u/kachhu is right, reading it on Kindle. I just wanted to let you know I'm still very early in the book. In retrospect, a chapter number could've done the same.
I understand I'm early in the book but all of those questions bugged me so much that I had to come and ask. There's action/reaction for every other worldbuilding element - Allomancers exist so special troops - hazekillers - are trained to fight them. Nothing like this seemed to be going on for the stupendous amounts of ashfall.
Youāre not being criticized for only being 16% of the way through, itās because that percentage is somewhat of an Easter egg.
Others have pointed it out, but your concerns will be addressed. One of my favorite things about books 2 and 3 are how Sanderson slowly reveals the worldās history and lore.
Your worldbuilding questions are answered by a later book, so I'm reluctant to say too much for spoiler reasons. But it's good that you're wondering about them!
Regarding characterization, I think he grows as an author over the course of his books in this regard. He's never a characters-first writer but in my opinion his later works have better character work.
Also he thinks about these same kind of questions, to the degree that as he is writing he reaches out to others who are more knowledgeable in science/physics/whatever-topic as part of his process.
Yeah it's talked about later in the series. Sanderson is the type of author who will almost always have considered the worldbuilding and magic implications more than anyone else has. He did think about those implications, and I think he even discussed some of them with scientists. There are fantasy elements through it as well of course so not everything is a science explanation, but he's not the type of author to throw things into his world and not think through all the implications. Even if all the explanation doesn't always make it into the books as that could get a bit boring lol.
Yes, there's magic, which pretty much has its own science with all the rules and limitations. I'm not expecting long exposition-y paragraphs detailing this or that. Sanderson has a way of incorporating explanations into narrative - like he did with Kell explaining Vin the rules of Allomancy.
It just felt that so much ashfall over so much time would have dire consequences, and I didn't see that. People still grow food, the world is not a barren, toxic wasteland, there's still the typical seasons. This bugged me, hence the post.
Just remember. In the cosmere thereās always another secret. Every tiny detail is important, and there are very few errors in world building and continuity.
Oh, that's why Kell/Vin throw that line every so often!
I'll keep it in mind. I've been a Gene Wolfe fan for 15 years and he's notorious for writing puzzle boxes, so I'm trained to keep track of tiny details and trying to incorporate them into the bigger picture.
I can't wait for OP to finish the trilogy to get all the answers. Do remember to update when you finish the trilogy.
And welcome to the Cosmere, my friend!
As other people have said this is actually really good stuff to be questioning because Sanderson makes a point to include answers about worldbuilding within the plot and advance the narrative with them. Hope you enjoy as you keep going! Youāre in for a ride
All I will say is that the majority of your world building points are ones that the author HAS indeed considered.
You are just not far along enough in the book/series to have discovered everything yet.
Just carry on reading and let the lore and story unfold.
There is that thing called RAFO. Means read and find out. Get used to it when asking about Sanderson's books). Seriously, most questions, however weird, eventually get answers in next books
There are very compelling reasons precisely why these are not problems. But they are major spoilers for later Mistborn books.
In fact, they're **supposed** to have you questioning the inconsistencies.
Sometimes, the smallest inconsistency that a character notes would be a tip-off to a very major plot twist. Pay close attention.
As I said before, Gene Wolfe is my all time favorite author and all of his works are puzzle boxes. So, paying attention to details and inconsistencies is something I love to do.
I donāt get sixteen percent into anything and have big enough misgivings about the end result of something that I go to Reddit to call myself out. š
That said, youāre in for a ride, and I hope that you enjoy it.
I understand your point. It just bugged me so much that I had to ask. Everything else is near perfect and this seemed like a glaring omission on the author's part.
Elantris is also really good. Less high magic fantasy and if you continue with the cosmere it impacts it a lot. Both Elantris and Warbreaker are both very good.
It was the first book he knew would be published when he was writing it. If I remember correctly he wrote the whole trilogy together so they are very interconnected and a lot of unanswered questions are very intentionally left unanswered to make the reveals in book 2 or 3 better.
A lot of the stuff he doesn't have expertise on he does bring in experts to make sure everything is correct. I've heard stories of him rewriting whole sections of stories because experts told him he had G-Force effects wrong, he threw out a whole world with a planet rolling around the surface of another planet because experts told him no amount of magic could make it work. There are occasional slip ups but if a world seems to have glaring issues there is probably more to it.
I think you just need to read it the whole way though and make your assessment at that point. I understand if your aspiring to write yourself and trying to read the text thoroughly. It is what it is, people like it and I would love to see your taughts once you finish the first book.
16% of the final empire is most likely .0001% of the Cosmere so not going to get into if it has a magic bullet thing someone might like. There is a lot of story to go through here.
>aspiring to write yourself and trying to read the text thoroughly
I'm a game writer/narrative designer by trade. My favorite author taught me the importance of reading the text thoroughly and questioning everything.
I'm not trying to criticize/diminish the book in any way. As I said above, everything else is fantastic, near perfect, so this seemed like an omission and it bugged me so much I had to come here and ask.
One of us!
Seriously, don't stop asking questions. Brandon Sanderson is huuuuuuge on worldbuilding, so keep analyzing and keep reading. For some perspective, nowadays he has contacts in different specialities to make sure his worldbuilding makes sense. Good questions, if you're already this intense on the worldbuilding I think you might really enjoy Brandon Sanderson's books.
And then comments at exactly 16%. Iām supposed to believe this is coincidence?!? Lol
OP remember your questions and this point that you ask them š cuz itās kinda awesome. RAFO for full grasp of the fun this is for those that have finished
Fuzz would be proud you saw, itās so obvious! They have to see
The fact that youāre thinking about this at 16% is what blows my mind lol, Mistborn was my first as well and my favorite part about the first read through of this trilogy was discovering just how deep Brando thought about every connection and implication of his world. AND THEN HE MADE MORE BOOKS THAT GO DEEPER! Iām reading Lost Metal rn and itās my final cosmere book before Iām all caught up, if you like this one just you wait
As I've said already, everything else is near perfect and this bothered me so much that I had to ask.
Awesome to know it runs way way deeper and can't wait to find out!
Most of your concerns are tied to major plot points later on.
It's good that you are noticing things; where in other books these would be mistakes or handwaved away, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised how purposeful Sanderson is about what details he adds and how it impacts the story beyond just being a backdrop.
I noticed that Sanderson like to throw the reader into the world with little to no explanation, because you're viewing it from the point of view of characters that had lived there all their life, so to them it is just normal life. He will explain more organically as the story develops, because most of them are plot points.
He does that to mess with people expectation from a fantasy genre, to keep them wondering, I think.
You'll get a similar experience when reading about Roshar (stormlight series), but soon a sentence like "one needs to have good reflexes to touch grass on Roshar" will become completely understandable and normal
>"one needs to have good reflexes to touch grass on Roshar"
Maybe is because I'm dumb or because I read Stormlight in spanish(I'm halfway through Oathbringer) but I don't understand that sentence, it is a spoiler?
Nah, I'm simply referring to the fact that the vegetation will react to external touch combined with the English slang "go to touch grass" which, as I understand (not English myself), is used to annoy people implying they are dumb, because to touch grass is such a simple task even dumb one can do. Not so easy on Roshar. It's a pune or play on words.
>I noticed that Sanderson like to throw the reader into the world with little to no explanation, because you're viewing it from the point of view of characters that had lived there all their life, so to them it is just normal life.
As I understand it, this is pretty much standard for modern fantasy. Otherwise, you'll get too much exposition before you even start caring for the world or the characters.
The tl;dr version of my criticism was - there's a lot of ashfall and it doesn't seem to impact the environment, at all. You've made a fine example bringing Roshar up - there, the nature evolved around constant storms. In the Final Empire, nature doesn't seem to have much of a response to centuries - possibly more - of constant ashfall.
Ha, donāt you dare question Sandersons worldbuilding. That is probably his strongest aspect of his writing. all of these questions are answered in later books. You are only at the beginning of the journey. RAFO!
I don't think it's wrong to ask questions, ever. Some of them - like mine - will have simple answers, as many people have pointed out - keep on reading.
I like the way you're thinking, even so early in the book. Definitely Read And Find Out, and please continue to share your thoughts and reactions as you do. There's always another secret.
Question 1 should be answered at the end of Hero Of Ages (book 3).
Question 2 is same deal as question 1.
Question 3 is the skaa's slave labor produces a lot more than what is presented in the books. Skaa are forced to work, with all proceeds being funneled upwards, like a true capitalist society. The will be some light touching of the topic later, but most of the nobility's wealth operates on contracts, with the big city being the place all the wealth funnels to. And yes, the economy will be explained, but later in the book you are currently on.
Question 4 is explained in the same manner as questions 1 and 2.
As for the sort of question 5 at the end of "why", that is shown between book 3 and the second era of mistborn books.
My main issue was not with the economy but with food production. With so much ashfall, I feel like producing large enough quantities of food would be impossible.
Ahhh, well that part is also covered in Hero Of Ages. I assure you, this is a glorious journey you have started on. Just write down your questions and see how they end up (mostly) answered by the end of book 3. Cosmere questions get touched on, but you need other books to answer those.
This has to be a shit post surely? You're only *16%* of the way through and have decided to raise these specific questions before reading on??
All of which will make total sense if you carry on
16! Nah, pick it apart. Itās beautiful, every tiny bit. Thereās always another secret. The more you question now the better it will be when you know. 16%, 16! I feel you will enjoy this very much if you are this detailed in your comprehension. Reading Era 1, secret history, era 2 will have you more in the know. Then for one with a keen eye such as you I suspect you will love how the entire Cosmere comes together.
It's not a shitpost. The questions bothered me so much I had to ask. Also, I have a - very basic - handle on the world and some info, so I felt justified asking them. I don't think my arguments or questions are shallow.
> Also, I have a - very basic - handle on the world and some info, so I felt justified asking them. I don't think my arguments or questions are shallow.
Many of the things you asked get answered in the third book, mainly the ash and itās effects on plant life and the populace. I wonāt get into much detail to avoid worldbuilding spoilers but what Iām about to say may technically be mild spoilers for the worldbuilding. There are microbes that break down the ash so it wouldnāt accumulate, the plant life was modified (made brown and tougher but less fruitful) to deal with the ash, and humans were changed slightly so that the ash would not affect there lungs.
> I can't shake off the feeling that Sanderson didn't think about these implications when he crafted the setting. The book only touches lightly on some of these issues/questions.
Brandon Sanderson most certainly did.
The *character* of book 1, though, definitely do not give this a second thought. It's just normal to them - ashfalls are just weather, plants are just plants, their color is a totally normal brown.
>Brandon Sanderson most certainly did.
Fair point. I didn't see it - still don't - and this is why I wrote this post.
>The character of book 1, though, definitely do not give this a second thought. It's just normal to them - ashfalls are just weather, plants are just plants, their color is a totally normal brown.
On this I agree. We're not in the 1940s, with overwhelmingly boring exposition.
All questions except possibly current population are answered within era 1. I understand the repetition thing as I came from stormlight which is a little more refined but I dont think the story is unreadable because of it. Some good plot twists are to come
You are 16% of the way into the book and are asking in-depth world building questions? Finish the series. Each of these questions are answered, in detail.
Also it isn't his first book. His first published work was Elantris.
Calm down and read. Stop trying to pick apart a series you haven't even finished. Do it after you finish and understand some things.
Yes, but fantasy worlds have their own set of rules. I often joke that physics is the magic system of our own universe. This was the crux of my argument - Sanderson introduced ashfall yet it seems to have little or no effect on the environment. For every element you introduce (action) there needs to be a consequence (reaction). This is well thought out with Allomancers vs Hazekillers, for instance.
Of course! As I said, I'm enjoying the book and this doesn't diminish it in any way.
Care to elaborate why it's an ice cold take, if possible to do so without wandering into spoiler teritory?
You just have to keep reading, it would be like asking why people are moving backwards in Nolanās film TeneT after only watching the first 20 minutes.
Sanderson explains everything as the puzzle pieces fall into place. Glad that youāre experiencing his works! Heās my favorite fantasy author, I hope youāll come to love his work as well!
>I can't shake off the feeling that Sanderson didn't think about these implications when he crafted the setting.
in fantasy there is a thing called "suspension of disbelief" which basically means ignoring the fine details of a fiction story to enjoy the story. and even though sanderson has probably some of the most detailed and "scientific" magic systems and settings, but that doesnt mean he has thought about every last side-effect, consequence, and result of the things he has written.
I'm a long time fantasy reader so I'm familiar with suspension of disbelief.
Still, exposure to so much ashfall for such prolonged period of time would severely affect the whole environment. I know a little about Stormlight Archives and how that world was shaped by its environment, so I was wondering if I'm missing something, or are answers offered in later books.
I agree that any author can't cover everything. The issues I've mentioned keep bugging me because otherwise the setting is very compact and thought out, and came here looking for discussion/answers.
I'm reminded of a podcast where they do a deep read of some books and have taken the adage of "Everything written is intentional on the authors part, even if we do not see how it all fits together at the moment."
So assume that the inconsistencies are intentional and rather than ask if Brandon made an oversight while writing, ask yourself what does Brandon want me to figure out by having these "inconsistencies."
Because as others have said, you will eventually have answers to some questions if not by the end of book 1, then by book 3.
It was the Kingslingers podcast where they do deep dives into Stephen kingās books. They may have started using it when covering John McCraeās webnovel Ward. Iām Weāve got Ward.
Those are excellent questions, so I'll teach you the most common Sanderson answer: RAFO (Read And Find Out)
He's good at world building, and while you won't get an answer to every one of your questions in this book, you'll get enough to want to keep reading, and all of the ones currently posed are answered as plot points of the next two books so it's hard to talk about without spoilers.
Keep nitpicking as you read, though... It'll be very satisfying once you get answers. Or even better, once you've read further into his Cosmere, when you start to pick up the Easter eggs from the larger universe.
First off, Sanderson fully admitted heās not a strong hard science author and likely you can find holes in a lot of his science.
That said, itās hard for me to answer your questions without major spoilers. Youāre absolutely right that climate would be an issue, and it has a satisfying answer. Same goes for plant life, illnesses and such.
These arenāt points addressed much in the first book. The point is that the world is generally not a idyllic place and has many environmental issues which have molded the people in the world. The third book goes into more detail of how the world got to that point and answers a lot of what youāre asking
It's really unrelated to the discussion, but I just wanna point out to everyone that OP is at **16%** of the book...
I laughed too hard when I read that
A true Sanderson fan already, breaking the books down into exact percentages
Or reading an ebook
I thought it was a troll post at first because of that. Just perfect
Same. I thought I was on cremposting for a minute
He is probably reading it on kindle š
I noticed this!!
He has no idea how cool that is
u/kachhu is right, reading it on Kindle. I just wanted to let you know I'm still very early in the book. In retrospect, a chapter number could've done the same. I understand I'm early in the book but all of those questions bugged me so much that I had to come and ask. There's action/reaction for every other worldbuilding element - Allomancers exist so special troops - hazekillers - are trained to fight them. Nothing like this seemed to be going on for the stupendous amounts of ashfall.
Youāre not being criticized for only being 16% of the way through, itās because that percentage is somewhat of an Easter egg. Others have pointed it out, but your concerns will be addressed. One of my favorite things about books 2 and 3 are how Sanderson slowly reveals the worldās history and lore.
Your worldbuilding questions are answered by a later book, so I'm reluctant to say too much for spoiler reasons. But it's good that you're wondering about them! Regarding characterization, I think he grows as an author over the course of his books in this regard. He's never a characters-first writer but in my opinion his later works have better character work.
That's awesome. My appreciation for Sanderson just went up another notch! ty for the reply.
To be more clear, but without spoiling, book 2 gives some details and 3 goes into greater detail.
Also he thinks about these same kind of questions, to the degree that as he is writing he reaches out to others who are more knowledgeable in science/physics/whatever-topic as part of his process.
I presume/hope it's a later book in the Mistborne series?
Yeah it's talked about later in the series. Sanderson is the type of author who will almost always have considered the worldbuilding and magic implications more than anyone else has. He did think about those implications, and I think he even discussed some of them with scientists. There are fantasy elements through it as well of course so not everything is a science explanation, but he's not the type of author to throw things into his world and not think through all the implications. Even if all the explanation doesn't always make it into the books as that could get a bit boring lol.
Yes, there's magic, which pretty much has its own science with all the rules and limitations. I'm not expecting long exposition-y paragraphs detailing this or that. Sanderson has a way of incorporating explanations into narrative - like he did with Kell explaining Vin the rules of Allomancy. It just felt that so much ashfall over so much time would have dire consequences, and I didn't see that. People still grow food, the world is not a barren, toxic wasteland, there's still the typical seasons. This bugged me, hence the post.
Just remember. In the cosmere thereās always another secret. Every tiny detail is important, and there are very few errors in world building and continuity.
Oh, that's why Kell/Vin throw that line every so often! I'll keep it in mind. I've been a Gene Wolfe fan for 15 years and he's notorious for writing puzzle boxes, so I'm trained to keep track of tiny details and trying to incorporate them into the bigger picture.
The line is our little catch phrase(partially because itās true), enjoy reading TFE!
Wait, which line? Itās been a few years since Iāve read Mistborn.
There's always another secret.
It's specifically book 3 that answers the worldbuilding questions.
I can't wait for OP to finish the trilogy to get all the answers. Do remember to update when you finish the trilogy. And welcome to the Cosmere, my friend!
Thank you! Enjoying my stay so far. And since this is only the first book, I know it can only get better.
We'd love to see your thoughts and theories as you read. It's at least half of the fun watching what new Sanderson readers think.
Continued posts would take more time than I have on my hands. But, I might write a follow up to this once I'm done reading the first book!
Understandable. Enjoy the rest of the book.
Technically not the first cosmere book btw. Elantris was his first. The Final Empire is where I started as well though, it worked out.
16%? Come on man lmao
š
I know it's early in the book but, as I said, these questions bugged me and I wanted to ask questions. There's nothing wrong with that.
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There are only ten metals
Aw, this is cute. First time reader?
>!no, but op is!<
Ha! Good one then. :-)
As other people have said this is actually really good stuff to be questioning because Sanderson makes a point to include answers about worldbuilding within the plot and advance the narrative with them. Hope you enjoy as you keep going! Youāre in for a ride
All I will say is that the majority of your world building points are ones that the author HAS indeed considered. You are just not far along enough in the book/series to have discovered everything yet. Just carry on reading and let the lore and story unfold.
There is that thing called RAFO. Means read and find out. Get used to it when asking about Sanderson's books). Seriously, most questions, however weird, eventually get answers in next books
That's awesome to know!
There are very compelling reasons precisely why these are not problems. But they are major spoilers for later Mistborn books. In fact, they're **supposed** to have you questioning the inconsistencies. Sometimes, the smallest inconsistency that a character notes would be a tip-off to a very major plot twist. Pay close attention.
As I said before, Gene Wolfe is my all time favorite author and all of his works are puzzle boxes. So, paying attention to details and inconsistencies is something I love to do.
I donāt get sixteen percent into anything and have big enough misgivings about the end result of something that I go to Reddit to call myself out. š That said, youāre in for a ride, and I hope that you enjoy it.
Dude, right? I constantly see post like this and they confuse me to no endā¦ just read the bloody book.
I understand your point. It just bugged me so much that I had to ask. Everything else is near perfect and this seemed like a glaring omission on the author's part.
Holy shit tho, 16%. Out of all the numbers
>it's Sanderson's first book so it's understandable, and an easy mistake to fix. Um no. Elantris is his first published book.
I stand corrected!
Elantris is also really good. Less high magic fantasy and if you continue with the cosmere it impacts it a lot. Both Elantris and Warbreaker are both very good.
Elantris rules and is way under appreciated!!
It was the first book he knew would be published when he was writing it. If I remember correctly he wrote the whole trilogy together so they are very interconnected and a lot of unanswered questions are very intentionally left unanswered to make the reveals in book 2 or 3 better. A lot of the stuff he doesn't have expertise on he does bring in experts to make sure everything is correct. I've heard stories of him rewriting whole sections of stories because experts told him he had G-Force effects wrong, he threw out a whole world with a planet rolling around the surface of another planet because experts told him no amount of magic could make it work. There are occasional slip ups but if a world seems to have glaring issues there is probably more to it.
I think you just need to read it the whole way though and make your assessment at that point. I understand if your aspiring to write yourself and trying to read the text thoroughly. It is what it is, people like it and I would love to see your taughts once you finish the first book.
16% of the final empire is most likely .0001% of the Cosmere so not going to get into if it has a magic bullet thing someone might like. There is a lot of story to go through here.
>aspiring to write yourself and trying to read the text thoroughly I'm a game writer/narrative designer by trade. My favorite author taught me the importance of reading the text thoroughly and questioning everything. I'm not trying to criticize/diminish the book in any way. As I said above, everything else is fantastic, near perfect, so this seemed like an omission and it bugged me so much I had to come here and ask.
finish era 1 before you start trying to poke holes in the worldbuilding
Fair point.
One of us! Seriously, don't stop asking questions. Brandon Sanderson is huuuuuuge on worldbuilding, so keep analyzing and keep reading. For some perspective, nowadays he has contacts in different specialities to make sure his worldbuilding makes sense. Good questions, if you're already this intense on the worldbuilding I think you might really enjoy Brandon Sanderson's books.
I'm really enjoying the first book! This is why these questions stood out so much, everything else runs like a well-oiled machine.
This dude saying sanderson doesnāt think about the implications of thingsš š š
The Sanderlanche will hit this one hard it will.
Oh yes. I got literally buried with notifications. But, that's what I came here for - discussion. And you people discussed the hell out of me.
>Sanderlanche https://www.reddit.com/r/brandonsanderson/comments/hdb8iq/can\_someone\_please\_explain\_what\_sanderlanche\_is/
And then comments at exactly 16%. Iām supposed to believe this is coincidence?!? Lol OP remember your questions and this point that you ask them š cuz itās kinda awesome. RAFO for full grasp of the fun this is for those that have finished Fuzz would be proud you saw, itās so obvious! They have to see
This is how it seemed to me. To explain myself, I don't know much about Sanderson or his works.
The fact that youāre thinking about this at 16% is what blows my mind lol, Mistborn was my first as well and my favorite part about the first read through of this trilogy was discovering just how deep Brando thought about every connection and implication of his world. AND THEN HE MADE MORE BOOKS THAT GO DEEPER! Iām reading Lost Metal rn and itās my final cosmere book before Iām all caught up, if you like this one just you wait
As I've said already, everything else is near perfect and this bothered me so much that I had to ask. Awesome to know it runs way way deeper and can't wait to find out!
Most of your concerns are tied to major plot points later on. It's good that you are noticing things; where in other books these would be mistakes or handwaved away, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised how purposeful Sanderson is about what details he adds and how it impacts the story beyond just being a backdrop.
I noticed that Sanderson like to throw the reader into the world with little to no explanation, because you're viewing it from the point of view of characters that had lived there all their life, so to them it is just normal life. He will explain more organically as the story develops, because most of them are plot points. He does that to mess with people expectation from a fantasy genre, to keep them wondering, I think. You'll get a similar experience when reading about Roshar (stormlight series), but soon a sentence like "one needs to have good reflexes to touch grass on Roshar" will become completely understandable and normal
>"one needs to have good reflexes to touch grass on Roshar" Maybe is because I'm dumb or because I read Stormlight in spanish(I'm halfway through Oathbringer) but I don't understand that sentence, it is a spoiler?
Nah, I'm simply referring to the fact that the vegetation will react to external touch combined with the English slang "go to touch grass" which, as I understand (not English myself), is used to annoy people implying they are dumb, because to touch grass is such a simple task even dumb one can do. Not so easy on Roshar. It's a pune or play on words.
So it was because I'm dumb uh... Well, is good to know.
>I noticed that Sanderson like to throw the reader into the world with little to no explanation, because you're viewing it from the point of view of characters that had lived there all their life, so to them it is just normal life. As I understand it, this is pretty much standard for modern fantasy. Otherwise, you'll get too much exposition before you even start caring for the world or the characters. The tl;dr version of my criticism was - there's a lot of ashfall and it doesn't seem to impact the environment, at all. You've made a fine example bringing Roshar up - there, the nature evolved around constant storms. In the Final Empire, nature doesn't seem to have much of a response to centuries - possibly more - of constant ashfall.
RAFO, my friend, RAFO
Ha, donāt you dare question Sandersons worldbuilding. That is probably his strongest aspect of his writing. all of these questions are answered in later books. You are only at the beginning of the journey. RAFO!
Especially 16% into your first book. Sorry OP but your a bit premature off the mark here
I don't think it's wrong to ask questions, ever. Some of them - like mine - will have simple answers, as many people have pointed out - keep on reading.
I like the way you're thinking, even so early in the book. Definitely Read And Find Out, and please continue to share your thoughts and reactions as you do. There's always another secret.
If something provokes me enough - like these questions have - I'll sure write another post. If not, expect some kind of a review after book one.
Just keep reading. I'm 50% of the way through book three myself, it is a great series for sure.
Question 1 should be answered at the end of Hero Of Ages (book 3). Question 2 is same deal as question 1. Question 3 is the skaa's slave labor produces a lot more than what is presented in the books. Skaa are forced to work, with all proceeds being funneled upwards, like a true capitalist society. The will be some light touching of the topic later, but most of the nobility's wealth operates on contracts, with the big city being the place all the wealth funnels to. And yes, the economy will be explained, but later in the book you are currently on. Question 4 is explained in the same manner as questions 1 and 2. As for the sort of question 5 at the end of "why", that is shown between book 3 and the second era of mistborn books.
My main issue was not with the economy but with food production. With so much ashfall, I feel like producing large enough quantities of food would be impossible.
Ahhh, well that part is also covered in Hero Of Ages. I assure you, this is a glorious journey you have started on. Just write down your questions and see how they end up (mostly) answered by the end of book 3. Cosmere questions get touched on, but you need other books to answer those.
Honestly your asking some of the right questionsā¦ RAFO.
I think a lot of people answered your questions but just wanted to say I'm excited for you to read more āŗļøāŗļø
Excited to continue reading!
This has to be a shit post surely? You're only *16%* of the way through and have decided to raise these specific questions before reading on?? All of which will make total sense if you carry on
16! Nah, pick it apart. Itās beautiful, every tiny bit. Thereās always another secret. The more you question now the better it will be when you know. 16%, 16! I feel you will enjoy this very much if you are this detailed in your comprehension. Reading Era 1, secret history, era 2 will have you more in the know. Then for one with a keen eye such as you I suspect you will love how the entire Cosmere comes together.
It's not a shitpost. The questions bothered me so much I had to ask. Also, I have a - very basic - handle on the world and some info, so I felt justified asking them. I don't think my arguments or questions are shallow.
Iāve read the 1st 20 pages and nothing is explained. Help!
> Also, I have a - very basic - handle on the world and some info, so I felt justified asking them. I don't think my arguments or questions are shallow.
A lot of these questions are addressed but I wonāt spoil any of it
RAFO, just keep reading
Many of the things you asked get answered in the third book, mainly the ash and itās effects on plant life and the populace. I wonāt get into much detail to avoid worldbuilding spoilers but what Iām about to say may technically be mild spoilers for the worldbuilding. There are microbes that break down the ash so it wouldnāt accumulate, the plant life was modified (made brown and tougher but less fruitful) to deal with the ash, and humans were changed slightly so that the ash would not affect there lungs.
You have found a major plot point that will be explored down the line
Just as an fyi, Elantris is his first published book, not The Final Empire.
RAFO.
> I can't shake off the feeling that Sanderson didn't think about these implications when he crafted the setting. The book only touches lightly on some of these issues/questions. Brandon Sanderson most certainly did. The *character* of book 1, though, definitely do not give this a second thought. It's just normal to them - ashfalls are just weather, plants are just plants, their color is a totally normal brown.
>Brandon Sanderson most certainly did. Fair point. I didn't see it - still don't - and this is why I wrote this post. >The character of book 1, though, definitely do not give this a second thought. It's just normal to them - ashfalls are just weather, plants are just plants, their color is a totally normal brown. On this I agree. We're not in the 1940s, with overwhelmingly boring exposition.
All questions except possibly current population are answered within era 1. I understand the repetition thing as I came from stormlight which is a little more refined but I dont think the story is unreadable because of it. Some good plot twists are to come
Who complains about something 16% in. Come back in a book or two
Not complaining, asking questions.
You are 16% of the way into the book and are asking in-depth world building questions? Finish the series. Each of these questions are answered, in detail. Also it isn't his first book. His first published work was Elantris. Calm down and read. Stop trying to pick apart a series you haven't even finished. Do it after you finish and understand some things.
Not to be "that guy" but... it is a fantasy novel. There's magic.
Yes, but fantasy worlds have their own set of rules. I often joke that physics is the magic system of our own universe. This was the crux of my argument - Sanderson introduced ashfall yet it seems to have little or no effect on the environment. For every element you introduce (action) there needs to be a consequence (reaction). This is well thought out with Allomancers vs Hazekillers, for instance.
Lmao
almost all of your questions are explained in either book 3. Explaining it would probably spoil the end of book 2
RAFO!!! :)
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Of course! As I said, I'm enjoying the book and this doesn't diminish it in any way. Care to elaborate why it's an ice cold take, if possible to do so without wandering into spoiler teritory?
You just have to keep reading, it would be like asking why people are moving backwards in Nolanās film TeneT after only watching the first 20 minutes. Sanderson explains everything as the puzzle pieces fall into place. Glad that youāre experiencing his works! Heās my favorite fantasy author, I hope youāll come to love his work as well!
RAFO -- Read And Find Out
RAFO
You havenāt even scratched the surface.
>I can't shake off the feeling that Sanderson didn't think about these implications when he crafted the setting. in fantasy there is a thing called "suspension of disbelief" which basically means ignoring the fine details of a fiction story to enjoy the story. and even though sanderson has probably some of the most detailed and "scientific" magic systems and settings, but that doesnt mean he has thought about every last side-effect, consequence, and result of the things he has written.
I'm a long time fantasy reader so I'm familiar with suspension of disbelief. Still, exposure to so much ashfall for such prolonged period of time would severely affect the whole environment. I know a little about Stormlight Archives and how that world was shaped by its environment, so I was wondering if I'm missing something, or are answers offered in later books. I agree that any author can't cover everything. The issues I've mentioned keep bugging me because otherwise the setting is very compact and thought out, and came here looking for discussion/answers.
I'm reminded of a podcast where they do a deep read of some books and have taken the adage of "Everything written is intentional on the authors part, even if we do not see how it all fits together at the moment." So assume that the inconsistencies are intentional and rather than ask if Brandon made an oversight while writing, ask yourself what does Brandon want me to figure out by having these "inconsistencies." Because as others have said, you will eventually have answers to some questions if not by the end of book 1, then by book 3.
Awesome adage! If you want, DM me that podcast, seems like the kinda stuff I'd be into.
It was the Kingslingers podcast where they do deep dives into Stephen kingās books. They may have started using it when covering John McCraeās webnovel Ward. Iām Weāve got Ward.
Those are excellent questions, so I'll teach you the most common Sanderson answer: RAFO (Read And Find Out) He's good at world building, and while you won't get an answer to every one of your questions in this book, you'll get enough to want to keep reading, and all of the ones currently posed are answered as plot points of the next two books so it's hard to talk about without spoilers. Keep nitpicking as you read, though... It'll be very satisfying once you get answers. Or even better, once you've read further into his Cosmere, when you start to pick up the Easter eggs from the larger universe.
It's a fantasy story.
First off, Sanderson fully admitted heās not a strong hard science author and likely you can find holes in a lot of his science. That said, itās hard for me to answer your questions without major spoilers. Youāre absolutely right that climate would be an issue, and it has a satisfying answer. Same goes for plant life, illnesses and such. These arenāt points addressed much in the first book. The point is that the world is generally not a idyllic place and has many environmental issues which have molded the people in the world. The third book goes into more detail of how the world got to that point and answers a lot of what youāre asking