Tag: brandon sanderson

Book Review: Blightfall (Riftwake #1) by Brandon Sanderson and Janci Patterson

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy/Sci-fi
Length: 496 pages
Author: Brandon Sanderson & Janci Patterson
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: September 1st, 2026
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson and Janci Patterson comes the first book in a new, high-flying trilogy featuring the legendary Skyward Flight as they undertake a deadly intergalactic mission to explore a mysterious alien world.

After decades of war against alien oppressors, the humans of the Defiant Defense Force are finally free. Yet for Arturo Mendez, leader of Skyward Flight, freedom isn’t what he thought it would be.

His first postwar assignment seems simple: The DDF has found evidence of other settlements of humans who were isolated during their long war against the aliens, and Arturo and his flight of pilots are to escort a team of diplomats as they attempt to make contact. It’s an easy mission—get in, guard the diplomats, and get out.

But no element of this mission turns out to be simple. Blightfall is inhospitable, surrounded by mysterious debris and covered in giant, invasive forests that have swallowed most of the planet. Upon arrival, Arturo’s team is attacked, and it quickly becomes clear that this human settlement isn’t what it appears to be.

Now trapped in an unfamiliar world and unsure who to trust, Arturo and his team must find allies and uncover long-buried secrets if they hope to escape and return home.

Thank you to Get Underlined for the gifted copy.

THOUGHTS.

Let it be known, I love the Skyward series. It’s one of my favorite YA sci-fi series and I think it’s great for all ages. This obviously means I’ve been excited about reading this spin-off…and I was a little let down.

For a book set after Skyward the characters felt younger. This had more of a middle grade tone in regards to the jokes (your mom jokes should be nixed) and general dialogue. There were moments where the crew did act more the age I expected so I hope that continues to grow over the season.

I didn’t mind the change of scenery and the interesting mystery afoot. I’m very curious to see how finding Blightfall will influence the rest of the the world as Arturo and his team know it. I liked the addition of Elysium (go read the novella!!) too. The twisting of AI was a big theme and I think a very relevant one that created that sense of this could be real life. It was haunting and an important conversation.

Hopeful for book two!!

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Dystopian Sci-Fi Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: flirting
  • Violence: mild+
  • Content warnings: loss of life

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

ARC Book Review: Tailored Realities by Brandon Sanderson

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Novella Collection
Length: 448 pages
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: December 9th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson-creator of the Stormlight Archive, the Mistborn saga, and countless bestselling works of science fiction and fantasy-comes Tailored Realities, a new short fiction collection including the never-before-published novella Moment Zero.

Spanning the genres of fantasy and science fiction, this collection features stories from beyond the bounds of Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere universe.
Along with the never-before-seen novella “Moment Zero,” Tailored Realities will include “Snapshot,” “Perfect State,” “Defending Elysium” (a novella set within the world of Skyward), and five other stories that were originally published individually elsewhere-never before collected into one volume, and many never before available in print.

The collection will also include a stunning black and white illustration for each story.

Thank you Tor Books for the gifted ARC.

SOLID GROUP.

First of all, I was beside myself when this ARC showed up on my doorstep and had to read it immediately. It’s a great mashup of all sorts of Sanderson samplings and I liked the unique vibe to each story.

The final novella (one of the few which has never been seen before) was engrossing. It was just the right level of confounding that kept me wondering what was going to happen next. And honestly it’s a bit gut punchy too??? HOW DARE HE. This story alone is worth the read.

My favorite part were all of the post scripts after each story. I LOVE behind the scenes information and learning the thought process behind each moment.

If you’re a Sanderson fan I think you’ll enjoy this collection.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Novella Collection
  • Language: low
  • Romance: not really
  • Violence: moderate+
  • Content warnings: loss of life, su!cide (briefly mentioned)

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: Isles of the Emberdark (The Cosmere) by Brandon Sanderson

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 465 pages
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Dragonsteel Entertainment
Release Date: July 1st, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Ones Above are starting to grow impatient and want to build an installation to breed and collect Aviar on one of First of the Sun’s islands. Vathi and Dusk are trying to figure out how to delay their progress and are also dealing with people from another world, likely Roshar. Dusk realizes that the people of First of the Sun are hopelessly outmatched and decides to go through Patji’s Eye, the perpendicularity on the island Patji, to try to enlist help.

OH HOW I LOVED THIS.

NOTE: I wanted to mention upfront that I don’t think this is the right book for someone wanting to try Sanderson for the first time. While it could totally be read as a standalone a lot of the joy I got from reading Emberdark was from the fact I knew all of the mentions of Sanderson’s other books and how they connect for a future Cosmere.

Now back to business. WHAT A GOOD BOOK. It absolutely has the Moana vibes everyone has talked about (even though it was written before Moana). I loved the seafaring adventure and seeing the Cosmere down the line and how all of the worlds have fused to new populations and situations. I loved all of these characters and the story and plot and ALL THE THINGS OKAY. I couldn’t put this book down and thought the audiobook was amazing too.

There’s just so many good tidbits and scenes I could talk about forever. And many important conversations and topics that I loved seeing included. This is easily one of my favorite secret projects (how many times have I said that now??).

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: moderate

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: The Gathering Storm (The Wheel of Time #12) by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 824 pages
Author: Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: November 7th, 2009
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

Tarmon Gai’don, the Last Battle, looms. And mankind is not ready.

The final volume of the Wheel of Time, A Memory of Light, was partially written by Robert Jordan before his untimely passing in 2007. Brandon Sanderson, New York Times bestselling author of the Mistborn books, and now Stormlight Archive, among others, was chosen by Jordan’s editor–his wife, Harriet McDougal–to complete the final volume, later expanded to three books.

In this epic novel, Robert Jordan’s international bestselling series begins its dramatic conclusion. Rand al’Thor, the Dragon Reborn, struggles to unite a fractured network of kingdoms and alliances in preparation for the Last Battle. As he attempts to halt the Seanchan encroachment northward–wishing he could form at least a temporary truce with the invaders–his allies watch in terror the shadow that seems to be growing within the heart of the Dragon Reborn himself.

Egwene al’Vere, the Amyrlin Seat of the rebel Aes Sedai, is a captive of the White Tower and subject to the whims of their tyrannical leader. As days tick toward the Seanchan attack she knows is imminent, Egwene works to hold together the disparate factions of Aes Sedai while providing leadership in the face of increasing uncertainty and despair. Her fight will prove the mettle of the Aes Sedai, and her conflict will decide the future of the White Tower–and possibly the world itself.

BLESS YOU SANDERSON.

It took me almost a year to start this series up again because I was being beat down by Jordan’s writing. Those middle books were entirely too drawn out and I almost didn’t get to this point. Mood reading finally kicked in and I am grateful that this felt like an upswing for the series.

I liked the continuation of many of the character’s storylines. I loved seeing Rand’s evolution and how you can start to see things come full circle. I adore many of these characters and am very concerned for who will make it out of the final battle.

Now that I have the energy to finish up this series I look forward to seeing it all come together!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: high

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph