F/SF

1/6/2017: Aaaaand just as good the 3rd time around. Still loving Sanderson and like his other books, love these narrators.

4/17/13: This was just as good the second time around and I love the annotations for each chapter that are available on the Kindle book. I was a bit surprised that the narrator of the audiobook (I switched back and forth between the two using Kindle's Whispersync) was a man, given that the two main characters were women, but considering that the other main character, Lightsong, was a guy--I gave them a pass. In any case, the narrator did a credible job.

I read this when 1st released and I can't remember if it was this polished or if further editing was done since my initial read. I guess it really doesn't matter--this was a good one and I remain a Sanderson fan.

FYI - Although I did, you don't have to pay for this book, it is available for free on Mr. Sanderson's website. ( )

Good in classic Sanderson style. I liked the story a lot, and I thought the twists and turns were quite interesting. I just thought the ending came a bit fast, that felt a little rushed to me. ( )

Oh dear this is another one of those 'I want to fangirl so hard it makes me weep'. But that should be expected since its by GodKing himself Brandon Sanderson and I might just worship the computer this man types at.

Anyhow! This is interesting for two reasons--1) he originally had this on his website to read for free as he wrote it/edited it/etc. and you can in fact still read it on his website for free (here). For those of you reluctant to buy a $28 hardcover...give it a whirl and see if it will appeal to you. I'm telling you you'll want to buy it--plus the coverart is so gorgeous. I really want a print of it for my wall. And other reason this is interesting is because it, like Elantris, is a stand alone novel, but in terms of subject matter they are like cousins. Elantris dealt with Gods who were ordinary humans at one time and Warbreaker also deals with ordinary humans who became Gods. Or rather about as similar to Gods as can be considered as such.

As can be expected the magical system is complicated and takes several explanations to understand. Kind of like math or science equations Sanderson's magic systems require you to remember complex variables and formulations in order to properly understand things. Luckily in almost every book he has someone who is as new to it as the reader is, so we get the lessons! In Warbreaker we're introduced to a magical system revolving around 'BioChromatic Breath'--basically this 'Breath' let's the wielder perform anything from making a rope move on its own to bringing a person (Lifeless) back to limited life controlled with simple commands. There are certain levels that allow for certain other perks, as well as different classes and disadvantages, but overall that's the gist of things.

We follow 4 separate but eventually converging storylines--that of Siri (who is sent in her elder sister Vivenna's place to marry the enemy of her people's GodKing), Vivenna (who wants to rescue Siri and find purpose in her life again), Vasher (who began the mess centuries ago and wishes to fix things) and Lightsong (a 'God' who wishes to remember what he was like before and reluctantly finds himself tangled up in the 'now'). In essence all four want the same goal--to end the tyranny that Hallandren commits and find a better way of things.

I began the book firmly in Siri's camp--I really liked her and her fiery temperment. However before the end of the novel I became a follower of Vivenna--Vivenna who realizes that even though she hated Hallandren and its people and the sacrifices she would have made to bring peace to her people, she is drawn to it just the same. Siri matures in personality--becoming a more grown up version of herself. Vivenna matures as a person--becoming a well-rounded individual.

There is a lot of wit in this novel and the usual admonition that you shouldn't take things on face value--people or situations. Overall it makes me sad I'll have to wait until he is finished with his Wheel of Time conclusionary books--I'm not a Wheel of Time fan and thus will have to wait for his original fiction. ( )

A light fantasy romp featuring Sanderson's trademark approach to magic and a bevy of morally good characters navigating their way through political stratagems. The setting is predominantly medieval, but with some modern concepts tossed in (e.g. restaurants) and Greek-like gods walking about. The psychological depth feels underserved through at least the first half of the novel because Sanderson is hiding half his cards. In order to serve us up some surprise revelations later, he surrenders adding some of those third dimensions as early as he ought. Once I understood that tradeoff (about twenty-five chapters in) I didn't mind the exchange as much, but had I been less patient it could have been fatal to my finishing.

The dialogue is a little undercooked and some of the laughs are forced, but it's a mostly fast-paced adventure that keeps the pages turning. I appreciated the lessons that Vivenna learns about how difficult it is to identify true villains and maintain belief in a good-evil dichotomy. I wish the ending wasn't wrapped up quite so suddenly, or with such transparently planted threads for an eventual sequel in place of the closure I was looking for. This author's writing speed is legendary, and here it resulted in something that feels a bit rushed. ( )