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By the way, (theducktator, and thearcaneaxiom as well), what books would you recommend to a fan of Tress and Alcatraz?
Hmm, we’ll I’m biased for Sanderson in general, so I’d point to anything from him. Frugal is up the same ally of humor and flair, but you’re already reading that. Have you started Skyward? I think you’d like that one, though some of the ideas at the end of the third book might turn you off. I’d still recommend at least the first though.
If you’re up for it, Stormlight is bigger than Mistborn, while also not being nearly as dark, at least not in the first few books. It’s much more of the high fantasy adventure, while also not at all😂
I’ve been told that Tress feels reminiscent to disc world to some, so that might be fun if you’re into the absurdist adventure type stories like Tress and Alcatraz. I personally haven’t read it though.
He is perfect in Justice, yet He is perfect in Mercy, even when we fail Him. For this, He is good.
Story Thieves by James Riley reminds me of Alcatraz, in the way that the two make fun of writing. I’ll tell you if I think of any more.
I shall be a vestibule of unhampered sanity.
I have read Skyward, but only the first two books. Stormlight, I am a little intimidated by. I’ve heard Sanderson himself describing the opening as a wall you have to climb with your fingernails to understand, and when you reach the top, then you will be able to enjoy it. On the other hand, I have read Wheel of Time. Perhaps I will get to Stormlight someday.
I have read Discworld, although there was usually one scene that made me feel very uncomfortable. Perhaps the cover art had something to do with it, but the stories felt dirty and grimy. I would not recommend Eric or Monstrous Regiment. I regret reading those two. There were still some I quite enjoyed, like Thief of Time. I have not read as many of his young readers, just The Amazing Mourise. Perhaps I should give more of those a try.
Story Thieves looks entertaining. I have not heard of that one before, so I just took a quick peek. I might give that a try later.
Thank you both for your recommendations.
Sometimes it is necessary to paint the sky black in order to see the stars.
I have read Skyward, but only the first two books. Stormlight, I am a little intimidated by. I’ve heard Sanderson himself describing the opening as a wall you have to climb with your fingernails to understand, and when you reach the top, then you will be able to enjoy it. On the other hand, I have read Wheel of Time. Perhaps I will get to Stormlight someday.
Yeah, it’s all pretty hard to understand at first. You don’t start understanding things concerning the very beginning of book one until the end of book 3😂 It’s actually not that bad though, it’s not really meant to be understood immediately.
I have read Discworld, although there was usually one scene that made me feel very uncomfortable. Perhaps the cover art had something to do with it, but the stories felt dirty and grimy. I would not recommend Eric or Monstrous Regiment. I regret reading those two. There were still some I quite enjoyed, like Thief of Time. I have not read as many of his young readers, just The Amazing Mourise. Perhaps I should give more of those a try.
That’s all good to know. I may give it a go someday, though I’m not sure if it’s really my style.
He is perfect in Justice, yet He is perfect in Mercy, even when we fail Him. For this, He is good.
Another recommendation would be The Postmodern Pilgrim’s Progress. It’s really good and also the narrator is hilarious.
I shall be a vestibule of unhampered sanity.
I know this is super old but I was board and started scrolling through KP to find the mood board forum (still can’t find it anywhere!!) but I had to drop in and comment!
I bought Tress after seeing you recommend it somewhere. (Maybe to me or maybe on something I was stalking) anyhow, I really enjoyed it!! Not only is the book gorgeous, but the story was so fun!! (I used whiteout on a few words and exchanged them for things like “good grief!” Which I wrote in with pen 🤣. This is a hot tip for anyone who reads aloud to siblings and needs alternative words fast.)Anyways, Charlie was amazing, and Tress was one of the first female leads I have ever liked. I also nearly went crazy over the “advanced fathering” chapter!! WHY DOESNT THIS HAPPEN MORE OFTEN IN BOOKS!!??
anyways.
great book, and thanks for the recommendation (indirect or not)
I’m honestly stunned that Brandon can write Alcatraz and Tress. They are so different! He’s skilled!
anyhow.
I have really wanted to read the Nightmare Painter one, (I saw a really pretty version of it in an old bookstore. It was almost silhouette like with the girl in one corner and the guy in another and the moon in the center. It looked pretty cool. But then I thought I saw you make a comment to the contrary? Have you read it? If so, is it any good?
also, my library banned most of his books (which makes me more inclined to read them because the library is so liberal. Did you know Narnia is racist?!?! *gaspeth!* replacing it with a series about a girl footballer star was a master move. 🙄) anyhow, I was wondering if you would mind telling me which of his books you’ve read and what you think of them and any big pros and cons. (While trying but to spoil too much)
if you don’t have time for that it’s fine. From what I know we have similar views when it comes to what we read and I would trust your judgement. I can try to do some more online research tho if you don’t have the time.
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
(I know you were talking to Linus, but I thought I’d reply to you anyway, hope you don’t mind)
I’ve read Yumi atNP and I quite enjoyed it. It’s a bit more, eh, risque (?) that Tress, so I’m not sure how you’d feel about that. There’s nothing really ‘bad‘ that I remember, but I can elaborate more if you’d like.
(also, I have read many of Sanderson’s novels [well, all of his cosmere books and none of his others] so I can also help if you want to know about any of those)
Anyways, sorry for hijacking your conversation with Linus.
If I had ever learnt, I should have been a great proficient.
#wewantourhatback
No problem!! By risqué what do you mean? (Go ahead and spoil some if you need to. Just hopefully not the ending. 😉)
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
Please elaborate. I haven’t read Yumi either.
Regarding Stormlight, there’s some profanity, but they’re mostly clean. I haven’t read the newest one yet though, and I’ve heard he added a gay couple. And Skyward, while nothing really happens, the main character does sit on her love interest’s lap, and while it’s hinted that something might happen later, nothing does.
I shall be a vestibule of unhampered sanity.
@ellette-giselle @theducktator
I ran out of time writing a reply, so I’ll get to this a bit later.
If I had ever learnt, I should have been a great proficient.
#wewantourhatback
oh gross!! If there’s going to even be hints of a gay couple I’m not touching that. I don’t know if I want to even read anymore of his stuff! I don’t want support that sort of thing. Yeah, Stormlight is out.
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
You want to get into Sanderson more, eh?
I’m honestly stunned that Brandon can write Alcatraz and Tress. They are so different! He’s skilled!
Yes. And Mistborn is another thing altogether.
great book, and thanks for the recommendation (indirect or not)
You’re welcome!
I have really wanted to read the Nightmare Painter one, (I saw a really pretty version of it in an old bookstore. It was almost silhouette like with the girl in one corner and the guy in another and the moon in the center. It looked pretty cool. But then I thought I saw you make a comment to the contrary? Have you read it? If so, is it any good?
No I have not. I’m not quite sure I trust it, so I haven’t bothered with it. I will await @highscribeofaetherium’s thoughts on it as well.
Turns out, it is my reading week, so I do have time to share my thoughts on the books I have read.
Teen Books:
The Reckoners (Starting with Steelheart):
There are no heroes.
Every single person who manifested powers—we call them Epics—turned out to be evil.
Here, in the city once known as Chicago, an extraordinarily powerful Epic declared himself Emperor. Steelheart has the strength of ten men and can control the elements. It is said no bullet can harm him, no sword can split his skin, no explosion can burn him. He is invincible.
It has been ten years. We live our lives as best we can. Nobody fights back . . . nobody but the Reckoners. A shadowy group of ordinary humans who spend their lives studying powerful Epics, finding their weaknesses, then assassinating them.
My name is David Charleston. I’m not one of the Reckoners, but I intend to join them. I have something they need. Something precious, something incredible. Not an object, but an experience. I know his secret.
I’ve seen Steelheart bleed.
It’s been a long time since I have read this series. And I read it so quickly I barely remember anything about it. I do remember some content concerns though. They misuse ‘hell’ on several occasions. I do remember liking it though and trying to convince my Sunday school teacher (who is a Sanderson fan) to finish reading the series.
Skyward:
Spensa’s world has been under alien attack for decades. Pilots are the heroes of what’s left of humanity, and becoming a pilot is Spensa’s dream. Ever since she was a little girl, Spensa has dreamed of soaring skyward and proving her bravery. But her father’s legacy stands in the way—he was a pilot who was killed for desertion years ago, branding Spensa the daughter of a coward, and making her chances of attending flight school slim to none.
I’ve only read the first two books in this one. By the time the third came out, I didn’t feel like going back and refreshing myself.
This is a fast-paced Sci-fi series. People say it would translate to the scene very well. I found it easy to visualize what was happening in it.
I do remember in the book there was a character who went by they/them pronouns, but that was more to do with the way the alien species this character was a member of was. there were a few uses of ‘D—‘, but for the most part, the characters would say a made-up word when swearing.
The Rithmatist
More than anything, Joel wants to be a Rithmatist. Chosen by the Master in a mysterious inception ceremony, Rithmatists have the power to infuse life into two-dimensional figures known as Chalklings. Rithmatists are humanity’s only defense against the Wild Chalklings—merciless creatures that leave mangled corpses in their wake. Having nearly overrun the territory of Nebrask, the Wild Chalklings now threaten all of the American Isles.
As the son of a lowly chalkmaker at Armedius Academy, Joel can only watch as Rithmatist students learn the magical art that he would do anything to practice. Then students start disappearing—kidnapped from their rooms at night, leaving trails of blood. Assigned to help the professor who is investigating the crimes, Joel and his friend Melody find themselves on the trail of an unexpected discovery, one that will change Rithmatics—and their world—forever.
I don’t remember too much about this book, but I remember enjoying it.
When you reach the final page, get ready to be disappointed. Sanderson leaves it on a cliffhanger ending, promising a sequel. If you go to look for that sequel, you will find that in the past decade since the book was released, no equal has been published. Sanderson says he will get to it, eventually. But as a stand-alone, this book is fine.
I know some people were disturbed by the magic system in this book. It involves drawing chalk circles. I doubt Sanderson intended this to be demonic, but just know that this is in there. Other than that, I can’t remember many content concerns. There is once a creepy screen where some people are screaming as chalk creatures enter their mouths and then turn the screaming people into more chalk monsters.
Adult Books:
Mistborn: The Original Trilogy
Other than Tress, this is the only series I have read in Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere (A universe in which several of his books take place. He plans to tie them all together eventually.) You will already be familiar with some things in this world. For example, this is the world Ulaam comes from and you will recognize him to be one of the Kandra. Hoid, the narrator of Tress also appears in all 7 Mistborn books, though in the third book of the original trilogy and the first book of The Wax & Wayne Series, he is unnamed, so you will have to keep your eyes peeled.
The original Mistborn Trilogy is the darkest and most serious of Sanderson’s books. At the beginning of the series, the world is under the rule of The Lord Emporer, who has been reigning for 1000 years. The population is divided into Nobels and Skaa. Skaa are treated like animals and abused by the nobles. A street urchin named Vin is recruited by Kelsier to plan a heist to overthrow The Lord Ruler. She discovers she is a Mistborn, someone who can consume metals to fuel special abilities.
Mistborn is interesting because of the world it takes place in. Sanderson put a lot of thought into it. It has two of the most interesting magic systems in it that I have ever seen. They have very well-defined rules and Sanderson pushes those rules to their limits. People often point to Allomancy as a magic system to learn from.
The plot for this was well done as well. Book II has a plot twist I never saw coming, despite being given all the necessary clues to figure it out. It made me go and reread several parts just to see that it was all there. This book takes common tropes, such as Farmboy-Legendary Hero and The Prophisy, then spins them on their heads. This works out very well and this is a great series. The humour was well-balanced with serious moments as well. If you want to get more into Sanderson and his Cosmere, I would recommend this series.
With that said, a warning. But as I mentioned earlier, this is darker. My Dad wouldn’t let me read it until I was older. You will be able to tell this right away from the prologue. Plugged In has a review for this book, and you will want to check it out before you read this. We hear of girls being raped. There are some scenes with naked characters. (Sanderson does have his limits and does not go into detail. (Actually, come to think of it, Sanderson does like his naked scenes. Both Tress and Alacatraz had one. There was one in Steelheart as well)). There are some creatures known as inquisitors who have spikes driven through their eyes and delight in gore. There are some language issues (about the same as Tress here).
Mistborn: The Wax & Wayne Series
This series takes place on the same planet as the previous one, but 300 years later. This is kind of neat since we get to see how technology has progressed and how the magic systems fit into this more modern world (Sanderson plans to write at least 3 more series in this world, with each one making a time skip until he reaches science fiction). The setting has become more steampunkish and the plot has a Western feel to it.
My Dad likes this one better than the previous one, but I disagree. For content concerns, I would say this is on the same level as Mistborn, but it takes a more light-hearted approach. Sure it’s not as dark, where we hear of people being raped, but I don’t like the direction this one takes. For example, one of the protagonists, named Wayne, can be quite crass. Sanderson has also started going the way our culture is. In the third book, we learn that a minor character who supplies Wax with equipment is a Lesbian (she does play a large enough role that she gets her own epilogue in the final book). The first series also had a better plot. I wouldn’t entirely recommend this one.
The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook To Surviving Medieval England
Looks Like you found my review on that already.
The Wheel of Time
Wheel of Time is an epic fantasy Series. It was started by a guy named Robert Jordan, who wrote the first 11 books, and when he died, Sanderson was chosen as the author for the last 3. As you can guess, with 14 books, reading through this series is a commitment (I started it in the first few months of the COVID lockdown and before our church decided to meet despite the restrictions when I had nothing else to do). Especially in the final books that Jordan wrote, in which he has so many characters to check in on that the plot moves forward slowly. When Sanderson took over, he cleaned things up. Book 11 took me a month to read. I read book 12 in three days. Sanderson is also a better author. The woman characters are all pretty much the same (manipulative and looking down on men) until he takes over.
If you like to be immersed in a fantasy world, this is a good series to read. My dad enjoys the series and has read through the entire thing a few times. Looking back, I realize that this series of magic systems was very influential in how I wrote my own.
As for content concerns. I belive this was the first adult book series I read, so I remember being quite alarmed by some of the things in here. I would rank it a little lower than Mistborn, but still on alert. There were several scenes that a character would go around naked which I would skim over. Instead of using swear words, the author makes up his own swears such as ‘Blood and Ashes’. The original author also had no problem with polygamy, and the protagonist essentially ends up with 3 wives. Like Sanderson, Robert Jordan does draw a line and does not go into detail about some things.
WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT WATCH THE AMAZON PRIME SERIES FOR THIS. They made an absolute mess of the first book, and tried to make it dark, in an effort to make it the next Game of Thrones (A series I have been warned to never read). Ewwww!
Overall:
I would recommend taking breaks between reading different Sanderson series and maybe reading a non-fiction or Theology book in between (I tightly recommend Jerry Briddges for the latter). His books are well written, but since they are just fantasy, I find I can feel a little ‘bleh…’ after reading to many together and the content concerns get to me.
From what I recall, Alcatraz, since it is aimed at a younger audience, is the cleanest. I like Sanderson’s other books, he is a very good author, but I always find myself coming back to fantasy series aimed at 9-12-year-olds as my favourites. I would rather be cringing at jokes that I am too old for than be cringing at content concerns, even if they aren’t as bad as the content concerns in other books with authors who don’t draw lines for themselves.
My top recommendations of the books I have read if you want to read more of Sanderson are:
- Mistborn (The Original Trilogy)
- Rithmatist
Sometimes it is necessary to paint the sky black in order to see the stars.
Wow. I wrote a lot there, didn’t I…
Sometimes it is necessary to paint the sky black in order to see the stars.
wow!! This is so helpful!!
yeah, as I said before I’m not even gonna touch the series with Lesbian characters. So I’ll skip that set. I’m intrigued by the first Mistborn set. Not so sure about the others, I don’t really like sci-fi anyhow. (Though someone told me a few of my books I’ve written are calcified as sci-fi! 🤯)thank you so much for this!! It’s really helpful!
oh! He did wheel of time? I didn’t even know those were books. All I know was the soundtrack to a series called wheel of time came out and it was LAME. That soundtrack was so bad. 😖oh!! No way! Game of Thrones??! Not gonna read or watch anything associated or like that. (Though the soundtrack is stellar)
again, thank you!! He has some really cool eyecatching covers, but it’s great to know what’s inside those covers from a trusted source. 😉
I’ll have to check the plugged in review as well.
Sanderson will not be my first adult fiction author, (Lord of the Rings was aimed at adults after all) but he will be the first one who has very different beliefs and boundary lines than I do. So yeah, thanks for the tips.
I have no problem throwing a book across the room. (I did that once. Right off the top of the bunk bed and into the bedside trash. I was proud of that shot) but it’s sad when you’ve spent money on the book, so thanks for saving me that for several of these. 🙃
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
I have no problem throwing a book across the room. (I did that once. Right off the top of the bunk bed and into the bedside trash. I was proud of that shot) but it’s sad when you’ve spent money on the book, so thanks for saving me that for several of these. 🙃
Your welcome!
Do you have access to any audiobook library? That’s often how I try out books now before I buy them.
Sometimes it is necessary to paint the sky black in order to see the stars.
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