Fantasy author Brandon Sanderson is a much-loved member of the Orem Public Library community and a frequent speaker at library programs. He is also a prolific writer and has not one, but TWO new books being released this month! The first, Dawnshard, is a novella from the Stormlight Archive series, a high fantasy epic series which currently has four books and plans to include six more. A print version of Dawnshard was released today and it is also available for holds in the library catalog. The other book, Cytonic, is the third in Sanderson’s Skyward series for teens. Cytonic will be released on November 23. Check out these reviews of the first books in these series by one of our library staff.
The Way of Kings
by Brandon Sanderson
General Fiction
The Way of Kings describes three separate stories: a man who has lost everything and wonders what is worth living for; a girl who must question everything she knows and become someone more powerful than she can imagine; and a man striving to understand his deceased brother and become someone honorable and prepared for the storms that are surely coming.
I am not one who usually likes high fantasy. However, I have yet to read a Brandon Sanderson book I didn’t like. The Way of Kings is long (over 1000 pages!), but easy to read, well-written, and an enjoyable story that will keep you reading without wanting to stop between chapters. Recommended for adults who enjoy a logical and intense magic system, deep character development, action and adventure, and positive messages.
Book Review by Hannah, Circulation Assistant
Skyward
by Brandon Sanderson
Teen Fiction
Skyward is about a 17-year-old girl who wants to be a pilot, fighting aliens on her home planet, Detritus. Humans haven’t lived on Earth for many ages, and Spensa and her people are trapped on Detritus and fighting to survive alien attacks. The problem is there are some people who don’t want Spensa to become a pilot.
This book, as well as its sequel, Starsight, was a quick read. Sanderson tells a compelling narrative that is unpredictable. I found myself captivated at the end of every chapter, not wanting to put the book down. There was always something new and exciting going on, and the world is so much bigger than you think it is when you first read it. The way Brandon Sanderson wrote made me root for Spensa and her friends and wish I could fly with them. If you like junior, teen, or adult science fiction or fantasy, this book will not disappoint.
Book Review by Hannah, Circulation Assistant
