Take a photo of a barcode or cover
pagesplotsandpints 's review for:
The Sunlit Man
by Brandon Sanderson
Read Completed 10/7/23 | 3.75 - 4 stars
Format: Audiobook
Dates Read: 10/6/23 - 10/7/23
Do you need to read other books before reading this one? Technically no, but it is Cosmere-heavy, especially related to the Stormlight Archives. While it won't spoil any books, I think it's best enjoyed with at least THE WAY OF KINGS under your belt to understand many of the references. Also suggested from me is the novella SHADOWS FOR SILENCE IN THE FORESTS OF HELL due to references as well, but again, not required.
The last secret project! I'm definitely glad I didn't wait for this to be traditionally published but I'm also kind of sad that the exclusivity to all of these expired so quickly with each book being available a month or a couple months after its initial release. I bought all the hardcovers too but I listened to everything on audiobook. Anyway, about the book...
THE SUNLIT MAN was definitely the most Cosmere-connected, specifically to Roshar and also specifically to a character we've already met. There were heavy references to who it might be and I had a guess but my guess was wrong, so it was kind of fun trying to figure out who Nomad really was! I figured it was someone we already knew since he was going by a nickname and it was exciting to see little clues along the way and many references to Roshar and other things that I won't spoil. That was really what kept me going in this book because I honestly wasn't too connected to this world. I love seeing other planets and the other parts of the Cosmere are fascinating, yet these characters didn't really hold my interest. I just felt like none of them were as interesting as I wanted them to be and nothing really stood out.
I also had trouble with the flow of this book. It's said in the author's note that Sanderson wanted this to be more of a Western feel and a "break neck speed" but I feel like the actual plotting suffered a bit. I wasn't really sure where this book was going, aside from the overall concept of 1) Nomad getting off the planet and 2) Beacon escaping the Cinder King. I guess it just felt a little more like a novella than a fully developed novel. There was more action, yes, but I don't know.... there was just something about it. I had a hard time paying attention and even had to slow the audiobook way down (for me at least) to keep my mind from wandering. (The narrator also wasn't Michael Kramer so maybe I wasn't used to his voice, but that hasn't prevented me from listening quickly in the past.)
I enjoyed the connections to everything else, seeing a book from a Worldhopper's POV, and seeing who this Worldhopper was! Despite the fun reveals, it still left me wanting more. After finishing, I just really don't care about the people on Canticle like I have with characters like Cress and Yumi... maybe because they were the main characters and Nomad stole the spotlight, becoming the most important person there. I can almost see it being better (for me) if Nomad wasn't the main POV and Rebeke was.
I can see this easily being a favorite for some and others feeling much like I do. I'm not sure where I want to leave this rating yet. I'm left feeling a little bit deflated instead of in awe.
Format: Audiobook
Dates Read: 10/6/23 - 10/7/23
Do you need to read other books before reading this one? Technically no, but it is Cosmere-heavy, especially related to the Stormlight Archives. While it won't spoil any books, I think it's best enjoyed with at least THE WAY OF KINGS under your belt to understand many of the references. Also suggested from me is the novella SHADOWS FOR SILENCE IN THE FORESTS OF HELL due to references as well, but again, not required.
The last secret project! I'm definitely glad I didn't wait for this to be traditionally published but I'm also kind of sad that the exclusivity to all of these expired so quickly with each book being available a month or a couple months after its initial release. I bought all the hardcovers too but I listened to everything on audiobook. Anyway, about the book...
THE SUNLIT MAN was definitely the most Cosmere-connected, specifically to Roshar and also specifically to a character we've already met. There were heavy references to who it might be and I had a guess but my guess was wrong, so it was kind of fun trying to figure out who Nomad really was! I figured it was someone we already knew since he was going by a nickname and it was exciting to see little clues along the way and many references to Roshar and other things that I won't spoil. That was really what kept me going in this book because I honestly wasn't too connected to this world. I love seeing other planets and the other parts of the Cosmere are fascinating, yet these characters didn't really hold my interest. I just felt like none of them were as interesting as I wanted them to be and nothing really stood out.
I also had trouble with the flow of this book. It's said in the author's note that Sanderson wanted this to be more of a Western feel and a "break neck speed" but I feel like the actual plotting suffered a bit. I wasn't really sure where this book was going, aside from the overall concept of 1) Nomad getting off the planet and 2) Beacon escaping the Cinder King. I guess it just felt a little more like a novella than a fully developed novel. There was more action, yes, but I don't know.... there was just something about it. I had a hard time paying attention and even had to slow the audiobook way down (for me at least) to keep my mind from wandering. (The narrator also wasn't Michael Kramer so maybe I wasn't used to his voice, but that hasn't prevented me from listening quickly in the past.)
I enjoyed the connections to everything else, seeing a book from a Worldhopper's POV, and seeing who this Worldhopper was! Despite the fun reveals, it still left me wanting more. After finishing, I just really don't care about the people on Canticle like I have with characters like Cress and Yumi... maybe because they were the main characters and Nomad stole the spotlight, becoming the most important person there. I can almost see it being better (for me) if Nomad wasn't the main POV and Rebeke was.
I can see this easily being a favorite for some and others feeling much like I do. I'm not sure where I want to leave this rating yet. I'm left feeling a little bit deflated instead of in awe.