Ladies and gentlemen, A Memory of Light–the final book in The Wheel of Time–has been finished.

— Brandon Sanderson (@BrandSanderson) December 21, 2011

Brandon Sanderson Finishes the Final Wheel of Time Book is a post from Fantasy Folder

Lord Waxillium Ladrian was a gun-slinging Misting lawman out in the frontier lands, until his uncle died in a carriage accident. Wax has to hang up his guns and take on the responsibilities of the Lord of House Ladrian.

After only a short period of going about the tiresome business of handling House Ladrian’s accounts and dealing with the aristocracy, a series of kidnappings and train robberies (not to mention a visit from a wisecracking colleague) is just the excuse to come out of retirement and bring his law-keeping talents to the big city…

The Alloy of Law has the same riveting action sequences of the original Mistborn trilogy, but with a fresh new twist. Between firearms and the existence of metal everywhere, combat is quite different. The lack of Mistborn (they’re now a legend of the past) and the rise of “Twinborn” Mistings with one Allomantic and one Feruchemical power also nerfs the magic side of things and makes gunfights less one-sided than they would be otherwise.

Overall, it’s a solid book that fits right in with the rest of the series, while adding a bit more humor to the equation. Sanderson has mentioned that his original plan for the Mistborn series was to have a trilogy with a medieval-type setting, one set in a time period like the present day, and one in the future. The Alloy of Law ended up being an impulsive side project that fits somewhere between the first two trilogies. I do hope he decides to write another book or two continuing this storyline, though. It turned out rather well.

The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson is a post from Fantasy Folder

There was also some fresh Mistborn news. The Mistborn (pen-and-paper?) RPG “is a go” and should be released this fall, and that the movie is still happening so far. The script is done and it’s being shopped around to various film companies in Hollywood.

Brandon Sanderson Video Interview [Fantasy Faction]

Fantasy Faction Interviews Brandon Sanderson is a post from Fantasy Folder

There are three main protagonists, along with numerous side characters. Kaladin is a surgeon’s son who becomes a soldier when his brother is conscripted, and through a series of misfortunes and betrayals ends up as a bridgeman—a slave carrying siege bridges in the king’s army, under the command of an unscrupulous High Prince. Kaladin, with his medical and military knowledge, struggles to save his bridge crew from the highly lethal job while discovering his latent powers. Dalinar is the king’s uncle, a rare honorable High Prince, who is constantly frustrated by the other nobles’ greed and lack of morals. Shallan, who is on the other side of the continent, seeks an apprenticeship to Jasnah—a dedicated scholar and sister of the king—in order to steal a magical artifact used to transmute matter.

The magic systems used in the book are fun. Besides the Soulcasters, who transmute matter and mold it into things like food or buildings, there are the incredible Surgebingers. The Surgebinders can play some crazy tricks with gravity, walking on walls or ceilings as if they were floors…or applying the same effect to other people or objects. Surgebinders also exhibit superhuman strength and healing.

One of the parts I found the most interesting is the Shardblades: six-foot-long swords that coalesce from mist when summoned, which can slice through pretty much anything with practically no resistance. If one passes through somebody, it kills instantly without leaving a mark. These are often coupled with Shardplate, which is an extremely durable armor that exponentially enhances its wearer’s strength and agility. They’re exceedingly rare, and priceless.

Oh, and Hoid makes an appearance, though he goes by a different name for the most part. Hoid—for those who haven’t read the Mistborn series, Elantris, or Warbreaker—is a character who makes small cameo appearances in most of Sanderson’s books, generally lending aid to the heroes in some way or another. (And he’s certainly not the only way [spoilers ho!] the books are connected.)

It’s difficult to sum-up the story, which is long and fairly complex, without giving away too much. Despite the climactic (and surprising) ending, you can tell that the book is only setting up a massive tale that is yet to come. The Way of Kings is a great book, one I impatiently await a sequel to.

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson is a post from Fantasy Folder

Tor has posted the cover art as well as a short synopsis over at Tor.com.

The fourth Mistborn book is currently scheduled for a November release, and the author has hinted about plans for three more to follow.

Mistborn: The Alloy of Law Cover Art and Synopsis is a post from Fantasy Folder

At long last, Rand is finally himself again. We got a glimpse of his character returning to his previous sanity at the very end of The Gathering Storm, but in Towers, we finally get a chance to see him in full Dragon Reborn mode. He finally realized that he is Lews Therin, and that Lews Therin was Rand al’Thor. Now, armed with the memories of his previous life, he is on a level playing field with the Forsaken…only his skill in the Power is far greater.

Matrim Cauthon is his usual amusing self, dodging Gholam or Eelfinn one minute and insulting Queen Elayne the next. The scenes set at the Tower of Ghenjei were good, though a large price was paid in the heroes’ bargain with the Eelfinn and Aelfinn. Mat got his dramatic exit, though, as they fled the tower.

Remember Avienda? The last we saw of her, she was beginning a long journey back to Rhuidean to complete her training as a Wise One. Instead of seeing the usual story about the Aiel people branching off from the Tuatha’an, she sees a glimpse of a possible future after the Last Battle…a possible future that is, shall we say, less than optimal. I assume that her role in A Memory of Light will be fairly major.

Once again, Brandon Sanderson has masterfully executed the latest Wheel of Time novel. The characters are spot on, and the plot moves at a pace that makes it difficult to put the book down for the night. The scenes with Rand, Mat or Avienda are the best ones in the book. Whether it’s finally seeing the real Dragon, the epic battle between Snakes and Foxes and Luck, or a shocking glimpse at a possible future that would best be avoided.

“The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come to pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again. In one Age, called the Third Age by some, an Age yet to come, an Age long past…”

Towers of Midnight Review is a post from Fantasy Folder

If that isn’t enough for you, he will also be working on an eventual sequel series. The novella will take place between the original Mistborn trilogy and the new series, which will be set several centuries later.

The new book will be set roughly halfway between the Mistborn trilogy and its planned sequel series, which will be set several centuries later when the people of Scadrial have achieved a level of technology similar to that of contemporary Earth, but with allomancy still in use. From the sound of it, the short story will be set at a time when firearms are in use, possibly a Wild West level of technology (apparently it features the ‘best allomancy gunfight ever’).

Where Brandon finds the time to work on his many projects (The Stormlight Archive series, the remaining Wheel of Time books, assorted standalone novels…) remains to be told.

New Mistborn Book Next Year, New Sequel Series to Come as Well is a post from Fantasy Folder

Towers of Midnight is currently scheduled to be released on November 2nd.

Brandon Sanderson Finishes Final Chapter of “Towers of Midnight” is a post from Fantasy Folder

The story takes place in the city of Hallandren, a strange tropical paradise full of odd fruits, unusual cultures, and a religion focused around people who died, then miraculously came back to life. These people, known as… well… gods, live in lavish palaces, give out blessings, and do other god things.

The magic, though, is well thought-out. Rather than making Warbreaker’s  magic a strange, mysterious power, Sanderson has crafted an unusual, unwieldy, rather expensive to use arcane art… and I totally thank him for it.

I don’t wish to spoil, but I do suggest this book. If you haven’t read Sanderson, read it. If you’ve read Wheel of Time and enjoyed it, read this, for this is the author who is finishing the series.

Warbreaker, by Brandon Sanderson – Review is a post from Fantasy Folder

You can pre-order Towers of Midnight on Amazon.

“Towers of Midnight” Scheduled for Release on October 26th is a post from Fantasy Folder