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Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection
(The Cosmere)
by
Brandon Sanderson creates worlds, and those worlds are linked. His universe spans the Stormlight Archive, the Mistborn series the tales of Elantris, and others, comprising a unique constellation of vividly imagined realms known as the Cosmere.
Now for the first time anywhere, stories representing each of these planets, and their fully realized and distinct magic systems, ha ...more
Now for the first time anywhere, stories representing each of these planets, and their fully realized and distinct magic systems, ha ...more
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Hardcover, 672 pages
Published
November 22nd 2016
by Tor Books
(first published November 8th 2016)
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Start your review of Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection

Buddy read with my favorite Worldhoppers: Celeste, Haifa, Mary & Sarah!
Arcanum Unbounded is without a doubt a must read for any Sanderson’s Cosmere fans. Every book in the Cosmere has always been my comfort read, I can always count on them to spark my love for reading again and this Cosmere collection of novellas and short stories holds true to that statement, it can be defined as the apt complimentary to my comfort food.
For those of you who don’t know, The Cosmere is the name of the universe wh ...more
Arcanum Unbounded is without a doubt a must read for any Sanderson’s Cosmere fans. Every book in the Cosmere has always been my comfort read, I can always count on them to spark my love for reading again and this Cosmere collection of novellas and short stories holds true to that statement, it can be defined as the apt complimentary to my comfort food.
For those of you who don’t know, The Cosmere is the name of the universe wh ...more

My first thought after reading Brandon Sanderson’s Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection was that it was lots of fun!! I had initially been a little leery about how this collection was repackaging some older stories, but as soon as I began rereading The Emperor’s Soul, I was hooked. What I enjoyed most was the new sense of connection to all of Sanderson’s worlds that the stories and commentary provided. If you haven’t previously read Sanderson’s work, though, I wouldn’t start here. I enjoyed
...more

5/5
BEST.BOOK.EVER.
Cosmere Solar System
It was so fabulous. That I died. This review was written from my grave. I swear I say this with every Sanderson book, but this one was actually incredible. I originally was given this book as a gift, the person who brought it for me brought the UK edition. Don't get me wrong I'm not usually this mean or selfish but I asked the person to return it and get the Tor hardcover instead... I know I'm a terrible person. But I just needed the addition with the illus ...more
BEST.BOOK.EVER.

Cosmere Solar System
It was so fabulous. That I died. This review was written from my grave. I swear I say this with every Sanderson book, but this one was actually incredible. I originally was given this book as a gift, the person who brought it for me brought the UK edition. Don't get me wrong I'm not usually this mean or selfish but I asked the person to return it and get the Tor hardcover instead... I know I'm a terrible person. But I just needed the addition with the illus ...more

Brandon Sanderson is more cannon than man. He fires out more works than any other author of fantasy. Not only does he write an awe inspiring amount of novels, but he also writes various short fictions that go alongside them. And in here, for the first time, all the major ones are collected together.
There is new material too. 'Edgedancer' has never been published before. It's the fastest short story in here, with its food obsessed heroine, despite it being one of the longest. Lift is a clever lit ...more
There is new material too. 'Edgedancer' has never been published before. It's the fastest short story in here, with its food obsessed heroine, despite it being one of the longest. Lift is a clever lit ...more

Well that was pretty emotional.
It has taken me forever (almost exactly 1 year) to finish up my reading of Arcanum Unbounded! But hey, that's what happens when you want to read everything in order.
Instead of a huge review I thought I would say a little piece about each story & provide an individual rating for each!
The Emperor's Soul - ★★★★★
See my full review of this one here, as I read it last year!
The Hope of Elantris - ★★★
This is a cute short story featuring a behind the scenes moment d ...more
It has taken me forever (almost exactly 1 year) to finish up my reading of Arcanum Unbounded! But hey, that's what happens when you want to read everything in order.
Instead of a huge review I thought I would say a little piece about each story & provide an individual rating for each!
The Emperor's Soul - ★★★★★
See my full review of this one here, as I read it last year!
The Hope of Elantris - ★★★
This is a cute short story featuring a behind the scenes moment d ...more

Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths.
Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection is Brandon Sanderson’s first short story collection. Yes, it does an amazing job collecting every previously released Cosmere story in one beautifully illustrated volume, but this collection is more than merely a convenient compilation: It is a mesmerizing study of the Cosmere Universe itself.
What is the Cosmere Universe, you ask? Well, Brandon Sanderson has always asserted his plans to unite all his adult fantasy books ...more
Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection is Brandon Sanderson’s first short story collection. Yes, it does an amazing job collecting every previously released Cosmere story in one beautifully illustrated volume, but this collection is more than merely a convenient compilation: It is a mesmerizing study of the Cosmere Universe itself.
What is the Cosmere Universe, you ask? Well, Brandon Sanderson has always asserted his plans to unite all his adult fantasy books ...more

4.5 stars. Final review, first posted on Fantasy Literature:
This gorgeous, nearly 700 page book takes nine short stories and novellas from Brandon Sanderson‘s COSMERE universe, and giftwraps them with hand-drawn maps of six different solar systems in the Cosmere, pen-and-ink illustrations, and enlightening comments from Sanderson on the history and characteristics of each planet, and how they all tie together. Each system and world is unique in its physical features, societies, plant and animal ...more
This gorgeous, nearly 700 page book takes nine short stories and novellas from Brandon Sanderson‘s COSMERE universe, and giftwraps them with hand-drawn maps of six different solar systems in the Cosmere, pen-and-ink illustrations, and enlightening comments from Sanderson on the history and characteristics of each planet, and how they all tie together. Each system and world is unique in its physical features, societies, plant and animal ...more

Jan 09, 2017
Hasham Rasool
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
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science-fiction,
brandon-sanderson,
graphic-novel,
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This is my first hardcover by Brandon Sanderson.
The collection includes nine works in 'Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection book':
'Edgedancer' (The Stormlight Archive)
'The Hope of Elantris' (Elantris)
'The Eleventh Metal' (Mistborn)
'The Emperor's Soul' (Elantris)
'Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltantia' (Mistborn)
'White Sand'
'Shadow for the Silence in the Forests of Hell'
'Sixth of the Dusk'
'Mistborn: Secret History' (Mistborn)
'The Emperor's Soul'
'The Emperor's Soul' is one of 'Elantris' sequ ...more
The collection includes nine works in 'Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection book':
'Edgedancer' (The Stormlight Archive)
'The Hope of Elantris' (Elantris)
'The Eleventh Metal' (Mistborn)
'The Emperor's Soul' (Elantris)
'Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltantia' (Mistborn)
'White Sand'
'Shadow for the Silence in the Forests of Hell'
'Sixth of the Dusk'
'Mistborn: Secret History' (Mistborn)
'The Emperor's Soul'
'The Emperor's Soul' is one of 'Elantris' sequ ...more

Update: I should have mentioned this earlier but clearly I was so smitten by this book that it left me with half-a-brain functioning (the other half was probably floating around the Cosmere). I always find that a well-written postscript by an author truly elevates the reader's appreciation of the story. This happened to me for Elantris when I read the Postscript which was an addition to the 10th Anniversary Edition. In this precious collection, Sanderson wrote one for each and every story!! As i
...more

"...“All things exist in three Realms, Gaotona. Physical, Cognitive, Spiritual. The Physical is what we feel, what is before us. The Cognitive is how an object is viewed and how it views itself. The Spiritual Realm contains an object’s soul—its essence—as well as the ways it is connected to the things and people around it.” ..."
This is a collection of stories from the Cosmere Universe, the creation of Brandon Sanderson, which together or in parts has swept the Fantasy Genre Fandom and has cr ...more
This is a collection of stories from the Cosmere Universe, the creation of Brandon Sanderson, which together or in parts has swept the Fantasy Genre Fandom and has cr ...more

Arcanum Unbounded is a wonderful compilation of stories from throughout the Cosmere, spanning several worlds familiar and unfamiliar. And not just that, but it includes a brief introduction to each world with descriptions of its environment and importance, as well as postscripts where Sanderson speaks about the creation of the various stories.
I read the collection in chunks; some of the stories I'd read before, independently or in other anthologies, but most of them were new to me. Overall it's ...more
I read the collection in chunks; some of the stories I'd read before, independently or in other anthologies, but most of them were new to me. Overall it's ...more

Buddy read with my favorite Sprens in the Cosmere : Celeste, Mary, Petrik and Sarah
*****************************************************
I'm going to skip the part about Brandon Sanderson's genius and mastery, baffling imagination and creativity, vivid worlds, unforgettable characters, remarkable and intricate systems... and get straight to this beautiful collection of Cosmere stories :)
The Arcanum Unbounded includes 8 novellas and an excerpt of a graphic novel (White Sand), taking place on 6 d ...more
*****************************************************
I'm going to skip the part about Brandon Sanderson's genius and mastery, baffling imagination and creativity, vivid worlds, unforgettable characters, remarkable and intricate systems... and get straight to this beautiful collection of Cosmere stories :)
The Arcanum Unbounded includes 8 novellas and an excerpt of a graphic novel (White Sand), taking place on 6 d ...more

➽ The Hope of Elantris (Elantris) -
➽ The Eleventh Metal (Mistborn) - ★★★★
This is a prequel story to the Mistborn series! It’s very short, but I absolutely loved the story. And, to be completely honest, I love seeing anything that stars Kelsier! This story centers around a man named Gemmel who is teaching Kelsier to use his Mistborn powers. And his powers are eventually put to the test when he is required to fight another Mistborn who is up to some no-good deeds. Again, this story obviously take ...more
➽ The Eleventh Metal (Mistborn) - ★★★★
This is a prequel story to the Mistborn series! It’s very short, but I absolutely loved the story. And, to be completely honest, I love seeing anything that stars Kelsier! This story centers around a man named Gemmel who is teaching Kelsier to use his Mistborn powers. And his powers are eventually put to the test when he is required to fight another Mistborn who is up to some no-good deeds. Again, this story obviously take ...more

Full review (finally) posted!
Original review can be found on Booknest.
I started this book over three months ago. And I really enjoyed it! But I couldn’t bring myself to finish it for the longest time. You see, whenever I finished Edgedancer, the last story and the only original tale in the collection, I would be completely caught up with Sanderson’s Cosmere until he publishes something else. Being caught up with a series I love is something I can’t stand. It makes me sad, and leaves me feeling a ...more
Original review can be found on Booknest.
I started this book over three months ago. And I really enjoyed it! But I couldn’t bring myself to finish it for the longest time. You see, whenever I finished Edgedancer, the last story and the only original tale in the collection, I would be completely caught up with Sanderson’s Cosmere until he publishes something else. Being caught up with a series I love is something I can’t stand. It makes me sad, and leaves me feeling a ...more

Good way to start off the year, with a mini-Brandon Sanderson marathon in book form. I spent a cozy day on my couch yesterday visiting the Cosmere, and it was lovely.
This collection is more than just a collection of all of Sanderson's short fiction set in the Cosmere (a shared universe world that a majority of Sanderson's works are set it in). It's also a mini-study of the Cosmere itself. Each system (i.e. the Roshar system, where the Stormlight Archive books are set, or Scadrial, where the Mist ...more
This collection is more than just a collection of all of Sanderson's short fiction set in the Cosmere (a shared universe world that a majority of Sanderson's works are set it in). It's also a mini-study of the Cosmere itself. Each system (i.e. the Roshar system, where the Stormlight Archive books are set, or Scadrial, where the Mist ...more

With ‘Edgedancer’ finished, I’ve finally completed ‘Arcanum Unbounded’!
This is a collection of nine novellas/short-stories based in various systems within the Cosmere. Individually they vary in quality, though none of them are horrible, but as a Collection they’re almost essential if you had planned to read the Cosmere in its entirety.
Having all nine works in this one collection, as opposed to owning them all individually, has a number of advantages. One, it’s much cheaper. Two, ‘Arcanum Unbou ...more
This is a collection of nine novellas/short-stories based in various systems within the Cosmere. Individually they vary in quality, though none of them are horrible, but as a Collection they’re almost essential if you had planned to read the Cosmere in its entirety.
Having all nine works in this one collection, as opposed to owning them all individually, has a number of advantages. One, it’s much cheaper. Two, ‘Arcanum Unbou ...more

Generally I don’t purchase collections of stories from authors. But as with everything else Brandon Sanderson (BS) I break away from my normal habits and feel good about it.

Why is this collection of stories worth purchasing if you have most of the stories in it already?
Duh, because it is Brandon Sanderson. But no really. He didn’t just throw a bunch of stuff he has already written in a book just to make more money. These stories all have one thing in common. They are all happening in the Cosmer ...more

Why is this collection of stories worth purchasing if you have most of the stories in it already?
Duh, because it is Brandon Sanderson. But no really. He didn’t just throw a bunch of stuff he has already written in a book just to make more money. These stories all have one thing in common. They are all happening in the Cosmer ...more

Fantastic collection of stories, a must for all cosmere enthusiasts.
I love the diary entries by Khriss for each world, it gives you such a deeper insight into Sandersons cosmere and the sheer potential for all the systems involved. It boggles the mind as to just how epic Sanderson's world is and speaks volumes that he can write consistently at a high level.
All of the stories within are worth reading, Edgedancer and Mistborn Secret History are the best but there is not a dud story in this colle ...more
I love the diary entries by Khriss for each world, it gives you such a deeper insight into Sandersons cosmere and the sheer potential for all the systems involved. It boggles the mind as to just how epic Sanderson's world is and speaks volumes that he can write consistently at a high level.
All of the stories within are worth reading, Edgedancer and Mistborn Secret History are the best but there is not a dud story in this colle ...more

If you can’t tell by now, I am a HUGE Sanderson fan. To have all of these amazing short stories in one collection is awesome. This compilation includes everything from maps of the Cosmere to behind the scenes expansions for some of our favorite Sanderson works (ahem…Mistborn). In this review, I’ll briefly explain what I liked about each story [In ascending order by rating].
Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania, Epsiodes 28 through 30 [No Rating]:
Okay, I’ll admit the blasphemy that I didn’t read ...more
Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania, Epsiodes 28 through 30 [No Rating]:
Okay, I’ll admit the blasphemy that I didn’t read ...more

Okay, so since this is a collection of his novellas and "short" stories, I'm just going to do a breakdown of how I felt about each. I can't go into detail about most because you have to read some of his books before you read these. I do love the prefaces that give you hints and some explanation about the Cosmere, and this is a must have for any Brandon Sanderson fan unless you've collected them all individually and are super good at making small connections.
Selish System (Elantris)
The Emperor's ...more
Selish System (Elantris)
The Emperor's ...more

4.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2016/11/28/...
Huge Brandon Sanderson fan that I am, I try to read everything he writes, but especially the works that take place in his fictional universe of the Cosmere. But while I have read all the novels, somehow many of the novellas seem to have slipped through the cracks. When a lot of the stories have only appeared online or in other anthologies, it can make tracking down every single one a challenge.
Enter Arcanum Unbounded: Th ...more
Huge Brandon Sanderson fan that I am, I try to read everything he writes, but especially the works that take place in his fictional universe of the Cosmere. But while I have read all the novels, somehow many of the novellas seem to have slipped through the cracks. When a lot of the stories have only appeared online or in other anthologies, it can make tracking down every single one a challenge.
Enter Arcanum Unbounded: Th ...more

Beautiful, detailed book with really interesting short stories in it.
(Well, if 150 pages per average can be considered as short stories... but it's Brandon, so no one expected them to actually be as such.)
If anything else, this book for me, with The Emperor's Soul and Mistborn Secret stories, is a clear reminder why that Elantris sequel is long overdue and why we need that world expanded. But, again, I adore Elantris, so I'm biased. I would trade every other of his work for Elantri ...more
(Well, if 150 pages per average can be considered as short stories... but it's Brandon, so no one expected them to actually be as such.)
If anything else, this book for me, with The Emperor's Soul and Mistborn Secret stories, is a clear reminder why that Elantris sequel is long overdue and why we need that world expanded. But, again, I adore Elantris, so I'm biased. I would trade every other of his work for Elantri ...more

I didn't plan to reread so many of the stories in this collection. I've read most of them and own quite a few already so I expected I would just check out the star maps, read the annotations for each system and skip on over to Edgedancer. Well, that didn't happen. It started when I decided to reread The Emperor's Soul. One thing led to another and before I knew it I couldn't stop. I underestimated the pull that Sanderson's worlds have on me.
As for Edgedancer, it was the perfect story to finish ...more
As for Edgedancer, it was the perfect story to finish ...more

This was really interesting in that I was able to explore a lot of the Cosmere including places that i haven’t read about yet, as well as going to back familiar planets and systems. I also really liked the artwork and the way it features illustrations of all the systems which I just found to be cool because I’m a nerd like that. It wasn’t quite a five star as some of these short stories were weaker than others(there were several that I loved as well) and due to that, I think a four star rating i
...more

4 1/2 Stars
This is a 'must-read' collection of short stories, or 'novellas' that Sanderson has bestowed upon us! For the true Sanderson fans that read through some of the more engaging worlds of the 'Cosmere' universe, like 'Mistborn' or 'Stormlight' series, this will feel very familiar and a welcoming body of works. Some novellas work better than others, and the culmination of the entire book lies on the newly written 'Edgedancer', involving 'Lift', a major recurrent character in the "Stormligh ...more
This is a 'must-read' collection of short stories, or 'novellas' that Sanderson has bestowed upon us! For the true Sanderson fans that read through some of the more engaging worlds of the 'Cosmere' universe, like 'Mistborn' or 'Stormlight' series, this will feel very familiar and a welcoming body of works. Some novellas work better than others, and the culmination of the entire book lies on the newly written 'Edgedancer', involving 'Lift', a major recurrent character in the "Stormligh ...more

Sheesh!
Sometimes I make bad decisions... like putting off a so-called short story collection by Sanderson for YEARS after it was published because I'm more of a fan of his big novels rather than in-between stuff.
What I should have remembered is Sanderson's penchant for writing... and writing... and writing. His short stuff is usually nothing like short stuff. There are two short NOVELS in this "collection". Good ones, too. Like the secret history of Mistborn that ties up all the events of the fi ...more
Sometimes I make bad decisions... like putting off a so-called short story collection by Sanderson for YEARS after it was published because I'm more of a fan of his big novels rather than in-between stuff.
What I should have remembered is Sanderson's penchant for writing... and writing... and writing. His short stuff is usually nothing like short stuff. There are two short NOVELS in this "collection". Good ones, too. Like the secret history of Mistborn that ties up all the events of the fi ...more

* I was sent this for free from the publisher in exchange for a review *
This book ws definitely long overdue, it's a collection of all the Sanderson Cosmere shorts that have currently been mostly digitally (some graphic/print) published. I knew before getting this that I would almost definitely enjoy it because I had already read most of the stories. The only one I hadn't in fact was the new one which has been added specially for this collection; Edgedancer...
I won't review all the other stories ...more
This book ws definitely long overdue, it's a collection of all the Sanderson Cosmere shorts that have currently been mostly digitally (some graphic/print) published. I knew before getting this that I would almost definitely enjoy it because I had already read most of the stories. The only one I hadn't in fact was the new one which has been added specially for this collection; Edgedancer...
I won't review all the other stories ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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Brandon Sanderson...: Arcanum Unbounded - when to read what | 4 | 244 | May 27, 2019 04:06PM | |
Fantasy Buddy Reads: Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection [April 2018] | 93 | 58 | Dec 18, 2018 12:21AM | |
Fantasy Buddy Reads: Arcanum Unbounded | 34 | 44 | Feb 01, 2017 08:40PM |
Brandon’s major books for the second half of 2016 are The Dark Talent, the final volume in Alcatraz Smedry’s autobiographical account of his battle against the Evil Librarians who secretly rule our world, and Arcanum Unbounded, the collection of short fiction in the Cosmere universe that includes the Mistborn series and the Stormlight
Archive, among others. This collection features The Emperor’s S ...more
Archive, among others. This collection features The Emperor’s S ...more
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“The original plan for this novella was for it to be 18,000 words. It ended up at around 40,000. Ah well. That just happens sometimes. (Particularly when you are me.)”
—
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“The woman looked up at Lift. "He's right about that, um..."
"Say it," Lift said.
"Your Pancakefulness."
"Rolls right off the tongue, doesn't it?”
—
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More quotes…
"Say it," Lift said.
"Your Pancakefulness."
"Rolls right off the tongue, doesn't it?”