Release Date: 24/11/16
Publisher: Gollancz
SYNOPSIS:
Welcome to New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller Brandon Sanderson's first collection of short fiction.
These wonderful works, originally published individually, have been collected for the first time and convey the true expanse of the Cosmere. Telling the exciting tales of adventure Sanderson fans have come to expect, Arcanum Unbounded include the Hugo Award-winning novella 'The Emperor's Soul', an excerpt from the graphic novel 'White Sand', and the never-before-published Stormlight Archive novella 'Edgedancer'.
The collection will include nine works in all:
'Edgedancer' (Stormlight Archive)
'The Hope of Elantris' (Elantris)
'The Eleventh Metal' (Mistborn)
'The Emperor's Soul' (Elantris)
'Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania' (excerpt; Mistborn)
'White Sand' (excerpt; Taldain)
'Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell' (Threnody)
'Sixth of Dusk' (First of the Sun)
'Mistborn: Secret History' (Mistborn)
This superb collection also includes essays and illustrations which offer an insight into the numerous worlds in which the stories are set.
REVIEW:
When you hit the new year, after a heavy swath of reading over the holiday period you sometimes want something a little lighter or smaller to dip into whilst you get ready to expound the sheer volume of what the previous year had in store, sort of a book diet if you will. Its at times like this that short stories become a firm favourite for many readers and when an author that many love brings together a collection, its like a special buffet that allows you to pick and choose.
What this title brings together is a whole set of tales from his Cosmere series and its a book that I soon found myself lost within the pages, only to emerge once I'd finished each story. They're well written, help to delightfully expand the Cosmere and all round give the reader that special treat to help ease them back into work with magical outings to help take them away during travel time or work breaks. A magical offering and one that I'm pleased I saved for the new year.
Release Date: 28/01/16
Publisher: Gollancz
SYNOPSIS:
The Mistborn trilogy has become a firm favourite with fantasy fans the world over. The imagination that Sanderson brought to the series and his skill at marshalling epic storylines and dramatic action, his ability to create vivid characters made him a natural choice to complete Robert Jordan's epic wheel of time sequence. But with Mistborn, Sanderson has shown his bountiful talents in his own fiction. Now he returns to the series that made his name with a new story, building on the incredible success of THE ALLOY OF LAW.
The new Mistborn books move the series into a richly imagined 19th century analogue world with elements of the wild west mixed with magic and science. It's a wonderful concoction from a master storyteller.
Sanderson has the knack of giving the epic fantasy reader exactly what they want. This ability has thrown him to the forefront of the genre and this novel will take him to the next level.
REVIEW:
As a long time fan of Brandon’s writing, I’m always amazed at a couple of things. Firstly that he has the ability to turn them out in such volume and secondly, that each book is exceedingly well written. Here in this, the latest book in his Mistborn series, the reader is treated to a new Steris and Wax tale which not only expands on what has gone before but allows them to continue on their journey of discovery.
Its definitely a quirky series, one that will speak volumes to fans of fantasy and whilst Brandon ‘s work is always good this one surpasses what I was expecting in a good way. It was a book that was delightful to spend time with. One that I had to really slow my reading with (as I was enjoying it so much) and one that I savoured every new detail with. Add to this top notch prose an unsurpassed use of pace as well as dialogue that trips from the page, generates a solid five star book that will really give this year a great start for many fantasy fans. Cracking.
Release Date: 16/10/15
Publisher: Gollancz
SYNOPSIS:
Fans of Robert Jordan and George RR Martin alike have found a new champion of epic fantasy in Brandon Sanderson. And now, in the first of two sequels to The Alloy Of Law the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author returns to the world of Mistborn.
It is more than 300 years after the events of the The Final Empire shaped Scadrial. Waxillium Ladrian has returned to the capital city of Elendel from the far flung roughs. Elendel is crisscrossed by canals and railways and towers reach for the sky but this is still a city of dangers and of magic; Allomancy and Feruchemy can still change the world. Wax faces many more adventures.
Sanderson is a master of rich worlds, appealing characters and gripping plots and his return to Mistborn shows him at the height of his powers.
REVIEW:
Sanderson, is an author that is not only prolific but one that time and again produces quality writing that not only enthrals but entertains keeping the reader glued until the final page is turned. The characters are a delight to spend time with, the prose is sharp and when you add backstory alongside further progression alongside growth makes this a series that is seriously too good to leave alone.
All round a cracking piece of writing that when backed with top notch pace, delicious dialogue as well as more world development where choices have consequences all round make this a cracking series to gift to the fantasy fan in your life for any time of year/.
Release Date: 20/09/15
Publisher: Gollancz
SYNOPSIS:
Stephen Leeds, AKA 'Legion,' is a man whose unique mental condition allows him to generate a multitude of personae: hallucinatory entities with a wide variety of personal characteristics and a vast array of highly specialized skills. As the story begins, Leeds and his 'aspects' are drawn into the search for the missing Balubal Razon, inventor of a camera whose astonishing properties could alter our understanding of human history and change the very structure of society
REVIEW:
Brandon is always an author that keeps me not only glued but hugely entertained. He manages to bring fantastical idea’s to the fore that draw the reader in as well as giving them a story that when you break it down, sounds far fetched however when reading, makes complete sense. That’s not a dig but I can’t say too much about this ebook without ruining it for others who have yet to have the pleasure.
Its definitely quirky, has great dialogue and when you throw in great storytelling alongside cracking prose, makes this a great book to help you escape the current world into one of the light fantastical. All round a great read and to discover that there’s a second available already made this a great find all round. A definite cracker for the Christmas market.
Release Date: 20/09/15
Publisher: Gollancz
SYNOPSIS:
Following the success of Legion, Legion: Skin Deep charts another fast moving and gripping adventure for Stephen Leeds, AKA Legion. Leeds is a genius, his mind contains too much information. And to cope it has split his skills off into individual personalities. They crowd his head and he lives with them in a vast empty mansion. While he can call on any one of them to solve a problem he also walks a line across an all-consuming madness.
In development for television Brandon Sanderson's Legion stories are gripping psychological thrillers, perfect for any fan of speculative fiction. They will resonate particularly strongly with fans of stories about that other tortured crime-fighting genius: Sherlock Holmes.
Legion: Skin Deep is an all-new, action-packed novella starring one of the most fascinating and charismatic heroes ever.
REVIEW:
The second book by Brandon that ties in to the delightfully innovative world featuring Stephen Leeds. Expanding on what has already gone before, the reader is yet again treated to a story that is not only wonderfully written but keeps you glued until the final page is turned.
Back this up with the usual identifiable writing style of Brandon alongside a great story arc all round keeps the reader more than happy. A series that you really have to pick up to fully enjoy and one that will offer great reread possibilities when each new release hits the shelves. Magic.
Release Date: 26/09/13
Publisher: Gollancz
SYNOPSIS:
Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics. But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his wills. Nobody fights the Epics...nobody but the Reckoners. A shadowy group of ordinary humans, they spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them. And David wants in. He wants Steelheart - the Epic who is said to be invincible. The Epic who killed David's father. For years, like the Reckoners, David's been studying, and planning - and he has something they need. Not an object, but an experience. He's seen Steelheart bleed. And he wants revenge.
REVIEW:
I love Brandon Sanderson’s writing so when I heard that he’s brought his attention to creating a new type of superhero title I couldn’t wait to see what would arrive. What unfurls within is a story of hope, a tale of tragedy, an epic of deception and all brought together with cracking characters that you’ll just want to spend time with. Its certainly different to a lot of the books out there with more akin to Ennis’ version than anything else.
Back that up with a top notch helping of vengeance and all round I was a more than happy reader. Great stuff.
Release Date: 23/05/13
Publisher: Orion Childrens
SYNOPSIS:
A killer is on the loose...Joel is fascinated by the art of Rithmatics - with its lines of power and ability to bring chalk drawings to life - but only a few have the gift and he is not one of them. When Rithmatic students from Joel's school start disappearing, he is keen to investigate. Since he's not a Rithmatist, Joel seems to be safe - but others are dying. Can he find the killer before the killer realizes just what a threat Joel really is?
REVIEW:
To be honest upon reading the books blurb I was left wondering what the hell? This idea doesn’t sound like its going to work. The concept feels a little flat and perhaps a little childish. Had this been anyone other than Brandon Sanderson, well I might well have given it a miss. And boy was I pleased that I did pick this up.
The characters within were interesting, the magicks when they happened were wonderful and when added to the usual gripping writing style of Mr Sanderson alongside a good solid pace, all round made this a really enjoyable book to escape with.
Release Date: 08/01/13
SYNOPSIS:
'And it came to pass in those days, as it had come before and would come again, that the Dark lay heavy on the land and weighed down the hearts of men, and the green things failed, and hope died.' - Charal Drianaan te Calamon, The Cycle of the Dragon. In the Field of Merrilor the rulers of the nations gather to join behind Rand al'Thor, or to stop him from his plan to break the seals on the Dark One's prison - which may be a sign of his madness, or the last hope of humankind. Egwene, the Amyrlin Seat, leans toward the former. In Andor, the Trollocs seize Caemlyn. In the wolf dream, Perrin Aybara battles Slayer. Approaching Ebou Dar, Mat Cauthon plans to visit his wife Tuon, now Fortuona, Empress of the Seanchan. All humanity is in peril - and the outcome will be decided in Shayol Ghul itself. The Wheel is turning, and the Age is coming to its end. The Last Battle will determine the fate of the world...For twenty years The Wheel of Time has enthralled more than forty million readers in over thirty-two languages. A Memory of Light brings this majestic fantasy creation to its richly satisfying conclusion. Working from notes and partials left by Robert Jordan when he died in 2007, and consulting with Jordan's widow, who edited all of Jordan's books, established fantasy writer Brandon Sanderson has recreated the vision Jordan left behind.
REVIEW:
Fans around the world have been counting down the time to the final part of this epic series that started way back in 1990 with Robert Jordan and concluded 23 years later by Brandon Sanderson following the plot outline that Robert had laid down before his passing.
What the readers will get from this book is a bittersweet ending to the series that has great prose, wonderful interaction from the various cast members and whilst some of it felt a little convoluted after such a huge build up it really did hit the reader in the heart with its final chapter. Back that up with cracking prose, some wonderful dialogue and all round as a reader I was more than happy with the way that the series finished. Great stuff.
Release Date: 20/09/12
SYNOPSIS:
On his thirteenth birthday, Alcatraz-a foster child-gets a bag of sand in the mail which purports to be his 'inheritance' sent from his father and mother. The Librarians, of course, immediately steal the bag of sand from him.This sparks a chain of events which leads Alcatraz to realize that his family is part of a group of freedom fighters who resist the Evil Librarians-the secret cult who actually rule the world. Alcatraz's grandfather shows up and tows him off to infiltrate the downtown library to steal back the mystical bag of sand. The ensuing story involves talking dinosaurs, sentient romance novels, and a dungeon-like labyrinth hiding beneath the innocent-looking downtown library.
REVIEW:
I’ve been a fan of Sanderon for quite some time so to find an Urban Fantasy novel that’s aimed at young readers was something of a revelation for me as a reader. The tale is cleverly crafted, as if written from the protagonists point of view and whilst you’d think that there were numerous writing errors within, for me it added to the stories charm as our “hero” seeks to put the world to rights whilst seeking to achieve his goal.
Add to this some cracking twists, the usual Sanderson magic which when backed with top notch prose and a few cliffhangers, the reader really is in for something completely different to what’s gone before. Great stuff.
Release Date: 17/11/11
SYNOPSIS:
The Mistborn trilogy has become a firm favourite with fantasy fans the world over. The imagination that Sanderson brought to the series and his skill at marshalling epic storylines and dramatic action, his ability to create vivid characters made him a natural choice to complete Robert Jordan's epic wheel of time sequence. But with Mistborn, his standalone fantasies and his new series, The Stormlight Archive, Sanderson has shown his bountiful talents in his own fiction. Now he returns to the series that made his name with a new story set years after the events of Hero of Ages. In a world recovering only slowly from evil, a world where allomancers wield immense power through their ability to unleash the magic bound up in common metals someone who can burn metals that no-one has burned before can tip the balance...Sanderson has the knack of giving the epic fantasy reader exactly what they want. This ability has thrown him to the forefront of the genre and the dramatic story within The Alloy of Law shows off this skill to its very best.
REVIEW:
Fans of Sanderson have been eagerly awaiting this new title in the Mistborn world (I say set in the Mistborn world rather than a Mistworld title as people may be confused as it’s not part of the series) where the reader gets to grips with events set three centuries after the previous stories.
It has moments of lightness, it has decent prose and of course it is a title that brings Sanderson’s Mistborn back to the fore to over shadow the Wheel of Time series at the moment. However the major problem with this book is that it felt more like a filler rather than a serious book and really didn’t accomplish much. Whether the levity of this is due to the darkness to come I’m not sure but we’ll have to wait to see.
All in a decent enough book and one that was a fun excursion but if you want more serious fantasy read his Mistborn trilogy and leave this on the shelf for now.
Release Date: 11/08/11
SYNOPSIS:
Elantris was built on magic and it thrived. But then the magic began to fade and Elantris began to rot. And now its shattered citizens face domination by a powerful Imperium motivated by dogged religious views. Can a young Princess unite the people of Elantris, rediscover the lost magic and lead a rebellion against the imperial zealots? Brandon Sanderson's debut fantasy showed his skill as a storyteller and an imaginer of baroque magical systems to be fully developed from the start.
REVIEW:
Sanderson has been a star on the rise since before the estate of Robert Jordan announced that he was to finish the Wheel of Time series, yet having read later novels this is the first time that I’ve had the opportunity to read where it all began, with this his debut.
Released with a spiffy new cover to fit in with his other titles, this is the title that demonstrates the talents behind the later work and whilst its not quite as polished as the more recent titles, its one that shows that the idea’s were there at the beginning and that Brandon has honed his craft with each subsequent title. That’s not to say that this isn’t a great story, it is but when an author proves that they want to make things better as they learn then it lets the reader know that the passion for the story is there.
This tale is in short a tale of two cities as well as three principle players. It’s witty, it has great world building and as you can see from the description is one that works on multiple levels as events change the state of play throughout the world. Add to this some clever plot twists, some almost magical prose accompanied by great dialogue and overall it’s a satisfactory novel. Definitely one to read and one that really did strike a chord with me. Great stuff.
Release Date: 30/12/10
BOOK BLURB:
According to mythology mankind used to live in The Tranquiline Halls. Heaven. But then the Voidbringers assaulted and captured heaven, casting out God and men. Men took root on Roshar, the world of storms. And the Voidbringers followed . . . They came against man ten thousand times. To help them cope, the Almighty gave men powerful suits of armor and mystical weapons, known as Shardblades. Led by ten angelic Heralds and ten orders of knights known as Radiants, mankind finally won. Or so the legends say. Today, the only remnants of those supposed battles are the Shardblades, the possession of which makes a man nearly invincible on the battlefield. The entire world is at war with itself - and has been for centuries since the Radiants turned against mankind. Kings strive to win more Shardblades, each secretly wishing to be the one who will finally unite all of mankind under a single throne. On a world scoured down to the rock by terrifying hurricanes that blow through every few day a young spearman forced into the army of a Shardbearer, led to war against an enemy he doesn't understand and doesn't really want to fight. What happened deep in mankind's past? Why did the Radiants turn against mankind, and what happened to the magic they used to wield?
REVIEW:
With all the time that this author is devoting to finishing the Wheel of Time, it’s a surprise that he has the time let alone the energy to create a new title of his own. Yet here, just before years end, is a brand new series by Brandon that just leaps from the pages into the readers imagination.
Within this book you get a story of adventure, of discovery and of mystery in a world that has been epically built. Whilst parts may seem a little strange, it’s the myriad of characters (both main and secondary) that demonstrates not only Brandon’s skill at weaving a tale but creating a world that the reader will just love to spend time in. Whilst most first novels in a new series are devoted more to world building and allowing the reader to get to grips with it, this one throws you in at the deep end and with a rather steep learning curve. It’s definitely creative, it’s definitely got something unique and demonstrates why this author has been allowed to finish the vision of Jordan’s world.
All in, Brandon is perhaps one of the most creative fantasy writers of the moment and with many other the epic series winding down, is definitely offering the readers a choice of a new selection of heroes to follow in a magical world of his own. A real treat and with the way that the weathers set in, perhaps one of the best ways to see the new year in. Great stuff.
Release Date: 02/11/10
BOOK BLURB:
The Last Battle has started. The seals on the Dark One's prison are crumbling. The Pattern itself is unravelling, and the armies of the Shadow have begun to boil out of the Blight. Perrin Aybara is haunted by spectres from his past. To prevail, he must find a way to master the wolf within him or lose himself to it for ever. Meanwhile, Matrim Cauthon prepares for the most difficult challenge of his life. The Tower of Ghenjei awaits, and its secrets will reveal the fate of a friend long lost. The end draws near. It's time to roll the dice.
REVIEW:
As the epic Wheel of Time finally begins its final turn the reader is thrust directly into the long overdue end game that has been revitalised by Sanderson’s interpretation of Jordan’s vision. It’s definitely got great pace, the principle players within rely more on Perrin and Mat and finally give their destiny’s chance to shine.
It’s beautifully creative, it’s got great prose and some seriously great dialogue as it wends its merry way, the only real query that I have is the change in Rand’s characters, he’s changed seriously almost as if he has been replaced with a doppelganger which leaves you wondering what’s going on. Add to this other characters getting the chance to further their own parts in the overall story and you know that the final part is going to be not only explosive but eventful. The final part is going to be not only something special but also has the potential to be something that hasn’t been seen in fantasy before. It really going to be a long wait and one that will be the highlight of that years fantasy releases.
BOOK BLURB:
The final volume of the Wheel of Time, A Memory of Light, was partially written by Robert Jordan before his untimely passing in 2007. Brandon Sanderson, New York Times bestselling author of the Mistborn books, was chosen by Jordan's editor ? his wife, Harriet McDougal ? to complete the final book. The scope and size of the volume was such that it could not be contained in a single book, and so The Gathering Storm is the first of three novels that will cover the outline left by Robert Jordan, chronicling Tarmon Gai'don and Rand al'Thor's final confrontation with the Dark One. This short sequence will complete the struggle against the Shadow, bringing to a close a journey begun almost twenty years ago and marking the conclusion of the Wheel of Time, the preeminent fantasy epic of our era. The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow. Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time.
REVIEW:
OK, I started this series way back in 1990, so as a long established reader I was sort of wondering what Brandon would do with what was purported to be the final novel in the series. That said, as you may know by now Brandon has been asked to write another two novels to help finish off the series due to the sheer volume of loose ends.
What perhaps is first worth noting is that whilst its still following the arc laid down by Robert Jordan it is written by Brandon and as such follows where his talents lie strongest. That of character narrative alongside emotional context. It is extremely well written and its going to be obvious to a great many readers that the right author was asked to finish the series so that the fans had the conclusion that they have longed for. Within the novel old favourites return and prepare the way for the final two volumes as the world moves at its usual Jordan pace and whilst in the last few novels it was dragged out, theres little in the way of that here. Whilst there are lulls and of course peaks the novel does do what the fans have been wanting, but if you’ve missed the rest of the series out go back to the first before even considering tackling this as you really won’t have a clue.
BOOK BLURB:
Brandon Sanderson's epic fantasy trilogy overturns the expectations of readers and then goes on to tell the epic story of evil overturned in a richly imagined world. A thousand years ago evil came to the land and has ruled with an iron hand ever since. The sun shines fitfully under clouds of ash that float down endlessly from the constant eruption of volcanoes. A dark lord rules through the aristocratic families and ordinary folk are condemned to lives in servitude, sold as goods, labouring in the ash fields. But now a troublemaker has arrived and there is rumour of revolt. A revolt that depends on criminal that no-one can trust and a young girl who must master Allomancy - the magic that lies in all metals. A word of mouth success in the states the Mistborn trilogy has, this year, broken onto the New York Times Bestseller list. The time is ripe for its success to cross the Atlantic
REVIEW:
To be honest I’ve not read Brandon’s work before and whilst I’d heard the name I only really decided to give him a go after his nomination for the David Gemmell Award last year as well as having had the mantle of concluding Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series thrust upon him.
What was evident with this novel was that the he’d taken plenty of time to construct the tale as the world building was very good, I loved the concept of the Evil Empire having risen for so long and looked back at the novel more as a Star War’s: New Hope (Episode 4) type of tale. The characters were pretty rounded, the careful sculpting of the scenes wonderfully creative and its easy to see with his own writing style why he was picked to finish Jordan’s series. Its pretty addictive and I found it engrossing as I read late into the night with this offering regretting the time I had to put it down for some sleep. I’ll look forward to future novels in the series to see where it goes and hope for continual character growth as I loved the people that I met within.
