BooktubeSFF Awards discussion

This thread is the discussion for Part 1 and the first set of Interludes in Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson, one of the five nominees in the Best Novel category. The read-a-long for this book will take place in September. As this book is so gigantic, the discussion is split up into 5 parts (as is the book.) If you're looking for a different part, they're here: Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5.

Because this is the second book in a series, there might be spoilers for the first book, The Way of Kings. If you have not read that book, enter the discussion at your own peril. Many of Brandon Sanderson's books - including Words of Radiance - take place in an extended universe known as the Cosmere. If you are interested in discussing connections between Words of Radiance and other Cosmere books, check out the Year of Cosmere group, they are also reading Words of Radiance in September.

I'm the host for Words of Radiance. I read The Way of Kings a few years back now. I really loved it, but haven't read WoR yet. I don't know about the rest of you, but my brain needs a little bit of a pep talk before I plunge into a 1000+ page novel, and I hadn't gotten up the energy yet. However, I have confidence that we all can get through it in September :)

I've read most of Sanderson's other books and several short works by him such as, Elantris, The Mistborn Trilogy, Alloy of Law, Steelheart and Firefight, and The Emperor's Soul. I really like his detailed, rule based magic systems and world building. I remember being especially interested to learn more about the magic system in The Way of Kings. How many of you have read Way of Kings already? What about Sanderson's other books?

Hi Nicole. I'm currently reading The Way of Kings (I have approximately 200 pages left). It's an incredible read.

I've read most of Sanderson's novels that take place in his Cosmere universe (Elantris, the Mistborn trilogy, Warbreaker, and The Allow of Law). The Mistborn trilogy was the first work that I read from Sanderson; I enjoyed it, but had some minor issues with the second and third books. I then moved on to The Allow of Law and LOVED it--it was a fun and quick read. From there, I read Elantris, Warbreaker--and now--the The Way of Kings.

To be honest, I almost gave up on reading Sanderson's other earlier works after reading Elantris. It is his first published novel and it shows. For me, it wasn't nearly as enjoyable as his other novels.

After my experience with Elantris, I had no intention of reading Warbreaker . . . until I found out about the fact that all of these novels take place in the same universe and are connected to each another. I'm pleased to say that I thoroughly enjoyed Warbreaker.

Sanderson displays tremendous growth as a writer with every novel that he publishes, and that improvement in skill is on full display with The Way of Kings where the characterization and world building is incredible. I'm looking forward to finishing the The Way of Kings and moving on to The Emperor's Soul, and Words of Radiance.

Tramaine wrote: "After my experience with Elantris, I had no intention of reading Warbreaker . . . until I found out about the fact that all of these novels take place in the same universe and are connected to each another. I'm pleased to say that I thoroughly enjoyed Warbreaker"

I'm planning on reading Warbreaker in August. I'm pleased to hear you had a pleasant experience with it. I read Elantris after reading The Mistborn trilogy as well and was rather disappointed by it. At least it was good to see Sanderson had progressed as a writer since publishing his first book. I hope you enjoy reading The Way of Kings and are able to get through it in time to read Words of Radiance with me in September :)

Nicole wrote: "Tramaine wrote: "After my experience with Elantris, I had no intention of reading Warbreaker . . . until I found out about the fact that all of these novels take place in the same universe and are ..."

Warbreaker reminded me much of Elantris at the start, which made me nervous since I didn't really enjoy Elantris. But as the story progressed, it distinguished itself more and more, correcting many of the shortcomings of Elantris.

I finished The Way of Kings tonight, and I loved it. I'm very much looking forward to reading Words of Radiance in September. My wife and I are expecting a baby in August, so I'm hoping I can still find enough time to read with a newborn. :) (In the meantime, I will be starting The Great Hunt, Book 2 of the The Wheel of Time.)

I began a couple days early to get a jump start since my life is a little more busy with a newborn at home and I can't get through books as quickly as I once could.

I just completed Part 1, and I'm midway through the first set of interludes. Words of Radiance picks up right where A Way of Kings left off, and Sanderson doesn't waste any time thrusting us into the story. I'm loving it so far, and I continue to be impressed with Sanderson as he's really hit his stride as a (fantasy) author.

I (finally) got started on Words of Radiance yesterday. So far, I've only read the prologue, but hopefully, I'll makes some more progress today.

I've read The Mistborn series and enjoyed it. Didn't like Alloy of law as much as the Mistborn series though. Loved Sanderson's epic conclusion of The Wheel of Time Series. Never thought I would finish those monsters. With all of that it was inevitable I would read the Stormlight Archive books. I read them back-to-back earlier this year and loved them. Now it's a wait till the next and I am very much afraid I might have to re-read for the next which would be a big undertaking already.

I'm about half way into WoR now. I had a very difficult time getting into this book in Part 1 (mostly because I didn't remember who all of the characters are, I think.) I like it now though and wish I had more time to devote to reading it faster.

I absolutely loved this book! I'm very much into Sanderson this year, since I've been participating in the Year of Cosmere read-alongs. I agree that Sa derson has been improving and building upon his work with every book. Way of Kings was good, but a little too dense and just a bit confusing. Words of Radiance definitely solved that for me. I loved all the interludes and little Cosmere explanations woven organically through the text.

Another thing that helped a lot was the fact that I had the wispersink (audiobook version) for this as well. The narration was wonderful and being able to focus completely in this monster of a book was very useful!