A review by spootilious
Edgedancer by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

 

Read: October 19, 2024
Title: Edgedancer
Author: Brandon Sanderson

Genre:  Fantasy

Rating: 3/5
Review:

Brandon Sanderson is famous for his long novels and epic, nail-biting endings, but Edgedancer doesn't quite fit either of those descriptions. It’s not a bad book—far from it—but in a series packed with masterpieces, this slightly above-average novella just doesn’t stand out as much. Maybe it’s because it was written earlier in Sanderson’s career, or perhaps the short format isn't where he truly shines. Either way, something about Edgedancer feels different from his other works.

That said, it still delivers Sanderson’s signature elements: amazing characters, breathtaking worldbuilding, and vivid imagery. But compared to his other books, this one doesn’t quite grab you in the same way. The ending, while fine, lacks the usual dramatic flair that leaves you on the edge of your seat. Instead, it’s a simpler story about a seemingly simple girl, which feels much smaller in scope than the grander tales Sanderson is known for.

Despite all this, I really enjoyed it. If I hadn’t read Edgedancer sandwiched between some of his larger works, I probably wouldn’t be so critical. With that bias in mind, I’ve bumped my initial rating up to a 3. It’s a solid read, just not on par with Sanderson’s best.

QUOTES: N/A

“The world ends tomorrow, but the day after that, people are going to ask what’s for breakfast.”

“What if everybody is frightened, and nobody has the answers?”

TW: Orphans, parental death, murder, skewed justice, paperwork, cursing, blood, war, physical impairments, fatphobic remarks, gluttony.