So book 2 of the Stormlight Archives is out, and I discussed my lack of enthusiasm with a friend upon hearing the news.
So let me just say something about The Way of Kings, and Brandon Sanderson in general: I'm caught in the middle. I've heard talk of a love-or-hate Eriksonian relationship with him, but I am very much caught in the middle.
And I'll do some brief explaining.
His worlds are okay. They've got some cool points, and they have some bad points. So he's a very mediocre worldbuilder.
His magic systems are interesting, and I think his gravity magic here is the best of his I've read (even better than Allomancy). Sure, I'd choose biotics from Mass Effect over it any day, but it's really awesome.
The way he writes influences this decision, definitely. His prose is… empty. Maybe skeletal is the better word, but I prefer more full prose, and I'm sure most of you know what I'm saying. Maybe not bloated and threatening to explode, as I've heard Forge of Darkness is, but plump and healthy, yes.
But his characters… they're so bland to me. Sure, they all have internal conflict that keeps me reading, usually. But (besides Szeth) they are all so black and white.
Scratch that- they're all very white.
And sure, I love watching Lord of the Rings every once in a while, because when things are that black and white you know who to root for, and life is easy (ignoring the insanity of the Ring).
But Kalidan is such a Hollywood hero!*
And Dalinar- especially when he started digging that trench- is way too Mr. Nice Guy.
Maybe I'm just cynical.
So I'm caught in the middle here. He's an interesting writer, for sure.
Where are you situated on the Sanderson Spectrum?
So let me just say something about The Way of Kings, and Brandon Sanderson in general: I'm caught in the middle. I've heard talk of a love-or-hate Eriksonian relationship with him, but I am very much caught in the middle.
And I'll do some brief explaining.
His worlds are okay. They've got some cool points, and they have some bad points. So he's a very mediocre worldbuilder.
His magic systems are interesting, and I think his gravity magic here is the best of his I've read (even better than Allomancy). Sure, I'd choose biotics from Mass Effect over it any day, but it's really awesome.
The way he writes influences this decision, definitely. His prose is… empty. Maybe skeletal is the better word, but I prefer more full prose, and I'm sure most of you know what I'm saying. Maybe not bloated and threatening to explode, as I've heard Forge of Darkness is, but plump and healthy, yes.
But his characters… they're so bland to me. Sure, they all have internal conflict that keeps me reading, usually. But (besides Szeth) they are all so black and white.
Scratch that- they're all very white.
And sure, I love watching Lord of the Rings every once in a while, because when things are that black and white you know who to root for, and life is easy (ignoring the insanity of the Ring).
But Kalidan is such a Hollywood hero!*
And Dalinar- especially when he started digging that trench- is way too Mr. Nice Guy.
Maybe I'm just cynical.
So I'm caught in the middle here. He's an interesting writer, for sure.
Where are you situated on the Sanderson Spectrum?
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