Reading The Stormlight Archive: A Journey into Brandon Sanderson's Epic Fantasy
Introduction
Hello and welcome to a brand new series on this Substack: Reading The Stormlight Archive. As a lifelong fantasy reader, I have always been drawn to stories of loss, family, and heroic quests. Over the years, I have devoured countless fantasy series, from A Song of Ice and Fire to The Witcher. However, one author I have yet to fully explore is Brandon Sanderson, often hailed as the greatest of modern fantasy writers. In this blog post, I will share my initial thoughts on Sanderson's work, explain what changed my mind about diving into The Stormlight Archive, and outline my plan for reading and discussing the series.
What do I know about Brandon Sanderson?
To be honest, I haven't been a huge fan of Brandon Sanderson up until now. While his name is ubiquitous in the fantasy community, I had never felt a strong connection to his writing. My previous attempts at reading his works, such as The Emperor's Soul and the first Mistborn book, left me entertained but not compelled to continue. Additionally, I have never been particularly fond of elaborate magic systems, which are a trademark of Sanderson's writing. Nonetheless, I have decided to give The Stormlight Archive a chance and see if it changes my perspective.
So what changed my mind?
Perhaps it is simply a case of FOMO (fear of missing out), but I have often felt a sense of longing when I see others discussing popular books or TV shows. I want to be part of those conversations, to experience the excitement of a new release alongside fellow fans. With four books already published in The Stormlight Archive series, and Sanderson's reputation for consistent output, I feel that now is the perfect time to embark on this epic journey. By reading the series as it unfolds, I can immerse myself in the author's world and join the community of passionate fans.
What is the structure of this blog?
For this blog series, I plan to undertake a chapter-by-chapter read of The Stormlight Archive, starting with the first book, The Way of Kings. Each chapter will have its own dedicated page or blog post, which I will update regularly. As a first-time reader, I will refrain from including spoilers beyond the chapter I am currently reading. Whether you are reading along with me or discovering this series in the future, I hope this blog will serve as a helpful guide and a source of enjoyable discussion.
What do I already know about The Stormlight Archive?
To be honest, my knowledge of The Stormlight Archive is limited. I do know that the series is planned as a ten-book arc, with the first five books forming their own narrative arc. The world of The Stormlight Archive presents intriguing weather and climate phenomena, a common theme in Sanderson's works. Additionally, I am aware that this series is set within Sanderson's larger shared universe, known as The Cosmere. Each book is said to focus on a single character and their backstory, and the narrative structure promises to be unique and captivating. I look forward to exploring these elements further as I delve into the series.
I am excited to begin the journey into The Stormlight Archive and share my thoughts and insights along the way. Whether you are a longtime fan or a newcomer like myself, I invite you to join me in this exploration of Brandon Sanderson's epic fantasy world. Stay tuned for future blog posts and updates as we embark on this adventure together.
Onwards.