The Beauty of Brandon Sanderson

With the imminent release of Brandon Sanderson's new novel 'Rhythm of War' there's no better time to celebrate the skills and ability of the author but if he's a new name to you then here are a few reasons why you should dip your toes into his ocean of work.

But wait, you might be asking just who on Earth is Brandon Sanderson? Well he is a prolific bestselling author who writes fantasy and sci fi novels. He is best known for series such as 'Mistborn' which puts you at the heart of a rebellion attempting to overthrow a villain who has already won, 'The Reckoners' which is a fresh take on living in a world filled with superheroes who aren't that heroic and a personal favourite 'The Stormlight Archive' a sprawling high fantasy epic that takes place in a storm blown land filled with hardship and heroics.

Sanderson became a favourite author of mine almost immediately upon reading one of his novels and one of the main reasons for this is his world building. It can be jarring to be thrown into a new and different world with lots of foreign items and terms, this can be an issue that turns a lot of readers away from fantasy or sci fi novels, but Sanderson has a way of gently drawing you in and showing you a fantastic place that is worth staying in. Things still feel strange and new but due to the way it is written you either understand exactly why things are the way they are or are so curious to find out that being confused feels more like a game than a chore. A simple but effective way he manages this is by starting each chapter with a sentence or two that seems unrelated to the story but really is providing clues and extra details about the world. Having these snippets presented with no real context causes you to pay more attention to them and dwell on them a bit more than you would otherwise. It let's you think for yourself and draw conclusions without having to be explicitly told what is going on which in turn heightens the sub text of events to come.

This alone wouldn't have the impact it does without the sheer amount of thought and detail that goes into each book. Sanderson has created many different worlds throughout his works and each one has a set of rules and events that have shaped them to be exactly as they are. If something exists on the page then there is a reason for it and as you read onwards you are shown those reasons through characters interacting with the world or through something so simple as the appearance of animals or plants. When armed with the information you glean while reading you will be able to see the cause and effect of each thing that happens but then when the tables are turned and the rules are broken you are left feeling as unnerved as the characters are because you can feel the wrongness of it for yourself.

Now that may all sound like small scale boring intricacies but Sanderson's work is full of pulse pounding and grand moments that leave vivid impressions. The world building is there to build up and enhance the exciting set pieces that provide the action so that when you are in the middle of them everything clicks into place and the image created in your mind is rich and detailed. Whether it be a battle between two vast armies, a chase through the streets of a city or simply carrying a bridge you as the reader are engaged and invested. One of the techniques used to make these action scenes have impact is using them to help develop characters. Often an event will occur during an important moment that causes a character to change or question themselves so that the flow of a battle isn't just about who will win the fight but who will better themselves or crumble under the pressure. Thanks to this it gives the action purpose and enhances the themes and issues that are at the core of the story.

All of this would mean nothing though if the characters that populate these worlds were bland and uninteresting. Luckily that isn't the case. In each book there is a wide variety of characters all with varying backgrounds but as far as central characters go there is one thing they all have in common and that is pain. Each of them has some form of pain that is at the core of them, something that makes them question themselves and drives them to do what they do. This could be the death of a family member or a life spent in slavery but each character has a unique way of coming to terms with that pain and watching them use it to transform themselves into something new can be inspiring or gut wrenching. Take the character Kaladin from the Stormlight Archive for example, when Sanderson first introduces us to him he is a broken man ready to die after feeling he has failed everyone. Even though the events of his life are foreign concepts the core feelings are relatable and issues such as depression and self doubt cause the reader to empathize. Then as the character grows and tackles these issues there is a vicarious element to it, as he leaves the wretch behind and becomes strong and caring again it provides hope that anyone else can too. But as events take a downward turn you feel worried and scared that Kaladin could slip and lose what he fought so hard for. That is part of the beauty of Sanderson's work, that these far flung places and events all boil down to showcasing the heart and human elements that make any story what it is while also making you connect with and really feel for the characters you're reading about.

Sanderson has been writing for a long time now and probably will be for many years to come which for us as readers is great news as he seems to get better and better as time goes by. Which is even more reason to be excited for the release of his new book so if you're a fan as I am then you've got lots to look forward to. But if you've never read a word he's written then I encourage you to go out and treat yourself. Go and get lost in a world that's fantastical, heartfelt and throughly good fun.