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A review by sambora
Sixth of the Dusk by Brandon Sanderson
5.0
Sixth Of The Dusk is a standalone Cosmere short story set on the world known as 'First of the Sun'.
*This will be a spoiler-free review*
Our main character, Dusk, is a trapper and he lives on an extremely dangerous island. This island is one of many, and is found off the coast of a mainland who's society is undergoing rapid technological advancement.
Dusk and the other trappers, all of whom work in isolation (but often against each other) on their separate islands, are - as expected, against this advancement.
~
"The world is progressing. One man cannot slow it, no matter how determined he is."
~
I shall refrain from talking too much about the story itself so as to avoid spoilers for those who have yet to read it, but I thought it was fantastic. And the magic system employed is by far one of the strangest and most specific manifestations of investiture that we have seen on a Cosmere world yet. In my opinion anyway.
This story was very different thematically and aesthetically to the rest of Sanderson's collected works within the Cosmere, which I think is nothing but a boon to this universe that he is creating.
Where the short story directly prior to this in Arcanum Unbounded, 'Shadows for Silence...', explored a darker world with it's various associated horror elements, this story and it's world came across as it's polar opposite.
There is lots of bright and colourful imagery in the dense and dangerous island jungle, teeming with beasts, bugs, birds and all manner of interesting things. That isn't to say there isn't danger everywhere, but it's a very different kind of danger.
Of course, this being a only short story means there is a LOT more yet to see.
The mainland that we hear of is never visited by our protagonist - making the island the story takes place on reflect the medium of the short story itself; both are just little glimpses of a world and of a story that is yet to be told - that as of right now only exists in Sanderson's mind.
In fact, the series of islands featured here, known as the Pantheon, could well be a metaphor for the collection of short stories that they themselves are featured in.
Maybe that's a reach, but I can see it. Anywho...
The character of Dusk is also pretty unique. He is far less talkative and far more introverted than most protagonists I've come across, particularly from Sanderson. But it made for a pleasant change, and he is immediately made more memorable to my mind because of it.
That or I simply related more to him because I'm somewhat introverted myself. Either way; I'm a big fan of Dusk.
Anyway, I look forward to seeing more from this world and it's systems.
The more of the short stories I read from Arcanum Unbounded, the more and more it appears to me as a showcase for some of Sanderson's strongest work, and I would be VERY on board if another collection were to be published a few years down the line.
Fingers crossed.
____________________________
Thank you for reading my review!
There is plenty more Sanderson on the way for me. I am determined to be 100% on the Cosmere by the end of the year!
Up next: Warbreaker
Thanks again for taking the time to read what I have to say. I could talk Sanderson forever.
I hope you are all keeping well and are enjoy your current reads!
*This will be a spoiler-free review*
Our main character, Dusk, is a trapper and he lives on an extremely dangerous island. This island is one of many, and is found off the coast of a mainland who's society is undergoing rapid technological advancement.
Dusk and the other trappers, all of whom work in isolation (but often against each other) on their separate islands, are - as expected, against this advancement.
~
"The world is progressing. One man cannot slow it, no matter how determined he is."
~
I shall refrain from talking too much about the story itself so as to avoid spoilers for those who have yet to read it, but I thought it was fantastic. And the magic system employed is by far one of the strangest and most specific manifestations of investiture that we have seen on a Cosmere world yet. In my opinion anyway.
This story was very different thematically and aesthetically to the rest of Sanderson's collected works within the Cosmere, which I think is nothing but a boon to this universe that he is creating.
Where the short story directly prior to this in Arcanum Unbounded, 'Shadows for Silence...', explored a darker world with it's various associated horror elements, this story and it's world came across as it's polar opposite.
There is lots of bright and colourful imagery in the dense and dangerous island jungle, teeming with beasts, bugs, birds and all manner of interesting things. That isn't to say there isn't danger everywhere, but it's a very different kind of danger.
Of course, this being a only short story means there is a LOT more yet to see.
The mainland that we hear of is never visited by our protagonist - making the island the story takes place on reflect the medium of the short story itself; both are just little glimpses of a world and of a story that is yet to be told - that as of right now only exists in Sanderson's mind.
In fact, the series of islands featured here, known as the Pantheon, could well be a metaphor for the collection of short stories that they themselves are featured in.
Maybe that's a reach, but I can see it. Anywho...
The character of Dusk is also pretty unique. He is far less talkative and far more introverted than most protagonists I've come across, particularly from Sanderson. But it made for a pleasant change, and he is immediately made more memorable to my mind because of it.
That or I simply related more to him because I'm somewhat introverted myself. Either way; I'm a big fan of Dusk.
Anyway, I look forward to seeing more from this world and it's systems.
The more of the short stories I read from Arcanum Unbounded, the more and more it appears to me as a showcase for some of Sanderson's strongest work, and I would be VERY on board if another collection were to be published a few years down the line.
Fingers crossed.
____________________________
Thank you for reading my review!
There is plenty more Sanderson on the way for me. I am determined to be 100% on the Cosmere by the end of the year!
Up next: Warbreaker
Thanks again for taking the time to read what I have to say. I could talk Sanderson forever.
I hope you are all keeping well and are enjoy your current reads!