Brendan’s Comments (group member since Aug 06, 2018)

Brendan’s comments from the Di & D Reading Group group.

I agree. We keep telling stories, using them to illustrate traits and illustrate ideals to work towards. Without stories, we would have no goals to work toward. We can't deal only in the world that is, we also need to discover what should be so we can merge them together.

That was one of my favorite spots as well. Just because some things aren't material doesn't mean they don't exist or aren't important.

Glad he shifts as the story goes along. I like a good story in the midst of comedy.

I am a fan of Christmas. Always enjoyed the stories and everything. As a Christian, we also have a good set of our own traditions.

I liked the talk of belief, and how believing in something is how humans learn to hope and work for a better future. Although it wasn't intended that way, I also like that since its part of the Christian tradition, to have hope and belief in God.

Also, Death is one o f my favorite characters. I like the dry, British humor that comes up, especially inadvertently in his attempts to help and be the Hogfather.

Just finished this one. I recently started reading Discworld and am up to book 7 so this was a big jump for me. Its a big jump in tone. The story is more cohesive and character directed then the chaos of the early Rincewind stories which I prefer.

I liked Death's arc and character, and got to meet his granddaughter for the first time. I also enjoyed how he poked fun at the wrongheaded charity and self aggrandizement people have tried to layer on top of the meaning of the season. Thanks for picking it.

Mistborn wasn't enough as the first book in a trilogy of trilogies that has expanded to four series?

That's too bad. Looking forward to your thoughts.

Reasons? Do tell. :)

Hope I haven't commented to much, but there are a couple things I am curious about.

One, do you like more consistent, detailed magic systems or do you think they take too much of the wonder out of fantasy?

I at least want a magic system to be consistent and mastery earned. I don't like when new abilities are pulled out of thin air, like the Wheel of Time. I want it to build slowly and have the characters earn their abilities.

How did you react to Kelsier? He's an interesting character with a surprising end, one you wouldn't find in traditional heroic characters. I thought it was appropriately underhanded and kept him from being a cliched Jesus parallel. Instead, I found it an interesting take in the style of a heist plot.

Brandon has said that two of his goals were to make this feel like a fantasy heist film and to set it in a world where the heroes failed. The Empire has risen instead. Do you feel he succeeded?

The thing he feels he failed to do was mix the genders. He got so focused on making Vin the main character, he defaulted to an Ocean's 11 cast of all male partners. Do you notice or feel this detracts from the story?

Thanks for letting me comment!

Brendan (Vulcronos on the Digressions and Dragons Website)

Leslie wrote: "Unless it is the sequel to Rithmatist."

Well, to be fair the story was relatively self contained and he said don't expect a sequal for a while. However, it is far more in need of a sequal than Warbringer or Elantris since the villain still roams free. :)

Yeah. One thing I really like about Sanderson is that his books are generally self contained. You want to find out what happens next, but the story is complete and the next book will likely be out soon.

Yeah, Sanderson loves being consistent because he believes that's what creates believable stakes. If magic can do wahtever you need, there is no way for a reader to make guesses as to what will happen and solutions feel unearned.

Yeah, when reading the Chapter Intros I thought they were an intro to this world's mythology.

Why didn't you enjoy the end? Not sure how spoilerly you want to go now, maybe after the discussion goes live. Its a traumatic ending at least.

What really stood out to you about Rithmatist? Sanderson says its the top request for a sequel he gets.

You like the comedic style of Alcatraz?

I loved Elantris because you get to see a good, competent person be a true leader and improve things over time. Its nice to see that slow steady improvement that should be a greater part of life and America than the one moment of heroism. I love the steady, satisfying increase in the world. Its the same feeling I get after finally finishing an important project. Its nice to see that improvement in the world and imagine its possible in ours.

Yeah, a full keyboard is still the best content creation device we have.

How did it change the way you thought of magic and world building?

Have you read/listened to Brandon's stuff on writing like his podcast or video lectures?

The next two books are pretty different from the first, form a kind of duology on how to form a government and try to survive the end of the world. Its a shift but still a great story.

How far along are you? How do you like Kelsier?

Hmmmm, pretty high. Fantasy is my favorite genre so I have to rate it higher than his young adult stuff. Stormlight Archives is for sure higher. Its got more characters and even deeper meaning as he ties the plot and character development tighter.

Warbringer and Rithmatist are pretty close, I don't think any of his work is much worse than Mistborn, I just prefer fantasy.

Also, if you haven't heard of them; Sanderson's Laws of Magic could provide some good disscussion

Leslie wrote: "Brendan wrote: "What do you like about the magic system?"

A girl has to keep her secrets, love, especially when she'll have a show to record on the topic. A large part is, though, that he came up ..."

That might be true, but if you have to keep it all under wraps it kinda takes the discussion portion out of it all. :)

Leslie wrote: "Brendan wrote: Do the chapter intros draw you in?

I haven't figured quite what to do with the chapter intros just yet. I'm hoping they figure into a more cohesive whole because they are kind of j..."

I would pay attention to all the little details in the book, including the chapter intros. :)

What do you like about the magic system?

How is everyone enjoying the book so far? I really enjoyed the magical system, with its unique take on flying and limitations there off. How do other people feel about?

Also curious about everyone's reactions to the gender breakdown in the book and how much you noticed it.

Do the chapter intros draw you in?

Leslie wrote: "I have had this book recommended to me for literal years at this point. This was just the tipping point. I have some other Sanderson experience, but not much."

Sanderson is currently my favorite living Fantasy Author. Read everything he has published and met him at a local signing. Mistborn is a great intro to his work.

I suggested it as well! Its a great book by my favorite living fantasy Author. I didn't think we would read it since it seemed too much up our alley and the original goal was to read some books outside the usual suspects. Glad you picked it.