AOM NOV/DEC Brandon Sanderson

[Dawn, Desperately seeking new worlds]

Brandon Sanderson



Brandon Sanderson is a fantasy/ fiction writer who has written quite a few awesome books. His biography is really interesting and you should check out the link below to read the entire thing. To summarize a bit Sanderson wasn’t really interested in writing and in fact majored in biochemistry. Though he was an avid reader of fantasy books. After an opportunity in Korea, he decided he did not miss chemistry but he wanted to write. Upon his return, he began writing in earnest volunteering for a science fiction/fantasy magazine then becoming an editor of the magazine. In 2005 he published his first book Elantris which launched his career as a writer. He was also a ghost writer for the Wheel of Time Series. Since the launch of his book Sanderson has won The David Gemmel Legend Award six times, the Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice award for Best Epic Fantasy, the #1 spot on the New York Times Hardcover Fiction Best-Seller List six times and a Mistborn video game. Sanderson has also been nominated for countless awards, making this fantasy author pretty much legendary.

To read more on his bio and to learn more about his works check out his website: http://brandonsanderson.com/

He also has fantastic writing lecture series on youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ_Y...

He has written the following series
Steelheart (Reckoners)


The Stormlight Archive


Mistborn


Elantris


Infinity Blade


Other books


So what do you think of this author? Have you read any of his books? If so which series would you suggest someone start with. If Sanderson is new to you let us know what book you read.

[Jessalyn]

I really enjoy Brandon Sanderson books! He's recently become 1 of my favorite authors. He develops amazing magical systems & has convincing & relateable characters that are developed really well. And all his adult books fit into their own Universe called the Cosmere. You can find connecting threads of this throughout his works.

The easiest & shortest place to start would be Elantris, which is his first published work. Mind you, it's not his best, though it's still good in my opinion & worth reading.

Warbreaker is currently a stand alone book, but he plans to write a sequel to it in the next couple years. Brandon Sanderson used to have this entire book up for free on his website, but I'm not sure if that's still true. However, this is also a good book to begin with, as it stands on its own & its free!

The Mistborn series is hugely popular with fantasy readers & its a great series, especially the first trilogy.

The last Series of his to start on would be The Stormlight Archive - they're very long, involved books that make a bit more sense after reading some of his earlier series. Plus he's only written 2 of a planned 10 of them so far! But he's a fast writer, so it won't take him forever to finish the series. However, this series is his best so far - it's just very detailed, which I love.

The Reckoners Series is considered YA, but I still read & enjoyed them.

That's my quick Sanderson summary. I definitely recommend giving him a try.

[Betelgeuze]

I think I'm in the minority in that I did not like the Mistborn trilogy. I enjoyed the first book, but I found the sequels disappointing. It is my personal taste in story telling rather than the author's writing skills why I have read more of his books. I will try to explain why without giving spoilers.

I enjoyed the first book because of the original magic system and the main character was interesting. However I found that there was very little character development in the sequels and the third book contained a plot device that I hate. I prefer characters to triumph because of their humanity. I can't help but compare the ending of this series to that of David Edding's Tamuli. I think that Sanderson is a better world builder and more original writer, but for me the humanity of the protagonist has to be a key component of him defeating the antagonist.

[Dawn, Desperately seeking new worlds]

Funny thing is I thought I had read more books by this author. Turns out I tend to start them and not finish. To be fair I think I purchased a few on audible which for me takes forever or I got them from the library and then started to late.

I am reading Mistborn and I really like it.

[Diana Stormblessed]

My all time favorite author! I've read everything by him. I am going to his signing this Saturday. 2nd time I'll get to meet him. So excited! I just finished my The Way of Kings reread. Next will read his new Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection once I buy it and get it signed this weekend. Then will reread Warbreaker (which really should be read between the 2 Stormlight books) and after that rereading Words of Radiance.

For those starting out, I'd recommend Warbreaker and Elantris first. Stormlight is huge and daunting in the beginning, though well worth it. And honestly I wasn't the biggest fan of the original Mistborn trilogy. I kind of liked the sequel books better. Also, Rhithmatist is a great non-cosmere YA book, though I'm waiting for the sequel. The Reckoners is another great non-cosmere series, though I have to admit I'm not in love with the ending of Calamity.

[Diana Stormblessed]

Dawn wrote: "Funny thing is I thought I had read more books by this author. Turns out I tend to start them and not finish. To be fair I think I purchased a few on audible which for me takes forever or I got the..."

I'd say give Alloy of Law a chance. I wasn't a huge Mistborn fan but thought the second set was better than the first. And it's less depressing and a lighter read. Thinking about it, no other books end on the same sad/happy note as the original Mistborn series, so I'd still encourage you to try another one of his books. Think you'd like the Reckoners for it's simple fun and great world building.