Mistborn! The first half of the first Stormlight book is hard to get through if you don’t know how excellent his books tend to be and his other books are good, but nothing that would have made be think “I need to read everything this man has ever written” (and much more interesting once you begin to understand the cosmere)
I started Elantris and found the characters too archetypal. The hero was so moral/beloved, etc. Is this a product of Sandwrsons writing style (what he’s going for) or does he eventually upend those archetypes in some way? (I didn’t get very far because the archetypes weren’t what I wanted to read At the time.)
Absolutely. It wasn’t a critique of his writing as much as just wondering if that was his style. I usually prefer a different style like George RR Martin’s characters, but one isn’t objectively better than the other. Thanks for the response. Always something I wondered.
@Jon I read Elantris after reading 6 Mistborn novels, and I agree with you. As brad said it was one of he’s first books(I think it was he’s first published book) don’t be discouraged by Elantris
Thanks guys! I’m going to have to hunt them down at the library. 🙂 I don’t know what all they will have but I’m trying to get back into reading again. I heard he was a great place to start.
Mistborn is the first you should try. It has amazing world building, great characters and the magic system is majesc (kind of based of alchemy). It is a bot long, but you won’t be sorry for the time invested in this series
I can never remember 😀 Too many books read over the years. The amount and numbers start to blur together.. they become good, better and omg I’m going to read this book 10,000 more times! LOLOLOL
Elantris , Mistborn and Warbreaker are great starting out places. Pack your patience if you want to read all of Stormlight series right now as this is only book three of ten.
Mistborn is where I would start. The Calamity series is pretty amazing also but completely different because it is about modern day Super Hero’s and villains . I know it sounds corny but it’s well done and eventually you get lost in the story. Once you’ve tackle those I would highly recommend the Stormlight Archive series. Takes a little while to get into the first book because of the complexity of the world and character building but once you do you won’t be disappointed. It’s by far my favorite series from him so far. Everyone of his books are tied together in someway.
@Amber that is the recommended, that being said I read both Mistborn series’ first, loved them and went back to elantris and started again. You will love it!!!
I tried Elantris and couldn’t get on with it at all, so I’ve given up. I already liked him as an author after he finished WoT, so I’ve tried again with Mistborn, and I’m REALLY enjoying it.
I bought the first 3 Mistborn on Amazon! They have a boxed set for $15, it was a great deal. I will be starting it as soon as I’ve finished my Dean Koontz novel that I’m working on. 😀
Well I guess I first discovered him because of the WOT novels he worked on. But elantris is really good. I think it could have been a exciting epic story too. I wouldn’t call it weak. It’s just a story and that’s it. But it’s good.
Mistborn! The first half of the first Stormlight book is hard to get through if you don’t know how excellent his books tend to be and his other books are good, but nothing that would have made be think “I need to read everything this man has ever written” (and much more interesting once you begin to understand the cosmere)
Mistborn. If you want a standalone novel go with Elantris. Mistborn is a series.
I started Elantris and found the characters too archetypal. The hero was so moral/beloved, etc. Is this a product of Sandwrsons writing style (what he’s going for) or does he eventually upend those archetypes in some way? (I didn’t get very far because the archetypes weren’t what I wanted to read At the time.)
Elantris was one of his first books. Most of his books have similar characters. I thought it was entertaining though.
Absolutely. It wasn’t a critique of his writing as much as just wondering if that was his style. I usually prefer a different style like George RR Martin’s characters, but one isn’t objectively better than the other. Thanks for the response. Always something I wondered.
@Jon I read Elantris after reading 6 Mistborn novels, and I agree with you. As brad said it was one of he’s first books(I think it was he’s first published book) don’t be discouraged by Elantris
Warbreaker is also good.
Is that the first of a series? I’m on Good Reads trying to navigate and add to my reading list.
Right now Warbreaker is a standalone, but he does have a sequel planned.
I think The Final Empire. It’s a really good, fairly short intro to Sanderson
It’s the first Mistborn book
Mistborn series and stormlight archives. I started with those two series and really enjoyed/enjoy (currently reading oathbringer) both.
Thanks guys! I’m going to have to hunt them down at the library. 🙂 I don’t know what all they will have but I’m trying to get back into reading again. I heard he was a great place to start.
Mistborn is the first you should try. It has amazing world building, great characters and the magic system is majesc (kind of based of alchemy). It is a bot long, but you won’t be sorry for the time invested in this series
Mistborn
Yep. As everyone else has said, Mistborn is the way to go.
Then commit a couple years to Wheel of Time and read his books, which are the last… 2, i think
3. But yes… it takes a long time
I can never remember 😀 Too many books read over the years. The amount and numbers start to blur together.. they become good, better and omg I’m going to read this book 10,000 more times! LOLOLOL
Elantris , Mistborn and Warbreaker are great starting out places. Pack your patience if you want to read all of Stormlight series right now as this is only book three of ten.
Mistborn- the final empire. Don’t even read the back of any other book
Mistborn or The Way of Kings. If you want to start with something short, The Emperor’s Soul is a great novella.
Mistborn is where I would start. The Calamity series is pretty amazing also but completely different because it is about modern day Super Hero’s and villains . I know it sounds corny but it’s well done and eventually you get lost in the story. Once you’ve tackle those I would highly recommend the Stormlight Archive series. Takes a little while to get into the first book because of the complexity of the world and character building but once you do you won’t be disappointed. It’s by far my favorite series from him so far.
Everyone of his books are tied together in someway.
Not correct. Not all Sanderson books are connected. A lot are connected in what’s called “the Cosmere”
@Brian any book that is set on earth is NOT cosmere. So Calamity is not
@Amber that is the recommended, that being said I read both Mistborn series’ first, loved them and went back to elantris and started again. You will love it!!!
I tried Elantris and couldn’t get on with it at all, so I’ve given up. I already liked him as an author after he finished WoT, so I’ve tried again with Mistborn, and I’m REALLY enjoying it.
If you just want a taste, the Emperor’s Soul is an excellent novella
I bought the first 3 Mistborn on Amazon! They have a boxed set for $15, it was a great deal. I will be starting it as soon as I’ve finished my Dean Koontz novel that I’m working on. 😀
Best to start with stand alone book.
Mistborn series is good.
Elantris then mistborn then the reckoners
Well I guess I first discovered him because of the WOT novels he worked on. But elantris is really good. I think it could have been a exciting epic story too. I wouldn’t call it weak. It’s just a story and that’s it. But it’s good.