Brandon Sanderson

Elantris – By Brandon Sanderson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

Hey Jared

This is another book from Brandon Sanderson, but it’s his first widely published novel. I really liked seeing where he started from and the story is pretty good too.

Elantris_cover

Title: Elantris
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Medieval, Higher Magic
Synopsis: Elantris, City of Gods, the White. Elantris, City of the Cursed, the Damned, the Forsaken. In the aftermath of the Reod and the subsiqent collapse of Elantris, the nation of Arelon is a broken husk of it’s former glory. The power vacuum draws in old enemies and allies alike. But Elantris isn’t dead. Yet.
Recommendation: Adult or late teen. This is Sanderson’s first published novel, so it lacks some of the finesse of his later works, but it is still well done.

Continue reading “Elantris – By Brandon Sanderson” →

Elantris – By Brandon Sanderson

The Reckoners – Book 3: Calamity – By Brandon Sanderson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , Leave a comment

Jared! You’re alive!

I was starting to get worried again. If you hadn’t surfaced by this Friday I was going to start messaging your wife to figure out what’s been going on. Pretty sure I could convince her to strap you to your computer and withhold food. I look forward to your review of the Tennis Shoes series. It’s been a long time since I read those.

calamityTitle: Calamity
Series: The Reckoners; Book 3
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Teen
ROTS Setting: EU, Near Future, Super Powers
Synopsis: David barely escaped New York and Prof has given into his darkness. And the remaining Reckoners think that Prof has gone to Atlanta….in Kansas. The connection between Epics, their weaknesses, and their fears will play a crucial role in the coming fight. Will they save Prof from himself even if it means killing him? Or will they die trying. Let’s not forget Calamity, the source of all Epics and their powers.
Recommendation: Teen. It’s epic….what more is there to say?

Continue reading “The Reckoners – Book 3: Calamity – By Brandon Sanderson” →

The Reckoners – Book 3: Calamity – By Brandon Sanderson

Short Story: Mitosis (Reckoners #1.5) by Brandon Sanderson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Jared,

I have don’t have any intention of reviewing short stories on a regular basis, but since I’m eagerly waiting for the library to get in Calamity, I thought I’d read this one.Mitosis_cover.jpg

It’s set between Steelheart and Firefight, thus the 1.5. David, the main character of the series, is just trying to keep the peace in Newcago (Chicago) after the downfall of Steelheart and his regime. Knowing they’d likely draw the attention of other Epics, the Reckoners have been on alert. Mitosis, an epic that can duplicate himself, shows up with a very specific agenda.

There isn’t too much new information in the story. It does highlight David’s growing hunch that an Epic’s weaknesses aren’t random, but are intimately connected to the person before they became an Epic. This, of course, plays a part in Firefight. It also give a glimpse at how the liberated city operates. Mostly it feels like a warm-up act for the main event. I actually find that appealing and might consider doing something like that myself.

In all, it was pretty good. I don’t know if I’d buy it myself but it definitely got me ready for more Reckoners.

Robert

 

Links

Short Story: Mitosis (Reckoners #1.5) by Brandon Sanderson

Mistborn Trilogy – Book 1: The Final Empire – By Brandon Sanderson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , Leave a comment

Hey,

So you are probably saying, “About time, Robert! What took you so long?!?” Well, to be honest, Jared…..The beginning of the book was a little….boring. Too much flash. Too much doom and gloom……not enough meat in the first few chapters. I tried 3 different times to get through those first dry pages over the years. At last I have finally succeeded. Bout time!

Mistborn-cover.jpgTitle: The Final Empire
Series: Mistborn Trilogy; Book 1
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: UU, Unique Magic
Synopsis: The Final Empire controls the known world and rules with a tyrannical iron fist. A group of professional thieves turn revolutionaries have the best chance in the last thousand years to fracture the Empires hold. Their job is near-impossible. How do you bring down a government that has stood for a thousand year? More importantly, how do you kill a god?
Recommendation: Mature content with a similar reading level. Late teens would be my suggestion, definitely no earlier. It took me until really the end to decide that I highly recommend this book. I can’t wait to read the next one. Correction ….. I already have. Booya!

– – Mild Spoilers – –

Continue reading “Mistborn Trilogy – Book 1: The Final Empire – By Brandon Sanderson” →

Mistborn Trilogy – Book 1: The Final Empire – By Brandon Sanderson

Reply: Alcatraz Series – Book 1: Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians – By Brandon Sanderson

Robert @ ReadingOverTheShoulder, , , , Leave a comment

Hey Jared,

Alcatraz Versus the Evil LibrariansOur first reply posts. You working on Rangers Apprentice, me working on Alcatraz.  It will never be the same again……..But we were lame before and now we’re awesome.

Ok, reading Alcatraz might have changed me as a writer……or broke me. I am broken.

I agree with your recommendation of 5th grade/10 years old range. I would have liked to have found this in 2nd or 3rd grade personally because I jumped straight to Dragonlance for lack of good books in between.

On a serious note, there will be many spoilers beyond this point. For readers with a weak literary constitution, please do not read any further.

You have been warned.

– – Spoilers – –

Continue reading “Reply: Alcatraz Series – Book 1: Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians – By Brandon Sanderson” →

Reply: Alcatraz Series – Book 1: Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians – By Brandon Sanderson

Alcatraz Series – Book 1: Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians – By Brandon Sanderson

Jared, , Leave a comment

Hello Robert,

I have to say the whole Alcatraz Series very very interesting read. But for right now I’m just going to talk about book 1 Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians. And yes I know the cover of the book makes it look old and lame.

Alcatraz Versus the Evil LibrariansTitle: Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians
Series: Alcatraz Series
Author: Brandon Sanderson (well known for his work on Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time Series)
Genre: Fantasy
Audience: Youth
ROTS Setting: EU (Expanded Universe), Modern, No Higher Magic
Synopsis: Alcatraz Smedry is very good at breaking things, you might even say it’s his Talent. As an orphan in the foster system he has been pushed from home to home because through no fault of his own, he breaks things. Everything changes when his real father sends him a birthday present, his grandfather shows up and tells him he is an Oculator (a person with special powers) and that Librarians are actually an organization of evil overlords bent on ruling the world.
Recommendation: I would recommend any 5th grader or a 10 year old to read this, depending on their reading level. I does have some killing and death in it, there is conflict and violence. But nothing to worry much about.

Continue reading “Alcatraz Series – Book 1: Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians – By Brandon Sanderson” →

Alcatraz Series – Book 1: Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians – By Brandon Sanderson