2020 Cosmere BR (Currently reading: Edgedancer)

[Beena]

Fuck yeah, what a chapter!

Chapter 13 (view spoiler)[ So we finally get to see the shardplate and shardblades in action and it's just as awesome as I thought it would be! Loved that whole scene! I love the way the shardblades form into being and they're not just your standard sword. Ahhh, that was amazing! I wanna keep reading and now I have to go to bed lol. Sad times.

Elhokar seems a bit bull-headed, taking stupid risks, but he's not dislikeable. I reckon Dalinar's visions are definitely true. (hide spoiler)]


I keep forgetting to mention, I love the illustrations, just makes the book feel more complete and the world more real. And I'm loving how this is written, definitely getting a Rothfuss/Hobb feel it's so vivid and rich.

Also, how many spren do you need?? Lol. I keep thinking that must be it now and then new ones keep coming up!

[Beena]

@Choko regarding 1st Interlude (view spoiler)[ Also, I think I feel kind of sorry for Z, but at the same time I feel like shaking him - stop letting those losers hold your Oath Stone! Be at least a bit of a part of the control of how you want your life to go on!!! I know he is following his culture and traditions, but there doesn't seem to be anyone who knows those and still cares, so at least choose a better type of master!

What I don't get, is why he allows himself to have a master?! He's clearly intelligent and dangerous, like fair enough you don't want to kill, but that doesn't mean you have to be a slave?! (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Beena wrote: "@Choko regarding 1st Interlude Also, I think I feel kind of sorry for Z, but at the same time I feel like shaking him - stop letting those losers hold your Oath Stone! Be at least a bit of a part ..."

(view spoiler)[It has to do with being Truthless, and what that means... even after 3 books, much isn't known... I expect details to finally come in book 5, which I think is the one with Szeth flashbacks (Sanderson has changed his mind about the order of Flashback books a couple times... it largely comes down to which flashbacks will best reveal other details about the plot... incrementally more details are revealed, as the flashbacks focus on more knowledgeable and worldly characters... backwater Kaladin > lighteyes Shallan > general Dalinar > SPOILERS > Szeth-son-son-Vallano, Truthless of Shinovar... (hide spoiler)]

I think that spoiler is safe, I just tagged it for people who haven't really started yet...

[Choko]

I am a horrible buddy reader! I couldn't pace myself and finished the book! In my defense, it is AWESOME! So how can I possibly be able to control myself? No, seriously, I have been spending time with a friend in the hospital, waiting for him to get better, but really expecting the worst, so I have been defensively reading like crazy, trying to run away from reality at least in my head. I had the time to read, but my phone doesn't work in the ICU waiting room, so I have not been able to comment on anything, but I see you guys are reading and liking it, so I feel good about this◉‿◉

Shallan is so young and sheltered! Her art is awesome, but (view spoiler)[ there is something about how she reacts to things that comes off a bit forced and unnatural. I wonder if Sanderson is doing it on purpose, or if he is having a hard time getting her to sound like a regular teenager. She is simultaneously too smart and too stupid for her age. I don't see her as a real person yet.

Kaladin on the other hand, with his episodes of melancholy and burst of optimism, is much more realistic and relatable. I am not sure yet if the author is trying to build him as a slightly bipolar, or with a seasonal affective disorder. I will keep an eye on that.

The Bridge 4 guys are a group of near-do-wells, and I hope we get more of their back stories. The little we do get is very interesting, and I am liking most of them, but I am not trusting Moash... He is way too radical about everything. I just don't trust the dude. But Rock, Scar and The other guys are obviously a perfect fit with what Kaladin needs - he needs a cause and people to take care of and protect. I hope for everyone sake he manages to save all of them... (hide spoiler)]

I only commented up to that first interlude, so it is safe to open.

[Beena]

@Iain, ah I see!

@Choko, aww that's understandable, I hope your friend gets better soon. x Tbf, it is really taking off so I don't blame you for finishing it already lol.

(view spoiler)[ Regarding Shallan, I did find it a bit odd that she's described as sheltered and gentle, yet she does have a mouth on her; like fair enough she'd be that way with her brothers, but with other people you would think she wouldn't be so forthcoming. Particularly having never been anywhere else in her life. I'm still not too keen on her tbh.

Loving Kaladin, he's just more interesting to me, I don't particularly care about Shallan's mission to steal the soulcaster. (hide spoiler)]

Btw, that last paragraph is after the first interlude, probably from part 2 (don't worry, I just skimmed the first bit) just so you know and can edit it..

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Beena wrote: "@Iain, ah I see!

@Choko, aww that's understandable, I hope your friend gets better soon. x Tbf, it is really taking off so I don't blame you for finishing it already lol.

Regarding Shallan, I di..."

Shallan's mouth (view spoiler)[is a defense mechanism... there are some real skeletons in her closet... revealing them is a large part of book 2... altho I'm of the belief that there is still one big one left... sometimes, characters get one-off flashbacks in later books... I think Kaladin has one in book 2 or 3... hopefully Shallan has one in book 4 or 5... (hide spoiler)]

[Lucija]

I'm sorry Choko, I hope your friend gets well soon

I've been reading a lot as well (though I don't read nearly as fast as some people in this group seem to haha it's impressive), I really like this book and it's getting really hard to stop. Today I had my thesis defense and I still couldn't stop reading well into the night yesterday haha
I finished chapter 17 (view spoiler)[Man, I loved that one, Kaladin taking charge of Bridge 4 and caring about his fellow bridgers (hide spoiler)]
About Shallan. (view spoiler)[Yeah, I don't care that much about her quest, but I'm still starting to like her story. I'm looking forward to seeing more of Shallan and Jasnah interactions. I also like when she interacts with others. On the other hand, we're being told that she doesn't like confrontations (which is something I can relate to, so I've been paying more attention to it), but she doesn't really seem to act like it. She goes off being snarky a lot (and I like that), but it just doesn't seem like something a person fearing confrontations would do. And I agree, being sheltered her whole life sure wouldn't help that matter. (hide spoiler)]

[Lucija]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Beena wrote: "@Iain, ah I see!

@Choko, aww that's understandable, I hope your friend gets better soon. x Tbf, it is really taking off so I don't blame you for finishing it already lol.

Regarding..."

Ah, ok, I guess some of her behavior will than be explained later on

[Paula]

I agree with you that Shallan's behaviour is strange

The first interlude was strange because I thought we would be following a character not several, but so far is intriguing because I don't really see how they connect

I liked how kaladin (view spoiler)[ found that little push he needed in syls encouragememt. His storyline is the most interesting for sure (hide spoiler)]

[Chris]

Did anyone else get an email from Brandon Sanderson today containing a link to an alternate world version of Way of Kings?

https://www.brandonsanderson.com/the-...

It's part of his kickstarter for the 10th anniversary edition. He's also going to have another Cosmere (Stormlight) novella released as part of the package.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Chris wrote: "Did anyone else get an email from Brandon Sanderson today containing a link to an alternate world version of Way of Kings?

https://www.brandonsanderson.com/the-...

It's part of hi..."

I'm not sure if I'm signed up for the newsletter to auto-get the email, but I knew Way of Kings Prime was coming... there were a lot of disclaimers in the Live Online Signing Session #10 about it last week... this is the book Sanderson wrote in 2007 or so I think, and completely scrapped when he tried again... it was going to be a stretch goal pre-corona...

I'm really interested in the novella, since I think it's supposed to be Wandersail (view spoiler)[the ship given to Rysn, of the same name as the ship in the story Hoid told to Kaladin... Rysn is one of my favorite characters... I want her to become a Radiant or Squire, so she can heal... (hide spoiler)]... a novella of that name was teased sometime after Oathbringer came out... Sanderson has also said he'd like to eventually go back and write a novella between Way of Kings and Words of Radiance, so there's a novella between each tome...

[Chris]

I downloaded Way of Kings Prime and read the introduction. Pretty interesting evolution of the story.

It looks intriguing, but I don't know if I want to read it. With it being such an early draft and so much has changed from the real version of TWoK, I might confuse myself when I jump back into Book 4. My memory of Book 1 isn't great enough to compare the two either.

Still pretty cool.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Chris wrote: "I downloaded Way of Kings Prime and read the introduction. Pretty interesting evolution of the story.

It looks intriguing, but I don't know if I want to read it. With it being such an early draft ..."

White Sands Prime just made me wish it was a real novel, and not just a comic...

I'm not sure if Dragonsteel Prime is floating around, or it's too spoilery...

[Beena]

Chapter 15 (view spoiler)[ The more that's revealed about Gavilar's secret message, the more intriguing it is.. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 16(view spoiler)[ Quite obvious Laral was trying to get Kaladin to impress her. I thought it was quite sweet at first until she dumped him in it in front of the other boys and then walked off! What the hell, she was meant to be his friend! Clearly, she kept pushing the becoming a soldier thing so he could one day gain a shardblade, become a lighteyes and marry him. I hope we see more of Tien, he seems really sweet and seems to be a source of happiness for Kaladin- I think we will, will probably see how his death comes about. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 17(view spoiler)[He's absorbing Stormlight! The dun spheres- I suspected it before when he was fighting in Amaram's army and it mentioned that he moved faster than any normal man, but wasn't sure, but now it's confirmed!

I love that he's intelligent; having the aptitude for medicine as well as being a warrior. He's also such a sensitive and compassionate soul at heart, he feels it's his responsibility to protect and save everyone he gets close to and feels a failure if he doesn't. I definitely think he has depression with the phases of melancholy he gets. (hide spoiler)]

[Beena]

I've been reading a lot as well (though I don't read nearly as fast as some people in this group seem to haha it's impressive), I really like this book and it's getting really hard to stop. Today I had my thesis defense and I still couldn't stop reading well into the night yesterday haha

@Lucija, Yeah, I'm loving it too! I know right, some people read crazy fast on here! Ha, I'd love to read into the night and this is definitely making me want to, but I know I won't be able to do anything the next day if I don't get enough sleep! Ooh, what are you studying?

About Shallan (view spoiler)[ Her story's definitely still readable for sure. I find Jasnah a bit up herself tbh, so in that respect I'm on her side.

She goes off being snarky a lot (and I like that), but it just doesn't seem like something a person fearing confrontations would do.

Indeed. (hide spoiler)]

[Beena]

@Paula (view spoiler)[I liked how kaladin [ found that little push he needed in syls encouragememt. His storyline is the most interesting for sure

I find Syl really interesting, how she's developing and gaining understanding, there's something significant about her. I like how she's almost like a little guardian angel for Kaladin as well. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Beena wrote: "Chapter 15 [spoilers removed]

Chapter 16[spoilers removed]

Chapter 17..."

Chapter 15: (view spoiler)[Yea... Laral is a bit of a disappointment... she pops back up in book 3, and we see what becomes of her... Roshar is a harsh world (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 16: (view spoiler)[Tien is a such a heartbreaking character... such a beacon of light, snuffed out... the wiki has details about what Stormlight Powers he'd have, if he lived... there are hints of it in the story, with the way he makes Kaladin happy and the colors he sees in the stones... (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 17: (view spoiler)[Depression is definitely there... so many of Sanderson's magical characters have faults/weaknesses they overcome... but on top of that, The Darkness seems like a force with Kaladin, in the same way The Thrill is for warriors / Gavilar... I'm not sure if it's capitalized in the story, tho, or it just feels that way on audio... (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Gavilar, Jasnah and her mother are who I look forward to reading about. Those two ladies are so strong, but still fare and yes, they might come off a bit stiff, but they are surviving in a very warrior male oriented society and forging a path of their own. This is why I want to root for Shallan, because she has all this potential, but just when I start thinking she is becoming more relatable, she reacts in a weird way and I pull back .... I do love Gavilar and his unbending ways when it comes to trying to live up to the Codes. You figure that he has not always been such a paragon of virtue and that he really has to work at it, because it doesn't come naturally to him, and this is what makes me really respect him as a character. It would be easier to just go with the flow and give in to all the vices that surround him, but he sticks as hard as he can to his principles. And yet, he is willing to listen to others and make corrections as needed. I want to be like him when I grow up (✷‿✷)

[Choko]

Thank you guys for the kind words! We lost him, my friend, this morning. It was not a shock and it was a relief for his tortured body. He was 6'4" and had become 75lbs... May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him... Thank you ❤️...

I am back. I will be commenting as much as possible now◉‿◉

[Soo]

Hugs, Choko! Sorry to hear about your friend but also glad he's not suffering still.

[Soo]

The Way Of Kings Prime - Anyone read this yet?

You can download it for free:
https://www.brandonsanderson.com/the-...

It's not a novella. That sucker is 800 pages. lol

I think it's interesting to note that it's not going to be considered canon to the series. So, it's probably only good to read for fun if you want more Sanderson.

Though, there's another quote stating that it's a good add on to the world as an alternative take? Not sure which to go with since there aren't any reviews on it yet on GR.

My reading & listening isn't really going with a plan mode right now. Some are going to plan and others are not holding interest right now.

I tried the Graphic Audio of the Way of Kings and I don't care for either audio versions. No way am I going to try another narration by Kramer & Reading when I'm suffering their take on Wheel of Time. I did try to listen to it and was immediately turned off. I read the book back when it came out & enjoyed it. Don't want to dislike it on a re-read. =)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Soo wrote: "The Way Of Kings Prime - Anyone read this yet?

You can download it for free:
https://www.brandonsanderson.com/the-...

It's not a novella. That sucker is 800 pages...."

Chris was talking about it a day or 2 ago... I'm leaning away from it... Sanderson discusses some of the difference in his living signing videos from 2 weeks ago, and he's commented on it over the years... it's VERY different... sometimes the only thing the same about a character is the name... from what I heard...

[Beena]

Thank you guys for the kind words! We lost him, my friend, this morning. It was not a shock and it was a relief for his tortured body. He was 6'4" and had become 75lbs... May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him... Thank you ❤️...

I am back. I will be commenting as much as possible now◉‿◉

Oh my god, I'm so sorry for your loss Choko. That sounds awful, I'm glad he's at peace. xxx

[Beena]

@Iain, RE chapters 15-17 (view spoiler)[Tien is a such a heartbreaking character... such a beacon of light, snuffed out...

Yeah, definitely get that sense from the little we get to see of him.


the wiki has details about what Stormlight Powers he'd have, if he lived... there are hints of it in the story, with the way he makes Kaladin happy and the colors he sees in the stones...

That's so interesting! Might check it out later after I read all of them...


Depression is definitely there... so many of Sanderson's magical characters have faults/weaknesses they overcome...

I like that he's done that, makes them more rounded and relateable.. (hide spoiler)]

[Beena]

Those two ladies are so strong, but still fare and yes, they might come off a bit stiff, but they are surviving in a very warrior male oriented society and forging a path of their own.

Very true Choko.

I'm really enjoying the Dalinar-Adolin thread too and you're totally right about him. Get a sense that he's very honourable.

[Beena]

Chapter 19 (view spoiler)[ Loved that! So interesting to get an insight into the past and Dalinar's visions. Loved the knight radiants coming to save him and his temporary wife and daughter; they're like superhero knights lol, falling fro the sky and glowing with stormlight. There's so much history that's been lost to the present time, so I can't wait for more of these insights. It's almost like the princes parading around in their shardplate and with shardblades are just a cheap imitation of the original thing and don't really use their weapons to the maximum potential. Also loved that there are female ones too! Yeah! Assumed that they would all be men, so that's made me happy. Way to go Sanderson! (hide spoiler)]

[Beena]

I tried the Graphic Audio of the Way of Kings and I don't care for either audio versions. No way am I going to try another narration by Kramer & Reading when I'm suffering their take on Wheel of Time. I did try to listen to it and was immediately turned off. I read the book back when it came out & enjoyed it. Don't want to dislike it on a re-read.

That's a shame you aren't joining us Soo, but understandable.

[Lucija]

Choko wrote: "Thank you guys for the kind words! We lost him, my friend, this morning. It was not a shock and it was a relief for his tortured body. He was 6'4" and had become 75lbs... May his memory be a blessi..."

Man, I'm so sorry Choko. It's a terrible situation and I can't imagine what that must feel like.

[Lucija]

Beena wrote: "I've been reading a lot as well (though I don't read nearly as fast as some people in this group seem to haha it's impressive), I really like this book and it's getting really hard to stop. Today I..."

I'm studying economics, though I guess now I'm not anymore haha just need to finish the bureaucracy staff and then I'm officially done being a student

[Lucija]

Beena wrote: "Chapter 19 [spoilers removed]"

Yes! Me too! Can't wait to learn more about the Knights Radiant.
(view spoiler)[I'm interested to see how Dalinar will react to the fact that there were women shard bearers. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Once again guys, thank you so much for all the good thoughts! ❤️ I appreciate all of you!

[Choko]

Soo, I actually loved the Graphic Audio. This is what I listened to this time. It sounds best at 1.25 speed and is very thorough. But the book itself is best, if you have a chance to sit in one place and read. It is also enhanced by the little drawings in the titles of the chapters. I am very excited for the upcoming 10th year anniversary edition. It will have new illustration! Yay!

[Paula]

I'm so sorry about what happened to your friend Choko

Chapter 17 (view spoiler)[ kaladin used stormlight from the spheres to deflect the arrows. That's cool. He'll notice eventually. I liked the battle scene and how he cared for everyone (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 18 (view spoiler)[ dalinar is very thoughtful of the lives wasted with the bridges unlike sadeas. And the mystery with his blank memory of his wife is intriguing also. (hide spoiler)]

[Chris]

Im sorry to hear as well, Choko. 💕

[Beena]

I think I'm up to about Chapter 22 (view spoiler)[ I really like Wit; his insults at all the lighteyes at the king's feast made me laugh. I think there's definitely more to him than meets the eye, he pretends to be the court fool but is actually way more astute.

Really liking Rock as well, his story about mixing chull dung into Sadeas's food made me laugh. (hide spoiler)]



I'm studying economics, though I guess now I'm not anymore haha just need to finish the bureaucracy staff and then I'm officially done being a student

@Lucija, wow sounds intense! lol

[Paula]

Chapter 19 (view spoiler)[ I liked that we get to see the radiants and how different they are from the shard bearers from his time. The vision is interesting though the rumors about losing his mind will trouble dalinar much more now (hide spoiler)]

[Beena]

Chapter 27 (view spoiler)[ Loved that scene of Kaladin moving through his kata with the spear down in the chasm and Syl dancing around him, really great images. The glyphs they found on the dead Parshendi's knife being reminiscent of one of the heralds, makes me wonder if they could actually share the same beliefs ironically...
I know I said it before, but I love that he feels the need to protect those around him so deeply. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I love reading you guys comments, because I know shshshshshshsh

(that's the sound I hear on audio when someone mentions Dalinar's wife's name) :D

[Choko]

That scene was awesome! As well as the one during the storm. Syl is always there, and I hate how he forgets about her from time to time. But I admit that Kaladin did grow as a person from the beginning to the end of the book...

[Beena]

I love reading you guys comments, because I know shshshshshshsh

(that's the sound I hear on audio when someone mentions Dalinar's wife's name) :D

Haha!


That scene was awesome! As well as the one during the storm. Syl is always there, and I hate how he forgets about her from time to time. But I admit that Kaladin did grow as a person from the beginning to the end of the book...

Glad you agree Choko! He does take her presence for granted now, he'd be lost without her though. Yeah definitely agree. Also agree with your previous comment about loving how he's bringing Bridge 4 together.

[Choko]

That one, about his work on bringing Bridge 4 together, his whole tactical approach is absolutely brilliant! I would have given up couple of days in. (view spoiler)[ Those guys are so depressed, disheartened, and hopeless, that it just seemed like such a lost cause... On top of that, they all think they know best, so even if it is detrimental to them, they dig their heals in don't give up on their retchedness... His slow coaxing and bringing them out of their shells is nothing short of remarkable!!! (hide spoiler)] *mad respect*

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Kaladin has so many hurdles to overcome in his story arc... but he's not the only one... Book 3 is particularly painful for Kaladin & Dalinar... and (view spoiler)[Teft (hide spoiler)]

Good thing there's always Lopen and Rock to be funny... hearing Michael Kramer say Numuhukumakiaki'aialunamor at 3x speed is definitely interesting...

I can say everything up to the apostrophe pretty easily, while looking at it... it's the last part with the "aia" into the "lunamor" that gets me, every time...

EDIT: For those that need a refresher to what I'm talking about in book 3, it's (view spoiler)[Kaladin being unable to swear the 4th Ideal, which clearly has something to do with accepting that you can't save everyone... a very un-Kaladin thing to accept... and Teft finally swearing the 3rd Ideal, which has to do with protecting those you hate, even when the one you hate the most is yourself (the last part being unique to Teft)... (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Rock's name is something!!! I love hearing it though (✿^‿^)

[Beena]

Finished yesterday;

2nd set of Interludes: I agree with you Paula about them not making much sense, unless we see those characters throughout the story/ see the relevance of their stories soon, it's gonna be pretty easy to forget what they contribute (or are supposed to) to the story. The only one that's a bit easier to follow is Szeth. Though I did like Axies, (view spoiler)[ I thought having the ability to change the appearance of his skin was cool. The part about writing something in an inappropriate place was funny. (hide spoiler)]

Part 3; Ugh, so annoyed that Shallan kept intercepting Kaladin's story, I just read her parts as quick as possible so I could find out what happened with him lol. (view spoiler)[ I know her conversations with Jasnah and the ardent are meant to be witty/clever in their debate but it quickly got tiresome for me.

It seems to me like she'd have better prospects if she just stayed and learnt to be an actual scholar, surely there's another way to deal with those debts and whatever. It just seems like they jumped to the most drastic course of action straight away. I'm finding her reasons for being there still quite shallow, it just doesn't compare to Kaladin who's literally fighting for his life from the shittest position possible. The only interesting thing in her chapters was the bit where she sketched the king and those strange creatures were floating in the background. And stealing the soulcaster just because Jasnah killed a couple of thugs.. nah, not buying it.

The side carry of the bridge was such a clever idea by Kaladin, and it worked, he saved his men's lives! Just a shame it cost the battle, I was really worried for him when he realised what he'd done! But I knew he'd survive the highstorm. Intriguing that Teft has sussed him out but Kaladin himself still hasn't realised what he can do, will be interesting to see how that plays out. (hide spoiler)]

I'll probably carry on guys, reading at about the same pace, so I won't be far ahead.

[Beena]

That one, about his work on bringing Bridge 4 together, his whole tactical approach is absolutely brilliant! I would have given up couple of days in.

Completely agree Choko! He's actually so hard on himself, what he did there was amazing, these guys were on the brink and he single-handedly pulled them back.

Good thing there's always Lopen and Rock to be funny... hearing Michael Kramer say Numuhukumakiaki'aialunamor at 3x speed is definitely interesting...

Lol!

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Beena wrote: "Finished yesterday;

2nd set of Interludes: I agree with you Paula about them not making much sense, unless we see those characters throughout the story/ see the relevance of their stories soon, it..."

Many of the Interludes are just opportunities to explore the larger world, outside the scope of the story... others are relevant, like Szeth, but characters far removed from the story... others are Easter Eggs for people with Cosmere knowledge (view spoiler)[like the 3 foreigners looking for Hoid, the man with white hair... those 3 characters are worldhoppers from other books, just being described by their similarities to cultures on Roshar... (hide spoiler)]

My favorite Interlude character is Rysn... she appears in the Interludes of all the books...

Axies: (view spoiler)[is a species of immortal that originate on a secluded island in Roshar... a bit more is learned about the Aimians in later books and novellas, but they're a largely mysterious group... (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

See... this is why I love the Cosmere... Sanderson has so many book/novella ideas, and I only find out about them years later...

Today I learned of The Silence Divine, a novella set on Ashlyn, 3rd planet of the Roshar system (affected by the same Shards), with a disease-based magic system, set during the 8th Stormlight book, and expected to be written and published someday...

Premise: (view spoiler)[What if viruses and bacteria evolved to give people magical talents when you caught the disease. This idea that a bacteria doesn’t actually want to kill you, or a virus doesn’t want to kill you. It wants you to live and spread it. You getting sick is a side effect. What if the side effect is, you got the common cold, all the sniffles and everything, but you could fly as long as you had the common cold? What would that do to society? What happens when someone invents penicillin and can wipe out half of these magical talents? What happens if people start catching a disease that makes everything they touch start on fire?

So it was a story about basically fantasy Jack Bauer, who’s a member of the fantasy CDC, who tries to stop diseases and the problems they cause. But in order to do his job, he has to keep his immune system terrible, like this weakling who can barely get up the steps, so that he can quickly catch diseases to get the powers he needs to with the outbreaks of these things.

(The title comes from the fact that the disease that keeps cities floating also causes hearing loss) (hide spoiler)]

Sounds awesome... kinda sad that Sanderson has had to start pruning his writing plans and pushing more plots into novellas, to make sure he has enough time in his life to write everything...

[Lucija]

Beena wrote: "Finished yesterday;

2nd set of Interludes: I agree with you Paula about them not making much sense, unless we see those characters throughout the story/ see the relevance of their stories soon, it..."

I came here looking to write something about the interludes and a few chapters I read in part 3, but now I see you wrote exactly what I wanted to haha

You finished the whole book?

Interludes: (view spoiler)[Yes, I really enjoyed reading about Axies too. And Rysn's part was fun as well. I like the Shin look on life, it was interesting to read. (hide spoiler)]

Part 3, Chapters 29-35: Yeees, exactly! I hate it when Shallan's story keeps interrupting Kaladin's haha I like Jasnah, though. I want more of her. (view spoiler)[And, again, my thoughts exactly. I liked the witty conversations at first, but now, in this part, it just feels like it's too much. Also, I agree about stealing the soulcaster stuff. And it feels like her brothers are doing nothing to make the situation better. Sure, the youngest brother is selling their stuff and they have to pretend their father is still alive, but still... I got the impression that her brothers are basically just sitting there waiting and waiting for Shallan to solve everything. Now, I may be wrong, but I think they could do more to help.
On the other hand, Kaladin is amazing. I love reading about him and Bridge 4 crew. But man, reading about that battle was so hard. I loved that pulled of the side-carry, but the moment Kaladin saw how other were getting killed and how the tried and failed the side-carry, I knew Kaladin was going to have to pay for that. It was like watching a disaster happen and you couldn't do anything about it. I can't wait to see how his story plays out. (hide spoiler)]

[Beena]

@Lucija, lol sorry! No my bad, I meant I've finished Part 1 and have carried on to Part 2 of the book. (I've got the version of the book that's split into two).

Re Part 3: Right?! So annoying lol. I like how strong-willed Jasnah is, but she still comes off as a bit of an ass though.

(view spoiler)[Completely agree about Shallan's brothers, they're older than her, more worldy and experienced by the sounds of it and they can't find a way out of their problems?!



On the other hand, Kaladin is amazing. I love reading about him and Bridge 4 crew. But man, reading about that battle was so hard. I loved that pulled of the side-carry, but the moment Kaladin saw how other were getting killed and how the tried and failed the side-carry, I knew Kaladin was going to have to pay for that. It was like watching a disaster happen and you couldn't do anything about it. I can't wait to see how his story plays out.

I felt exactly the same! (hide spoiler)]

[Beena]

Many of the Interludes are just opportunities to explore the larger world, outside the scope of the story... others are relevant, like Szeth, but characters far removed from the story... others are Easter Eggs for people with Cosmere knowledge

Ah, I see.

RE Axies; that's a shame you don't find out that much more about them, because they sound like a really fascinating race.

RE, the novella; that sounds really interesting, I would prefer that he actually complete his series though instead of leaving it for someone else to write, so in that respect it's a good idea to be selective even though it's a shame that all these ideas are not realised.

It's entirely possible that George R.R. Martin might die before he finishes A Song of Ice and Fire and it would be a really shit ending for one of the most iconic fantasy series. (I'm not sure how many he's got left to write, but he's 70 now and assuming that most people live to 80, or fall ill after that age, it's not looking good.)