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4.37 AVERAGE
4.37 AVERAGE
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
This collection is not particularly consistent - the quality and significance of the stories within definitely vary - but the gems, in particular The Emperor’s Soul, Sixth of the Dusk and Edgedancer are amazing!!
The surrounding commentary and meta-information on the overarching universe of the Cosmere also makes this an essential read if you are interested in connecting the dots between the different stories.
Whilst a few stories are standalone, I really recommend reading this at a specific point in your own Cosmere “journey”:
The surrounding commentary and meta-information on the overarching universe of the Cosmere also makes this an essential read if you are interested in connecting the dots between the different stories.
Whilst a few stories are standalone, I really recommend reading this at a specific point in your own Cosmere “journey”:
- Ideally, read this between Words of Radiance and Oathbringer
- Don’t read this before finishing the Mistborn Era 1 trilogy
- Ideally, read Elantris before this. Or just skip The Hope of Elantris - it’s easily one of the weakest parts
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Need to have read the other Sanderson books for this to make sense, but nice collection of shorter stories to fill in gaps.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Emperor's Soul 4/5
The Hope of Elantris 3.5/5 Update 9/25/2020: 3/5
The Eleventh Metal 4/5
Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania 4.25/5 Update 9/25/2020: 3/5
Mistborn: Secret History 5/5
White Sand Excerpt 4/5 Update 9/25/2020: 3.5/5
Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell 5/5
Sixth of the Dusk 4.5/5 Update 9/25/2020: 5/5
Edgedancer 5/5 Update 9/25/2020: 4.5/5
Cosmere Information 5/5
Total Rating 4.5/5
Update 9/25/2020: Some of the more extraneous stories in this collection missed a bit more this go-around, which is unfortunate, but the main stories did end up being roughly the same.
The Hope of Elantris 3.5/5 Update 9/25/2020: 3/5
The Eleventh Metal 4/5
Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Eltania 4.25/5 Update 9/25/2020: 3/5
Mistborn: Secret History 5/5
White Sand Excerpt 4/5 Update 9/25/2020: 3.5/5
Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell 5/5
Sixth of the Dusk 4.5/5 Update 9/25/2020: 5/5
Edgedancer 5/5 Update 9/25/2020: 4.5/5
Cosmere Information 5/5
Total Rating 4.5/5
Update 9/25/2020: Some of the more extraneous stories in this collection missed a bit more this go-around, which is unfortunate, but the main stories did end up being roughly the same.
4.5 stars rounded up. An incredible collection of short (or at least shorter) stories, and a great addition to the Cosmere. I loved seeing new planets and stories that haven't appeared before, and seeing new stories from places and characters I already knew. My two favorites were Secret History and The Emperors Soul, but I thought each story was unique and contributed to the collection. I also liked having the essays about each system, as I felt it added to the idea of the Cosmere all being connected.
It has a little bit of everything. Loved it, definitely a must-read for any fans of Brandon Sanderson!
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Short story collections are almost the perfect style of book for Sanderson. His books generally are ok to pretty good and then the last third or so is awesome. This style continues in most the stories of Arcanum Unbounded, but when a story is only an hour long you get to the really good stuff a lot quicker. Can not wait for Oathbringer.