2020 Cosmere BR (Currently reading: Edgedancer)

[Choko]

I just finished the second Wheel of Time, so staring right away!

[Anni]

I'm halfway through The Alloy of Law and I'm really enjoying it, but I don't know what else to say because I don't want to add anything spoiler-y 😅

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Did my re-read of Well of Ascension... it follows many of the tropes of a mid-book in a trilogy, and I largely don't care... the ending sequence, tho, with the horseshoes leading into the Koloss, reminds me of Neo saving Trinity in the 2nd Matrix movie... "YES YES YES.. (s)He did it..."

And the book is full of plenty of irony, once you read Secret History...

Re: Alloy of Law... (view spoiler)[I really thought Sanderson was going in one direction with Marasi in book 1, but am glad I was wrong, and with the actual direction taken in books 2-3... leads back into my talk of Steris, who I wasn't sold on in the first book... (hide spoiler)]

Edit: (view spoiler)[I was talking romantically (hide spoiler)]

[Anni]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Did my re-read of Well of Ascension... it follows many of the tropes of a mid-book in a trilogy, and I largely don't care... the ending sequence, tho, with the horseshoes leading into the Koloss, r..."

I think the last bit is actually a bit of a spoiler...

[Choko]

So, there is a ton of bloodshed so far... About 15% in and I really like it. However, you can really recognize Sanderson's writing. I guess you read enough of his books, and you can almost predict the melody of his sentences... Not so much the action, but the moody backgrounds and the mysterious villains◉‿◉... This is not a criticism, it's an observation.

[Silvana]

I am 71% and expecting to finish tonite if my insomnia cooperates ;p

I liked it.....this new (?) villain was quite intimidating. I love Wayne and also Steris. Such fun characters.

I am not really fond of the (view spoiler)[love triangle between Wax, Marasi and Steris in the first book, so I want a better conclusion in this book. (hide spoiler)]

Anyone can remind me why Wayne (view spoiler)[hated Steris so much? (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

I think he doesn't hate her, he just thinks she is too stiff and represents all the reasons Wax is staying in the city and not going back to the Roughs with him... And her being the way she is, he keeps comparing her with Lex... Wayne is the dude who is threatened by his bestie's new girl, because she changes their dynamics (•‿•)

[Choko]

At the Governor's ball... OMG! I love Steris! She is so obsessive compulsive, it is adorably painful!!! I am really rooting for her and Wax!!!

[Silvana]

Thank, Choko, very useful explanation.

[Choko]

Silvana, I got to after the party and honestly, I am very pissed at how mean he is to Steris! You might not like her, but you can't be mean and rude like that! It's horrible, because she takes it as if this is the way she expects to be treated... My heart just breaks for her... Also, Wax has never told Wayne he feels all that dislike for her, so I don't think it is his business to ask her on his behalf (view spoiler)[ for Steris to give up on the marriage... And I think that they are starting to like and care about each other ❤️ (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

OMG! Those last 10% of the book were so intense!!!!!!! And left me with a ton of questions as to how it will work from here on, as well as with a heavy heart for all involved... I don't know if you guys mind, but I am jumping in the next book right away. I need to know what happens!!!

[Silvana]

I finished it as well. I did like it, but felt that a bit overwritten at times. Especially during the navelgazing parts, internal monologuing especially Wax's, the pacing was a bit off for me. Also, I have some pet peeves when it comes to gods in fantasy - the less the better ;p

The ending was nice though (view spoiler)[I now ship Steris and Wax! She They both seem suitable for each other. (hide spoiler)]

Choko, I am not sure I could read the next one now since it's too expensive but I'll be looking forward to know your thoughts :)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Doing my Well of Ascension re-read, I think I finally found the perfect Michael Kramer listening speed... I re-listened on Audible at 3.5x speed, and it was almost too fast...

Michael Kramer has a much-discussed reputation for being a slow as molasses narrator, but with a deep voice that's easy to understand (in my opinion)... at 3.5x speed, I think I finally got him up to around 100pgs/hr

[Silvana]

3.5?? My audio record speed was only 1.75 but that's because I wanted to finish asap.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Silvana wrote: "3.5?? My audio record speed was only 1.75 but that's because I wanted to finish asap."

I think I did my last re-read at 2x on iBooks... Did the first book of this re-read in Greenlit at 3x... this was my third read-through... I can definitely do re-reads faster than initial reads... I also listen to everything at super speeds, these days...

I slowly ramped up from 1x to 2x... 2x-3x didn't take nearly as long... probably because while 3x is faster than 2x, it's only 50% faster, really... alot of it still comes down to natural narrator speed and how that translates to increased speeds... but I basically never go down to 2x speed anymore (Except when I listened to Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love, but Jonathan Van Ness already talks superfast)...

When I'm doing re-reads, I spend half my time anticipating the big scenes that may or may not give me chills... I tend to remember a fair amount of most books I re-read, even if I forget the in-betweens, or start jumbling events...

[Choko]

I can't do that... 1.5 is the fastest I can handle (•‿•)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Finally started my Hero of Ages re-read... this one is just full of juicy stuff on re-read... (view spoiler)[understanding how Hemalurgic spikes work, and why Spook gains Thug powers... meeting MeLaan (the same feminine kandra who shows up in the 2nd trilogy)... Paying attention to when Vin removes her earring throughout the trilogy, and understanding it's a hemalurgic spike, as well (and this is why she's stronger than a normal Mistborn...

I just love the Spook arc of this book, in general, paired with Secret Histories... so heartbreaking... (hide spoiler)]

(This is just spoilers for the initial trilogy, but I talked a bit more detail than my last couple spoilery comments, so I figured I'd be safe)

[Anni]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Finally started my Hero of Ages re-read... this one is just full of juicy stuff on re-read..."

Yeah! (view spoiler)[ I can't wait for MeLaan to show up :) (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Sir Anni wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Finally started my Hero of Ages re-read... this one is just full of juicy stuff on re-read..."

Yeah! [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[She and Wayne's skewed mind get along well... (hide spoiler)]

(vague spoiler for trilogy 2)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Nearing the end of my Hero of Ages re-read, and it's amazing how many details I'd forgotten... like the Atium Mistings... (view spoiler)[Elend's speech here reminds me of the President's speech in Independence Day, before getting in a fighter jet to suicide attack the aliens... (hide spoiler)]

All the hemalurgy talk has me really excited for the sci-fi books... hemalurgy is designed to be one of the most versatile magic systems in the cosmere... it can steal magic abilities from people on any world... so they're almost guaranteed to factor into the sci-fi story/resolution of the series... you can already see hints of it in Sixth of the Dusk, which Sanderson has confirmed as the story set farthest into the future in the timeline so far... if you haven't read it, (view spoiler)[it shows hints of Space Colonialism, and some unseen space group trying to control the magic systems of the galaxy... by any means necessary (hide spoiler)]... I really want Sanderson to find time to write the sequel to the novella, since the world has such a cool magic system...

I also noticed the phrase Shadow of Self, near the end of Hero of Ages, that paired with the title of The Lost Metal, has me worried for the return of Atium/Ati (it was said that it would take 300 years for the Pits of Hathsinn to start producing again, and the Wax & Wayne cycle is set 298 years after Hero of Ages)

[Siobhan]

Where you guys up to? I'm joining in for Secret History! :)

[Choko]

Not there yet... But it will be soon, Siobhan◉‿◉

[Siobhan]

Choko wrote: "Not there yet... But it will be soon, Siobhan◉‿◉"

OK I'll keep checking! :)

[Kathrine]

GUYS!!!!! IT’S HERE!!! THE RHYTHM OF WAR (UK) COVER!!!!!! AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

[Kathrine]

I'm actually shaking right now, it's sooooo good! my hype just went to 100 real fast hahaha

https://www.waterstones.com/book/rhyt...

[Kathrine]

Also I'm about halfway through Shadows of Self but things have been crazy at work so I'm having trouble staying focused on the story – hopefully this weekend will bring some peace so I can gather my thoughts on the story. Though I am loving it so far! Steris is just <3

[Choko]

I looove Steris!!! Her and MeLaan are my favorite characters of this era(✷‿✷)

[Siobhan]

Kathrine wrote: "I'm actually shaking right now, it's sooooo good! my hype just went to 100 real fast hahaha

https://www.waterstones.com/book/rhyt..."

I am in love!! Can't wait to get it!! :D

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Kathrine wrote: "GUYS!!!!! IT’S HERE!!! THE RHYTHM OF WAR (UK) COVER!!!!!! AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!"

Is that Shallan on the cover?... Doesn't really look like a Parshendi (which would make more sense, given the focus of the story)

[Siobhan]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Kathrine wrote: "GUYS!!!!! IT’S HERE!!! THE RHYTHM OF WAR (UK) COVER!!!!!! AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!"

Is that Shallan on the cover?... Doesn't really look like a Parshendi (which would make more sense, give..."

Looks like Shallan to me! :)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Shallan was on Oathbringer US, too... Shallan has gotten a fair amount of covers, looking at multiple regions...

[Anni]

Kathrine wrote: "GUYS!!!!! IT’S HERE!!! THE RHYTHM OF WAR (UK) COVER!!!!!! AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!"

Yeeeeees! It's beautiful! ❤️

[Anni]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Kathrine wrote: "GUYS!!!!! IT’S HERE!!! THE RHYTHM OF WAR (UK) COVER!!!!!! AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!"

Is that Shallan on the cover?... Doesn't really look like a Parshendi (which would make more sense, give..."

Maybe, it also could be (better don't open if you hadn't read Words of Radiance) (view spoiler)[ Jasnah (hide spoiler)], couldn't it?

[Anni]

I finished The Alloy of Law :) Most of all I really enjoyed the friendship between our main characters, (view spoiler)[ the love triangle with Wax, Steris and Marasi... not so much 😅 (hide spoiler)] I also really, really enjoyed the world building and how thought through the abilities of each characters were. It was really cool reading about them using them

[Anni]

Timelord Iain wrote: "I also noticed the phrase Shadow of Self, near the end of Hero of Ages, that paired with the title of The Lost Metal, has me worried for the return of Atium/Ati (it was said that it would take 300 years for the Pits of Hathsinn to start producing again, and the Wax & Wayne cycle is set 298 years after Hero of Ages)"

Oh wow, great catch! I haven't thought about it yet, but indeed makes so much sense, especially with the title of the next book!

[Choko]

Sir Anni, I love their bromance too! For some reason the love triangle didn't bother me much here, maybe because they have those Victorian-like culture and nothing gets hot and heavy...

[Sophia]

I’m finally done with alloy of law as well :) I just love Wayne and I’m really curious why all of you like Steris so much 😃 but I guess I’ll find out in the next book 😃

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Sophia wrote: "I’m finally done with alloy of law as well :) I just love Wayne and I’m really curious why all of you like Steris so much 😃 but I guess I’ll find out in the next book 😃"

To answer this vaguely, it's because Steris/Wax's relationship has a lot more growth/development than most expected from this book alone / when the series started... there's this scene/sequence, in book 2 or 3, where (view spoiler)[Wax & Steris stay up all night, to find 3 missing clips of currency in the Ladrian finances... it's one of the bigger instances that show how well-suited the 2 are, in the end (hide spoiler)]

It's easy, in this first book, to imagine (view spoiler)[Wax is supposed to be with Marasi, and build towards that... and that's not how it goes at all... and I'm glad that's not how it went, because what does happen is so much better (isn't that usually the way with Sanderson?) (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I finally re-read Alloy of Law, after starting back on Final Empire, and wow is this book full of hints and cameos and Cosmerey stuff...

Gonna have to write a bit spoilery post :D

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Lessie: Gonna wait to say anything about her until Shadows of Self, I think...

Lord Mistborn: What do you guys make of the street slang becoming Imperial language? :D (reminder: (view spoiler)[Spook, it read. I tried to bring them back, but apparently fixing the bodies doesn’t return the souls. I will get better at this with time, I expect. However, be assured that I have spoken with our friends, and they are quite happy where they are. They deserve a rest, I think... You did well. Know that the message you sent via Captain Goradel saved us all, in the end. The people will need leadership in the years to come. Likely, they will look to you. I’m sorry that I cannot be there in person to help you, but know that I am . . . about.
I have made you Mistborn, and healed the damage you did to your body by flaring tin so much. I hope you don’t mind. It was Kelsier’s request, actually. Consider it a parting gift from him.
Watch over them for me.
P.S. There are still two metals that nobody knows about. You might want to poke about and see if you can figure out what they are. I think they’ll interest you. (hide spoiler)])

Harmony: (view spoiler)[or should I say, Sazed: Much to think on, from these scenes... and his possible machinations to involve Waxillium in the story... but the most telling, to me, is if he picked Wax for how similar he is to Kelsier... (hide spoiler)]

Trell: From early in Final Empire: (view spoiler)[“I think I have the perfect religion for you,” Sazed said, his normally stoic face revealing a glimmer of eagerness. “It is called ‘Trelagism,’ after the god Trell. Trell was worshipped by a group known as the Nelazan, a people who lived far to the north. In their land, the day and night cycle was very odd. During some months of the year, it was dark for most of the day. During the summer, however, it only grew dark for a few hours at a time.
“The Nelazan believed that there was beauty in darkness, and that the daylight was more profane. They saw the stars as the Thousand Eyes of Trell watching them. The sun was the single, jealous eye of Trell’s brother, Nalt. Since Nalt only had one eye, he made it blaze brightly to outshine his brother. The Nelazan, however, were not impressed, and preferred to worship the quiet Trell, who watched over them even when Nalt obscured the sky.”
Sazed fell silent. Vin wasn’t sure how to respond, so she didn’t say anything.
“It really is a good religion, Mistress Vin,” Sazed said. “Very gentle, yet very powerful. The Nelazan were not an advanced people, but they were quite determined. They mapped the entire night sky, counting and placing every major star. Their ways suit you—especially their preference of the night. I can tell you more, if you wish.” (hide spoiler)]

Marsh: (view spoiler)[has been alive for 300 years now, clearly... no details on how (mostly because the details of hemalurgy are hazy at best... I actually went ahead and checked the wiki, and it's because of all the extra spikes Ruin put into him, and the Atium he retrieved from KanPaar at the end of Hero of Ages, which lets him store age to extend his life... (hide spoiler)]

Those are the main ones I can think of, right now... I'm sure I forgot a couple already...

[Choko]

Awesome snippets! I am very impressed, Iain! I couldn't remember that religion for the life of me! I just don't understand, if it is a gentle religion, why do the possible new followers seem so violently aggressive???

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Choko wrote: "Awesome snippets! I am very impressed, Iain! I couldn't remember that religion for the life of me! I just don't understand, if it is a gentle religion, why do the possible new followers seem so vio..."

Several possibilities...

1) Centuries are plenty of time for a religion to be warped/changed...

2) The religion has been hijacked

3) There's more going on here (that I can discuss after Shadows of Self or Bands of Mourning)... I think you read those already, so I'll include a spoiler here: (view spoiler)[Trell is actually a Shard from another world... that's why there's trellium, like there's atium (this trellium term isn't in the book, but Sanderson says it's an apt name for the unknown metal that appears in later Wax & Wayne books)... Trell is speculated to be Autonomy, a Shard with interest in controlling many worlds... s/he's had a hand in 2 of the short novellas... in the Cosmere, red seems to be the go-to color for when Shards are interfering on the worlds of other Shards (Trell here and Odium in Stormlight Archive)

Autonomy also easily plays into what's known of the Trelagism religion... as does the stuff about the stars being the "Thousand Eyes of Trell"... (hide spoiler)]

[Zaara]

Kathrine wrote: "GUYS!!!!! IT’S HERE!!! THE RHYTHM OF WAR (UK) COVER!!!!!! AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!"

Wow... and the UK covers were always a favourite...

@Anni (keeping it vague) regarding your 👆spoiler in 133...I loved that surprise ending to Book 2....since that was the char/event I was most shocked about...it was so sudden and 😡 when it happened, I slammed my book and gave it a scar brand on its forehead. The disfigurement is permanent, alack and alas, so I can never forget the moment...

EDIT sorry i barged in and disrupted, i have notifications on early for Warbreaker and just saw that cover...also tho I didnt open the spoilers I am legit confused...is the thread reading Stormlight right now or Mistborn? Bcuz I was supposed to read Mistborn Era 1 did that BR already finish??

[Anni]

We're discussing Mistborn Era 2 right now. :)

I originally planned the Read with Navi (I think she vanished tho... oh no!) and she already read Era 1. As I enjoyed Era 2 more than Era 1 (at least book 2 and 3, they were pretty good, but not my favourites) I skipped them for my re-read. Iain has read Era 1 but I think he's done already (and the only thing I'm surprised about is that he hasn't already finished everything else as well...)

[Siobhan]

Sir Anni wrote: "We're discussing Mistborn Era 2 right now. :)

I originally planned the Read with Navi (I think she vanished tho... oh no!) and she already read Era 1. As I enjoyed Era 2 more than Era 1 (at least ..."

Hahaha 😂

[Zaara]

:)) i think he just may have

EDIT Please bong the gong when the thread is gonna read Warbreaker, I really am not opening any of the Mistborn spoilers. Hailee, Elizabeth and I are gonna start Era 1 mext month....

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Zaara wrote: "Kathrine wrote: "GUYS!!!!! IT’S HERE!!! THE RHYTHM OF WAR (UK) COVER!!!!!! AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!"

Wow... and the UK covers were always a favourite...

@Anni (keeping it vague) regarding your 👆spoiler in..."

There are unrelated BRs going on about now for Final Empire & Way of Kings... seen them in my notification feed... this is for Alloy of Law, altho I saw Choko jump ahead and do Shadows of Self & maybe Bands of Mourning... I hung out and re-read the first 4 books, so far...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Sir Anni wrote: "We're discussing Mistborn Era 2 right now. :)

I originally planned the Read with Navi (I think she vanished tho... oh no!) and she already read Era 1. As I enjoyed Era 2 more than Era 1 (at least ..."

It's funny you should say that about Well of Ascension & Hero of Ages... I agree that they have their moments, but Final Empire is the best of the first trilogy, and the book I most enjoy re-reading...

And regarding re-reading, it's because I'm reading 100 other things, as well...

Starting April 8th:
The Final Empire -- Mistborn 1 re-read
The Face of a Stranger -- William Monk 1 (Anne Perry)
Executive Power -- Mitch Rapp 4
Murder in Mesopotamia -- Hercule Poirot 16
The Well of Ascension -- Mistborn 2 re-read
Every Dead Thing -- Charlie Parker 1
Ninth House -- Alex Stern 1 BR
Alive Day -- Joe Ledger short story
Uncanny Collateral -- Valkyrie Chronicles 1 (Brian McClellan)
Lioness Rampant -- Song of the Lioness 4 BR
Honor Lost -- Honors 3 BR
Dragonfly in Amber -- Outlander 2 BR
The Hero of Ages -- Mistborn 3 re-read
The Last Emperox -- Interdependency 3 BR (new)
Badger to the Bone -- Honey Badger Chronicles 3 (new)
Never Die -- Wuxia standalone BR
The Mechanical Heart -- Feedback Loop 5 (BR?)
Return of the Dead Guy -- Space Team 6 BR
Seven Blades in Black -- Grave of Empires 2 BR
The Alloy of Law -- Mistborn 4 re-read BR
The X-Files: Cold Cases -- Audible Original
Blood of Empire -- Gods of Blood & Powder 3 (new)
The Ocean at the End of the Lane -- Neil Gaiman BR
The Cabinet of Curiosities -- Pendergast 3

Like I said... I'm all over the place :)

[Anni]

Timelord Iain wrote: "It's funny you should say that about Well of Ascension & Hero of Ages... I agree that they have their moments, but Final Empire is the best of the first trilogy, and the book I most enjoy re-reading......"

That's what I meant, WoA and HoA, weren't bad books, but I don't liked them as much as Final Empire and the second Era books. Not as much that I would like to squeeze in a re-read now. Final Empire was awesome, but only re-reading the first book in a trilogy doesn't feel right 😂

[Sophia]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Lessie: Gonna wait to say anything about her until Shadows of Self, I think...

Lord Mistborn: What do you guys make of the street slang becoming Imperial language? :D (reminder: Spook, it read. I ..."

I had the same impression for most of these while reading as well… It's nice to see them confirmed in a way, but I completely missed the connection with the religions to the first Era :D I didn't even come to my mind that it might have been one mentioned in there. Even though there were like a gazillion and it should have suggested itself.

Anyway, when do you guys want to start with Shadows of Self ? :)