Shardcast: The Brandon Sanderson Podcast

Today we have a special episode of Shardkeepers, our analysis podcast, where we are talking solely about Oathbringer predictions. Strap yourself in: this one's a long podcast, but you know what, Oathbringer is a massive tome by itself. We recorded this a long time ago, prior to all the sample chapters and the beta read, so we know no special information. A few of us did see the first Dalinar flashback, but that's it. Obviously, there are Stormlight spoilers for Way of Kings, Words of Radiance, and also Edgedancer, and some minor mentions of other books. We have a little different crew this time. We have Ian and Eric, and joining us is Alyx of Splintercast fame (and notorious Renarin-lover, of course), as well and Josh and Mi'chelle, the founders of the site. Also joining us is the periodic meows of Alyx's cat, Dalish, that the mic did pick up. And you know what the best part of this podcast is? With Part One of Oathbringer coming out Tuesdays, you'll probably get to laugh at how silly our predictions ar

"You guys thought we could get through this podcast without Feather developing a crush on the bad guy? Aww, that’s cute. It has just happened. Now I’ve realized he probably dresses completely my style. That’s unfortunate. Alright. Guess we have our trash fave for this book. Ay, welcome to the dumpster. We’re back." We did it everyone! The last part of Edgedancer, and what a trip that was, huh? I struggle to figure out what’s going on with “listening” that everyone keeps telling Lift to do, and come up with a theory before the reveal, just barely. A conversation with some cremlings. Wyndle achieves his dreams after blatantly hinting at it. Also! I didn’t recognize it at the time and Google betrayed me by not bringing it up, but the Shardfork/Shardspork joke is actually one of mine which I forgot about, since apparently I have the worst memory. But yes, there’s been a “Shardsporks” card in my Cards Against The Cosmere deck since 2015. Ha! I also babble about video games and the Cosmere, which if you want to

"I'm the worst Cosmere fan. What is wrong with me? Gosh dangit. I'm the worst at Cosmere. FeatherWriter's cancelled. Let's just... wow." Welcome back to Splintercast. Today, Lift is hot on the trail of Darkness, also known as Nale/Nahlay/Nail/Nalan, because who the heck knows how to actually pronounce that name. Definintely not me. Featuring: Her Pancakefulness, reunions with old friends from Nalthis, and Feather maybe starting to care a little about Szeth. I also tell a story about trying to mail a present to Botanica through the Chinese postal service and the harrowing experience that that was. Loads of fun. If you haven’t checked out Bota’s Cosmere art, you’re missing out. It’s all fabulous. http://botanicaxu.tumblr.com/

"Look, like the most tangental reference to Renarin just happened, and I’m like… on the verge of tears. That’s a lie. There actually are tears in my eyes." And in case that pull quote up there in italics didn’t give it away, this week, Feather talks about a character who does not even appear in this book. Somewhat at length. Because she has problems and 90% of them are Renarin Kholin. In other, non-Renarin related things, Wyndle is dropping unsubtle hints, Lift makes it into the city, eats someone’s breakfast, meets a weird guy who may or may not be Hoid, and my cat who was not even in the room while I recorded audibly cries through the door. Dalish, please. Kitty, could you not? I also talk some about Len, one of my characters, who Lift reminds me of in a weird way in that they’re really not all that much alike, but the parallels keep popping up. And that's today's episode, and we'll have another one much sooner than this one's break.

"I’m so out of my depth all of a sudden! There’s so much worldbuilding happening! Augh! I feel like I’ve been thrown into the deep end, and I’m just trying to like, absorb as much of it as possible." Back at it again with the Splintercast! Let’s do Edgedancer, everyone! For those who are new to Splintercast, this is an audio-reaction podcast where I record my spoken reactions to reading Cosmere books for the first time, this time, the Lift novella from Arcanum Unbounded. I loved this novella, and I adore Lift, so this one’s pretty fun. The Edgedancer Splintercast will run four episodes (and yes, I do actually have all the episodes this time!) And should be coming out over the next few weeks. Stay tuned and stick around, and above all, keep track of those pancakes, everybody! If you like what you hear, drop a comment down below! I’m a glutton for feedback. It feeds my soul.

We said there would be a December episode, and here we are on New Year's Eve with one! This month we have an extra long episode as well: over an hour and twenty minutes digging through the Arcanum Unbounded essays and picking apart everything in them. Shockingly, we were more than able to talk about these for a very long time. We dig through each of Khriss's essays. I feel we could have even talked longer, but I'm sure we will mention them a lot. We also learn that I can't pronounce at least a thing, and Ian proves me wrong (fine, you win this time), showing he is probably the most competent one here. Next time we will discuss Edgedancer itself, and I think after that we will go through quotes from the AU tour. Our Hosts: Kerry (KChan), Ian (WeiryWriter), David (Windrunner), and Eric (Chaos)

What! A podcast from 17th Shard that *isn't* Splintercast Reads A Book? I know, it does seem crazy, but it's true. Welcome to the Shardkeepers Podcast, our theory podcast where we discuss all sorts of minutiae of the cosmere. As I learned when recording, this usually results in headaches, but we make that sacrifice for you. Today, we're going to talk about an amazing quote that we got earlier this year about Nightblood: Blightsong: How does corrupted investiture work, like Nightblood. Brandon: Oh, Nightblood. Again, this is a definition of what somebody feels is a corruption. For instance, there are spren people would feel are corrupted. But that is corruption where the mixing of different shards has changed things, and I think a lot of times when people say corruption, people are meaning the mixing of shards powers. Blightsong: So is there a mixing of shards power with Nightblood? Brandon: *smirks* RAFO. That's the natural question, I'm glad you asked it. There's [i]so much[/i] to unpack from this.

"I’m pretty salty about that. However, I’ll try to keep most of my salt contained to like, that one event, and not let it completely overtake this episode. Like, I don’t want this to be a salt-fest." The end is upon us! Unfortunately, as I said last episode, this is not my original reaction file, because for reasons unknown, that recording up and disappeared on me. It has fled. So instead, you get backup Current!Feather’s reactions, but hey, we’re gonna have fun with it anyway. We hit the climax of Hero of Ages, see some old and new faces, and Kelsier continues his deity punching spree. Bless him. Except then unbless him because he immediately turns to Hemalurgy right after the main events are over. Kell, how could you? I’m so disappointed. Little bit of a wrap up for this book on the end of this one, but if you guys would like me to record a full, three-book reaction of SoS, BoM, and MSH thoughts, please let me know and I’ll do that! If you have questions for me about my reactions or anything that’s happe

"Mistborn: Secret History. Also known as, ‘Kelsier Punches Literally All of the Deities.’" Our trip through the Cognitive Realm leads us to some unexpected new acquaintances as we start to leave Scadrial behind… Kelsier makes friends and cons them, because that’s what he does. I go back and forth on how to pronounce the word “Ire” before finally actually figuring it out and we finally figure out what gave Vin the heebie-jeebies before she met with Hoid in Hero of Ages! Unfortunately, I do have a bit of a confession to make. Despite the fact that the recording says that there is an episode after this… that data has unfortunately been lost. I don’t totally know what happened to the recording, but it’s no longer in my files. I am really upset to have lost it, but after thinking it over, I’m not going to leave you guys hanging right here at the end. Tune back next week for a wrap up and to hear my thoughts on the end! And I promise I will make 100% sure my good microphone is actually connected this time. Editi

“He’d saved the boy’s life once, so that would make them even”? Kell, that’s not how saving someone’s life works. You don’t just get like a free pass to murder them whenever you want later! Mistborn: Secret History continues, as we travel through Realms previously unseen. We meet some interesting characters, have a chat with a few old villainous friends, and watch as our intrepid hero makes a very long journey. Meanwhile, I’m having far too much fun soaking in all this new cosmere-y knowledge and trying to figure out what exactly is going on. (For instance, the symbol from Part 2 is in fact the symbol for Kredik Shaw. How did I not recognize that one?) Have fun listening!

"This is the greatest thing that has ever been written. This is the greatest thing that has ever been written." In which there is flailing. So much flailing. You might assume, if you have seen my salt about Secret History around, that I do not enjoy the novella. You would be incorrect, as I actually pretty much adore it. Despite the fact that I might have an issue with a thing at the end, I am 100% on board with reading this wonderful romp through the cosmere afterlife. Utterly delighted. This episode comes with warnings for A) Me getting incredibly committed to theories which apparently aren’t actually real (Seriously, how is it not Marsh???) B) My cat being absurdly naughty and loud in the background and C) some issues in microphone quality, oops. My apologies for all three. It’s a wild ride, enjoy!

"I need this. I need this, okay. Alright. Okay. I haven’t even started reading it yet, I just saw that Wax is… I’m pumped. I’m pumped!" The grand finale of Bands of Mourning, everyone! It’s a race to the end as we jump off of the last cliffhanger and tumble all the way through our final installment for this book. Ships, both literal and relational, are sailing and flying and there’s Allomancy and theories and reveals. It’s wild. And then there’s that ending. I’ll refrain from Secret History spoilers here, but I will say I feel a bit vindicated by the vehemence of my reactions to that last line here. The Salt Brigade (http://www.17thshard.com/forum/topic/52725-theres-not-nearly-enough-salt-about-secret-history-spoilers/) starts early with this one. No Secret History needed. Whether or not my predictions were correct for this ending (and whether or not certain tables will be flipped and set ablaze) remains to be seen. (Warning that there are Secret History spoilers behind that Salt Brigade link! If you’re li

"I called it! I never call stuff like that. But I totally called it and I never call stuff like that! That’s kind of why it’s fun to record these, because the few times that I do get it right I’m like: “It’s on recording! I got proof! I’ve got an ‘I told you so!’”" First of all, I want to apologize for the brief hiatus we’ve had on Splintercast. It’s been a really hectic few weeks for me and I appreciate your patience. Free time has been in short supply for this Feather, especially the long swaths of time it takes to sit down and edit the audio for a whole episode. But we’re back now and we’re nearing the end. This time, a lot happens! Allegiances are revealed! Wax takes a tumble! Steris hardly gets any page-time but I talk about her anyway. And a cliffhanger of truly Branderson proportions rears its head at the end of 27. Past!Feather is wary, however. She expects shenanigans. I also mention a currently held theory of mine, that of Roshar’s Afterlife, so I’ll drop the link to that here. This reminds me th

"Cosmere is still number one in my heart, okay? I’ll never leave the cosmere behind. I been in this for six years. We ain’t leavin’ the trenches now!" Finally, things start to come together for me theory-wise. I talk myself back into my theory of Telsin’s alignment, which is probably a good thing. However, I also start to “figure out” my theory about who the Sovereign is, and I’m still mad that that theory was wrong because it made so much sense, listen. I will say, for everyone who does know who the Sovereign is, (including me, the present Feather, who is writing this) going back and listening to me trying to figure it out is pretty amusing. In a way that makes me want to punch the real Sovereign in the face because, Harmony’s Forearms, I want to punch him so much. There’s also a ridiculous amount of Dragon Age talk, but hey, that’s all I was doing all day before I started reading, gimme a break. I’d say that I was due for a Dragon Age/Cosmere crossover, but actually… I already wrote one. Ha. Enjoy!

"I don’t think it was him. I don’t think it was. I’m pretty sure he was dead. But... maybe... Augh! I don’t know! I’m doubting everything!" I would like to issue a formal apology to my new son, Allik, whom I assume to be a Hemalurgic experiment in this chapter. Listen. We all make mistakes. Allik, I didn’t mean it. Please forgive me. Like also that mistake of me talking myself out of a theory I’ve held since the beginning. Oops. Also, burning questions such as: was Preservation the ultimate prescriptivist? (Probably, that dirty language-keeping Shard.) Thankfully my rabid linguist senses get distracted by making some new Connections later on. Sign me up for duralumin ferring, guys. I also talk about The 100 which... was a great show and then started making some stupid writing decisions in the time between when I recorded this and when it got released. Dangit, The 100. And get sad about Cullen. My Dragon Age husband. Listen. And rap a bit of Hamilton. It’s a multifandom mess up in here. (Slight spoiler war

"Don’t lose your guns, Wax. I feel like I’m babysitting him. Like every time he loses his guns, I’m like ‘Go get those back. Pick them up. What’re you doing?’" In which a whole heck of a lot happens. The end of Lady Kelesina’s party and we flee into the countryside with our heroes to try to see what exactly the Set is up to. There’s an absolutely beautiful Waxteris moment (which, yes, is the ship name that I belatedly decided on.) Expect much squeeing. I also set sail on the S.S. WaynLaan as well, because huh, those two certainly have a remarkable amount of similarity. And my pet theory about Telsin Ladrian gets mentioned again, but we have yet to see if such a theory will be proven true or not. Also EEEEE SOUTHERN SCADRIAL STUFF. YEAH. So cool. So so cool.

"God bless. Harmony bless. Maker bless. Every... every deity just bless Steris Harms. Let’s just be real right here. Honor? Uh, Endowment? Like, all the Shards just need to like, group together, call a truce real quick, and bless Steris Harms. Kay? There we go. So it is decreed." This episode of Splintercast, Feather discusses RP and how she really ought to get around to joining Mistborn: The Inquisition. Listen, guys. I love RP so much, but I like chat RP. It’s gotta be fast. Instant responses. Wait, you’re here to hear about Bands of Mourning? Oh, okay I guess we can do that too. Cliffhangers continue to be my nemesis, but hey at least we got some fancy party infiltrations and a firefight in a graveyard. Steris is, of course, perfect, like usual. Dalish is cute and then naughty and must be exiled. And I’m upset that we haven’t talked about MeLaan recently. Also a bizarre conversation about my past and future selves, which drifts frighteningly close to Homestuck. Which is ending... today. 4/13. Happy Home

"Shut up, Wax. Not everyone has to go out and like, vigilante justice fight crime with their Allomancy. Maybe some people like to juggle, all right?" In which my commentary on these chapters contains significantly more jingle bells than one might have expected. What can I say? The kitten wants what the kitten wants. And usually that’s jingly feather toys. Anyway, this week on Splintercast, Feather gets confused about gondolas. Wax continues to be an uptight old man who needs to chill, and Wayne perfectly embodies the struggle of the older generations against all those dang millennials and their cell phones and twitter birds and not immediately payin’ off all their student loans. Good times. Also strange coins arise from strange beggars, and I immediately pick up on the fact that there’s shenanigans going on there. I love it when I pick up on shenanigans. It makes me feel competent. And just when you think you’re safe from me gushing over Steris, I’ll smack you with a hard dose for this week. I also hone i

"[Sputters] I don’t... even have words for what I am feeling about this development at the moment." An episode that has it all. To quote myself: we’ve got some firefight, some cutes, some canoodling, deep snogs. Steris Harms continues to be perfect while Wayne continues to be on my bad list. We see some devices which double as plot devices for the first time. Yeeeeeeee. Also. I can’t figure out how the heck one is supposed to pronounce the word “Scadrial.” [SKAY-dree-ul]? [SKAD-ree-ul]? We just don’t know. Your weekly dose of Steris fangirling contained within, as well as some discussion of cosmere books in other languages. Because those are just cool. In other news, keep an eye on the news box here this week, because you’ll soon see another non-Splintercast post from me! Oooh, what could it be? It’s a surprise.

"Yeah, you guys only thought I was going to be reacting to the book. You didn’t know you actually signed up for ‘Steris Appreciation Podcast 2016.’ Here we go.[/i] This week, featuring special guest star: my kitten who loves to sniff the microphone while she’s purring and interrupt me. She’s smol. And naughty. And I love her. Anyway, this week on Splintercast, Wayne talks to a jealous god. Feather realizes what a ridiculous shipper she is. Theories are put forth regarding Wax’s sister. Also, everyone is now evil. (Except for Steris, of course.) Sorry I don’t make the rules. All villains. All the time. Finally, chapter six leaves off with a truly unfair cliffhanger, which means I was suffering as much as the rest of you in waiting for the next episode. Dang Brandon, you just can’t do these kinds of things to us!