SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

My stepdaughter is fond of this kind of fantasy and might like this book. Any comments?

I'd say it is, assuming she's fine with mature themes. As in there's nothing really 'adult' about the books but there are some adult ideas to do with politics and romance.

I don't recall any sex or drugs. Probably the whole thing is less disturbing than say Twilight or Hunger Games.

Thanks. I was thinking about that and I tend to think it's okay. We'll see what she thinks!

Derrick wrote: "Definitely.

Sanderson is a nominal mormon, so his writing tends to be pretty clean, sex-drugs-language wise..."

Ahh, but what if somebody feels that exposure to even nominally mormon literature is unsuitable for children. That may seem absurd, but I'm sure there are such people - and it can't be much more absurd than, say, thinking that swearwords are unsuitable for children.

Whether you consider a book suitable for children says a lot more about you than about the book.

[Personally, I think that if any books are unsuitable for children, which I'm not sure is the case, then it's because of pervasive and damaging thematic implications of the book, rather than because of any specific words used or scenes described.]

I almost didn't go on after the first chapter, with the slavery and casual talk of rape and murder, but there's nothing graphic in it and more is implied than actually said.
After that, though, Vin is the kind of heroine that I would hope my own 13-yr old would look up to.

Derrick wrote: "@Wastrel:
Well, if you could/would point out where Sanderson puts in morman theology, then we can discuss your hypothetical.
Otherwise, your argument is simply a strawman..."

That's really not the point, since I'm not objecting to Mormon theology. I'm pointing out that what one person sees as unobjectionable or even good (in this case, that the author is mormon) may appear objectionable to another.

Wastrel wrote: "[Personally, I think that if any books are unsuitable for children, which I'm not sure is the case, then it's because of pervasive and damaging thematic implications of the book, rather than because of any specific words used or scenes described.]"

Take a look at 50 Shades of Gray sometime. I'd never give that poorly-written, twisted nonsense to a kid. I'd never give Twilight to an impressionable girl. Unless I was trying to make passive sex slaves out of them, then maybe I would.

But I'd have to file all those papers to start a cult. The tax exemption status paperwork alone would be a headache. Although if it meant keeping the girls in their place....

Wastrel wrote: "Derrick wrote: "@Wastrel:
Well, if you could/would point out where Sanderson puts in morman theology, then we can discuss your hypothetical.
Otherwise, your argument is simply a strawman..."

That..."

I would hope most people would not judge an author on their religious beliefs, unless those beliefs intrude into the text. I mean, if people decide not to read it because the author is a Mormon, that's their choice, but I'd call it a stupid choice. The only point where in my eyes there may be a hint of the theology intruding (I've finished the second book) is when (view spoiler)[Vin saves everyone but only becomes "empress" under the rule of the comparatively weak emperor Elend when she clearly deserves to rule in her own right. (hide spoiler)]

I always thought that the series suggested a agnostic point of view because of how it all ends, but whatever. Regardless, if you want to protect your kids from points of view that might be different that yours, I'd recommend now letting read any books at all. Most books have one point of view or another, often very subtly stuck in there.