Sanderson's Secret Projects [#1: Jan - Mar 2023]

[EchoBaz(Unofficial World's Fastest Reader)]

For those that have read say at least 40% of the book: How newcomer friendly is this? I've only read about half or so of the very first mistborn book.

I'm not too worried about spoilers for other books as much as I am concerned about how much it expects you to know going in. I'm afraid that it's gonna be very meta.

I know that one of you said that you read Part 1, but I have no idea how much of the book that was.

[Narilka]

It's newbie friendly. Everything you need to know to enjoy the story is explained as you go.

[Diana Stormblessed]

It's very newbie friendly. There are little Easter eggs to his other books but if you don't know them it doesn't take anything away from this individual story. These are new characters except Hoid and not knowing anything about him going in might make the story a bigger, more enjoyable reveal.

[EchoBaz(Unofficial World's Fastest Reader)]

As I've been telling people:

Hope you're doing well, Moon(Or G as she's calls herself on Goodreads) and I started reading Brandon Sanderson's newest book today, it's this sci-fi fantasy novel that was heavily inspired by the princess bride, and we're fucking in love with it!

G has issues with HTML, but she wanted to me to give her thoughts. I'd really appreciate if you replied to this.

Chapter 5 spoilers:

(view spoiler)[...

i had this whole late realization on how the cup symbolized their love because of his promise to tress with added references to that part to the book meaning typing it up
however the part i mostly focused on was this
i think what shocked me the most in the book is how far the duke would go to seperate tress and charlie after seeing them enjoying themselves being in their own world by laughing
from his declaration that charlie was set to marry a princess to how he truly felt about tress by calling her hazel-nut
just the journey in the book truly threw me for a loop making me say comments such as he didn't really just do that to i can't believe how much of a scumbag he truly was
wondering how it was going to turn out as the book read the individual chapters
the true plot twist it's a tie between how charlie was truly dead to the reveal that his nephew is now the new heir
but i think the moment that truly made me feel deeply saddened for tress is knowing that charlie was dead and the details she had to sit through and learn about
i want to say that charlie was her first love and having to learn how he died
sounded so painful and sad for her
as she recalled their early conversation before he was set to marry one of those princesses
in the moment charlie was leaving she didn't know what to say
'but now she had the late realization of how she loved him
however the opportunity to tell him sadly had already passed her by

granted i know she will rescue him and we've already learned about that
however i wanted to mostly focus on the moment where she felt her whole world crumble

(hide spoiler)]

(continued)

[EchoBaz(Unofficial World's Fastest Reader)]

Still chapter 5 spoilers:

(view spoiler)[...

then the other thing i typed up was about how the classes between the rich and poor mattered in the eyes of their society however with charlie and tress those things didn't matter for a while as long as they were in their own little world where she discussed her cups with him while he told her the many different stories

you can tell where my mind again went every possible direction and i was trying to figure out which one sounded better/ which one to ultimately pick
but i mostly was focusing on the emotions she felt after thinking charlie was married but before that his death and trying to do justice to those two parts so yeah

(hide spoiler)]

[EchoBaz(Unofficial World's Fastest Reader)]

spoiler free thoughts of chapter 5 from g:

i'll summarize it
had many different outcomes typing wise to discuss the book we read/ as i was typing the sad one i went with i thought of other stuff that either went with what i was typing or completely a different topic entirely book wise like the poor and rich class and how that intertwined with charlie and tress
ultimately just focused on the sadness tried to do my best to type it but i had good revelations to type that really captured the point of the emotion i was trying to convey
satisfied with what i typed for the sad part of it

[Tonari no Emily]

Woo my Hoid box shipped... Looks like hardcopies of Book 1 are delayed till end of Jan beginning of Feb...

[Narilka]

EchoBaz(Unofficial World's Fastest Reader) wrote: "As I've been telling people:

Hope you're doing well, Moon(Or G as she's calls herself on Goodreads) and I started reading Brandon Sanderson's newest book today, it's this sci-fi fantasy novel that..."

Who is Moon/G? It sounds like you're both enjoying it so far. Keep reading :D

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Narilka wrote: "EchoBaz(Unofficial World's Fastest Reader) wrote: "As I've been telling people:

Hope you're doing well, Moon(Or G as she's calls herself on Goodreads) and I started reading Brandon Sanderson's new..."

G = Baz's girlfriend, I think... mentioned in his return to Goodreads... she made an account to comment... it's the one with the stick figure marshmellowy looking person... commented very recently, over in the Nine Princes of Amber thread...

[Charlie]

I started this on audio yesterday, 3 chapters in and realised I had no idea what had been said.

I've had this problem with Sanderson books before, if I've read them before I can follow along just fine on audio but if it's the first time I find it difficult to keep track.

I think I'm going to start again and read this on ebook initially.

[Narilka]

Timelord Iain wrote: "G = Baz's girlfriend, I think... "

Ahh, that makes sense. I wasn't sure if it was that or reading a book with a child or which. I think this would be OK for younger people too. Actually, it would probably be a good entry to the Cosmere for youngsters.

@Emily - I got tracking for my Hoid box too :D

[Tonari no Emily]

@Narilka, can't wait! I was hoping the shipping notification was for the book, but since I've already started the eBook, I'm just as excited for the Hoid box :D

[Tonari no Emily]

Hoo boy 4 pages already on this thread.... Shouldn't be surprised for the secret Sanderson book :D

Through Ch 5.. I didn't think I would like this much given the first two, but I guess I'm hooked now!

The art style of the illustrations is not my favorite, but the artist is no doubt very talented!

[Tonari no Emily]

Nirkatze wrote: "Chapter 2--I love [spoilers removed] And even just two chapters in, the book is making me laugh and smile a lot. In that way, so far at least, it feels like a COVID book--or rather, the books of co..."

Good point about the seeming increase in feel-good/cozy books... I think many authors needed to write them as many readers are seeking them out. I know I am!

[Tonari no Emily]

OMG this line in Ch 5 (view spoiler)[ "..., but he was six and a half feet tall and had a jaw so straight it made other men question if they were" had me cackling. I wasn't expecting it I guess (hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

I'm 8 chapters in and really enjoying it! It's giving me Pratchett vibes with the wit and the cozy feeling.

@Emily I've been seeking out cozy books too, really enjoying them at the moment.

Re that line in chapter 5 - I was creased!

[Choko]

Haha! One of the best lines in the book:)))

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Charlie wrote: "I'm 8 chapters in and really enjoying it! It's giving me Pratchett vibes with the wit and the cozy feeling.

@Emily I've been seeking out cozy books too, really enjoying them at the moment.

Re t..."

If you're seeking cozy reads, my unsolicited list of recent-ish reads, without checking if you've read them already:

The House in the Cerulean Sea
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
The Wizard's Butler

[Charlie]

@Iain I already own the first two, excited to read them.

[Tonari no Emily]

I heartily second to Iain's suggestions! Some of my fave cozies :)

[Narilka]

My Hoid box arrived today :D I like it. I'm using the mouse pad now.

[Tonari no Emily]

Nirkatze wrote: "Chapter 18 Ulaam, Cosmere-.."

I was thinking that too... But (view spoiler)[ HOidspecifically referred to him as a corpse... so am not sure. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Nirkatze wrote: "Chapter 18 Ulaam, Cosmere-- ..."

Red: (view spoiler)[Red isn't indicative of Trell... or Odium... it's indicative of off-planet magic/influence... and Kandra are pretty much living magic, right, since the magic spikes give them sentience?... I'm specifying this, because otherwise you'd start to think every worldhopper should have red eyes... (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I ckearly didn't read and respond to all comments I missed before starting :(

There just aren't enough hours in the day, with all the reading I've done this year...

[Nirkatze]

Tonari no Emily wrote: "OMG this line in Ch 5 [spoilers removed]"

I don't know how I missed that line... or how it zoomed past me without me giving it proper worship...

[Nirkatze]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "Chapter 18 Ulaam, Cosmere-- ..."

Red: [spoilers removed]"

Oooh, that's interesting!! Thank you for that clarification.

[Nirkatze]

Tonari no Emily wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "Chapter 18 Ulaam, Cosmere-.."

I was thinking that too... But [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Kandra who take on body shape are part corpse...

Though honestly that line made me think of Selphids from the Wandering Inn, and I had to be like-wait! wrong IP! (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Narilka wrote: "My Hoid box arrived today :D I like it. I'm using the mouse pad now."

OMG Mine too! I immediately put my shirt in the wash and now am using it for pajamas. I love how long and soft it is!

[Tonari no Emily]

Timelord Iain wrote: "I just realized who Captain Crow reminds me of... feel like a bit of a fool, lol, for missing this sooner... [spoilers removed]

The art reminded me... opened my ebook to check all the art I would ..."
Tentacle monsters? I thought they were skeletons?

[Tonari no Emily]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Chapter 35: CUPS... it's been so long since cups were mentioned, and I've been so engaged in the story that I barely noticed... I think the last mention was breaking Huck out of his rat cage?...

A..."

We've gotten some nice descriptions of random cups I think, just not in the context of Tress' love for cups...

[Tonari no Emily]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Chapter 38: [spoilers removed]"

I love that property :D

[Tonari no Emily]

Choko wrote: "That's OK. You know how much I love BS and I always expect a whole a lot from him... It might have been my mood as well. Who knows? Also, maybe one day, when we reread it, it will click better with..."

I definitely did not interpret BS as you intended at first :D

[Tonari no Emily]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "Chapter 18 Ulaam, Cosmere-- ..."

Red: [spoilers removed]"

Huh, didn't know this bit. Makes sense though... Stormlight (view spoiler)[ are there any characters we've seen there with red eyes like that? (hide spoiler)]

[Tonari no Emily]

OH! Almost forgot what I came here to say before I started spamming lol

The Chapter art changing at Ch 40 was a very nice surprise! And kind of ominous...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Tonari no Emily wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "Chapter 18 Ulaam, Cosmere-- ..."

Red: [spoilers removed]"

Huh, didn't know this bit. Makes sense though... Stormlight [spoilers removed]"

(Big Stormlight spoilers, at least through book 3, if not 4, I think?...)(view spoiler)[Only the Fused, I think, when the Parshendi get corrupted with Odium Spren, since Odium is from another planet in the Roshar system... a desolate planet that is now pretty much treated as Hell (where the Heralds were tortured by Odium & the his minions in between Desolations... (hide spoiler)]

[Tonari no Emily]

Timelord Iain wrote: (Big Stormlight spoilers, at least through book 3, if not 4, I think?."

Oh yeah! Good point. (view spoiler)[ I would assume the being would have to have a lot of magic for the eye thing... otherwise wouldn't Hoid always have red eyes if he's doing magic?

And did TwinSoul (TwoSoul?) have red eyes? (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Tonari no Emily wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: (Big Stormlight spoilers, at least through book 3, if not 4, I think?."

Oh yeah! Good point... o..."

(view spoiler)[Yea... Hoid has magic from most magic systems, at this point... and normal eyes...

Twinsoul/Prasanva has normal eyes... but roseite is a red/pink Aether... so it's rampant in his attire... but, Aether also predates Adonalsium, so I dunno if red matters, in this case:

(hide spoiler)]

[Tonari no Emily]

Ooooh cool image!

Just finished Ch 48 (view spoiler)[ when Tress saved the ship and crew cheered... Had me tearing up a little. I worry what the captain is gonna do... (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Tonari no Emily wrote: "Ooooh cool image!

Just finished Ch 48 [spoilers removed]"

That's the image linked on the coppermind wiki, for the character...

[Tonari no Emily]

Finished Part 5 (view spoiler)[ I kind of saw Tress bargaining with the dragon coming, but it was still VERY satisfying to see... Although Crow wins in a way being healed..

Also that mention of Death at the end with nails in his eyes!!! This has to be after the events of Era 1 and 2... In Lost Metal (view spoiler)[ it was mentioned there that Marsh's death guise has spread throughout the Cosmere... interesting to see it here. (hide spoiler)]

I think after this I might have to go read some of the other Cosmere stuff. I've gotten the big stuff but there's some shorts/novellas I'm missing. (hide spoiler)]

[Tonari no Emily]

Finshed! You guys I loved this one! I'm glad I didn't really have any expectations going into it... And (view spoiler)[ I honestly did not see the twist with Charlie. Very well done. (hide spoiler)]

[G]

Wanted to say thank you for commenting on my thread/ engaging with it

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Great catch on Death, Emily... so much I potentially missed in this, Cosmere-wise...

[Tonari no Emily]

It was honestly packed full of Cosmere stuff if you're hunting for it. But I did like that you didn't need to know the Cosmere stuff to enjoy the story. It's just kind of extra special if you do :)

[Tonari no Emily]

Also I got my Hoid box today! I'm linking a little opening video for anyone curious about what's in them if you weren't able to/didn't want to buy the Year of Sanderson. Quality in this link isn't great unfortunately...

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UgjK...

[Tonari no Emily]

And some hopefully higher quality images
(view spoiler)[


(hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

G wrote: "Wanted to say thank you for commenting on my thread/ engaging with it"

Thanks for joining us. Feel free to keep the comments coming.

[Narilka]

Tonari no Emily wrote: "Also I got my Hoid box today! I'm linking a little opening video for anyone curious about what's in them if you weren't able to/didn't want to buy the Year of Sanderson. Quality in this link isn't ..."

You had an unboxing helper lol

[Tonari no Emily]

Yes Tiabeanie is always helping me out :D

[Nirkatze]

Tonari no Emily wrote: "Finished Part 5 ..."

I loved that bargaining bit! And I'd missed that note at the end of Lost Metal, about the image being spread--I definitely want to know how it got here.

I think some of us were going to try to read Cosmere books (Warbringer, Elantris etc) during their Sanderson Box month. I'd be down for an Arcanum Unbounded/Cosmere shorts BR at some point too!

Love your unboxing pics Emily! Your cat is super cute!

Anyone have any ideas of what to do with the YoS box? I don't want to throw mine away!

And thank you for the picture of TwoSoul, Iain!