Questions About The Curse of the Mistwraith (Wars of Light and Shadow, #1)

by Janny Wurts (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (7)

Did Wurts just steal from Sanderson to write this??

Janny Politely - certainly not!!! If you had read the book, the conclusion would be obvious. You can verify the copyright dates, absolutely - this book was …morePolitely - certainly not!!! If you had read the book, the conclusion would be obvious. You can verify the copyright dates, absolutely - this book was first published in 1993.

The fact 'mistwraith' is a term in common - this book predated Mistborn by a long shot - rest assured, that is OK by me, as the two stories are totally different. Likely it's doubtful Sanderson was aware of the overlap.(less)

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How does this compare to Robin Hobb? I have only read some of the Farseer trilogy, and although I acknowledge her writing is good, for whatever reason I can't get into it. I bring up Robin Hobb as I have heard this book be compared to her works.

Janny The similarity: both are epic fantasies written by women. Both have high stakes emotion, deep characterization, and depth of relationship and world bu…moreThe similarity: both are epic fantasies written by women. Both have high stakes emotion, deep characterization, and depth of relationship and world building.

There are striking differences: Hobb wrote in tight first person; Wars of Light and Shadow is in omniscient third. Both have slow burn development, but different angles of view - with deeper layers unveiled going forward. Both have a limited cast of characters,

The style differs, in how the story elements are presented. Story elements may take longer to emerge, given the limited view of the characters AND your limited view and pre-determined opinions brought to the story from the start. Expect expectations to become overturned.

Best thing to do is read an excerpt from the book to sample the reaction of personal taste for yourself: excerpts may be found on the Paravia website or, in the Read Inside This Book function found on Amazon. Also, the reviews found here (pro and con) are honest and accurate.(less)

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I hope I won't sound too crazy - I only have access to the German version of this book and I really like the dedication. The 'For Gladden Schrock' and then something about a latern for dreams and so on. I would love to know how it is written in the original, English version of the book, but to my disappointment this part isn't in the kindle version. So can anybody who has the printed version tell me the wording?

Janny The English version, exactly:

For Gladden Schrock, guiding light for dreams and closet albatrosses - here is one that flew.

If you are a German speaker …moreThe English version, exactly:

For Gladden Schrock, guiding light for dreams and closet albatrosses - here is one that flew.

If you are a German speaker trying to translate, here's a little insight: Gladden Schrock is a literary novelist and a playwright (who also professionally fished on a trawler off the Maine coast) who had one of his novels nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. He, as a college professor, and the ONLY one who would take on my writing - gave me some brilliant insights into the art of writing. He called one of the very very early, original drafts for Curse of the Mistwraith 'a closet albatross' - the reference being to an ocean bird with a huge wingspan that soars and circles the world, and also mates for life - but in a closet, awkward, useless, destined for obscurity. He wrote that reference expecting I'd never make the changes necessary to get the immensity of the ideas and concept into something that could reach the world. Well, put simply, he gave the necessary sharp advice, and I took it to the letter, and you hold the result in your hands. I have had many mentors, he was the first, and unafraid to tackle what, even back then, was a formidable pile of manuscript in no way ready for the public eye. He's still alive, and a hero, and if you are curious about his work, check out is gorgeously poetic style in the novel, Letters from Alf.(less)

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Goodreads recommended me this book because I'm reading the Empire trilogy co-written by the same author. I liked the first, disliked the second and am hating the third book of that trilogy. Based on this, should I try reading this book or not?

Janny Given your personal take on the third Empire book, I'd suggest that you start at the earlier end of my career titles, since Wars of Light and Shadows …moreGiven your personal take on the third Empire book, I'd suggest that you start at the earlier end of my career titles, since Wars of Light and Shadows is the deepest and most complex of my work. It leaves the reader to draw their own conclusions and it shifts perspective often, a slow burn until the hammer drops and the reveals open up the characters' motivations. My recommendation: that perhaps you start with Sorcerer's Legacy, since that is a quick, direct read and the book that caused Ray to ask me to co-write Empire in the first place. If you like Mara, Elienne may well appeal to you.

Other earlier works include another standalone, Master of Whitestorm, which is adventure sword and sorcery; and the Cycle of Fire trilogy starting with Stormwarden, which is a coming of age quest story.

If you enjoyed the multiple characters approach, then, the reviewers who loved Empire also enjoyed my latest standalone, To Ride Hell's Chasm.

All of these works have excerpts available to you on my website at www.paravia.com to help you choose among them.

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Is there any objectionable content in this book? (I'm especially concerned about sexual content)

Janny There is no explicit sexual content, nor any point of view character's experience shown 'on stage.'

This is not a PG book, there is adult concept and v…moreThere is no explicit sexual content, nor any point of view character's experience shown 'on stage.'

This is not a PG book, there is adult concept and violence/not glossed over. Up close and personal (first hand experience described) of a sexual nature: no.(less)

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