What’s Up With the Cosmere?

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This past week has been incredibly exciting for fans of Brandon Sanderson, with the release of two new Mistborn books and a few giant Cosmere reveals. While Sanderson is a deservedly bestselling author, many fans of his aren’t yet aware of the Cosmere—and I’m here to break it all down, as well as try to lay out some of the more obscure things for those fans who are already into this massive meta-plot. While there won’t be plot spoilers, this post by necessity will reference in which books characters and Shards appear.

Brandon Sanderson Continue reading

Book of the Week – January 28th, 2016

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In light of Brandon Sanderson’s new release The Bands of Mourning, which I reviewed yesterday, I thought it only appropriate to make the Book of the Week the OTHER new Sanderson offering, Mistborn: Secret History.

Now, this is gonna be impossible to talk about without spoilers for the original Mistborn trilogy. It’s just how the book is set up.

Mistborn: Secret History Continue reading

The Bands of Mourning – A Review

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Yesterday, Brandon Sanderson’s sixth Mistborn offering was released. The Bands of Mourning continues the sort-of, in-between, second Mistborn sequence, following the adventures of Wax and Wayne.

Bands picks up some time after October’s Shadows of Self left off, Sanderson quickly establishes a new theme, not only for the Mistborn books, but for the Cosmere in general: expansion.

The Bands of Mourning Continue reading

Cup of Dcaf: On the Subject of Prologues

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I must admit to some discontent with myself even as I write this. I’m a fan of a well-executed prologue, especially in a fantasy novel, and indeed there is a prologue in All Flames Cast (and will be one in Of Genesis). Yet I’m about to argue in opposition of prologues, for some reason.

Actually, for good reason. You see, prologues are generally unnecessary.

Oh, most authors will argue heartily that their prologue absolutely HAS to be in there. “It sets up so much!” they maintain. Or, “There’s tons of background there!” Possibly even, “It’s where the plot gets set up!” Continue reading