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

[Travis]

Allison wrote: "I ain't mad! I will read all of this world in all of the pages. ."

Oh, yeah! Me too. I'm here for all of the pages and all of the words.

[Rachel]

Ok I made it past page 100 last night- 10% if book one...not even 1% of series...oh man.
I remember when that would have made me excited 😆
That was before twins.

Anyway : enjoying the intro and worldbuilding - having read almost everything he’s written I haven’t bothered to make impressions yet, just taking it all in.

Love that he got all that art in there!

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Rachel wrote: "Ok I made it past page 100 last night- 10% if book one...not even 1% of series...oh man.
I remember when that would have made me excited 😆
That was before twins.

Anyway : enjoying the intro and ..."

Brave soul, dealing with twins and the beginning of a 10-12,000 page journey. I am finding myself looking at the art more this time, actually. It really is a nice touch.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

veri stit a li an
ver ist Italian
ver is ti talian.

How do I say this word?

[Mason]

Allison wrote: "veri stit a li an
ver ist Italian
ver is ti talian.

How do I say this word?"

I would pronounce it the first option but don't know for certain.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Mason wrote: "Allison wrote: "veri stit a li an
ver ist Italian
ver is ti talian.

How do I say this word?"

I would pronounce it the first option but don't know for certain."

I think I've settled on ver IST tih taylian, like vegetarian, but they eat truth instead of vegetables.

[Elena]

I actually part read - part listened to the audio book, which was a very interesting experience regarding all the names and made-up words. I'm glad I started reading first, otherwise I'm sure I'd imagine lots of words to be spelt differently! I think in the audio book they pronounced this word as
ver ist tih TAYlian.

[Ruth]

Elena wrote: "I actually part read - part listened to the audio book, which was a very interesting experience regarding all the names and made-up words. I'm glad I started reading first, otherwise I'm sure I'd i..."

I did WoR via Whispersync, which I found an excellent (though expensive!) way to read it - great audio performances but didn’t take too long to get through.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Elena wrote: "I actually part read - part listened to the audio book, which was a very interesting experience regarding all the names and made-up words. I'm glad I started reading first, otherwise I'm sure I'd i..."

Thank you!!

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Ruth wrote: "Elena wrote: "I actually part read - part listened to the audio book, which was a very interesting experience regarding all the names and made-up words. I'm glad I started reading first, otherwise ..."

Oh, cool. I always wonder with long books like this. On the one hand, reading it however possible means it might take less time, but on the other, I feel listening to someone read sooo much would make it feel longer.

Where are people in the books? I'm about to finish WoK (I was distracted last night and I'm mad about it). I forgot how powerful it was.

[Mason]

Allison wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Elena wrote: "I actually part read - part listened to the audio book, which was a very interesting experience regarding all the names and made-up words. I'm glad I started reading firs..."

I finished WoK last week and about 20% into WoR. I’m also listening to the audio book. Is it going to your first time through WoR?

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Mason wrote: "Allison wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Elena wrote: "I actually part read - part listened to the audio book, which was a very interesting experience regarding all the names and made-up words. I'm glad I star..."

Me? No, I haven't read Edgedancer yet, but I've read the other two. 8 days til Oathbringer! *reads harder* It has been awhile though and I have a memory like a fine mesh sieve, so it might be like reading it for the first time haha!

[Mason]

Allison wrote: "Mason wrote: "Allison wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Elena wrote: "I actually part read - part listened to the audio book, which was a very interesting experience regarding all the names and made-up words. I..."

I know! Still have two books to finish and so little time (luckily Edgedancer is “shorter”). Brandon is coming to San Diego on his Oathbringer tour, I’ll definitely be there :)

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Mason wrote: "Allison wrote: "Mason wrote: "Allison wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Elena wrote: "I actually part read - part listened to the audio book, which was a very interesting experience regarding all the names and ..."

Jellyyyyy. I've heard he's a pleasant person. My friend was his sort of assistant/guide for one of the cons on the east coast and said he was very nice and kinda shy.

[Rob]

I'm planning to start Oathbringer this week with all those free chapters Tor has been posting. I'm just trying to gague how quickly I'll get through them. Normally I'm a very slow reader, but I tend to get caught up in these books to the detriment of all other things.

Then again I have a bunch of video game stuff keeping me somewhat distracted.

I got to meet Brandon Sanderson in 2013 for the A Memory of Light tour. He's super nice. He hasn't been through my area since then. I keep hoping to get him to sign some of my Stormlight books.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Rob wrote: "I'm planning to start Oathbringer this week with all those free chapters Tor has been posting. I'm just trying to gague how quickly I'll get through them. Normally I'm a very slow reader, but I ten..."

Yeah. November is hard for me to commit to things. Holiday ramp up, work ramp up, all sorts of releases, all those November challenges...So I hope to start Oathbringer shortly after it's fully released. I agree, these books hit my bloodstream and I can't just not read them. And I just checked, he's not slated to come this way :( Mason, you'll have to go for all of us. God speed.

Spoiler at pg 900/90% (view spoiler)[ Did you see Sadeas' betrayal coming? (hide spoiler)]

[Mason]

Rob wrote: "I'm planning to start Oathbringer this week with all those free chapters Tor has been posting. I'm just trying to gague how quickly I'll get through them. Normally I'm a very slow reader, but I ten..."

Glad to hear he’s a good guy. I’ve heard some bad stories about book signings with other authors and was curious about Brandon Sanderson. This will be my first one so hopefully it’ll be a good time.

Allison wrote: "Rob wrote: "I'm planning to start Oathbringer this week with all those free chapters Tor has been posting. I'm just trying to gague how quickly I'll get through them. Normally I'm a very slow reade..."

Same here. Luckily I listen at work but I’m pretty cut off when I get home. The holidays aren’t going to help the cause at all either. But yea, it looks like a lot of west coast for his tour.

Comment on your spoiler: (view spoiler)[ At first, I didn’t like Sadeas but after the vision “told” him to trust him, I found myself trusting him as well. I even started to like Sadeas after he squashed the suspicions of Dalinar being the king’s assailant and agreed to the plateau runs. Sanderson got me good! The way he built up the trust was perfect. Speaking of surprises, the Shallan storyline threw me through a loop too! (hide spoiler)]

[Travis]

I'm on page 763 (ch 44) of WoK, and as the tension builds my page count per day ratio increases.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Travis wrote: "I'm on page 763 (ch 44) of WoK, and as the tension builds my page count per day ration increases."

Oh! Kaladin! Poor gloomy Kaladin < /3

Do you have a favorite POV yet? Or a character you hope gets more screentime?

[Travis]

Allison wrote: "Do you have a favorite POV yet? Or a character you hope gets more screentime? "

I would love for Jasnah to get some of her own POV chapters.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Travis wrote: "Allison wrote: "Do you have a favorite POV yet? Or a character you hope gets more screentime? "

I would love for Jasnah to get some of her own POV chapters."

*vigorous nodding*

[Elena]

I'm on Part 3 of WOR, and I absolutely love it! All the revelations and developments, and the building tension - amazing!

I think I read it somewhere on Sanderson's blog recently that he originally had lots more different POVs and Jasnah was one of those, but he eventually narrowed down the number of narrators. Jasnah is definitely awesome. *tries hard not to say anything about WOR* Argh!

I do love Kaladin's chapters - and him as a character, as well as Dalinar - I actually can't really decide which of them I like more at this stage. Although, WOR vague spoiler follows: (view spoiler)[How Shallan's character is developing in this book is making her an a lot more interesting character for me! The amount of badass is increasing with astonishing speed, and I'm now sooo curious about what will happen between our POV characters further - I have my suspicions hehe! (hide spoiler)]

Re your spoiler, Allison, (view spoiler)[I absolutely did not expect the betrayal! I was suspicious, yes, but rather more generally of him; I didn't really like Sadeas much, but I was shocked when it happened. I agree with others - the whole scene for it was prepared very impressively, and I did feel the rage and horror, and was rooting aloud for what actually finally happened to happen! (hide spoiler)]

[Rob]

I agree Elena (view spoiler)[Shallan had some really great character development in WoR that made her much more interesting to me as well (hide spoiler)]

[Travis]

All these spoilers I dare not click. MUST READ FASTER.

I'd also love a Parshman POV. Seriously, when are they going to rise up and murder all these slavers!

[Travis]

Elena wrote: "And then came the moment when I realised I don't just like, I love this book already before I'm done with it, and it was in Chapter 45."

I've had this comment in mind for the past week, just waiting to get to Chapter 45. Well, I just finished it and, yes, everything you say!

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Travis wrote: "Elena wrote: "And then came the moment when I realised I don't just like, I love this book already before I'm done with it, and it was in Chapter 45."

I've had this comment in mind for the past we..."

Oh man yes! (Ch 45 discussion) (view spoiler)[It was just so spooky and frantic and bizarre, which I know I didn't expect, given how straight forward the men's story lines have been so far. (hide spoiler)]

Also, Travis, any thoughts now on the way Brandon has written their society, with the caste, the gender roles etc?

[Travis]

Allison wrote: "Also, Travis, any thoughts now on the way Brandon has written their society, with the caste, the gender roles etc? "

I'm still trying to figure out what I think he's doing. Is the innate docility of the Parshman something he's taking for granted? Or something he's training us to hold in suspicion? Those of you who have read a lot further than I will probably have clearer ideas on this. I keep hoping it's the latter, and that the series is going to do some smart, interesting things with colonialism and slavery.

Re. gender: I love the books, but the gender roles here are, for me, the least interesting part of the world. They seem like the kind of ideal society my 9-year-old son and all his friends would create: one where the girls are the ones who need to go to school and learn to read while they get to hangout and play with swords and mock fight all day long --- and, then, once they do begin to have sexual feelings, there's an endless supply of young attractive women who can be won over with just a basket of fruit. I'm really hoping for more characters that challenge the strictness of the binary.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Travis wrote: "Re. gender: I love the books, but the gender roles here are, for me, the least interesting part of the world. They seem like the kind of ideal society my 9-year-old son and all his friends would create..."

LMAO!

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

I think it's great because it's so very clearly over the top. I think it highlights how arbitrary things like "inherent qualities" and modesty can be, which then might be extrapolated to throw some questions on how our world handles these assumptions. Like, different soups for women and men? How silly! What nonsense! *Is offered a fruity drink rather than a beer* How backwards they--oh, I see it now.

I also like, as I mentioned earlier, that this book at least contemplates women being necessary as more than breeders within the society. Men may take them for granted, but the women we meet--and we meet a ton! So many women!!--are self-possessed, thoughtful and demand respect. I love that. If you're going to explore gender lines, let us see the reality of their interactions, so we can judge for ourselves if the rules in place are real, or just the social constructs they're familiar with.

[Travis]

Allison wrote: "I think it's great because it's so very clearly over the top. I think it highlights how arbitrary things like "inherent qualities" and modesty can be, which then might be extrapolated to throw some..."

That's great -- thanks! I like seeing it as a parody.

*Handing over a 95 IBU West Coast IPA*

[Ruth]

Allison wrote: "I think it's great because it's so very clearly over the top. I think it highlights how arbitrary things like "inherent qualities" and modesty can be, which then might be extrapolated to throw some..."

I agree - I think the arbitrary-ness is the point. Why should left hands be considered taboo? And certain kinds of food considered male or female? It’s no stupider than a lot of real life gender roles and distinctions.

[Travis]

Allison wrote: "Spoiler at pg 900/90%."

(view spoiler)[I only saw it coming because your page 900 is different from mine, so I clicked -- but that didn't spoil my enjoyment of the scene in the least. It's such a perfect climactic moment in the novel. I was inhaling it as quickly as possible on the train into work this morning and now cannot wait until the train ride home....

I'm looking forward to more development of Shallan's story in WoR. (hide spoiler)]

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Oh, Travis, I'm so sorry!! But I'm glad you still enjoyed it. In the future, I'll pad it out :(

[Travis]

Allison wrote: "Oh, Travis, I'm so sorry!! But I'm glad you still enjoyed it. In the future, I'll pad it out :("

It wasn't your fault! You put 90% too. I wasn't paying attention. I've also never found spoilers to lessen my reading experience.

[Mason]

Do any of you have a favorite Bridge Four member?

For me, it’s Lopen. The one armed Herdazian that isn’t short of cousins.

[Ruth]

Mason wrote: "Do any of you have a favorite Bridge Four member?

For me, it’s Lopen. The one armed Herdazian that isn’t short of cousins."

Rock the Horneater chef

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Eehhhh I don't wanna choose! What if they die! I love them all!

[Travis]

Allison wrote: "Eehhhh I don't wanna choose! What if they die! I love them all!"

I love them all!

[Travis]

Chs. 65 - End of WoK:

(view spoiler)[These are the chapters that start internally alternating both Kaladin's and Dalinar's perspectives. My comments: O M G O M G O M G W T F W T F W T F B A M F B A M F B A M F. On repeat. (hide spoiler)]

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Travis wrote: "Chs. 65 - End of WoK:

[spoilers removed]"

lolololol

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

So...is it safe to start moseying into discussions of Words of Radiance or would folks like a little more time? Rachel? Elena? I don't want you to feel like we can't always and forever stop everything to discuss more things from WoK.

[Elena]

Mason wrote: "Do any of you have a favorite Bridge Four member?

For me, it’s Lopen. The one armed Herdazian that isn’t short of cousins."

I want to say I love them all, at least all the "main" ones, and that is actually something I love about them: the way some of those are so thought-out and well-rounded for minor characters! Rock, Lopen, and Teft are sort of equally my favourites, all have wonderfully distinct personalities, and I love it that you do get to learn little bits about them as each has a story of their own.

For that reason, not yet sure if my expectations and hopes to find out more about him will come true, I must proclaim Sigzil my top favourite, haha. I do have a soft spot for the smart and the knowledgeable and the wise in the ways of the world. His connection with another character (I don't remember when that comes to light and can't label it properly as a spoiler, so I just won't mention who it is and you'll know once you've read that far) makes him even more fascinating for me.

[Elena]

Travis wrote: "Chs. 65 - End of WoK:

[spoilers removed]"

Haha, Travis, I had the absolute same reaction!

[Elena]

Allison wrote: "So...is it safe to start moseying into discussions of Words of Radiance or would folks like a little more time? Rachel? Elena? I don't want you to feel like we can't always and forever stop everyth..."

I'll be starting chapter 74 of WoR, and oh my goodness the things happening there! I'm all up for further discussions, but I don't mind waiting for the others as I'm happy to chip in anyway.

[Leonie]

Mason wrote: "Do any of you have a favorite Bridge Four member?

For me, it’s Lopen. The one armed Herdazian that isn’t short of cousins."

I love Lopen 😊

[Travis]

Mason wrote: "Do any of you have a favorite Bridge Four member?"

I'm really intrigued by Shen as well and am hoping that his character develops as we learn more about the Parshmen going forward.

I'm just about to walk to the bookstore for my copy of WoR... so I'll be ready to dive into Book 2 discussions soon.

[Travis]

This is a non-spoilery comment relevant to the prologue to WoR and much of WoK...

Has there ever been a more obvious contender for the Best Fantasy Series to Give Your Friends in Rehab Award? There are parts of these books that remind me of 19th-century temperance fiction. For me, that's neither a good thing nor a bad thing, just an interesting departure from the festive pub scenes we get in so many other fantasy worlds.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Travis wrote: "This is a non-spoilery comment relevant to the prologue to WoR and much of WoK...

Has there ever been a more obvious contender for the Best Fantasy Series to Give Your Friends in Rehab Award? The..."

The way you use words is delightful. Yes, it's fascinating how little drinking goes on in these books. The only thing they get high on is light. Err...life. Spren.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Happy Release Day!!!

Time for more questions. I say you should be safe looking around 30% (Travis.) into Words of Radiance.

(view spoiler)[ Who do you think the other Knights are besides Kaladin, Jasnah, and Shallan? Do you think Dalinar will get a spren? Do you think Jasnah is truly dead? (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Allison wrote: "Happy Release Day!!! "

Just put it on my Kindle. Will I get to it this year? Maybe.