mxcopmy's reviews
106 reviews

What if color not only brings beauty, but also power? Warbreaker introduces a world where color and “Breath” give life, gods walk among men and nothing seems what it is. Brandon Sanderson is known for his innovative magic systems and immersive worlds that he also creatively delivers here. Yet this book feels less successful and refined than some of his other works, which is why it was not the absolute top that I had expected.

Warbreaker is also the original work that made me interested in Sanderson, which is why my expectations were high. The synopsis also sounded promising, but when I started reading I already had my first doubts. The magic system and the world-building seemed simpler than the other complex structures that he normally works out. At the beginning it even felt a bit TOO simplistic. I noticed that there were a lot of sloppiness, such as the rich description of characters and fashion as well as the epic battles that were hard to find. A fairly simple example is that we never really get a description of The God King's appearance, which made it harder for me to imagine this world as a realistic whole, which I normally don't have a problem with in his other books. Furthermore, the characters in the book came less to life precisely because of the less detailed construction of the world. In addition, the repetitive storylines also made them quite superficial, which made it difficult for me to really empathize with them.
Another unexpected aspect was the prominent role of romance. He usually pays little attention to this in his other stories, which is something I usually appreciate in his books. In the beginning it felt forced and even a bit uncomfortable, but as the relationships developed it became a better integrated element than I had expected. In addition, the political intrigues and final plot lines provided that extra tension!

What I cannot deny is the addictive effect of this story. The combination of the accessibility and Sanderson's smooth writing style made sure that I kept saying: "One more chapter and then I'm going to sleep!" - and then I continued reading anyway. Lightsong in particular stood out as a more fascinating character, although not much happened in his storyline. By the last 200 pages I felt like I was on a fast train, because he managed to create something great plot by plot!

What can I say in conclusion? Well, that it was certainly an entertaining, but less memorable addition to the Cosmere. It is a nice book for those looking for a lighter fantasy experience or a first introduction to the Cosmere that leans more towards romance.

** SPOILERS AHEAD**
HOLY. STORMING. SHIT.
If I could give 6 stars, I would.
This is a masterpiece that swallows you up, shakes you up, and spits you back out. This man deserves some infinite aura points. Journey before destination, it is.

He did it again. Brando Sando has never let me go with WoR. This is not just second book supremacy, but a breathtaking rollercoaster of emotion and suspense. Sanderson takes you back to Roshar and never lets you go back. Even when I had to put the book down several times due to lack of time, I found myself talking about The Stormlight Archive to friends. As if the characters and their world not only live in the book, but also in my mind. If that is not proof of Sanderson's masterful storytelling, then I don't know what is.

I also cannot deny that Sanderson has taken the fantasy genre to a higher level for me with his detailed world and rich life lessons. They are not only essential to understand Roshar, but they also touch a part of your soul. He conveys wisdom in a way that is so seamlessly woven into the story that it feels like you are growing yourself as you read. The way Sanderson also describes his scenery is breathtaking. You see the world appear before your eyes in details that you can almost feel.
The characters are also phenomenal again! Kaladin, Dalinar, Shallan, Adolin, ... they have truly become living legends. They continue to surprise and challenge you. I also have to give extra credit to Shallan, because she shines in this part. Her growth, humor and the inner struggle she is fighting make her without a doubt a favorite. Her moments feel very raw and irresistible. I really had to wipe away a tear when she murdered her father and then found out that he actually wanted to protect her. The way I GASPED.
In addition to the sad and exciting moments, I also had to laugh out loud several times, which is not often to be expected in an epic fantasy. Sanderson knows exactly when to lighten the tension and always has a perfect sense of timing. And when we talk about humor, we are definitely talking about Wit. He is always a top appearance, with his sharp tongue and wisdom.
Despite the thickness of this book, the pacing is true perfection. Every chapter, every interlude and every detail is worked out with such precision. Nothing feels superfluous, which is an improvement compared to my experience in WoK. Everything builds steadily to the climax that leaves you speechless. How he brings 7 different plot lines together is truly surprising. It remains unimaginable that he can bring such an immense world to life with such a meticulous eye for detail.

However, there are a few small points that I did not like as much. (MIND YOU: SPOILERS!!). These are of course minority and sloppy mistakes. Like Kaladin suddenly standing on the shattered plains to attack the assassin in white or when Dalinar is back in the warcamps after an assassination attempt on him remains a mystery.

But still I say with full conviction: YES, count me in as a Stormlight Archive fan.
"I will protect those who cannot protect themselves"

The only good thing about being sick is that I was able to rediscover Sally Rooney. In January 2023, I wrote as follows: “Will I completely exclude Rooney’s books? Maybe not. But if I read a new book by her, it will probably be in the far future.” And it has become reality. Whether I have fully acquired a taste for it is perhaps still questionable, but it has certainly opened up a new world for me.

I have to say that I read this book with prejudice, because I first watched the series, which completely blew me away. Where the series managed to completely draw me into the chemistry between Connell and Marianne, struggling with their difficulties, the book sometimes felt unfathomable. Yet Rooney explores themes that magnetize me, such as class differences, mental health, identity issues and the elusive nature of love. This combined with her subtle pen and an eye for vulnerability in her characters. On the other hand, I found Marianne, Connell, and their relationship to each other strangely fascinating. I found myself in a position where I thought about them often. It kept me interested in their awkward personalities and the pain they left unsaid. I also found their shifting of social positions over the years an interesting thing. Which brings me to the fact that the theme of miscommunication and the way we influence each other, even when words are left unspoken, invited me to think.

Although her minimalist style can be powerful, I occasionally missed something that was not yet clear to me. I guess I was looking for something that could give me more emotional depth. In “Conversation with Friends,” I remember finding it difficult to understand the lack of quotation marks, which I could actually love and respect now. It forces you as a reader to pay more attention to the thoughts and conversations between the characters, which I really appreciated this time.

“Normal People” is a matter of taste. It is stylistically daring and raises all sorts of interesting questions about relationships and how we understand each other. Yet for me there was something missing that couldn’t be filled, something that the series did manage to convey sublimely. Nevertheless, I am intrigued to read her new release “intermezzo”, in the hope that she can seduce me a little more to discover her other melancholic worlds.

- BOOKCLUB PICK -

"Just for the Summer" is a pleasantly written novel that does exactly what you would expect from a light summer romance. The writing style is smooth and accessible, making the story easy to read. The descriptions of the summer setting and the warm, homely atmosphere in the coastal town give the book a charm that immediately puts you in the right mood.

It was nice to immerse myself in a carefree romance for a while. The light tone and relaxed pace made it a nice escape after a busy day. 

Still, I have to say that the story is not particularly memorable. The characters are somewhat likeable, but remain a bit on the dull side, and there was also not a lot of chemistry that was living up to these characters. The plot also follows a fairly predictable path. Although that in itself is not a bad thing, it sometimes felt a bit cliché. I also struggled sometimes with the personality of Emma, ​​who I often found insufferable and a pick-me (sorry not sorry, especially the chapter when she was sick was written out for far too long). After turning the last page, I felt like it was an enjoyable reading experience, but not one that lingers for long.

It is certainly not my everyday pick-up that I would take in a bookstore, but nice to be struck by something different than usual.

HPPOA is one of the better parts of the series so far, with an exciting storyline full of magic, friendship and unexpected twists. The introduction of Sirius Black and the mysterious Dementors add a dark but captivating atmosphere. J.K. Rowling once again knows how to bring the fantasy world to life in a great way with the different parts of Hogwarts and adding a light coziness. While some parts felt a bit slow because I had seen the movie before reading the book, the book remains much deeper and richer in detail. In addition, Hagrid, who is always full of warmth and loyalty, remains my favorite character! His love for magical creatures and his genuine care for Harry and co make him an indispensable and heartwarming presence in the story.

My reading mantra this year was "quality over quantity", which is why the Brandon Sanderson fandom is full of praise for his books. And most importantly, this man has absolutely lived up to the mantra. This book is without a doubt the most intense book I have ever read. The world building is so extensive that every detail is essential to find your way in the world of Roshar. The characters are also largely so well developed that you think about them every moment of the day and want to know how they are doing. I have certainly met my new favorite characters!

Despite the fact that the pace was sometimes slow and boring, I remained fascinated to discover how everything was connected. Sanderson's way of telling stories is therefore extremely unique, where I initially had my doubts whether I would appreciate it, because what are shardblades? What are shardbearers? Surgeblood? Soalcasters? Parshmen? Voidbringers? The Deslotation? Knights Radiants?! You are faced with so many questions without them being explained. In the beginning, you really have to guess what he is referring to. But it turned out to be a fascinating experience that I started to appreciate more and more influentially as the book progressed. You get the feeling that you are getting an exclusive look into this world that you and the readers of The Stormlight Archive easily understand something about.

But what especially drew me through the book was the character development, in which Kaladin and the members of Bridge Four were central. The men really touch me with their perseverance and their unique found family that always makes my heart beat a little faster. In addition, the book also taught me many life lessons that I absolutely did not expect, with profound questions about theology and religion that made me think about my own reality. It was something fascinating that I will definitely take with me as a plus in the next books that I read.

In short, this book is a compelling journey that keeps you captivated until the last page. Sanderson is a master at creating a complex world where every detail matters, and while it can be challenging to navigate at times, it only becomes more inclusive when it all comes together. If you’re willing to fully immerse yourself in a rich and detailed world, this is an absolute must-read. It’s a burn, but the reward is a reading experience you won’t soon forget.