Series: Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson ("Way of Kings")

[Xavaqenia]

I generally get hard copies of Sanderson’s books, because I greatly prefer reading them that way, so I’ll be getting a hardback of RoW. As for other books by other authors, I have been trying to read a lot of the genre, so I’ll often get the first book of the series in a hard copy (usually paperback, I prefer paperbacks) and then e-read or borrow from the library the rest of the books. Unless it happens to be a new favorite, in which I want all the books WITH me.

I’m going to buy hard copies for the rest of time :)

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Folks reading Dawnshards, sound off: Is this important to read before RoW? I did not budget a 200 page "novella" into my month D,X

[Xavaqenia]

Haven’t read it yet, but here’s my take—If you’re really into the workings of the Cosmere and the slow reveals about how the Cosmere works that Brandon gives us, then read it first. If not, then read RoW now and read Dawnshard later.

From what I heard, Dawnshard is groundbreaking in terms of Cosmere theory but is not absolutely necessary. It will give a little bit more context to some of the things in RoW but is not essential.

[Gabi]

Allison wrote: "Folks reading Dawnshards, sound off: Is this important to read before RoW? I did not budget a 200 page "novella" into my month D,X"

Well ... since I have no idea what RoW will pick up, I'd say it is a damn difficult question to answer at this time ^^'. Sorry that I'm not more helpful.
"Dawnshards" is about Rysn, the Lopen and Rushu among others sailing off to find an access to Akinah - the island that was mentioned in one of the interludes with the cook poisoning the crew. It sheds more light on the folks the cook came from. But I guess in he end it is like Edgedancer, so that it is not integral to understand RoW only an enhancement.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Okay. That's sort of what I feared. I don't think Brandon has strongly hinted about reading this one first like he did with Edgedancer, but I'm pretty invested in figuring out how the cosmere works so...

*goes to buy Dawnshard*

[Travis]

Allison wrote: "
*goes to buy Dawnshard*"

That makes two of us.

[Eva]

@Allison:Dawnshard has a cute mini dragon-like creature right at the beginning, so I think maybe you'll have a good time. :-)

[Leonie]

Travis wrote: "Allison wrote: "
*goes to buy Dawnshard*"

That makes two of us."

And...that makes three of us.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

haha Eva I'm sure! I just wanted to space it out better if possible.

[Gabi]

I've finished "Dawnshards" and I can recommend it whole heartedly. Simply wonderful, and indeed with a reveal about the cosmere.

[Leonie]

Gabi wrote: "I've finished "Dawnshards" and I can recommend it whole heartedly. Simply wonderful, and indeed with a reveal about the cosmere."

I have just begun it!

[Gabi]

Leonie wrote: "Gabi wrote: "I've finished "Dawnshards" and I can recommend it whole heartedly. Simply wonderful, and indeed with a reveal about the cosmere."

I have just begun it!"

Aw! Let us know how you like it, Leonie!

[Leonie]

And I've finished it! Really loved it! A nice story, good characters, and some nice little bits of info about the cosmere.

[Gabi]

Happy to hear it, Leonie! I loved the Rysn and Lopen POVs and I have a very soft spot for Rushu.

[Leonie]

I really like both Rysn and Lopen. And Cord!

[Gabi]

Yes, Cord had great character scenes. I was laughing so hard at her bombastic speech and the "I have no idea what you are talking about" reply. Precious!

[Eric]

Didn't know this thread existed. Thanks Anna!

Just finished "Dawnshard." According to Sanderson, it is to embellish a character. Now, which one is the question. I pre-ordered "Rhythm," so time will tell.

[Xavaqenia]

It is, I believe, to provide flashbacks for Eshonai.

I really liked Dawnshard!

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

oh shit! theory time if you've read Elantris and Warbreaker. I've not yet read Dawnshard. (view spoiler)[ the fortune teller in Shadesmar mentioned Investiture and Domi, who is from the world of Elantris. so somehow at least 3 worlds access this realm. Also, I think Lift is born of someone from Vashers world. she uses power via calories like the royals do when they change hair color. (hide spoiler)]

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Eric your reply has my spoiler out in the open. Can you fix it please? ;-)

[Eric]

I couldn't see the spoiler, so deleted the post. Hope that worked.

[Gabi]

Allison wrote: "oh shit! theory time if you've read Elantris and Warbreaker. I've not yet read Dawnshard. [spoilers removed]"

I'm only just slowly getting my head around (view spoiler)[ all the worlds belonging together. When I read Elantris or Warbreaker I didn't have that in mind so I can't recall similarites. Yet I guess Shadesmar is the transition point for the whole of the cosmere. And the worldhoppers somehow have the overview because they are ... whatever?! I'm still on the SF theory of an ancient species colonizing all the worlds but then having lost their advanced technology and knowledge in the different worlds. With worldhoppers as the last remains of this species ... oh gosh ... my brain always goes into knots when I try to think my way through Sanderson's universe. (hide spoiler)]

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

aw, sorry! but thank you. yeah, the part you mentioned I think is a good tie in, Eric.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Gabi, yeah. More on that (view spoiler)[ Hoid mentions that Roshar has chickens that are not at all like chickens he knows, which suggests that he's familiar with the "Ur" world, wherever language fist came from. I don't remember a character like him in Elantris, so I'm wondering if either Sanderson hadn't invented him yet, or if that world is the "first" somehow and Hoid is someone from that world...I do think it likely that the worldhoppers are somehow related to Vasher and Vasher like people. (hide spoiler)]

[Gabi]

Allison wrote: "Gabi, yeah. More on that [spoilers removed]"

Right, I remember that quote. And I think there were several other mentions by him along the same line.

[Xavaqenia]

If you’re interested in figuring it out yourself, go right ahead! But a lot of the questions you have have been answered by the community here on the coppermind wiki: https://coppermind.net/wiki/Coppermin...
It is how I understand realmatic theory and the Cosmere. Specifically your theory about how all of the other planets got colonized, you are about halfway there!

It’s fascinating, isn’t it?

[Gabi]

Won't click on the link (but thanks for providing it). I find it much more rewarding to slowly go along with the revelations in the books. :D

[Xavaqenia]

Oh, the link is just to the homepage. You can carefully select the info you’re interested in reminding yourself on (characters, for example) by typing in the search box or something of the like.

Please don’t do anything you don’t want to, though! Reading is supposed to be rewarding, and everyone can take that however they please.

[Gabi]

That's good to know! Thanks, Xavaqenia. I usually only go to the wiki to try to figure out how names are written and which Radiant/Herold/searchbinding belongs where (only to forget it soon after and have to look it up again with the next book ^^')

[Gabi]

*surgebinding* of course ... ^^'

[Travis]

Now I'm thinking I somehow need to reread Warbreaker and Elantris sometime before *checks calendar* TOMORROW when I get my copy of Rhythm of War.

[Travis]

65% into Dawnshard and having so much fun with it!

[Gabi]

Travis wrote: "65% into Dawnshard and having so much fun with it!"

It is so much fun, isn't it?

Travis wrote: "Now I'm thinking I somehow need to reread Warbreaker and Elantris sometime before *checks calendar* TOMORROW when I get my copy of Rhythm of War."

LOL! Travis - NOW is a good time to invent that time machine :D

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

I just have to finish the last 200 pages of Oathbringer and then the 200 pages of Dawnshard in the next uh...12 hours. I read about a page per minute and have to work another 4.5 hours, so if I don't talk to my spouse, do any chores, or eat, I should be fine.

[Eric]

@Allison: Sounds like you waited too long to start the term paper due tomorrow. 😎

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

haha! That's how I feel! But in my defense, teacher assigned new homework less than a week before the paper was due.

[Eric]

Naughty teacher.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

THE NAUGHTIEST!!!

[Eric]

😲

[Gabi]

Q: "And, what do you do today?"
A: "Refreshing audible every 5 minutes ..."

Damn it's one of those releases that apparently go with US time. Most releases I can get when I wake up in the morning, but for some I have to wait till my midday or afternoon.

[Anna]

Only two more hours and you should have it! I'm also impatiently waiting for a book, but not this one :P

[Gabi]

Rhythm of War, prologue: (view spoiler)[ I totally dig the fact that we get the same day at the beginning of the books again and again in different POVs and each time the revealings are a bit more exciting (hide spoiler)]

[Xavaqenia]

Anna wrote: "Only two more hours and you should have it! I'm also impatiently waiting for a book, but not this one :P"

what are you waiting for? Genuinely curious.

[Anna]

Xavaqenia wrote: "what are you waiting for? Genuinely curious."

Not an SFF book :) I talked about it here.

[Travis]

Just got my copy of the hardcover. *squealing*

[Gabi]

Travis wrote: "Just got my copy of the hardcover. *squealing*"

AW! Hardcover! Gorgeous! I really have to get them one day.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

I think I'm gonna wait til they all come out and then get myself an outrageously expensive collector's set.

[Gabi]

I was actually really thinking about going with the kickstarter for the extra special thingy ... but 200 for a book seemed a wee bit over the top ... :P

[Xavaqenia]

Apparently the quality matched the price though! Don’t know how that’s possible, but it’s what I heard.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

If you think of it in terms of art, it's like $2 per inch right? So, even if it's just 2 covers on a 6x9 book, that's a steal. And then all the interior art?

Dammit, I think I just talked myself out of $200