I have tried to read the first Mistborn. I can't seem to get into it for some reason, and have ended up with numerous starts and stops.
Alloy Of Law is more like the wild west isn't it?
I think he intends to eventually have some "modern" stuff set in that same world.
No kidding. He's got, what, nine more books in the Stormlight Archive left to go? Along with the Wheel of Time and I think something else that he plans to release every other year (with SA in between).Once he's done with everything else he's set out to do
No kidding. He's got, what, nine more books in the Stormlight Archive left to go? Along with the Wheel of Time and I think something else that he plans to release every other year (with SA in between).
He's not human. Or he's planning on a few years of pewter dragging.
I think part of it is escapism. People are drawn to epic fantasy because its not like the real world, so making it exactly like the real world is somewhat defeating the point. Even in books where the fantastical and mundane coexist, there is usually some kind of barrier between them, whether it be physical distance, secrecy, or simply tradition. It allows you to include modern elements while keeping the sense of escapism, of "coming out" of the mundane world. Whenever fantasy and mundanity directly clash its seen as a negative thing, e.g., an (alien) invasion, a tear in reality, etc.
Why should they be kept segregated like that? I would think if it was done right, a "modern" fantasy could work all the races together so they at least they coexist in the same place without much static between them (beyond the small percentage of the population that would inherently be racist). I could see a city where you walk down any street and see dwarven craftsmen selling their wares from a storefront which is next to an elvish tailor who makes fine clothing for the halfling family that enters her store. Across the street is an Orcish painter working on a mural with a goblin, half-elf and a human for assistants as far above them kobold workers scurry over the scaffolding of a building under construction.
You wouldn't even necessarily have to incorporate many of the things we take for granted in a "modern" world; electricity and internal combustion could be unnecessary given that magic or even other "mundane" methods used properly could accomplish the same jobs or perhaps life is different enough that the idea of "cars" is pointless. Perhaps they breed giant lizards for a mount or giant birds (rocs) capable of carrying the whole family to visit grandma in the hills. Maybe they have doorways they step through to go from one part of the city to another with ease instead of mass transit. Perhaps for long distance travel they use underground trolleys that are powered by levitation magic and propelled using air magic forced though vents... the list goes on. I would think if the writer were creative enough that you could still have the modern "feel" to the story without having to sacrifice the "escapism".
Everyone always reads the magical ancient stories reminiscent of a medeival style. But what about a more modern fairy tale? Why can't the high school girl go out and find the magic orb of doom and save the world?
I never said it was impossible, only that it would be going against the grain.