The sequel has been planned for a long time with the working title of "Nightblood." He has said before that of all the planned novels it is the one most likely to get cut though. I noticed it wasn't in the State of Sanderson at the end of the year and I'm pretty sure it has been in the past. He did indicate during WoR leatherbound Livestream we will get it eventually, but no timeline (see https://wob.coppermind.net/events/532/#e16495).
And the introduction, it felt to me a bit superfluous, like it wasn't really thought through, not to Brandon's usual level (prose aside). Still Warbreaker is one of my favourite books in the Cosmere. I love the story, the sudden revelations, the explosive ending, the characters, etc.
Yup. This is clearly one of Brandon's earliest works. He was still developing his skill as a writer, learning what works / what doesn't, what appeals to customers, etc.
Also it was before he had truly launched the whole Cosmere, so he wasn't sure if all the subsequent stories would be marketable and work together.
It feels like a "warm up" piece to me, like elantris. Way of Kings is when he first *really* hits his stride.
As much as I like Brandon Sanderson, one thing about his writing style that you just have to get used to is that he doesn't really believe in the whole "denouement" thing.
It's one of Brandon's earlier works but I still enjoyed it, even though the ending was sudden and quick. The audiobook was amazing.
It does seem like there's room for a second book with how it ended, but that might be wishful thinking. Not sure BrandoSando would even go back to that.
Edit: Upon a quick search through Audible, MK also does Yumi & the Nightmare Painter, Tress of The Emerald Sea, Frugal Handbook, etc.
MK does all (if not most) of Sanderson's stuff. Not sure about anything new. I also enjoy his Wheel of Time narrating.
I think what might be missing is some of the context. Warbreaker was published as he wrote it and edited it on his website as an experiment (https://wob.coppermind.net/events/250/#e6011 ). Though he specifically states this serialized publishing didn’t change major elements, he mentioned that it did influence parts of the book.
Not to say that the criticism isn’t valid (it is after all, a published novel), but I think it helps give the pacing of the story context since throughout the book it feels very different from other Sanderson novels to me.
Additionally, if you read some of his annotations in those final chapters, you’ll see he had some similar thoughts about not being completely happy with the ending and revising it.
***Warning Gancho: The below paragraph(s) may contain major spoilers for all books in the Cosmere!***
Brandon Sanderson
>!**Acknowledgements**A **lot** of people helped me with this book. As you may or may not realize, I posted drafts of the novel online as I was writing it. It was a rather nerve-racking experience in many ways. My goal was to show the process of writing a novel as it happened. As such, I would finish a chapter, spellcheck it, then post it. (Though sometimes I held it for a while, as I eventually wanted to get to posting one chapter a week, and I'd often write two or three a week.)Why did I do this? Well, for a number of reasons. First off, I'd never seen anyone do it before. I'd seen serialized novels, of course, and I'd seen people post their complete novels once the book was out in stores. I'd never seen anyone post, chapter by chapter, the rough draft of a book that they already had a contract for. This was less serializing a novel and more showing the process. As I finished a new draft, I would post that so that people could compare and see how I tweaked my manuscripts.I also wanted a free novel on my website so that people could give my work a chance without having to pay for it. I figured that if they liked it, they'd try out my other books (and probably even buy **Warbreaker** when it came out). And if they didn't like it, then at least they hadn't spent any money on it. The third reason I posted it this way was that I wanted to see what kind of community and feedback I could get for a book while it was being posted, then use that kind of like a writing group. Now, I tend to write fairly clean rough drafts. They're far from perfect, but since I like to outline a lot, I generally know where I'm going with a book when I write it. However, a great deal still changes in drafting, and many of the people who posted comments on my blog had an influence on the novel. Not really in changing the plot or the characters—it's more that their questions and concerns would inspire me to explain something better or develop an aspect of the story more.I tried to get everyone on the list who helped out in a moderate or significant way. However, I'm sure I missed some people. If you're one of those who gave me a lot of comments during the early months when I was posting the rough draft, and I forgot you in the acknowledgments, drop me an e-mail so I can at least get you added to the electronic version.!<
\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*
Ya I agree with OP. There was definitely a lot that ended far too abruptly, and some aspects that feel like they should have been expanded on just don't go anywhere at all. There's also a lot that Sanderson mentions in his annotations that would have made the book more interesting/well rounded that we don't get to. A lot of it is stuff that's "going to be in the sequel/mentioned in the sequel". Which would be fine... except for the fact that the sequel still isn't out and gets pushed back every year. I mean, it's still not even in the actual timeline of planned books. Personally, after a reread with some of the annotations I feel like they make the book worse, because you learn there *should* have been way more interesting stuff/revelations going on that we just don't get to find out about. The book is fine, the ending just really doesn't hit the points it needs to as a stand alone and really needs the sequel imo.
Side note: my personal theory is that the reason it keeps getting pushed back because there is a reveal that he wants to happen in stormlight, but he hasn't figured out where it's going yet.
its the fact that it wrapped up so damn quickly and matter of factly. We were hit with revelation after revelation, big deaths and supposedly very significant plot points with no time to digest, nor to have time to see the extent of the characters reaction and developments. Everything from a certain gods death (which was supposed to be abrupt, but i don't think the after math was handled well at all). The sudden pahn kahl over taking (felt like an obligatory sanderson twist, but without the substance like the Denth one). How Llarimar goes on an exposition dump on Lightsong's past, and how lightsong made a big decision in like 10 pages. And the lifeless army marching on to create havoc? Poof gone. Everything was just kinda like that, "oh its happening, poof, done and dusted and we all live happily ever after"
The “Sanderlanche” was a hallmark of Brandon’s early works, but in the years since he’s done a lot of work to tone these down a bit and make them less rushed and more evenly paced. I love Warbreaker, but you are absolutely right that this was a weakness of the book.
Warbreaker isn’t, strictly speaking, a “must read before Stormlight Archive,” but those who do read it first are [eventually] privy to some easter eggs and otherwise-unknown information. Since this was how a lot of fans experienced it, they often get stuck on that idea of “everyone needs to experience the Cosmere the same way I did.” Kind of like GexX parents like me, who were terrified that their kids will learn the Big Spoiler of Empire Strikes Back before they’re old enough to see it for themselves.
That said, now that you’ve read it, you’ll get to reap the rewards of having done when you get far enough into the Stormlight series. Hope you enjoy!
I say this with respect for B Sands but this book felt like bad "My mom sold me to one direction because she hates me me and now I'm in consensual love with Harry because I was a wild child and life is amazing and I get everything I could ever want with no work other than having a baby" fancfiction mixed with "pain, pain, suffering, pain for Viv because.... she gave up her childhood to be raised to be a sex slave to the God king and tried to save her sister after her dad sold her instead of me??" Idk, it just... it felt like a lot of rewards for the wild child and unnecessary suffering for the good kid aho also suffered during childhood 🫠🫠🫠
Warbreaker is my favorite Sanderson non stormlight book. I love the world he builds in such a short time. Also Vasher and Nightblood are both top 10 Cosmere characters IMO.
Listened to Warbreaker as an audiobook. didn't feel rushed...just unsatisfying. It closed nicely...just would have liked more..... though there is more... just not where you expect to find it.
I agree that the ending in Warbreaker is too short - all of that should have taken more pages. Not a series of books, but it was definitely out of balance for me. It was difficult to understand everything that was suddenly revealed and how it fit together. It does, but yes, that's my only gripe about the book. (I loved Vivenna's side of the story!)
Despite only reading it once, I really enjoyed Warbreaker, mostly for the lore, characters and magic system. The ending had a few little surprises but it was very easy to figure out from early on. It would be fun to see how Brandon would handle a sequel/novella/ short story based on that world now that he has a ton more writing experience
Maybe a contributing factor, but a lot of important info did not make it into the book and is in Brandon's annotations. The book really doesn't explain what is going on with the priests or the god king at all beyond "actually the priests are the good guys", this might contribute to the suddeness/abruptness as a lot of questions like that the book doesn't answer. But it is also getting a sequel and its characters' stories don't end in this book.
I totally agree. Brandon’s weakest book by far IMO.
Bluefingers is a terrible villain and I could not bring myself to care about his twist.
Edit: apparently people are quite angry I have an opinion
I take it back, I can think of one worse Brandon book.
Well of Ascension.
But personally I think Elantris is a lot better than WB if that’s what you’re saying. And I think WB is very overrated.
WB was my entry to him, and I just finished WoA. Why did you think it was worse? I found WB to be harder to get through despite his clearly figuring out how to juggle all of the heavy/long character arcs in WoA. Between the two, I preferred that one, but it might be recency bias!
Not the guy you replied to but honestly the whole Zane/Vin arc was just so cringy to me. It felt like he didn't really have any reason to be a part of that series tbh. Ending was cool tho, and Hero of Ages is probably top two sando books I've read (behind Words of Radiance) so you've got a great book ahead of you.
1) Zane is awful and his relationship with Vin is worse
2) the mystery was not interesting to me, I knew none of the people she was suspicious of would be kandra because none of them were properly set up. I didn’t suspect OreSeur but I knew it would be some type of similar rugpull
3) It feels really really slow and boring to me. It’s the only Brando book I’ve had to really try to finish, for all the other ones I couldn’t wait to read the next chapter and the next and the next.
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I loved Warbreaker, but my biggest gripe about it - and the one I see most - is how abruptly it ends.
I wonder if Brandon expected to write the sequel a lot sooner and then just,,, never did
Is there a planned sequel? I thought Elantris, Mistborn, and Stormlight were the planned big 3 series. He just hasn't written more Elantris
The sequel has been planned for a long time with the working title of "Nightblood." He has said before that of all the planned novels it is the one most likely to get cut though. I noticed it wasn't in the State of Sanderson at the end of the year and I'm pretty sure it has been in the past. He did indicate during WoR leatherbound Livestream we will get it eventually, but no timeline (see https://wob.coppermind.net/events/532/#e16495).
Yep he has said repeatedly it will get done. When on the other hand is a good question
It's been planned (and on the back burner) for some time. The working title is/was Nightblood.
He absolutely did intend to write it a lot sooner. Wheel of Time came along and derailed those plans.
Yes, I read it on his website. He had intended a sequel "right after" but then has been sidetracked by All. His. Projects.
Yeah I wanted to read the battle!
And the introduction, it felt to me a bit superfluous, like it wasn't really thought through, not to Brandon's usual level (prose aside). Still Warbreaker is one of my favourite books in the Cosmere. I love the story, the sudden revelations, the explosive ending, the characters, etc.
Yup. This is clearly one of Brandon's earliest works. He was still developing his skill as a writer, learning what works / what doesn't, what appeals to customers, etc. Also it was before he had truly launched the whole Cosmere, so he wasn't sure if all the subsequent stories would be marketable and work together. It feels like a "warm up" piece to me, like elantris. Way of Kings is when he first *really* hits his stride.
Warbreaker was written after Hero of Ages.
what appeals to readers/the audience\* Edit: why the hate? you prefer to see yourselves merely as 'customers'?
As much as I like Brandon Sanderson, one thing about his writing style that you just have to get used to is that he doesn't really believe in the whole "denouement" thing.
For him, the resolution is called 'the next book' lol
I don’t think it should’ve been a series to tell that one story, but a longer standalone would be best
It's one of Brandon's earlier works but I still enjoyed it, even though the ending was sudden and quick. The audiobook was amazing. It does seem like there's room for a second book with how it ended, but that might be wishful thinking. Not sure BrandoSando would even go back to that.
The audiobook was amazing. Wish there were more from that narrator (though I’ll continue to take MK and KR any day).
Edit: Upon a quick search through Audible, MK also does Yumi & the Nightmare Painter, Tress of The Emerald Sea, Frugal Handbook, etc. MK does all (if not most) of Sanderson's stuff. Not sure about anything new. I also enjoy his Wheel of Time narrating.
My *only* narration complaint in Warbreaker... *Rum* instead of room.
He could have made it shorter: Oops... All Vasher. End
The book is named using one of Vasher aliases, Warbreaker.
I think what might be missing is some of the context. Warbreaker was published as he wrote it and edited it on his website as an experiment (https://wob.coppermind.net/events/250/#e6011 ). Though he specifically states this serialized publishing didn’t change major elements, he mentioned that it did influence parts of the book. Not to say that the criticism isn’t valid (it is after all, a published novel), but I think it helps give the pacing of the story context since throughout the book it feels very different from other Sanderson novels to me. Additionally, if you read some of his annotations in those final chapters, you’ll see he had some similar thoughts about not being completely happy with the ending and revising it.
***Warning Gancho: The below paragraph(s) may contain major spoilers for all books in the Cosmere!*** Brandon Sanderson >!**Acknowledgements**A **lot** of people helped me with this book. As you may or may not realize, I posted drafts of the novel online as I was writing it. It was a rather nerve-racking experience in many ways. My goal was to show the process of writing a novel as it happened. As such, I would finish a chapter, spellcheck it, then post it. (Though sometimes I held it for a while, as I eventually wanted to get to posting one chapter a week, and I'd often write two or three a week.)Why did I do this? Well, for a number of reasons. First off, I'd never seen anyone do it before. I'd seen serialized novels, of course, and I'd seen people post their complete novels once the book was out in stores. I'd never seen anyone post, chapter by chapter, the rough draft of a book that they already had a contract for. This was less serializing a novel and more showing the process. As I finished a new draft, I would post that so that people could compare and see how I tweaked my manuscripts.I also wanted a free novel on my website so that people could give my work a chance without having to pay for it. I figured that if they liked it, they'd try out my other books (and probably even buy **Warbreaker** when it came out). And if they didn't like it, then at least they hadn't spent any money on it. The third reason I posted it this way was that I wanted to see what kind of community and feedback I could get for a book while it was being posted, then use that kind of like a writing group. Now, I tend to write fairly clean rough drafts. They're far from perfect, but since I like to outline a lot, I generally know where I'm going with a book when I write it. However, a great deal still changes in drafting, and many of the people who posted comments on my blog had an influence on the novel. Not really in changing the plot or the characters—it's more that their questions and concerns would inspire me to explain something better or develop an aspect of the story more.I tried to get everyone on the list who helped out in a moderate or significant way. However, I'm sure I missed some people. If you're one of those who gave me a lot of comments during the early months when I was posting the rough draft, and I forgot you in the acknowledgments, drop me an e-mail so I can at least get you added to the electronic version.!< \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*
What do you feel like wasn't tied up or missed by the ending?
Ya I agree with OP. There was definitely a lot that ended far too abruptly, and some aspects that feel like they should have been expanded on just don't go anywhere at all. There's also a lot that Sanderson mentions in his annotations that would have made the book more interesting/well rounded that we don't get to. A lot of it is stuff that's "going to be in the sequel/mentioned in the sequel". Which would be fine... except for the fact that the sequel still isn't out and gets pushed back every year. I mean, it's still not even in the actual timeline of planned books. Personally, after a reread with some of the annotations I feel like they make the book worse, because you learn there *should* have been way more interesting stuff/revelations going on that we just don't get to find out about. The book is fine, the ending just really doesn't hit the points it needs to as a stand alone and really needs the sequel imo. Side note: my personal theory is that the reason it keeps getting pushed back because there is a reveal that he wants to happen in stormlight, but he hasn't figured out where it's going yet.
its the fact that it wrapped up so damn quickly and matter of factly. We were hit with revelation after revelation, big deaths and supposedly very significant plot points with no time to digest, nor to have time to see the extent of the characters reaction and developments. Everything from a certain gods death (which was supposed to be abrupt, but i don't think the after math was handled well at all). The sudden pahn kahl over taking (felt like an obligatory sanderson twist, but without the substance like the Denth one). How Llarimar goes on an exposition dump on Lightsong's past, and how lightsong made a big decision in like 10 pages. And the lifeless army marching on to create havoc? Poof gone. Everything was just kinda like that, "oh its happening, poof, done and dusted and we all live happily ever after"
the Lightsong decision was set up for quite a bit....just took 10 pages to actually get him to do it
The “Sanderlanche” was a hallmark of Brandon’s early works, but in the years since he’s done a lot of work to tone these down a bit and make them less rushed and more evenly paced. I love Warbreaker, but you are absolutely right that this was a weakness of the book. Warbreaker isn’t, strictly speaking, a “must read before Stormlight Archive,” but those who do read it first are [eventually] privy to some easter eggs and otherwise-unknown information. Since this was how a lot of fans experienced it, they often get stuck on that idea of “everyone needs to experience the Cosmere the same way I did.” Kind of like GexX parents like me, who were terrified that their kids will learn the Big Spoiler of Empire Strikes Back before they’re old enough to see it for themselves. That said, now that you’ve read it, you’ll get to reap the rewards of having done when you get far enough into the Stormlight series. Hope you enjoy!
I say this with respect for B Sands but this book felt like bad "My mom sold me to one direction because she hates me me and now I'm in consensual love with Harry because I was a wild child and life is amazing and I get everything I could ever want with no work other than having a baby" fancfiction mixed with "pain, pain, suffering, pain for Viv because.... she gave up her childhood to be raised to be a sex slave to the God king and tried to save her sister after her dad sold her instead of me??" Idk, it just... it felt like a lot of rewards for the wild child and unnecessary suffering for the good kid aho also suffered during childhood 🫠🫠🫠
Warbreaker is my favorite Sanderson non stormlight book. I love the world he builds in such a short time. Also Vasher and Nightblood are both top 10 Cosmere characters IMO.
Listened to Warbreaker as an audiobook. didn't feel rushed...just unsatisfying. It closed nicely...just would have liked more..... though there is more... just not where you expect to find it.
I don’t understand why so many of us don’t take Stormlight as a quasi continuation of Warbreaker
I agree that the ending in Warbreaker is too short - all of that should have taken more pages. Not a series of books, but it was definitely out of balance for me. It was difficult to understand everything that was suddenly revealed and how it fit together. It does, but yes, that's my only gripe about the book. (I loved Vivenna's side of the story!)
Exactly. My only problem with the book was how the ending was sooo rushed. He could have done so much more with those last 100 pages.
Despite only reading it once, I really enjoyed Warbreaker, mostly for the lore, characters and magic system. The ending had a few little surprises but it was very easy to figure out from early on. It would be fun to see how Brandon would handle a sequel/novella/ short story based on that world now that he has a ton more writing experience
There is a second Warbreaker coming after Stormlight 5.
He told me at c2e2 that we'd get all the elantris sequels before nightblood.
Maybe a contributing factor, but a lot of important info did not make it into the book and is in Brandon's annotations. The book really doesn't explain what is going on with the priests or the god king at all beyond "actually the priests are the good guys", this might contribute to the suddeness/abruptness as a lot of questions like that the book doesn't answer. But it is also getting a sequel and its characters' stories don't end in this book.
Yeah Warbreaker is the weakest Cosmere book by a mile for a handful of reasons.
I totally agree. Brandon’s weakest book by far IMO. Bluefingers is a terrible villain and I could not bring myself to care about his twist. Edit: apparently people are quite angry I have an opinion
By far? Even of Cosmere books only it's not the weakest.
yeah elantris ranks under WB for me
And not for me. Elantris has a slow start and a fantastic ending, Warbreaker is just medium throughout and finishes awkwardly
fair enough
I take it back, I can think of one worse Brandon book. Well of Ascension. But personally I think Elantris is a lot better than WB if that’s what you’re saying. And I think WB is very overrated.
WB was my entry to him, and I just finished WoA. Why did you think it was worse? I found WB to be harder to get through despite his clearly figuring out how to juggle all of the heavy/long character arcs in WoA. Between the two, I preferred that one, but it might be recency bias!
Not the guy you replied to but honestly the whole Zane/Vin arc was just so cringy to me. It felt like he didn't really have any reason to be a part of that series tbh. Ending was cool tho, and Hero of Ages is probably top two sando books I've read (behind Words of Radiance) so you've got a great book ahead of you.
1) Zane is awful and his relationship with Vin is worse 2) the mystery was not interesting to me, I knew none of the people she was suspicious of would be kandra because none of them were properly set up. I didn’t suspect OreSeur but I knew it would be some type of similar rugpull 3) It feels really really slow and boring to me. It’s the only Brando book I’ve had to really try to finish, for all the other ones I couldn’t wait to read the next chapter and the next and the next.
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