I forgot about this" were other things that I'm NOT complaining about. I've never accused an author of failing to explain something just because I forgot about it.

And you have no clue what my problems with his previous books were. I haven't discussed them. Do not insult me unless you know what you're talking about.
---

I don't think he was insulting you, he was pointing out a legitimate flaw in your logic. You did forget about details concerning your exact question. I could have sworn that's what we just resolved.
---

I didn't forget details about Lift, though. I simply hadn't read Edgedancer at that point, and I acknowledged as much. My long post where I analyzed her clothing was me essentially putting my battle into words, honestly for my own enjoyment. It's something I always wanted to do. Essentally like making a readthrough topic, but in this case, it would just be for Edgedancer and it would just be for that minor issue. And if someone doesn't want to read my thoughts, then by all means ignore it lol.

I appreciate the discussion we had, AquaArcane. You were polite and helpful. I do not like when someone accuses me of not paying attention when in fact I'm paying far more attention than the average reader is. Forgetting something I read five years ago =/= not paying attention the first time I read it.
---

I'd be interested to see what battles you think you "won" in Warbreaker and Well of Ascension. Never did finish Elantris so I couldn't speak on that one.

Also, less than an hour! Hype!
---

I ordered Edgedancer on amazon two days ago to try to get it in before Oathbringer comes out, but fucking USPS lost my order. :\
---

so weird that people don't have kindles!
---

I'm all about physical books. Reading on a screen just doesn't feel the same to me, especially since I already spend 90% of my time looking at screens.

I'll be picking up my copy at lunch tomorrow and bringing it on my flight later that night!
---

I'm the same, when it comes to books at least I can't read them on a screen. Need that physical copy.
---

Yeah I also avoid ebooks whenever possible.

Ya'll don't know what you're missing. My reading volume at least tripled once I stopped clinging to paper/hardbacks.

Except right now I'm annoyed that it hasn't been delivered to my Kindle just yet. What gives!
---

I reread all of A Game of Thrones on my iPhone!

That said I've never listened to an audiobook, which I suppose is the next level of being a snob after ebooks. I know ExTha never read ASOIAF.

I'm a few more chapters in TWoK. It's not bad!
---

I used to be anti-ebook until I gave Kindle Paperwhite an honest try. Reading on that feels natural unlike an lcd screen.

I do most of my reading on that now, although I am still getting the hardcover instead. No chance I'm going to split this series between the two. I've got a signed WoR copy this will join. Amazon hasn't notified me of shipment yet so I am not too happy about that.

Edit : shipping email comes literally a few seconds after I post this
---

Im excited for all of you. I hope the new book is amazing.
---

Yeah, my ebook machine was a Nook (one with the digital screen) and it was ok but I never got used to it. Didn't read enough to justify buying a Kindle. And I tried phone apps but it's just not quite big enough. I just can't seem to shake the habit of reading physical books.
---

Not sure if I'll have wifi so if I don't post thoughts throughout the week you guys better keep this topic alive with your thoughts until I'm back next Thursday.
---

I do half my reading on Kindle Paperwhite. Usually if theres a dramatic personae, appendix, good map or artwork Ill go physical.
---

I was anti ebook until I got a kindle paperwhite as well, same with my mother
---

The Paperwhite is amazing. I remember hating it when I read the Great Book of Amber because it was the entire series in one book. and that thing was so damn heavy to ready in bed. Now I can read without disturbing the wife, and with minimal eye strain.

https://imgur.com/a/mnim4 <- My wife was not happy when I told her about this. Yeah, Oathbringer was just released and Rowling isn't publishing a lot anymore, but it's still big!
---

Nice. I wonder if Oathbringer or Artemis will be the #1 bestseller. I think Artemis was originally expected to be but this Oathbringer hype train is something else.
---

On Amber, I wanted to read that on my Kindle but the entire series is not available on ebook. I also read the 10 book set, but there was no other real alternative. I don't remember the full story, but I think rights went to Zelazny's wife after his death and she was blocking that.

It's a shame he passed away before he could finish it
---

Get rekt rowling

Paperwhite does sound interesting. Problem is I don't know if I'll like it enough to spend a hundred dollars.

Also, I might not be able to stay in this topic much longer because ya'll are going to be way ahead of me. I still need to finish Edgedancer. I might just wait to buy Oathbringer tomorrow.

My patience for reading is very flimsy at times. There's too many other distractions while I'm home, video games and such which take less brain power.
---

So, am I the farthest along in this topic? I'm almost to chapter 30.
---

I have a flight and business trip for the rest of the week starting tomorrow. So I'm holding off today to have something to do at the hotel and on the plane.
---

Im not even home to read it yet
---

I'll do a little reading at home tonight provided that it arrived. Probably going to avoiding this topic for fear of spoilers
---

Probably the best idea.

The main reason I'm powering through it so fast (aside from it being wonderful) is so that I can avoid being spoiled myself.

I actually already spoiled myself right when I opened the book because I jumped to the wrong chapter and BOOM spoiler right on the page I went to, sigh.
---

I trust most of us here know how to keep spoilers to a minimum. And I don't have to worry about being spoiled elsewhere because no one I know personally reads these books.

So I'm reading through Edgedancer and I gotta say, Lift has grown on me. She thinks a lot more deeply than any child has a right to, but it's to be expected with how her life has been.
---

Well also remember she's actually more like 14-15 because Roshar has 500 day years

RaidenZeroX posted...

The Paperwhite is amazing. I remember hating it when I read the Great Book of Amber because it was the entire series in one book. and that thing was so damn heavy to ready in bed. Now I can read without disturbing the wife, and with minimal eye strain.

https://imgur.com/a/mnim4 <- My wife was not happy when I told her about this. Yeah, Oathbringer was just released and Rowling isn't publishing a lot anymore, but it's still big!

And Rowling is still releasing books; just at a slower rate and no one gives a shit about her non potter works.
---

tcaz2 posted...

Well also remember she's actually more like 14-15 because Roshar has 500 day years

Oh cool, I wasn't aware of that, or I probably forgot about it because I vaguely remember it being mentioned I think. I was actually wondering about that while reading Edgedancer (which I just finished), so I'm glad you conveniently gave me an answer to a passing question I had!

So I didn't think I would actually get through all of Edgedancer today, but it was good and I didn't feel like stopping. Which is nice, now I can go get Oathbringer.
---

There's a specific reason that Lift feels older than 12.
---

What a dress
---

Amazon shipping has failed me today. On the bright side, they gave me a $5 credit for the delay
---

I woke up with a horrid headache today, so my reading was kept to a minimum. Only read the prologue and first two chapters.

Palona is best girl so far for saying "what we were all thinking" which I totally WAS thinking
---

AquaArcane posted...

What a dress

There's something about this picture, I can't quite put a finger on what it is, but it screams like... 70s or 80s band cover.

Also, who are the characters in the colored pictures supposed to be? I have some ideas, but in some cases my mental image of characters might not match what they're supposed to look like.
---

Was very busy today. I have to be up very early which is going to clash with my whole "stay up all night reading" schedule.
---

The characters in the end pages are Ishi, Shalash, Jezerezrien, Vedel I probably spelled some of those wrong.
---

EndOfDiscOne posted...

The characters in the end pages are Ishi, Shalash, Jezerezrien, Vedel I probably spelled some of those wrong.

Welp, glad I asked because I was not expecting them.
---

My only thought about the girl with the uh, cool as fuck dress, was that it might have been Jasnah... and then I realized/remembered that she's the one on the cover of the book so probably not
---

I forgot that Kaladin's hometown was called Hearthstone and had to do a doubletake when I read that name.
---