“The world became ours, and we lost it. Nothing, it appears, is more challenging to the souls of men than victory itself.”
“She hadn’t asked, but she was certain Captain Tozbeck could read. She’d seen him holding books; it had made her uncomfortable. Reading was an unseemly trait in a man.”
To anyone looking it might seem that Brandon Sanderson literally burst onto the scene. Seemingly overnight the bookstore shelves were flooded with books bearing his name and he was tapped for the monumental task of bringing to a culmination the life’s work of author Robert Jordan, whose Wheel of Time series was left plotted but unfinished at his untimely death. We all know things are rarely that simple and while Sanderson’s star may have risen quickly, he has been writing for many, many years.
The Way of Kings is touted as the first novel in an epic ten volume series entitled The Stormlight Archive. Given my predilection to run screaming away from large novels and to faint dead away at the thought of reading ongoing, decades-in-the-making series this was not a novel that I expected to read, even with its temptingly gorgeous Michael Whelan cover and rare color and black and white illustrations. I must learn never to say, or even think, “never”.
An evening Twitter session with a handful of friends quickly found me throwing my hat into the ring if someone wanted to host a group read of Sanderson’s tome. And thus a community event was born. Deanna agreed to tackle the host duties for this monstrously large book and August 1st trumpeted the beginning of this grand adventure. We are in the early days, so if any of you would like to join in, we would love to have you do so.
Various readers will be taking the reins with weekly questions. Deanna has kicked us off with this week’s questions which follow the jump.
As with the recent Dune group read, expect spoilers to be present in the answers to various questions. I would encourage you to visit the group read site for links to the Q&A for other participants.
1. Before I started reading The Way of Kings, I did have some thoughts on how I would like this story; did you? If you did, how is The Way of Kings actually comparing to those thoughts?
The majority of my thoughts prior to beginning The Way of Kings were negative ones, though to be fair these thoughts had little to do with Brandon Sanderson. I became disenchanted with long, drawn out series decades ago when I was first caught up in the drama of the reading and waiting cycle for Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series. I would pick up each book, hoping it might be the last despite how much I had enjoyed the story and yet each would end with the hint of more to come. The time between each release meant that I would forget more than I could remember about the story and the characters and I had little desire to re-read a huge book just so I could get ready to read the next one. I realize that these thoughts are not shared by many who love stories to go on and on and those who champion book series. I’m just not a fan. Give me a good stand alone or a trilogy of books and my heart is content.
Despite hearing brilliant things about Sanderson and despite loving both the cover and the interior illustrations of this book, I had no desire to get on the bandwagon for a ten novel series that was just beginning. But then the opportunity arose to join friends in a join read of the book and I opened my mind to the fact that it could really and truly be fun to have the motivation to read such a large book because of the promise of being able to discuss it along the way.
And so hear I am.
And thus far The Way of Kings is calming any of my initial trepidation and is making me glad that I chose to tag along.
2. What do you think of the pace of this story? so far. And what do you think of the prose? Do you think the prose is too descriptive? Not descriptive enough? Give me your thoughts on the writing thus far.
It is easy for me with a book of this size to find myself wanting to take the chicken exit, to duck out of line despite the great potential for fun. It is a personal failing, but there it is. Thus far Brandon Sanderson is keeping me in line for the ride by never straying so far into descriptive prose that I feel like he is trying to unveil his created world in info-dump fashion. I felt like the novel stumbled ever so slightly near the front, largely because I felt he overused the word “profane” in Szeth’s narrative, but it soon gained its footing, however, and has been moving steadily along at a very interesting pace.
Where I found myself hooked and hooked good was in the description of the account of Cenn’s first battle and his interactions with Kaladin. My heart was beating quite frantically through that section, the fear and the horror of battle was palpable.
I am very pleased with Brandon Sanderson’s style thus far. It feels natural and flows naturally. The break up of chapters is just right, neither too short nor too long. I like that each chapter does not necessarily move on to a different character and yet he does go back and forth between characters at the kind of interval that keeps the various story lines fresh in your mind.
3. What was your favorite part of this first section?
My favorite part of the story thus far is the description of Shallan exercising her artistic talent. The ability to picture something in the mind’s eye and then render it in pencils, inks or paints is one I jealously admire and when you see that kind of work up close and personal it boggles the mind. The way Sanderson first reveals the depth of her talent intrigues me because of the way it hints at other things, magical things, that I suspect we will continue to learn more and more about.
I also genuinely enjoyed the interaction between Yalb and Shallan.
4. Which character(s) do you find most interesting and why?
Building on the last question one of the most interesting characters to me thus far is actually not one of the main cast, it is Yalb. Of the many things that have impressed me thus far with Sanderson’s tale, it is his ability to make me bond with a minor character that impresses me the most. Yalb felt quite genuine. The way in which Sanderson wrote his dialogue and his behavior made the world–the mundane world rather than the magical–come alive to me. The way in which Yalb interacted with Shallan told me much about both characters and also hinted at the voyage that Shallan had taken to arrive at Kharbranth.
Truth be told I actually find all the characters interesting thus far. I haven’t met one that I dislike nor have I met one that I feel I can entirely trust. All the main characters have flaws that we are introduced to early on and yet Sanderson writes their beginnings in such a way that I found myself rooting for every one of them, even Szeth in his unwanted assignment to kill a king. Sanderson has woven the story in such a way that I feel the slightest bit of guilt in rooting for these tainted protagonists while championing them all the same. I will be interested to see how my feelings for the various characters changes as this book, and the series, unfolds.
5. All right, what I really want to know is… what do you think of this book overall? so far. Are you finding the story easy to follow? Are you fascinated, interested? Is the book holding your attention? Are you Bored? Indifferent? Please share your overall thoughts.
Overall I find the story compelling. The prologue left me with a lot of questions that I am sure will be answered during the long journey the series will take me on. The characters have been introduced in a fashion that allows for simultaneous world building, revelation of the cultures, and insight into some of the aspects of what I am sure will be well-rounded, complex personalities. The book is most certainly keeping my attention even as I continue to think of how much more I still have to read.
I look forward to seeing how everyone else is progressing as well as to the conversation that is sure to arise from our experiences reading this book.
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Next week the questions come from me. I will warn you right now that the Thursday deadline may not be realistic considering my schedule for the week. I can promise that, if I miss that deadline, you will have questions sometime on Friday, giving you the whole of the weekend to craft your responses for the Monday, August 15th post.
Great answers, Carl. I read a huge junk of the next section last night and I am still loving the book! I look forward to reading more of it at some point today. 🙂
And, I get my new computer today, which has me feeling a bit like its Christmas. 🙂
Ah, wonderful! You’ll have fun playing around with it today.
I am actually not entirely finished with the first section of the book, which is why I know my questions for the next section will probably be delayed somewhat.
Hi Carl! Hope you had a great weekend. Like you I was a little nervous about starting the first book in a ten book series. And if all of them are over a 1000 pages…wow is all I can say.
I didn’t notice the use of “profane” in the first section. I’ll have to take a look at it tonight. But it’s probably a good thing that I didn’t notice it since it got on your nerves.
The battle scene was intense. I could feel Cenn’s terror…it was an edge of the seat moment for me!
I love Yalb. He was such a likable rascal. He was in my favorite scene of the book so far. I haven’t posted my answers just yet. I’m not a Monday morning person.
I also wish I could draw. On my train ride in this morning I was discussing artists with a friend of mine. To be talented in that way would be fantastic. But alas, some of us have to admire the talent and I’m an admirer.
Sidenote: I watched a recent interview with Brandon Sanderson online and one thing he mentioned about the following books is that they would be smaller than Way of Kings.
I believe he said that Way of Kings came in around 400,000 words or 1,000 pages in hardback. He believes that following books should be only around the 300,000 word range. So only around 750 pages. 🙂
He also mentioned that the reason book one was large was that he felt he needed to set up more of the world with this book rather than get right into the action. That is sort of simplification of what he said.
I remember that now that you mention it Jeff. That was a great interview (at least the part I watched). I need to go back and listen to the section that I left off at.
750 pages each…well that is a little better 🙂
After reading this book a 750 book will feel like a novella. :p
But how will we work on our muscles!
True!
YES ! You do. 🙂
I’m curious about the interview. Does anyone have a link to it?
Yes, here is a link to all three parts of the interview. I know Jeff listened to the whole thing and said there are not really spoilers for Way of Kings:
http://fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com/2011/07/video-interview-with-brandon-sanderson.html
I would imagine each of these books will be over a thousand pages, though I can hope that some will not. If I want to build muscles I would rather purposefully lift weights rather than heft these large hard back books around! 🙂
I’m sure it was just me, but Szeth referred several times to the use of gems as being profane as he was describing the scenes he was coming upon and it just felt to me like the point that these people were not respecting the power of these gems or their holy usage had been made and didn’t need to be belabored. This is a very minor complaint though and thankfully the story really picked up for me when he got to the point of having the battle that all quibbles were forgotten and it has been a great read from that point onward.
I’m actually waiting to post until later this afternoon for the same reason. I have about another forty pages to go, lol.
Thankfully these opening questions were ones I could answer without having quite met the page quota. Of course that means that I really need to make some reading time so that I can get through my section for the questions. LOL!
I made the mistake of getting too caught up in “A Clash of Kings.” I’ll be done with that one soon though. 😛
Oh, I doubt that is a ‘mistake’ since GRRM’s books, from my limited experience, are easy to grab hold of and hard to let go of! 🙂
I, too, noticed the overuse of “profane,” but I didn’t feel it was in excess. Authors overdoing a word is typically a pet peeve of mine. (Notable case, the estimable Pat Rothfuss uses “speculatively” entirely too much in WMF. No one gives normal looks; they all give speculative looks.) Anyway, I felt “profane” was necessary, establishing the heavy religious tones this book is sure to have.
As one who spent several years in visual arts, I, too, found Shallan’s Memory-ability quite captivating. I’m wondering how she’ll transition from mere drawings to something more action-filled.
Logan: I hear you. As I mentioned above, it was just a minor quibble and one where it was only noticeable because I felt like he kept saying the same thing in the same way. I think he made his point earlier and if he felt like he needed to keep making it I wish he would have found a different way of saying the same thing rather than using the same word usage over and over.
I’m a bit suspicious of Jasnah and am wondering if there is some way that she will find to take advantage of Shallan’s abilities, if perhaps there is something more behind it than merely being able to draw a good likeness. Of course it also makes me wonder if there is something more there and Shallan will find it out and be able to use it towards her own ends to achieve her ultimate goals.
I have to think the emphasis on her talent has to be more than just character building and will have an impact as the story moves along.
That’s a good point Carl. I didn’t think that about Shallan’s talent, but now I will keep a watch on it.
Of course I could be entirely wrong, but Sanderson took such pains to craft such lovely prose describing it and the interaction of the spren with her drawing make me think there just has to be something there that will come out later on.
Hmmm. The only kind of magic I could see from the artistry would be something like Creation/Changing magic, where her ability can actually change things. However, this seems too common of a magical thing (or writing down words and causing magic to happen) that I don’t think Sanderson would do this.
I’m definitely looking forward to learning more about the magic systems he’s developed in The Stormlight Archive.
As for Jasnah, I’m currently thinking Shallan will steal the Soulcaster, but she won’t sell it. She’ll learn of their importance and/or their workings and keep it for herself. Either that or maybe being a ward entails more than just learning…
I don’t know enough about Sanderson to know how he might handle things in his writing, but I have to think just from experience with reading stories that the ability to capture images perfectly in her mind has to come into play somehow more than just the fact that she is a talented artist. She also mentions briefly that she feels like she is taking a part of that person’s soul when she captures these mental images, and again my current thoughts lean toward that not being Sanderson throwing away words idly but that it actually foreshadows some use for this artistic talent and perhaps some magical connection as well.
Yep. Plus, Memory being capitalized just screams “pay attention to me! I’m important!”
Interesting to think that she feels she’s taking a part of a person’s soul and she’s trying to steal a Soulcaster. Are these things related, perhaps? Maybe Jasnah has a Memory-thing, too, which is why she’s such a learned scholar?
I was thinking along those same lines, Logan. I certainly don’t think it will be something simple, but I was also wondering if that comment had any bearing on what the Soulcaster allows a person to do and if, like you said, Shallan might actually get it and learn to use it. Who knows what will happen then. My initial thoughts are that her exposure to all Jasnah will teach her will soon have her thoughts rising above merely saving her household and profiting them.
I’m almost hoping Shallan doesn’t succeed in getting the soulcaster, mostly because I find Jasnah intriguing, and think that she’d be pretty careful with it.
I have absolutely no clue where they will go with either of these characters’ stories, but given the way things are going so far and that we have 9 large novels to go, I would imagine that no one’s life course will go exactly as planned.
You are a brave bunch to do this. I suppose you’ll be able to finish up about 2025 or so, and that will be a nice post to read, won’t it? No group, Tweet, suggestion, argument nor plea would get me to read this, probably even if the entire set were in hand. No one has ever satisfactorily explained to me why any story needs more than two or three books to tell it in it’s entirety, so more than that – and I’m thinking of 2000 pages total, or less – is either excess verbiage by the author or lack of editing by the publisher, or (usually) both.
RkR: I understand that and although I am really enjoying this it hasn’t changed my opinion on long series. My prejudices will have to be proven wrong either with this series or catching up with GRRM’s series (which will hopefully come to a conclusion soon while he is still healthy and mentally acute). One of the reasons I was on board with reading Rothfuss’ work, after hearing so much overwhelming praise, was that it was advertised as a trilogy and the story is structured in such a way to make it easily fit the trilogy format.
As much as I connect with various characters in the kind of books that I end up reading over and over and over again, I tend to want their stories to end before an author either loses his focus with them, or his talent drops off, etc.
I have in mind my beloved Stainless Steel Rat books by way of example. By and large I really enjoy the earlier novels and the prequel novels that were written later. But years ago when he wrote The Stainless Steel Rat Joins the Circus I thought it was a complete disaster. I felt like he betrayed the character and the readers with the way the story unfolded. I have a free copy of his latest Stainless Steel Rat book, that came out not too long back, but I have yet to have the heart to read it because earlier reviews have me cringing.
I’m feeling the same way about Alan Bradley’s wonderful Flavia de Luce series. There is an ongoing, overarching story that is taking place during each individual mystery and I truly hope there are a finite number of books that he is planning to write in order to wrap up this overarching story and then I hope he stops. I don’t want the books or the characters to lose their charm because they are road into the ground.
All that being said, The Way of Kings really is an excellent story thus far.
Ha! Now you are making me wonder why I’m doing this! 2025? Ugh! I hope not! Oh, well. It will be fun ride1
Fun discussion to read here. You seem to have said it all. I’m glad you are liking it so far Carl. I was very intimidated by the size too, but I think it will fly by after all.
I’ve come to realize that although it is merely psychological, I actually like reading the hardback version more. It is merely 1001 pages, 250 pages less than the MMPB. Again, I realize it still takes the same amount of time to read, but in my head it feels more like I am moving towards my goal when I am reading my hardback copy. 🙂
I am compelled to argue that a string of books set in the same wide location (country, world, galaxy, universe) is not the same thing as a story with multiple parts but one overall plot – regardless of how many side plots, secondary story lines, or what have you.
Example: Heinlein wrote a lot of books in his Future History, most of them stand-alone novels. Foundation is a trilogy, there were additional, separate Foundation books written later that are simply set in the same universe. The same is true with the rest of the future history books. Jordan’s Wheel of Time, on the other hand, is one very long tale which needs all the others to be in any way complete. You can’t just read the 4th book by itself, or any three of them, and have closure.
A series is not the same either. The books may have a recurring character, a repertory cast, a shared setting, but the books can stand alone or in pairs or trilogies. Perhaps the books cover a long period of time and each book (or 2 or 3) takes place in different times (those of Terry Brooks, for instance).
I understand an author returning to his or her created world/galaxy.etc. and telling more tales therefrom, and I have no problem with that. Larry Niven can continue to write books set in Known Space for decades more and I’d be perfectly happy with that: each book tells it’s own story. It’s these 6, eight, ten (is there no end?) volume tales that I disagree with and avoid
You are going to have to help me out, Richard, because I am not really sure who you are “compelled to argue” with, since I don’t recall anyone saying anything contrary to what you are saying here, unless you are wanting to make a semantic argument about the word “series”.
If I recall (and I don’t know if I’m right), the Wheel of Time books have been called a “series” and that is certainly the best example of what I consider being a series of ongoing stories that tell one long tale. In Sanderson’s case, he ends he is calling this the Stormlight “archive”, but it is still essentially a (thankfully finite) series of books. The other set of books that he is writing, in the Mistborn universe, are three sets of trilogies, with each set taking place several decades/eras apart.
Again, not sure what you are “arguing” about. I think that there is probably an even split of folks who would rather not read a multiple volume series of books largely because the waiting is nearly intolerable and others who love that kind of storytelling. I am one who doesn’t love that kind of storytelling but am willing to give Sanderson the benefit of the doubt because of the work ethic he has shown thus far and the planning he reports to have done.
Why, you of course. I use the term “argue” in the debater’s definition, not in the barroom sense. It’s your – and others definitions I’m trying to clarify, or redefine. Regardless of how the term may be used in general (you know how terms get misapplied), in my mind a series something like Wheel is a multiple-volume saga or cycle. A series is a number of books with shared characteristics (location, character, theme but with each book having it’s own beginning, middle and ending; and by ending I mean a conclusion (no cliffhanger).
Another example of a series is Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s Retrieval Artist books. The nine plus forthcoming books share characters and setting (and solar system) but each is a separate plot telling a stand-alone story. It’s that stand-alone aspect that makes the difference.
I realize this is all a matter of terms, but I tend to be a stickler for accuracy that way. Yes, successful communication is only “you know what I mean”, but using common terms and agreeing to the exact definitions thereto sure simplifies the process.
I suspected that was the case. I figure if Brandon Sanderson calls what he is doing a “series”, and he does, then that is good enough for me.
I understand what you are saying, and in doing a little research I agree you are correct about what is the “proper” usage, but the word “series” is becoming more commonly used to describe things like what Robert Jordan and GRRM and now Sanderson are doing.
And the reason I believe it is starting to be used more commonly in that way is the same reason so many words change/expand in their definitions over the years– ease of use. It is much more natural and “easy” to say, in conversation, “I like the Song of Ice and Fire series” than it is to say “I’m digging the Stormlight Archive saga” or “I quit reading the Wheel of Time cycle“. People just don’t converse that way.
I’m sorry you aren’t using “argue” in the barroom sense. I could use a good stiff drink right now. 🙂
I knew that you were not real big on tomes and lengthy series so I was even that much more thrilled that you agreed to reading this book as part of a group read.
You are another who seems to really be taken by Shallan. While I like her, I have yet to find the love for her as it seems you and others have. Maybe I will as the story continues.
I do like her so I am finding her story to be interesting and while not as engaging for me as Kaladin, i am interested.
It will be itneresting to see if feelings do change for the characters throughout this book, by the end, and throughout the series.
I liked that the prologue left me with questions. I found that to be engaging and helped lead into the story nicely.
By the way, I am behind on this week’s reading. Need to buckle down tomorrow.
It was a moment of twitter-induced blindness to be sure, but I’m glad I did it as the book has been great.
I have yet to dislike any of the main characters and I am wondering if that will keep up or shift. I’m liking many of the secondary characters as well. We haven’t seen much of Shallan yet (unless you are into section 3 now) and so it isn’t surprising that she has yet to grab you.
Oops, guess you just answered my questions. Yes, you are the host, get reading!!! (He says pretending that he never got behind on the Dune reading)
Okay, Carl, I hear your common usage argument. I’ll stop using people’s names and just call everyone Dude from now on. It’s so easy, dude. I’m not sure how President Dude guy and House Speaker Dude will feel about those either dudes calling those still other dudes “dude” but man, it’s so easy….. Meanwhile I’ll go back to using my, you know, tech-thing here.
Okay, over the top. I’ve said way enough on this, thanks fro being understanding. I’ll drop it now.
Dude.
As you so jokingly point out, there are indeed levels to all these arguments, but I just don’t think you can get too terribly pet peeved about the use of the word “series” when the biggest and most well known at this point (Wheel of Time and Song of Ice and Fire) have been called “series” for decades and when the authors, publishers, etc. themselves have appropriated the word for what they are doing.
I am a little hesitant about starting a ten-volume series, but I’ve never actually followed a series from beginning to end as it was published, so I’m thinking it could be a fun ride. I’m so glad the book is very readable.
I did not notice the repetitious use of the word profane so much as I was wondering why it was profane to use the stormlight and walk on the stone. I’m still wondering. I have questions about Szeth himself, wondering if he follows orders because his faith is so strong, or if there is another power forcing him to do so. So much still to find out, and only about 14 years till we learn it all…
I can certainly understand that hesitation Shelley. But like you I’ve not began a series at its start and followed it through until the end, so maybe this time will be the charm. It all depends of course on the quality of the story being told and how Sanderson demonstrates his commitment to it. Despite feeling that this is a most excellent opening volume, I could easily see myself abandoning ship if Sanderson delivered a couple of sub-par volumes or started taking 5 or more years between volumes to complete the story. I don’t see him doing that, however.
You learn a little more about why those things are profane in the last interlude before Part III begins.
Question 1. I thought I would like the story but no more than in general sense as I liked the only other book I had read from this author, Mistborn.
Question 2. I found the pace just right in the first section. As for whether the book is too descriptive, I think he is being very descriptive but it’s working for me because he is truly trying to set up a world that is very different from our own earth. So many times we read fantasies where the author just assumes an environment just like our own because they want to focus on other things with their story. I feel Brandon is trying to set the world up a LOT with Way of Kings. His setting is a big character / story element to him so he’s not short changing any of the world building, if anything he’s over doing it at times.
Question 3. That question gives me pause because my first instinct is to say Kaladin’s journey with Syl as I enjoy that story line a lot but the parts that keep coming back to my thoughts are the one’s with Shallan. In the book store, with her drawings, her multiple attempts to get with Jasnah. I find her journey more interesting at this point even though I like the character of Kaladin more.
Question 4. Oops. I guess I sorted answered 3 and 4 together. My favorite scenes are in the book shop with Shallan and at the end of the cliff with Kaladin.
Question 5. Overall I find the book quite interesting. It’s going a little slow but I’m in it for the characters right now and they are interesting enough for me to continue the ride.
Cool, I was wondering if you’d end up posting answers to this first part Jeff.
I agree that he is doing a whole lot of world-building in this first book and it is really refreshing to see him do so in a way that keeps the pages turning.
I felt like the second section was initially slow (though I’ll talk about that more on Monday) but then I realized that I kept wanting to come back to it and would read chunks every time. While I think the pace did lessen after Part 1 I’m with you in thinking this is all very purposeful as he sets the stage for the 9 volumes to follow.
I think Kaladin is becoming my favorite character, but like you I am super intrigued with Shallan and am really looking forward to getting back into her story in Part 3.
With most authors, I get bored during the background world-building. With Sanderson though, I find myself wanting to know more than he’s revealing.
He does write in a way that makes you want to discover more.
I kept watning to write earlier in the week but life is overwhelming me this week; well really this year. Your going to have to forgive me as I fall behind this break next pace next week. I’m going to keep trying but this page count is so far above my speed.
Part two really is where he slows it down, you’re right but it’s still quite interesting.
It’s hard to not like Kaladin best at this point getting how were getting to see so much of his present and early life.
Yes, you’ve had a rough week. Any news on the air conditioner at the house?
I’m glad you’ll at least be through Part II for my questions on Monday. It is all about me after all. 😉 (a joke between us, the world really doesn’t revolve around me…does it?)
Yes, I’m actually enjoying the Kaladin flashbacks with his dad and the battle of desires between being a surgeon and a soldier. Even though there is precious little reason for it, I cannot help but think of Simon Tan whenever I read these flashbacks. I get Firefly images in my head.
Interesting Carl that you think part one was faster paced than part two. I am finding it to be the other way around at the moment. Although, I do have about 1/2 to go with part two so maybe it will slow down for me.
Kaladin is my favorite character, right now. I
I felt like the first part was faster paced because it seemed to move back and forth between characters more quickly and in the second half we stay with individual characters much longer, sometimes across more than one chapter. And please don’t mistake “slow” for a criticism, because it is not one. I think the pace slowed to what was appropriate for the political scheming that is going on in this second section.
I did not think you were criticizing, I just found it interesting. I can see why you think part two is slower now that you expanded on your reason. I get that. For me though, I think there is a lot going on even though it focuses on individuals longer…my thought at this point in my reading so it may change by Monday. 😉
I liked the end of the cliff scene with Kaladin too but I like all his scenes. Shallan is interesting but to this point I am not overly in like with her. I did not think the pace is slow, and now that I am in part two, I think it is going even quicker. I am glad that you are sticking with the book despite think it a bit slow.
And to reiterate again, I don’t mean “slow” as any kind of insult. I don’t think the pace of any story should be at breakneck speed from start to finish (with rare exceptions). I want the pace to slow down when it serves the story. While there is plenty of exciting action and intrigue in Dalinar’s story, I do feel the pace of the book is slower in this part as we are examining more of Dalinar’s inner thoughts, the political maneuvering that is taking place, etc. I think this part of the story is better served by taking its time. Things are happening more bit by bit in this section and while that is happening we are getting more of a revelation of the world system, its history and culture, etc.
There is no thought of not sticking with the book, I think its brilliant.
see my reply above…but to reiterate… i did not take your comment as a criticism…just thought it was interesting, and you do have a point. I think that for me, I am in more of a flow with the reading which is probably effecting the pacing too. Maybe not though as I am not even done with part two yet so Monday I shall see if my tune has changed. 😉
Gotcha. Interestingly I think it helped me get through this larger section of reading (larger in part because I hadn’t finished the first set of interludes before posting this) that the story actually only followed these two main characters. I didn’t feel like there were as many natural breaks in the reading and so I felt compelled to keep going to see what was going to happen next.
I’m actually going to miss Dalinar in this next section (looks like we take a break from him for awhile).
Good news. We do have air conditioning again after 4 days.
Ah… Firefly…Now that’s a nice thought. I can see where you would get those flashblacks. I wasn’t picturing Kaladin looking like him though. I’m terrible with character descriptions though. I tend to picture totally different people in my head for characters than what’s really described by the author it seems.
I’m a long way from finishing part II. I’m praying I make it. I have to work all weekend remember and not just 8 hour days but 12 hour days. Yuck.
Oh yes, I’m not picturing Simon at all, I just get images of Firefly in general with the whole dad/son surgeon thing. As I said, it makes no sense, but there it is.
I thought you were into the 300s in the hardcover. You don’t have too terribly much left, little over a hundred pages?, in section 2, do you?
Good news about the air. Hope it was a cheap fix for you. And thank God the weather was cooler than it had been, although I’m sure it still wasn’t fab without the air. Mine in my truck went out a couple of weeks back and I’ve just been going in to work early to avoid the heat. Don’t want to spend time or money trying to fix it until Feb/March if I can avoid it.
$ 500. Not good but it could have been a whole lot worse.
It has taken me 3 months to read 300 pages. Cranking out another 100 pages in 3 days. You kill me man. I will do my best but next time no group reads of 1000 plus books. ok?
You do realize I’m not reading A Dance with Dragons to try and do this with you? Right?
You do realize I was partially motivated to read The Way of Kings because you had started it, talked about how cool the book looked, and were already a fan of Sanderson, right? 🙂
I think you can answer most if not all of my questions without finishing the next 100 pages anyway (just so you know).
LOL ! Damn you got me there !!! I just about fell out of my chair laughing on that one. 🙂
Don’t give up on me yet. I’m going to keep at it. 😉
Is this where I shout “IN YOUR FACE!!!”? LOL!
Yup. 🙂
Not reading the Dance of Dragons Jeff in order to read this book with Carl?? That IS impressive.
I agree ! Trust me I’ll remind him of that when needed. 🙂
I’m normally semi-with you on huge series. I don’t mind reading ten or twelve volumes–in fact, I’m over the moon about it if I love the characters–but I don’t want to have to reread a few huge books every time a new one comes out. I’ve resolved not to touch The Wheel of Time again until the whole thing is complete and in paperback, and I doubt I’ll make it to A Song of Ice and Fire before the entire series is out. I don’t mind getting in on the ground floor with this story, though, because it’s Brandon Sanderson. I love his books and trust him to hook me well enough that I’ll be willing–nay, eager!–to reread all the previous books whenever a new one comes out.
And if I ever feel my attention wane, I can always back off and wait, like I’m doing with TWoT and ASoIaF.