Wow this one was powerful. I sobbed when I found out who Nomad was. But all the characters in this book were excellent and well rounded. I very much so enjoyed.

“The capacity for what you’ve become was always there. I guess that sounds depressing or negative, but I don’t mean it so. If we pretend that we’re a different person each day, then what good does it do? It implies we can’t truly change. That we don’t learn. We just turn into another being. Does that make sense
Barely.
I just want to say… I’m glad to be here. Seeing this all way you. Even with the cost, I’m glad to be here.”

Content Warnings

purplepenning's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I gather that this is the most Cosmerey of the secret projects? Although it was my least favorite of the four, it was still an interesting, entertaining read. An astrophysics-based sci-fi story with an almost superhero feel to it. It dragged a bit for me — I think I would've rated it higher if it had been shorter.

Content Warnings

jennanaps's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

rhogosch's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious fast-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? Yes

5.0

Es war purer Zufall das ich gestern in einer kleinen Buchhandlung dieses Juwel entdeckt habe. Eigentlich wollte ich erst „Metall der Götter“ zu Ende lesen und eine Pause vom Kosmeer einlegen. Doch weil ich Langeweile hatte und mein Buch zu Hause lag, hab ich nur mal eben „kurz ein Kapitel lesen“ wollen. Ob ich jetzt noch eine Pause vom Kosmeer machen kann weiß ich nicht. Die Sturmlichtchroniken sind und bleiben mein liebster Epos in diesem Universum. Ich liebe die Konsequenz und Einfallsreichtums seines Worldbuildings. Die Art wie er uns seine Figuren darlegt, sie defragmentiert und ihre Inneren Kämpfe austragen lässt.
Alle das und so viel mehr haben wir in diesem Buch. Eine herausfordernde Welt die aber in trotz der „Kürze“ dieses Einzelromans konsequent entwickelt wurde und mit jedem neuen Aspekt den wir kennenlernen natürlicher erscheint. Nomad - Sigzil ist eine unfassbar interessante Figur. Vielleicht noch mehr als Hoid - Schelm. Nicht nur weil sie das Brennglas darstellt wie die verschiedensten Magiesysteme des Kosmeers, das Konzept der Investitur und die verschiedenen Entwicklungsstände der Völker verbunden werden, was Sanderson natürlich absolut perfekt gelingt. Sondern weil ihre Geschichte genial ist. Das Gedankenexperiment was passiert wenn „gute“ Menschen im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes die Macht besitzen Gott zu töten. Ihre Ideale abgeschliffen werden, die Persönlichkeit verkümmert und Freunde, Familie ja sogar ihr Mitgefühl dafür eintauschen, das diese Macht nie benutzt werden kann. Was zählt das einzelne Leiden gegenüber der Stabilität des Kosmeeres? Klar böse Zungen möchten sagen, dass ist Kaladins Geschichte im neuen Gewand. Aber diese hier ist mit so vielen neuen Aspekten gespickt. Ja sie teilen beide die Erfahrung von Brücke 4 und doch sind es verschiedene Wege die ihre Entwicklung nimmt.
Huch jetzt bin ich doch etwas abgedriftet, also ja wo war ich, das Buch ist genial, episch, fabulös, perfekt, sucht euch einfach was aus.

Vielleicht hätte ich es mit meinem aktuellen Wissenstand über das Wesen des Kosmeeres nicht lesen sollen, weil es mir viele viele Dinge erklärt die sich nicht anfühlen als wäre das die Zeit dafür, zumal sie mich gerade was auf Scadrial in der dritten und vierten Ära passiert gespoilert haben. Aber ich glaube das ist durchaus beabsichtigt vom Autor, wie wissen ja schon das es sein Plan ist die Geschichte Richtung Sci-Fi zu entwickeln. Trotzdem würde ich allen empfehlen vorher die anderen drei Werke des geheimen Projekt zu lesen und auf jeden Fall Sturmklänge. Das Vorwissen ist nicht nötig, aber ich habe viele Anspielungen nur schwer verstanden und mich der Freude beraubt zu sehen wie viele einzelne Elemente der verschiedenen Kosmeer Romane hier zurückkehren, verbunden und weiterentwickelt werden.

Content Warnings

ilovewednesdays's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Overall Rating - 8.5/10

Plot - 9/10

Excellent. The Sunlit Man is Sanderson’s homage to “old westerns and their modernized versions, like the Mad Max films.” It’s fast-paced and dope as heck. I was gripped the whole time, eager to reach each beat. Plot, character, and world were intertwined in a way that improved each one and kept them all moving forward.

World-building - 10/10

Outstanding. Sanderson, as usual, masterfully creates a vibrant world here. It’s unique, complex, and creative. The Sunlit Man is set on

Canticle, a planet with one hemisphere always covered in deadly daylight that incinerates those unfortunate souls caught in the sunrise. The planet’s inhabitants must always stay on the dark side of the planet, so live in mobile cities that are constantly moving forward

. This is a standalone novel but I just know there are so many stories that could be told here.

Characters - 8/10

Very good. Reviewing Cosmere books can be a little weird, because I’m unable to know what the experience would be like if I didn’t have a self-awarded MCS (Master of Cosmere Studies). The main POV character, Nomad, is a side character from a different book, so I came into this already having thoughts and feelings about him. That said, I absolutely loved his arc in this book. Nomad is characterized pretty clearly, and his development is satisfying. And as usual, Sanderson weaves that development into the plot in a satisfying way. Rating would be 9/10 if so much of his backstory wasn’t “locked” behind spoilers for upcoming Cosmere novels. That made it more difficult for me to really dig into what motivates him.

Prose - 8/10

Very good. I’ve heard it said that Sanderson doesn’t have very good prose. That his writing is too simple/straightforward. And for his first few published novels, I would agree! Here’s the thing though: Sanderson is a veteran of putting out well-written, cohesive, creative, and compelling books (I think he said this is his 15th novel?). With that depth experience, his prose are far from lacking at this point. It’s not super flowery/poetic, true, but he uses language well, describes places and events in the perfect level of detail, and he conveys the emotional impact of character moments with skill. Also, he writes a DAMN good fight scene.

Theme - 7/10

Good. I don’t usually see conveyance of theme as one of Sanderson’s greatest strengths. I care enough about his plots, worlds, and (sometimes) characters that theme doesn’t really stand out for me. I think he’s starting to change that, however. Although I didn’t walk away from The Sunlit Man thinking about life in a new way or questioning my perception of morality, Sanderson did communicate themes of redemption, self-realization, and compassion well enough to add fuel to the fiery plot and character moments. Felt big feelings, y’all.

Content Warnings

apersonfromflorida's review

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adventurous emotional 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? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

aidareads's review against another edition

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adventurous funny inspiring tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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