Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

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i want to be part of this buddy read

Kevin wrote: "i want to be part of this buddy read"

All you have to do is show up to be involved. Lol seeing as you requested this thread, you're already established yourself as part of it. Did anyone respond to your buddy read invite for it? I don't know if you saw in one of the threads you created but Choko said she'd read Warbreaker with you. And there's a Cosmere thread where impromptu Sanderson reads happen all the time that she invited you to. LMK if you want more info.

I will join him (*_*)

sorry for the confusion. I was a bit confused about the process and now i am clear. I am planning to read both warbreaker and way of the kings this month.

Awesome! Which one do you want to do first?

Lets begin with The way of kings.. what you say?

Let's do it:) I am looking forward to starting again:)

hey choko.. can you give me two days more to finish my current book?

can we start from august 3……?

Absolutely. I am also trying to catch up on my read as well. The third or fourth is good with me ʘ‿ʘ

4th is fine for me

Great! I am in the middle of the fifth book of The Wars of Light and Shadow series, and that is a book where you really need to pay attention... The forth will be just enough time (*_*)

that book is in my TBR from so long...

It is not an easy read, I can tell you that. Very rich prose and quite a bit of description...

Have you both started WoK? I'm at a lull and this is the perfect timing to reread the entire series before the new November release.

We just started Words of Radiance in the Cosmere Thread, in case you like to catch up and join us there :)

How far in are you to WoR? (I can jump in anywhere and skip Wok easily enough).

We are about to start this one, Rob. You are welcome to join us (✷‿✷)

Haha, so many options, now it's up to you :D

I only started yesterday and I'm up to chapter 3 and the others aren't that much farther.

@Choko That's an really early re-read for you then :D I do understand tho, it's just that kind of a book :)

agh! decisions decisions!!

this is my third time through the first two books. oh I'll do way of kings and try to catch up to when you guys start oathbringer

Ok, I'm already into and glad I re-started with Way of Kings. I could've jumped right in with Oathbringer, but its nice to get reinvested even if I'm just waiting for scenes I remember to occur or things to be revealed. Trying to make the "get on with it" voices subside and am reading tea leaves for later reveals.

Hello Rob. Nice to hear you joining the read. I had started the read and i almost 80 pages in.

Then I am starting it too!!! Yay!

excellent. we have all read it before correct? so no need for spoiler tags or?

I am not sure if Kevin has though...

Starting with the Prologue

Why is Jasnah not at the feast? Who are the two dudes talking to the Prince? Notice, in the room with the statues of the 10 Heralds, the statue of Shalash is missing...

I loved that the assassin's have to wear white
"For if you were going to assassinate a man, he was entitled to see you coming. "

Note about Stormlight - could be held only for a few minutes at a time, leaks away from the human body because it is too porous, Voidbringers can hold it in perfectly! To lash someone you can bind people or objects to different surfaces or in different directions.

A Shardblade cuts through everything, but doesn't cut through living flash - it severs the soul itself!!!

Up to Ch 8... Page 128, according to my Kindle...

So, the first Ch, from the young soldier's POV was very intense, particularly since you are thrown into a battle right away. I loved how much Kaladin cares about the guys in his squadron and about all young and scared new soldiers...

Ch. 2, Kaladin's POV... I feel so bad for him seeing him (view spoiler)[ in a cage, branded and enslaved... And his spirit is so low. We do get acquainted with his ups and downs in mood as we go though...
I am glad we get introduced to the "wind spren"... She is so cute! I love her! (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 3, we get introduced to the young provincial noble woman, Shallan. I like that she is naive and spunky, but I don't think her dialogue at this time comes off very natural. It is kind of the beginning of her introduction, so I forgive Sanderson for that. I like the sailors though.

Ch. 4, another rough Kaladin chapter with him in the cage ( ⚈̥̥̥̥̥́⌢⚈̥̥̥̥̥̀)... I hate (view spoiler)[ how far from who he is he is here... Slavery has really been hard on his soul... And I hate even more that now that they got to the Shattered Plains, he is thinking he could still be a soldier and hope creeps in... (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 5, Shallan POV and introduction to Jasnah! I love her, although she does come off as an overwhelming bitch at first. But that is kind of how it is for every strong and independent professional woman. And we get to meet Tarevangian, the King of this little country City-state... He is so gentle and kind and so sweet with his little granddaughter... He was lucky to have Jasnah and her Soulcaster to magically save her from that stone caving in...

Ch. 6 ... Kaladin is going to Bridge Four... Why couldn't that slaver just keep his mouth shut?! And that Light-eyed noble lady, I hated her on the spot!!! Slavery is just beyond horrible and I hate the idea of it and anyone who thinks it is OK to participate in propagating it, to be lower than the lowest!!!

Ch. 7... Shallan... Her way of drawing is wonderful! I love the way BS explained it here, and all of the creative spren ...
The letter she wrote was really convincing, too. If I was on Jasnah, I would accept her as my student right away!
Brother Kabsal, the young Ardent, is too charming for Shallan's good. She is obviously sheltered and new to communicating with young handsome men, so I can see the possibility of feelings here...

You're a bit ahead of me, I'm in the middle of Kaladin's first time through on Bridge 4, trying to put myself more int he moment than knowing what I know, lost in the harrowing craziness of it all.

I love Shallan (and have never ventured to the side of the anti-Shallan, but she's (view spoiler)[hiding so much right and you don't even know it (hide spoiler)]. I agree her language seems a bit forced when she is trying to be witty....and I'm listening and reading and it doesn't come off very well in Kate Reading's voice, at least in this early instance of Shallan. I'm sure I'll get up to good 'ol brother kabsal soon.

I am sorry... You know I read very fast... Particularly when the story is so well developed and reader-friendly. Despite the multiple POVs, it is still pretty linear, even with the memory chapters. I just got to the first set of three Interludes. But, about the chapter right before, Ch. 11, Droplets... (view spoiler)[ Syn flying away only to find him a blackbane leaf and bring it back to Kaladin, because she thought it made him happy - PRICELESS!!!! One of the most touching scenes in the book! I love that spren! And him finally deciding to get himself out of the glum and do something about taking care of the guys in Bridge 4, that was great too... (hide spoiler)]

About Shallan so far, I love that she doesn't give up! I don't dislike her. The opposite, I like her a lot, I just prefer Jasnah as a character. It is a personal preference, but I always prefer the mature, strong women characters than the young and still somewhat naive ones... Her art descriptions are absolutely fabulous!

About Interlude One, the dude in the lake. I love his view of life - who cares about time, as long as the water is warm, the fish is plenty, and the sun is shining, time doesn't exist. I wonder who the three strangers looking for the white-haired Hoid are???

Interlude Two - Balat, Shallan's brother, doesn't seem right, don't you think?

Interlude Three - poor Szeth! He deserves so much better than to be used by anyone who comes across his Oath Stone... :-\

No worries Choko, I had no illusions I would keep up with you :)

Rob, I will stop here and finish up my other book until you catch up, so make sure you post(*_*)

This is my first read

sorry.. i think i am getting few spoilers here...

I am going to wait for you to post before I post again, Kevin. This way I can go at your rate and I will not be spoiling you. You said you were up to at least page 80. I haven't said anything about anything significant after that... Just noting little details. Post your progress so we can discuss◉‿◉

I'm up to 233. I'll use spoiler tags from now, sorry Kevin! Though I probably wouldn't look at them at all until you are caught up with the entire series. I'll let you know if a spoiler is non-whole-series safe.

Non Balat (view spoiler)[Well first impression is he is some sort of pre-serial killer type tearing off arms of crabs for fun, but I don't think that is actually close to the case as we advance through the books. I am forgetting completely at the moment :) (hide spoiler)].

Interlude #1 Dude at lake (view spoiler)[I want to be him when I grow up. I don't think he appears again in the series though? I forget it. (hide spoiler)]
Szeth - (view spoiler)[I've never really warmed up to him, but this interlude tears my hearstrings. (hide spoiler)]

Part II - (view spoiler)[Finally bring on Adolin and Dalinar. Adolin is so instantly likeable. I'm already jonesing for him to meet Shallan. Can quickly tell he's a decent human being, but not thrilled with this courtship and wanting a real relationship, even though he doesn't know it. First impression of Renarin is introverted, wanting to protect him, but we never really know what is going on in his head. Interesting thought I had regarding Elokhar - always seeing assassins everywhere - could this be his ill-fated spren actually trying to reach out to him in addition to people actually trying to kill him? Also a retrospective look at Dalinar/Sadeus's falling out. First impression from the new reader would say its the latter's fault, but clearly its guilt over what Dalinar condition that night and Sadeus not being forgiving or not putting a lot belief into Dalinar's new convictions and sobriety. (hide spoiler)]

oh and (view spoiler)[HOID!!!!!! I'm struggling to remember who are the people hunting him in the purelake interlude. (hide spoiler)]

I totally think this is the case, about Elokhar!!!

I want to live like the dude in the lake right now, don't need to grow up anymore than I already have, hahahaha!

Part II headings - spoiler only if you've never read any other books of the Cosmere (view spoiler)[I'm trying more to pay attention to the headings then I have in the past. I think I always thought they were a letter from Dalinar, but now it clearly looks like a letter Hoid is writing. (hide spoiler)]

I think you might be right, but I myself am not sure... I know in part 1, most were hints to what is happening in this book itself. I am following them very closely this time around too...

Just read Ch. 12... (view spoiler)[ I love Dalinar and his sons! I am not a big fan of the King, but his description of the assassins he sees around him - yes, your theory is absolutely right! Which is a shame - he could be special if he figures it out...

The younger son, Renarin, is totally the type of character I am usually drawn to, but I am a bit weary of him, and I don't have a particular reason to be... I love Adolin, although his dating habits are not what I usually like in my book good guys (✷‿✷).
Dalinar, today's Dalinar, not the one from before his brother's death, is absolutely fantastic! I think he is my favorite male character.

Just wanted to say, since right before this chapter was the Szeth one, do you think he will ever be able to be his own master? This is not right, what happens with the Oath Stone...

Non Balat, I am not sure why BS is trying to make our first impression of him as a future serial killer in training... Is he really, or is he just an abused soul who doesn't have any other outlet for his pain? I am very interested to find out... (hide spoiler)]

Just finished Ch. 19, page 334

(view spoiler)[ Well, this vision, the first we actually see from Dalinar, is something! I have so many things I want to know, but since Dalinar himself doesn't get any answers, I wonder if we ever will. Apart from who is the dude sending the visions, why Dalinar is the one receiving them, why is he experiencing them as himself, how is he able to act of his will in them, and so on, I actually noticed for the first time, how much Sanderson wanted to show us how different the plate armor is of the Knights of Radiance, or at least I think it is them. The armer appears and disappears on its own, it radiates from within, it seems more comfortable, it just acts differently than the armor does now, for those who have it. I wander if this has any significance, which it must, because he repeated it several times in a short chapter... Interesting!

The battle with the creature with the King and the other princes was intense. I wonder who is trying to kill the King... I strongly dislike Sadeus already... I hope Dalinar didn't promise Renarin something he can't deliver, mainly getting him a shard blade and armor... Also, if he does, would that piss off the other princes? I really love Dalinar, but I wonder why he has no memories of his wife. It is very specific thing to forget, don't you think? I wonder if it is some curse or something...

Kaladin trying to get the guys to follow him in getting better, so they don't get themselves killed... He has his work cut out for him... Those guys don't have much of an incentive to actually do as he wants them, and he has no leverage at all... Good thing he is charismatic and determined, so he still has a chance... The bridge running thing sucks!!! (hide spoiler)]

Shallan seemed brilliant in persuading Jasna... I am liking her charecter. and Yalb too.. He seems quite smart.

Shallan is great, but Yalb totally shines here! I really hope we get more of him in the future!

the windspren had a huge influence on Kaladin.I liked how he got confudent and became a new and strong person again. Credit goes to the Sly. Brandon is amazing in developing the world. The way he had explained the Honor Chasm, ohh my gosh.. i felt soo scared... it was so real and i was screaming fir Kaladin not to jump... and the lige saver came at last.

I totally agree! One of the best thought out worlds out there. I also love all the creatures, most of them with some type of shell or covering to protect them from the storms ... And since the plains are mostly desert, they all have some way to retain the water from the storms too... I mean, he thought of everything, of how the chasms are, of what Syn does in the air, everything! It is awesome!

400 pages in. This book flies despite being a tome.

I love Yalb too, he'a a joy.

Let's see a couple of thoughts. All are long-term safe/not revealing anything for later books.

Shallan, I forget which chapter...but she has a vision of (view spoiler)[Holding a sword and slicing through something like nothing with it. Shard blade? Add to the list of Shallan-mysteries that we don't know about her yet! (hide spoiler)]

Kaladin (view spoiler)[Nice to see Kaladin "stormblesseed" re-emerge and start to movitate the guys. Syl is remembering things which means she's either been around a lot longer than she knows or at least learned and knew more background, but somehow became a regular wind spren. More to slow burn and gradually unearth from her. He's convinced two Rock "airsick lowlander!" and Teft to work with him. Fun watching all those relationships emerge. (hide spoiler)]

Dalinar (view spoiler)[He's had his first vision, of Radiants in a distant time in the past. Things I'm noting here about their helmets being willed away back and forth> How does that work and their shard plate glowing as well. What is that about? These are mysteries for even up to date readers btw. Also a note to history that Alethkar was home to all the warriors, which explains a bit of his culture. Also mentioned Urithiru is in the Shattered plains somewhere. I have to ask if it is still there or not? The first meeting of Navani and awkward meetings with Dalinar who is obviously EXTREMELY into her. That plotline has to develop. (hide spoiler)]

Headings of part II (view spoiler)[Continuing of a letter written by Hoid or some other "Herald-level" person talking about other Heralds or higher power beings. I think I need to find all those combined into a single letter to keep it coherent. Actually they're all here in on place for later reference Part II epigraphs. (hide spoiler)]

I'm on a staycation week coming up, so should be much more time for reading amongst other time with my family. I usually only read in the early morning and late-night as my main blocks with bits and pieces on audio during my commute and in the early evening.

Rob wrote: "Headings of part II (view spoiler)"

Oh wow, thanks for the link Rob, really interesting! :) So far I was too lazy to puzzle the letter together and try to figure out who it was meant for...

That link was awesome, Rob. Thank you!

Just finished part 2, but life has been so busy, I haven't been able to chat much. I love this book! Kaladin, as moody as he is, is really growing on me. I still prefer Dalinar, but that is a personal preference, not a judgement on the characters. I hope I have a bit more time later to discuss ʘ‿ʘ