Brandon Sanderson - Author Deep Dive

In this video we talk about Brandon Sanderson. His fantasy works, early career, and and how he got started as an author. Brandon is certainly one of my all time favorites, so lets buckle in and start talking about the mind behind Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive.
Patreon: / danielbgreene
Discord Server: / discord
Twitter: DanielBGreene?lan...
Instagram: / dgreene101
GoodReads: / daniel-greene
WorldHoppers: / @worldhoppers8021
WoT Artists to check out!:
Edsel Arnold
EdselArnold.com
Paul Bielaczyc
PaulBielaczyc.com
Ariel Burgess
ArtistArielBurgess.com
Seamas Gallagher
SeamasSketches.blogspot.com
Joe O’Hara
StudioJOHara.com
Amy Romanczuk
BookCzuk.blogspot.com
Jeremy Saliba
JeremySaliba.blogspot.com
Start The Wheel of Time here: amzn.to/2IQsnys

[@DanielGreeneReviews]

Who should be up next???

[@patrickwehbe8020]

Robert Jordan

[@adamosborne685]

Neil Gaiman or George RR Martin

[@FVIIFrost]

I would love to see Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams and/or Neil Gaiman

[@tracib.7725]

Joe Abercrombie! (Or Brent Weeks or Neil Gaiman)

[@christopherdupree2092]

GRRM? I'd love to hear your thoughts on his "Thousand Worlds" sci-fi stories and other novels before ASOIAF.

[@thewingedserpent5823]

as an atheist myself i have to say that i never had any feeling that sanderson trys to push his values through his book. I personally feel more that the opposite is true and he seems rather open towards different ideals

[@valid_sound_and_furious8413]

I agree! I would not have guessed he was religious from the work of his I've read. In fact I thought his handling of LGBT representation and his writing of women (also often an issue for writers from religious backgrounds) was an improvement to the WoT.

[@Odium16]

it shows in the way he writes characters like Jasnah, when he was asked he said, that he went through a lot of atheist forums to really get to understand their position

[@AnthonyMLT]

I 100% agree here I am an atheist and have been for most of my life and I never once felt that hes pushing is views I agree to the opposit that he plays both sides and he writes both types of characters really well

[@typhoonzebra]

I didn't for the most part until Jasnah Kholin. Great character and I understand he was trying to avoid vilifying her but it's clear from how she's written and how she argues that the author doesn't fully understand the kind of character she is or her positions. Her arguments seem like what a theist might _think_ are the best arguments in favour of agnostic atheism. It was after reading how clunky her "gotcha, theists" arguments were, that I ended up looking it up and not being surprised at all. Props for effort though.

[@breeex]

Yay golden kamuy

[@archlectoryarvi2873]

In the time it took you to watch this video, Sanderson has written 4 new books

[@mad0813]

And three shorties and a novella.

[@karanbhatt9320]

@@mad0813 I am reading Way of King from 15 day and he wrote the 4th part in a week.

[@fullmetaltheorist]

@@mad0813 but Stephen King is faster

[@lbentforleather9654]

and the rest of the Stormlight Archive, each new book around 500,000 words.

[@hyjacksyn92]

Brandon Sanderson is easily my favorite author

[@DanielGreeneReviews]

My favorite currently working for sure.

[@avsambart]

I totally agree with you on the religious note. Yes he has religion in his books but not once have I ever thought it was him sneaking a preach in. I’ve never felt his personal religion affect the religions and aspects in his books. Just like you, I really don’t like obviously preaching work and I don’t think Sanderson does that at all.

[@DoReMi123acb]

Well said. He is more balanced in his handling of such a subject as religion. Unlike George r.r. Martin (whom I greatly respect) who literally tries to cram in a pro atheist moral in his novels just because he was once catholic and now hates organized religion. Brandon actually shows both sides: How religion can be helpful and beneficial but dangerously overbearing and fanatic without rational.

[@kevineiford2153]

For a preachy Mormon look no farther than Orson Scott Card’s works. Terrific writer in my opinion, but there are times where his views are absolutely clobbered into your face.

[@chocoholizzie]

I am an atheist but was brought up Catholic (rejected it age 14) and I LOVED the religion stuff in Mistborn (not read Stormlight archive yet). I loved Sazed's journey and it was actually quite illuminating about the nature of faith and how it works, and even the problems with religion in general etc. Fascinating stuff and definitely not at all preachy!!

[@diepie5144]

I've discussed this with other people who have read his books and they said that the way that his religion shows through is that his books are a lot more up-beat tonally. Don't know how true that is but they certainly have a point

[@RK-is1xp]

I'm only partway through the way of kings but i have to appreciate that he wrote an atheist character through Jasnah

[@michaelpennington2870]

While Sanderson doesn't dive into a whole tonne of grimdark detail (exploded skulls, the tang of blood and feces on the air, etc) I find his emotional punches, in both the form of Kaladin's journey through depression and hopelessness and the greater existential dread following the messages of the Almighty to Dalinar to be nearly traumatic in their impact. He doesn't show the blood and guts as much, but I feel that he portrays the emotional aftermath of people experiencing those things perfectly.

[@BackAlleyTANGO]

I only started reading Sanderson last year, and I've already read through all of Cosmere three times over. He's easily in my top five favorite authors of all time; his AMAZING characters, his world-building, his ability to ask big, complex questions about morality, society and religion without ever trying to force any direct answers on his readers... I can't remember the last time I was so utterly in awe of an author, tbh.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I appreciate plenty of current fantasy authors, but Sanderson is The Lord Ruler. Dude does work. He writes fast, he communicates with his fans, and pumps out quality content almost every time. He's not human.

[@nmb86]

Thanks for this vid! Because of you I've ripped into Stormlight Archive. Five weeks in and I'm 850 pages into Words of Radiance. Maybe I need more friends...

[@DanielGreeneReviews]

You need more books 📚 haha

[@DoReMi123acb]

I know what you mean. I finished the way of kings last month. But I am currently reading book 2 of the Dagger and Coin series (great and criminally underatted series btw). I just got a bookshelf from salvation army for my massive collection of fantasy novels and I am currently reading the first books in some series in order to gauge each of them. When I am done with Dagger and Coin book 2, I will either continue the series or start The Black Prism.

[@cagankaplan5302]

I suggested one of my friends to check out Stromlight Archive, and he has checked it out so now I have a friend that I can actually talk about the books I love. Third book has not yet come out in my country, but he couldn't resist the wait and bought an e-book edition and he is further into the series than I am, LOL!

[@Hadrian1616]

@@DoReMi123acb book 2 words of Radiance has many epic scenes. No spoilers. Must read.😀

[@semicolon4278]

Those are rookie numbers. You gotta bump those numbers up.

[@1_seanmarshall]

Love how people always say start with mistborn and then there is me who starts with stormlight 🙃

[@DanielGreeneReviews]

Go big or go home lifestyle. I dig it!!

[@merrittanimation7721]

But definitely don't start with Warbreaker.

[@1_seanmarshall]

I've heard that's a good one to start with due to it being a stand-alone. Not read it myself yet though

[@TheLordofMetroids]

@@merrittanimation7721 I actually usually recommend that one to start with, as it's stand alone, free, and the experence of that one is kind of hurt when you have read other Sanderson books, as the unpredictability of that one somehow becomes predictable as you learn his stile.

[@Shaad2321]

I actually way of kings first also and the read most born era! When I started reading storm light book 2 and 3 were not out yet

[@nosarabs]

Neil Gaiman!!

[@Morfeusm]

YAS!!!

[@catarinathebookworm]

I absolutly love Sanderson and I was so happy to see this video. He is an amazing writer and deseves all of the praise. He takes his work seriously and he is open about it in ways I haven't see many authors do. One of the best without a doubt.

[@DryBooks]

THANK YOU! I also think acusing the man of preching mormonism in his books is absolutly unfounded! Sure, there is some religious background in a lot of his books that are very similar to christian beliefs, but the guy is christian and that seems to be a really big part of his identity. You can’t really hide such an important part of yourself in your writing if you want it to be any good. But even so, he never throws it in your face or tries to convince you of any of it like a lot of other authors do with their own content! I really liked this video, can’t wait for the next one in this series 😊

[@Morfeusm]

Just reading Warbreaker as my first book of his.

[@errtu123]

a very good choice to start reading Sanderson

[@Morfeusm]

@@errtu123 I actually wanted to start with different one but was convinced by a booktuber.

[@DanielGreeneReviews]

Would love to hear how you like it once you finish.

[@errtu123]

@@Morfeusm There are many good places to start - Mistborn (1st trilogy), Warbreaker and Elantris. Arguably Elantris is Sanderson's weakest book (in terms of characters and pacing), but it is still a solid novel and you will be able to understand the Cosmere better. I would recommend reading the Stormlight Archive after you read his other Cosmere books. It will allow You to pick up many small but curious easter eggs.

[@Morfeusm]

@@errtu123 Thanks, I think I will pickup Mistborn sometime at the end of this year or the beginning of the next one. Stormlight looks like it can wait few years since it is work in the progress :)

[@winglessrayven4294]

Brandon finishing of the Wheel of Time was actually what introduced me into the author's other works. Which I found completely amazing. Huge fan of the Stormlight which was the first works I read of him and then moved onto Mistborn which I also loved. I do agree he did a good job finishing the WoT series and glad he didn't try to stuff it all into one book but made them into three. I'm eager to read more of his books in the future.

[@theatom7912]

Brandon Sanderson has the work habit of Stephen King. Like Jesus... he published around 3,700,000 words in 9 years

[@DanielGreeneReviews]

It is honestly mind blowing. So many ideas that are ALL well done.

[@adamrosenquist9531]

And he’s still teaching? Did I hear that right?

[@dylanbaker9016]

Yeah. Ive done more.

[@anabergespolo8631]

@@adamrosenquist9531 You can find a lot of his classes on storywriting on youtube, you only have to type in his name and the classes appear very high up

[@planetzdr]

But every book is high quality whereas with Stephen King it’s hit or miss

[@reklessbravo2129]

When people say that Brandon's personal religious views influence his books they are correct, but almost always miss what the influences actually are. Because religion is important in his personal life he makes religion important to his characters. There is no copy paste flat religion in any of his books, and no religious preaching. There is simply a very well filled out aspect of world building and characterization that is often overlooked in other fantasy

[@brittanyschlaak4643]

Could you do Robert Jordan please thank you!

[@turtleanton6539]

Ofc

[@Dalenthas]

Brandon Sanderson is hands down my favorite author. As an atheist I've never had had a problem with the way he handles fictional religions and I don't feel like his Mormonism negatively affects his writing. Jasnah Kholin is probably the best depiction of an atheist I've ever seen written by someone who is not themselves an atheist.

[@slavking2797]

Since the movie is coming out soon could we get a Tolkien Deep Dive next?

[@DanielGreeneReviews]

Oooh! Hadn’t thought about that. Good idea :)

[@lukeskywalkerthe2nd773]

Slav King That would be awesome!!! :)

[@sophiasthoughts]

I found your channel via Worldhoppers and am really enjoying your content. This new series sounds great and I can't wait to learn about more authors!

[@AmeliaOak]

This was very interesting. I just finished Warbreaker and it’s the only Brandon Sanderson I’ve read so far. I gave that book 5 stars. I can’t wait to read more of his works. I love learning about the authors behind the books I enjoy. Great job!

[@danieldosso2455]

Super excited to see you do a deep dive on Brandon Sanderson, as he's definitely my favourite author at the moment! Upon looking for more Fantasy/Medieval Fantasy and discovering Sanderson's Works I was able to pick up Elantris for Christmas this past December. I'm currently only about 3-4 chapters in which seriously disappoints me because I immediately started loving the book right from the first page. Sadly real life tends to get in the way of things so my consumption of the book has been delayed but he's certainly an author that I feel I can have a deep level of respect for even having read so little and only having heard about what's to come. I've also been passively watching over his lectures at BYU, which he posts on KZbin (thank god) on how to write a novel, and am in the process of attempting to write a trilogy myself, mostly for my own experience and for how therapeutic I find writing to be in my busy life. Potential Authors I'd list are: C.S. Lewis, Pat. Rothfuss (with some sarcasm as your opinion of his works are certainly well known), George R. R. Martin I think is definitely the fan favourite pick, I'd like to see a Tolkien video, I'd imagine a Robert Jordan video is also going to be a fan favourite though I have yet to read his Wheel of Time series and know very little about him, J.K. Rowling possibly?

[@JRCSalter]

I discovered him through WoT, like many others, but I've been following him for a while for his education. But I've always wanted to check out his original works, so I picked up Elantris the other day and thoroughly enjoyed it. Looking forward to Mistborn next.

[@StatsScott]

Great intro into what I hope remains a series moving forward. Totally agree with your assessment of Sanderson - I’ve read almost everything he has written outside of the YA series.

[@monferno71]

As somebody looking to get into both Sanderson's and Jordan's works, this video's been a great help and a motivator, enjoyed it so much

[@HanZsl]

I would LOVE to see your deep dive into Terry Goodkind!

[@truefanforum3273]

HanZs0l0 22 He kind of did a dive into Terry Goodkind on his Wizard's First Rule review. And honestly, I think if Daniel had to dive deeper into the guy, his head might explode. Or at the least he's going to have a BIG headache.

[@HanZsl]

@@truefanforum3273 yeah that review made me laugh so hard. I'd love a more in depth look into Goodkind, but if Daniel can't handle it I understand.

[@truefanforum3273]

HanZs0l0 22 It was a pretty funny review. Daniel might do a deep dive into Goodkind, especially if enough people ask for it, but I imagine he would be low on the list. It would be natural for Daniel to want to start with authors he likes, or are interested in. Those wouldn't feel as much like work as researching an author he doesn't like. But who knows, its Daniel's channel.

[@gauchesymbiote1039]

After 20 plus years, I've finally finished the Wheel of Time. I've never read Sanderson, but I had vowed to start when I wrapped up WoT. I was about to start asking where I should begin...Mistborn it is! Thanks Daniel. I really love your channel. It helped me get through the WoT slog.

[@cambee23]

This is great timing I've just started reading his books with The Final Empire and I'm loving it

[@lukeskywalkerthe2nd773]

This amazing video has really convinced me to start reading Brandon Sanderson's works!!! I cannot wait to to pick up Mistborn, and I cannot wait to see more "Author Deep Dive" videos from you, Daniel! (P.S. I would love if your next installment into this series would be in regards to Tolkien, and not long after Robert Jordan!!! :) )

[@Jones1302]

Having read Mistborn and a few other of his works it was seeing Sanderson's name on the final few books that convinced me to tackle the Wheel of Time series. So, so, so glad that I did! As for suggestions I would like to see a Brent Weeks or a Trudi Canavan vid. Keep up the good work!

[@Kiroshadow]

I came across your channel while looking at Wheel of Time videos. I've been going through your previous vids and I love your approach. I'd recommend Mercedes Lackey. Her Last Herald-Mage series is phenomenal as is the entirety of her Valdemar series.

[@ckries9395]

I am so glad I listened to recommendations about Sanderson, I read Mistborn and then jumped straight into Stormlight. The first Stormlight novel took me a few months with everything going on but Words of Radiance has been an utter joy. A week into it and I'm almost done, its so amazing to simply be able to immerse myself in a book again.

[@fictionfanatic3469]

More "Author Deep Dives" sounds FANTASTIC 😁 Great idea for content!

[@metabolicraged]

Sanderson's closing of WoT alone makes him one of my favorite authors.

[@definitelynotobama6851]

A lot of people here really seem interested in Brandon's faith. They say they don’t ever feel preached to and I agree, having read a good amount of his books. Differently from them however, I'm also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ as he is. I see ideas and themes in his writing where you can definitely tell that the way he presents them comes specifically from his faith, but they're universal truths.

[@TheLordofMetroids]

Brandon is probably my favorite author currently writing, and I found out so much about who he is from this, love it.

[@ryanratchford2530]

Great video & I’m really excited to see more

[@DoReMi123acb]

I have always loved world-building, not just in novels but most entertainment media I have viewed since childhood. When I was first viewing your videos, you praised Stormlight Archives and Mist born for the amazing world building including the magic system. Upon purchasing the 3 stormlight books and reading The Way of Kings, I can say that I have never experienced world-building on this great scale. So much imagination, consistency, detail, lore and exploration. Wonderful! Seriously, using light infused spheres for money! A world with no soil and retracting grass! Weekly summers and winters!

[@TheLordofMetroids]

My favorite part of Stormlight's worldbuilding was the statements about Gravitysprien early in Way of Kings. Now me with my 21st century knowledge, and understanding of how gravity works was like "Oh, you guys think little invisible fairy hold you down to the ground? that's adorable." Come to find out later in the series, that is in fact how gravity works on Roshar and i was like "well, I am very smart."

[@mohibahmed1183]

Just jumped on the Brandon Sanderson hype train. Blazed through Warbreaker and rapidly finishing Way of Kings. My god is this guy good. The only praise I can give which I think is somewhat deserving of being attached to a mastermind like Mr. Sanderson, is that this man made me feel the giddy, all encompassing excitement I used to feel when I first started the Harry Potter series when I was 11. Nothing ever came close to that. Now the Way of Kings has surpassed it.

[@KeeliaSilvis]

Brandon Sanderson is my husband's favorite author, and I first read his work through the Wheel of Time. I'm now working my way through his original works, and so far I've read the Mistborn series and Warbreaker. I think he is a fantastic author, and I plan to use every monthly Audible credit for long while to continue consuming his books (and to continue enjoying Michael Kramer's decadent vocal talents).

[@joshlever4]

Just started Mistborn, about 50 pages in and I can already tell why people love it. I’m hooked!

[@filipab0oks]

I absolutely loved this !!! I love Sanderson and any videos about him or his books will have me clicking fast xD

[@annaboo27]

Great job! I'm kinda biased..but my reading tendencies are eclectic enough to appreciate Sanderson fully. Definitely interested in more deep dives!

[@dsaillant811]

YES this is great. The Stormlight Archive, though still incomplete, is probably my favorite of all time.

[@camillerijess]

Absolutely love Brandon! Not only is he an amazing writer, but he is a fantastic teacher. His BYU lecture series that he puts online is amazing, and his podcasts Writing Excuses are also super fun and informative . Not all writers are so generous is giving back to new writers, but he is very passionate about helping create an on-going and healthy fantasy genre for the future.

[@trevorreads]

Great video. Really enjoyed this!

[@malin3346]

Very cool idea and nicely done!

[@ThaStikman]

As a fellow Latter-Day Saint, I was worried that I was just looking through a less-critical lens when reading Sanderson's works, but I'm very happy to hear that there are many non-members who enjoy them and don't feel preached to. His philosophy on storytelling--letting characters speak for themselves, letting the story be what it is--is one that I aspire to follow in my own work. Just as I hate being talked down to by people of other beliefs, I too wish not to do so to others.

[@JZETH_]

Skyward was my first Sanderson book and now I’m falling down the rabbit hole. Mistborn next and then the Stormlight archive

[@ChiIIChief]

I adore Brandon and his books in general and I got to meet him at a signing, but my favorite aspect of his books is his incredibly magic systems and his ability to do an incredible idea justice.

[@halleys.library]

WELL I found me a new favorite video series 👏🏻👏🏻

[@trielt1]

Amusingly to me, I did almost the exact opposite of your suggestion regarding getting into Sanderson's works. I finished Stormlight, then Elantris, then Warbreaker, then several novellas and short stories and have recently started Mistborn Era I.

[@burge2695]

Im going to start reading wheel of time next month...i read the first 5 like 3 years ago but never got around to reading the others...so I'm excited to read and finish wot..i also really love brandon sanderson and the stormlight archive ☺

[@kylejantjiesauthor]

As a fantasy author myself it's a benchmark of success to ever have you give a review of my books one day.

[@MaryAmongStories]

amazing video! i'm excited for this series :D

[@FretboardToAsh]

Growing up on golden age sci-fi, and similar era fantasy, Brandon Sanderson single-handedly restored my interest in the genre after getting burned out on it for the past several decades, and finally able gaining a renewed interest.

[@RubenRodriguez-co9jx]

I only recently bought my first Sanderson book. I chose Mistborn and I'm excited to start it soon. I'm not huge into fantasy but I'm trying to get into more of it, so I hope this is a step in the right direction.

[@ash.junaid]

It's so funny, the order that you are recommending (at the end of the video), is pretty much exactly what I'm following at the moment. I started with Mistborn, which I loved. Then read Skyward, and now reading Rithmatist. I want to finish off Warbreaker (heard good things about it), before I let myself into the rabbithole that is Stormlight. Great video! I'm a new subscriber =)

[@truthserum4662]

Can you please do George RR. Martin next?

[@kadenbonafede5483]

I agree, I love a song of ice and fire

[@kovu1530]

@@kadenbonafede5483 gang

[@turtleanton6539]

Ganggang

[@factbeaglesarebest]

ASOIAF and Sanderson writing style are very different. ASOIAF is my favorite fantasy series, but Martin has such a poor output rate.

[@masterkbob]

I'd love to see you go into Brent Weeks! I'm so excited about the conclusion of Lightbringer later this year!

[@Benzjammin10]

Daniel, I could not disagree with you more regarding your political paradigm or stance, but boy do I highly agree with you in respect to your incisive takes on so much of the fantasy genre. Everything you said about Brandon Sanderson I entirely agree with. I've watched about 85% of your videos. You are doing a great service to the field , my friend! I highly enjoy the commonality of perspective as well as the real world philosophical and foundational divergences of agreement. You're about my favorite "liberal." Seriously, keep it up. - sincerely, A sometime curmudgeonly 40ish libertarian.

[@DanielGreeneReviews]

You’ll probably be happy to hear I do have many beliefs that could be considered libertarian. Like complete freedom of speech. Everyone leave each other alone and chill. Stop getting so hurt over words. Etc etc.

[@bendadds6782]

I’m looking forward to this series.

[@Btn1136]

The Way of Kings has been life changing for me. Never have I been so captured by a story. Hoping to read the entire Cosmere within a year.

[@revan0890]

Good luck!

[@kyokomogami1753]

i love Brandon Sanderson and i am very thankful to you , see i used to only read urban fantasy but at the beginning of last year i was ready to read epic fantasy and was really excited to get into it but i didnt know where to start but so i watched some recommendation videos and decided i would start with a book that every one loved and that was the name of the wind so i enjoyed the first half but i was not really loving it not like every body else and then the love thing started and i was like what how is this every ones favorite book ever i could not finish it and thought maybe it is just me maybe the epic fantasy is just not for me but at the end of 2018 i forced myself to finish the book by the end i hated it by the way and was really giving up on epic fantasy then i stumbled on your video about the name of the wind and thank you so much because of you i realized it was not just me and decided to give epic fantasy another chance so i read the way of kings based on your recommendation at the beginning of the year and i can not imagine that i was going to miss that experience because of one bad book by the way if it is not clear i loooooooved it i read every thing Brandon Sanderson wrote since then and he is defiantly my favorite author now so really thank you i can not thank you enough

[@vatsdimri3675]

looking forward to more videos in the series.

[@FamilyGuy770]

Scott Lynch Joe Abercrombie Terry Goodkind Robin Hobb Patrick Rothfuss

[@cagankaplan5302]

Dude, I am super hyped about this series! I was also hyped about the second character tournament too; when will you do those videos by the way? Thanks.

[@fursecela]

thank you for this ! you put so well into words what I'm thinking and I like that you can overcome your biases and give an objetive analysis to a book or author. It's a thing I really appreciate about your videos/channel! Recently I've seen a lot of criticism regarding Brandon's writing and him pushing his religious views into his books and I really don't get where some people are coming from. I completly agree that some people have these preconcieved idea that only because he's mormon he must be pushing religion. When one's a hammer, everything becomes a nail. His writing is simple, light, but not simplistic. I could finish a Brandon book and start on another right away, whereas with some other darker authors/books I feel a bit drained after even though I enjoy the story.

[@amandaius]

Thanks for the awesome video! I'm just another Brandon Sanderson bandwagoner over here ☺ I go to BYU and have personally met Brandon several times (humble brag but all of my books of his are signed and personalized). I'm really grateful that his books aren't disturbingly grim or disgusting, and think a common theme I find in his writing is how his characters continue to persist even when literally everything is against them. In regards to the Mormonism preaching, Christian motifs are common in just about every book originating from a western, predominantly Christian nation. I don't think there's anything wrong with that 🙃 Thanks for the great video, I'm really happy with how you presented my favorite author 🙌

[@saber620]

By far my favorite fantasy writer! He adds religion into some of his works but it is always for character development and not pushing his views down a readers throat. He is very hard working and releases new books constantly. I will continue to follow his stories with eagerness like an addict looking for his next fix!

[@dischordsedi205]

Like you I love this guy. Like you I own and have read almost everything of his. Never picked up a religious tone. Loved this review!

[@mario15bok]

Superb video! I don't think Sanderson's books don't need grim dark at all. They are perfect the way they are. Definitely one of my favorite authors. I would like to see Robert Jordan and George Martin deep dive. Cheers!

[@heidiblack-twist1541]

Go Lincoln, Nebraska!! Makes me so proud ♥️

[@fairytail4lifenalu86]

Really enjoyed this

[@benaddison7653]

You really should check out Brandon Sanderson’s podcast “Writing Excuses”. It’s him and several other working authors covering writing and, more specifically, writing fantasy. This year they’re covering world building. I think you’d really enjoy it. Especially since you are writing your own novel

[@asterllum6189]

Super late but my dad thought his books were right for young me because there isn't any super graphic details, and thanks to that it's helped me become a fantasy fan

[@raifintune]

Can we also add that the cover art for his books look really good!

[@PartridgeQuill]

Great new series! I would love for you to cover Terry Pratchett!

[@isaacs5731]

I always noticed the way that Sanderson wrote religion in his novels, but not at all because I thought it was preachy. I’m Jewish myself and I absolutely love his approach to religion and I felt it especially stood out with how he wrote Sazed in HOA

[@pharaoh9000]

Brandon Sanderson is my all-time favorite author!

[@EnbyReads]

This was great! thank you :D

[@braydensmith218]

I just finished my first Sanderson book. Warbreaker. What a journey. Without spoiling anything, Lightsongs whole development brought me to tears by the end of it. Seriously a wonderful story. I just ordered the Mistborn trilogy and I am hyped.

[@MrAmespinoza1978]

I really loved “The emporer soul” it’s a novella by Brandon Sanderson. If u haven’t read it you really should. Please make a discussion video please.

[@pickwill101]

Please do Brian Jacques. Redwall is amazing, and is one of the first book series I could not put down. Not sure if you have love for Redwall (vaguely recall you saying that you had) but if not, you need to.

[@brokenredflag]

sanderson rocks!!! also, lets take a moment to aprichiait just how good greene looks with that tchirt that goes perfectly with his eyes.

[@safariyahoo6948]

Love the cat in the background.😁😺

[@ImpatientTurtle]

I read the first Mistborn trilogy before I looked into Brandon and found out he was a Mormon, I honestly would have guessed he was an atheist because if anything there were many moments of that series where characters questioned religion. There was even a part with Sazed where he actually helped me be more understanding of peoples religions.

[@SoulRemedyOrg]

Got into Brandon after reading his entries in Wheel of Time.... Wheel of Time is my favorite series but Brandon is my favorite author - he has so many series, so many books, so much variety... Just a fun author to follow, and so cool how connected he is with fans and how much he teaches about the writing process. Stormlight I think may be the most imaginative and unique fantasy story I have read - some really cool and interesting ideas he wove into there.... I think his stories can get dark too - Kaladin going into battle and experiencing trauma from the sheer intensity... The bridge crew - that is some dark stuff. Not as dark as Song of Ice and Fire, but certainly still dark. He goes there, it just doesnt consume his stories. Had no clue he was Mormon - that doesnt come through his books at all.... I think you are totally right, the only reson I could see for that criticism is people seeking any excuse to Mormon bash.... (I am not Mormon or any other religion BTW)

[@deanryanmartin]

I bought Elantris last weekend. I read its prologue and yes, Sanderson's writing style is friendly. It is easy to read.

[@ashutoshmohapatra7320]

One of the things that astounds me is the dude's output. I am always blown away by his quality to quantity ratio. To me, it doesn't matter if his writing is not as flowery as Rothfuss or dark as Martin or Erikson, the sheer number of books in various different series he pumps out each year is enough to compensate for it. I have become so incredibly biased towards Sanderson's works that I simply don't care enough about the cons anymore and I think that is a win for any author. As you said, I cannot even begin to imagine finishing WoT at the time when it had 10 thick books already out. And regarding the criticisms that you mentioned, I did not even know Mormonism was a thing till very recently. As a complete outsider and third party, I never saw any religious preaching from his book. I feel like if you go out of your way to look for these things, you can find them in anything. That criticism is utter hogwash. As for the other criticism, grim dark fantasy is a topic of taste. It doesn't constitute an objective criticism for someone. I, personally, like the heroic and classic epic fantasy of Sanderson. I don't need to read a bunch of pages describing the grotesque rape of someone to register that something repulsive is happening. I feel Brandon deals with very heavy issues in Stormlight very beautifully without making it overly dark and bleak. I like the sense of hope and optimism when the hero defeats the evil. My life is already full of shit for me to read more "realistic" fiction. The whole point I pick up an epic fantasy book is to escape from the said realism. Very well made video. Your love and admiration for Sanderson clearly shows. I suggest you could, perhaps, try Tolkien since there is a movie coming out and the TV series in production. Either way, I look forward to the next entry.

[@christiancamacho6442]

Great video. Huge fan of Brandon here since his debut with Elantris. I'm curious, have you read his short stories? Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell and Sixth of Dusk are amazing. Keep the videos coming. How about Scott Lynch.

[@watchparty1]

I just started Mistborn. Hoping it's everything people hype it up to be. (So far it is).

[@manapotion9105]

I love dark grim themes ( even if oddly I have never read any in particular, save for the prince of thorns ). I am currently writing a book that kinda mixes the dark and gritty feel with the light and more upbeat tones, like the sun rising ever slowly to brighten the sky. Even though more classic and upbeat tones kinda set me off ( coz it just kinda doesn't make me feel entirely like things are being brought out in an immersive light ) I still consider Brandon Sanderson to be one of the best Fantasy writers out there and still to be in the coming years. I love all his books and works and have infested all my friends with the epicness and quality of Brandon's writing

[@AsiniusNaso]

Side note: some of Brandon Sanderson’s lectures are posted online and they’re incredible! I highly recommend any aspiring authors or people interested in the craft and business of writing go watch them.

[@KeeliaSilvis]

I offered other names when you were polling for fantasy cat name options, but I have to admit: Pips is the best name you could have chosen.

[@Noorihime]

Very cool new series idea Daniel! Will definitely watch more of this. Maybe Tolkien next? You know, before the movie comes out, so we can all judge it's accuracy in true nerd-style (uhm, actually...) ;)

[@evanadams5110]

My introduction to Brandon Sanderson was Stormlight and I liked it, but that could just be my reading pace.

[@NotAnotherCar]

I love the Stormlight archive so far. Previously I had read a lot of Joe Abercrombie, Patrick Rothfuss and Tolkien. While Rothfuss and Abercrombie are great writers in their own styles, neither have grabbed me in the way Tolkien and Sanderson have. I would go as far to say the first three books of Stormlight (Oathbringer in particular) have influenced my personal life. So much wisdom in those books.

[@KopeAcetic]

Ohh I think you should do a deep dive on Patrick Rothfuss, that would be a fun one! ;D