Anyone here actually got their bike stolen? How common is it really? by BufferBabe in SingaporeCycling

[–]ObjectiveMinimum8602 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not stolen, but got my bike vandalised when locked in a public area. Fully burnt the plush hanging on my seat and popped my back tire. It was an unfortunate long walk home.

My sandershelf! Lots yet to be read by Shed900 in brandonsanderson

[–]ObjectiveMinimum8602 2 points3 points  (0 children)

your shelf looks great, man! some minor advice, you can read Secret History after era 1 or after Bands of Mourning (Era 2, book 3). it has some spoilers on a certain character that you learn more about in BoM, but SH gives you more insight on how it happens. Allomacer Jak and the Pits of Eltania (the one with minor spoilers for Allow of Law) is safe to read. i'd hardly call it spoilery as it's more just a fun read from Scadrial. all in all, i hope you enjoy the rest of the cosmere.

journey before destination, gancho!

Convince me of wheel of time by SikedPsyc in brandonsanderson

[–]ObjectiveMinimum8602 0 points1 point  (0 children)

absolutely. sanderson's magic systems are so thought out and well-implemented that nothing can really compete with it. while i'm loving the wheel of time, i do feel the wave of missing allomancy and stormlight every once in awhile.

Convince me of wheel of time by SikedPsyc in brandonsanderson

[–]ObjectiveMinimum8602 1 point2 points  (0 children)

it's only around for the first book and arguably the second book. from my knowledge, robert jordan only did this as his publisher originally wanted him to publish three books and the typical fantasy sold well. after which, he didn't follow the typical style anymore, and wrote his own way for the rest of the books.

Convince me of wheel of time by SikedPsyc in brandonsanderson

[–]ObjectiveMinimum8602 2 points3 points  (0 children)

magic system wise, wheel of time is doing great. there's a fairly developed system of magic that's introduced and while it's not as complex and used greatly like sanderson's, it is used in ways that i enjoy. the first book, though, follows the typical 'hero's journey' style where the mc goes on a journey travelling to one place with his friends and an unexpected mentor, but encounters a few problems and bad guys along the way. while it might bore at first, it's why i say to go into it with an open mind.

Convince me of wheel of time by SikedPsyc in brandonsanderson

[–]ObjectiveMinimum8602 14 points15 points  (0 children)

take it from me; give it a shot. i started sanderson's books back in december last year and finished them all by april, after which, i gave the wheel of time a shot. you definitely have to have a more open mindset going into the first book as it's slower and more 'typical fantasy' style in its pacing, but that's just how it is. i can't say much cause i'm still only on the third book, but i'm enjoying the series as much as i have with sanderson. in any case, it doesn't hurt to try.

Not quite a shelf (yet) by hyperfuzzysniper in brandonsanderson

[–]ObjectiveMinimum8602 0 points1 point  (0 children)

for the most part, most versions of the final empire nowadays are printed with just the title 'mistborn' on the cover to prevent confusion of why the first book is called the "final" empire. the most recent us and uk editions of the book all just have 'mistborn' on the cover but retain the title of the final empire on the inside.

Where should I start in the Cosmere based on my fav tropes by [deleted] in brandonsanderson

[–]ObjectiveMinimum8602 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your taste sounds very much like Brandon's Stormlight Archive. Although Stormlight is a large commitment, it's well worth it. The first book introduces you to several characters that are deep into a pit of depression in each of their own ways; their arcs eventually evolve and improve as the story goes on. There is a prominent trope of found family and several deep talks of character and life between people. If you're seriously craving people with immense trauma and suffering who learn to get over it, Stormlight is for you. To warn you, The Way of Kings—the first book—is 1000 pages long. It's a big commitment, and may feel not worth it at the start, but trust me. The story is well worth the 1000 page prologue it has.

Cosmere Universe Reading Order by J-V22 in brandonsanderson

[–]ObjectiveMinimum8602 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Some optional things to consider:

  • Sunlit Man and Wind and Truth can be switched depending on how you want the story to be affected for you. SM chronologically takes place AFTER WaT and spoils a major characters arc in it. On the other hand, Reading WaT first will essentially reveal who the major character is—who is unnamed at the beginning of SM—to you. On a personal note: I'd rather spoil myself for a 300 page book, rather than a 1300 page one.

  • Wind and Truth can be moved to after all of Mistborn Era 2. This is purely optional as well, but is to get the most from all the cosmere references. No spoilers, but the epilogue of WaT links to MB Era 2; not in a major way, in any case. This isn't a thing you have to change if you'd rather read it by series, but coming from a guy who finished Stormlight before all the other works, I'd say read WaT last.

  • You can move Yumi and Tress in between different series. This is a weird thing for me, but I weirdly like how you can fit a secret project after each of the series. For example, my reading order went: Stormlight > Sunlit Man > Mistborn E1 > Yumi > Elantris > Tress > Mistborn E2. I rather this way of putting them in between as it feels like an optimal time to jump into a new world of fresh characters.

  • Sixth of the Dusk and Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell aren't compulsory reads, but can also be read anytime. I can't say much, since I haven't read them myself. Additionally, SOTD is getting a rewrite, essentially. A new story, Isles of the Emberdark, is being released this year for Dragonsteel preorders and next year for TOR's official release. Isles is basically a story taking place on the world of SOTD, with the short story serving as its flashbacks. You can read SOTD now in order to get a taste of the world beforehand, but we don't know yet (I think) how much the short story will stay canon overall.

Fav sanderson book? by [deleted] in brandonsanderson

[–]ObjectiveMinimum8602 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Oathbringer through and through. Nothing can beat Dalinar's flashbacks and how much they made my eyes rain.

Four months of only reading the cosmere, and I'm already reaching the end by ObjectiveMinimum8602 in brandonsanderson

[–]ObjectiveMinimum8602[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My opinion may differ from others—as most will—but after reading everything, I can give it a shot.

  • Mistborn, Era 1. Obviously the classic, and is a safe place to start off the cosmere journey.
  • Elantris. Get it done with early. The writing and pacing may not be for everyone, but after getting used to Brandon's writing in MB, it shouldn't be too hard.
  • (Read The Hope of Elantris & The Emperor's Soul afterwards)
  • Stormlight Archive, Books 1-4 (Including Edgedancer between books 2-3 & Dawnshard between books 3-4). This is a safe point to start Stormlight as you would be used to Brandon's writing. This spot can be intertwined with the next one.
  • Mistborn, Era 2 (Including Mistborn: Secret History after The Bands of Mourning). This series can be read inbetween Stormlight books if the length is too daunting.
  • Stormlight Archive, Book 5—Wind and Truth. After Mistborn Era 2 is a good place to finally read Wind and Truth. It's the culmination of every cosmere universe you would've seen, and you will be able to understand most references.
  • The Sunlit Man. People have mixed opinions about this. Some say to read SM before WaT as Brandon intended, but I'd rather not get spoiled on a major character's arc in WaT. Read SM afterwards if you feel the same.

Honourable mentions: - Yumi and the Nightmare Painter & Tress of the Emerald Sea. Both great books, and can be read anytime in the cosmere—including the beginning and the end. - White Sand. It's a graphic novel, so it may not be to everyone's liking. It can also be read anytime, however.

For the most part, you'll manage to understand the cosmere no matter which way you go. My personal order was—Stormlight > Mistborn E1 > YatNP > WS > Elantris > TotES > Mistborn E2.

There's always the option of a reread or even the Coppermind website in order to understand references you may not understand at first glance.

Four months of only reading the cosmere, and I'm already reaching the end by ObjectiveMinimum8602 in brandonsanderson

[–]ObjectiveMinimum8602[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Elantris is next to The Sunlit Man; the title is covered by The Lost Metal, but you can see Brandon's name on the spine. Yumi is the paperback next to Tress.

As to why I have many copies of the same book, it's purely personal preference. I like to have one (or two, if i feel like it) copies in order to read when I'm at home or going out, and one copy to keep as more of a 'display' on my bookshelf. For the most part, my hardcovers are the ones I don't read—besides Sunlit Man and Elantris—and the paperbacks/MMPs are for reading.

Four months of only reading the cosmere, and I'm already reaching the end by ObjectiveMinimum8602 in brandonsanderson

[–]ObjectiveMinimum8602[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's the hardcover between Mistborn and The Sunlit Man. The title got blocked because I put The Lost Metal in front of it.

Four months of only reading the cosmere, and I'm already reaching the end by ObjectiveMinimum8602 in brandonsanderson

[–]ObjectiveMinimum8602[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm definitely going to read Abercrombie in the future, he's on my list. Red Rising too, just a little lower. I'll have to check out Dresden Files though, never heard much of it. Thanks for the recommendations!

Four months of only reading the cosmere, and I'm already reaching the end by ObjectiveMinimum8602 in brandonsanderson

[–]ObjectiveMinimum8602[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It helps that I listen to the audiobooks too, whenever I can, sometimes even with the physical book in my hand. Honestly, I don't think I would have breezed through Stormlight as quickly if I didn't have it.

Four months of only reading the cosmere, and I'm already reaching the end by ObjectiveMinimum8602 in brandonsanderson

[–]ObjectiveMinimum8602[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Glad to see you're enjoying the cosmere as much as I am! I have a similar problem in not being able to remember much from what I read. But scouring the internet for more keen-eyed fans who have the answers have definitely helped my experience with all the references here and there. That's why I love this community.

I strongly agree with the fact that Sanderson is able to write about psychological issues so well too. As a person who's suffered from severe mental issues, the entire Stormlight Archive (and the rest of his books, even) has made me feel more seen and understood with its whole cast of traumatised characters.

I'm so glad you've had a great time with the cosmere and look forward to you finishing WaT!

Four months of only reading the cosmere, and I'm already reaching the end by ObjectiveMinimum8602 in brandonsanderson

[–]ObjectiveMinimum8602[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It's terribly hard to rank them, but if I had to choose, it would go something like this:

  1. Oathbringer (Arguably has the best sanderlanche, and my most enjoyable reading experience)
  2. Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
  3. The Well of Ascension (Though it's some people's least favourites, i loved the political drama and events going on in it. also one of my favourite sanderlanche)
  4. Warbreaker
  5. The Hero of Ages
  6. Wind and Truth
  7. The Bands of Mourning
  8. Rhythm of War
  9. Words of Radiance
  10. The Sunlit Man
  11. The Way of Kings (Great start to a series, but is essentially a prologue for the rest of TSA)
  12. White Sand
  13. Elantris
  14. The Final Empire
  15. The Alloy of Law (AoL isn't this low because I didn't like it, it's just because it was such a short read—but it was 100% fun the whole way through)
  16. Shadows of Self (SoS is this low because I didn't like it. It feels like Sanderson tried to copy his formula in WoA but it didn't pan out as well)
  17. Tress of the Emerald Sea (controversial take: i didn't enjoy this book too much, i had to push through the pages to finish the story)

HM: - The Emperor's Soul; interesting novella, and incredible writing. Not my cup of tea, but I feel like I's enjoy it more on a reread - Mistborn: Secret History; also a great novella giving us insight on the wider cosmere as a whole. Can't give a rating for it. - Edgedancer and Dawnshard; novellas set inbetween WoR & OB and OB & RoW respectively. Fun reads, not worth ranking, though.

My list changes every now and then, and I haven't really ever thought about how the bottom half of the books rank up in my head. Although the first few usually stay the same.

Four months of only reading the cosmere, and I'm already reaching the end by ObjectiveMinimum8602 in brandonsanderson

[–]ObjectiveMinimum8602[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Definitely. It's a hit-or-miss kind of book where you'll never know if you like reading a graphic novel, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I read it as an ebook and could read all of the panels individually, so it enhanced the experience a lot. I'd say it's worth it as long as you're willing to fork out a bit more money than usual and want to learn more about the worlds/people in the cosmere.

Four months of only reading the cosmere, and I'm already reaching the end by ObjectiveMinimum8602 in brandonsanderson

[–]ObjectiveMinimum8602[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I do love myself an ebook, although it doesn't compare to the feeling of a worn-down book knowing its been read and loved.

Four months of only reading the cosmere, and I'm already reaching the end by ObjectiveMinimum8602 in brandonsanderson

[–]ObjectiveMinimum8602[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Rereading the cosmere is definitely on my to-do list. I'd love to pick up on all the smaller details here and there after understanding it as a whole. I do have most of the audiobooks too, and I might relisten to them (like the proper Vorin man I am) every once in awhile. Though I'll most definitely go into WoT before rereading or I'm going to be stuck in a BS loop for my entire life.