Let's talk about Way of Kings

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[ReadswithRachel]

Thanks so much to Ridge for sponsoring!

[mathis]

I remember TEACHING a comparative literature class where a student brought up Brandon Sanderson, and I said something along the lines of “I’m not sure, I haven’t read that much Sanderson.” and he dead ass looked me in the eye and said “it doesn’t surprise me, a lot of women find him too complex.”

[Kat-ffbg]

As a fan of Brandon's work, this is why I try not to interact with the fandom too much. I tend to keep everything in a personal group chat with a few close friends. Partly because it's so much more satisfying to figure out the cosmere on your own, but mostly just because I don't have the energy to deal with this. I'm a lady. I like Kaladin. I like Shallan. I like Dalinar. But I have to say that my absolute favourite character Brandon has ever written is Steris Harms from the Mistborn Series, a young autistic woman trying to navigate a very neurotypical society. She was so relatable to me, and one of the first times I've truly felt seen in a book, and I have to thank Sanderson for doing his research and doing the work to write her in a way that resonated so deeply. If only it could be more appreciated.

[alexadams]

As someone whose favorite stormlight character is Shallan, it can be a little disheartening seeing the hate for her online. While I admit her character might slightly annoy some readers, she's still incredibly compelling in her struggles. Mental illness is a really important element of stormlight and the fans constantly praise Kaladin and Dalinar for their realistic struggles, so seeing people dislike shallan for those same mental health issues seemingly because they can't relate to a young woman can be kinda sad.

[Handle]

The Barbie discourse opened my eyes to just HOW much of our opinions on media, creators…etc is controlled by men. Much of what we revere we revere because it won men’s admiration, & much of what is considered “bad” art is considered so because men don’t relate to it, or flat out hate it. Men’s creations and opinions are often considered inherently profound while women’s are unfairly scrutinized. Media that appeals to a largely female audience seldom receive unanimous acclaim. I see it everywhere now and it has been changing the way I view art and media in general.

[readwriteeat]

OMG Rachel! Did you know The Way of Kings is part of this expanded universe called THE COSMERE?

[danferrusquia]

You know what else men love to do? Take credit for women’s work. So as a man, I’m gonna take credit for this entire video because I DMed Rachel three weeks ago and told her to watch the Barbie movie (even though she probably already would’ve anyway)

[kurathchibicrystalkitty]

Me, seeing a new Reads with Rachel: Oh, yay!
Me, seeing that it's about Stormlight: Oh, no, did something happen? Did Brando Sando do something bad?!
Me, realizing it's about the fandom: Oh, phew.

[dragoninwinterfell]

I'm only on the fringe of the Sanderson fandom, but this video could have been very easily applied to the ASOIAF/GOT fandom. Both Sanderson and Martin create works that appeal to any gender and both view themselves as feminist. Yet, they attract an audience that is very 😅

[jojobookish]

Lol "you have to understand the Cosmere to understand this book". "Way of Kings" was my first Sanderson book and I understood it just fucking fine, thanks. 😂 Did I catch every reference? Of course not. But I understood it on its own merits as its own story, and could tell there was obviously a bigger cosmic opera going on that I would learn more about. It wasn't hard.

[xylleflora]

I mainly interact with the Cosmere fandom on Tumblr, where most people are queer and neurodivergent, so I didn't realize that the fandom at large was that strange 😅. I'd honestly recommend it for people who want a more open-minded, albeit smaller, fandom experience

[dorothynguyencavell]

I attended a book club meeting where we discussed The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin. One of the men in attendence hated the book and proceeded to point out all its flaws compared to a Brandon Sanderson novel. The Brando Sando fan club can be a bit much. He never came back to book club (next couple of books were written by female authors)

[lavendertheflower]

Rachel: Let’s talk about Way of Kings

Me *who has never read a single Brandon Sanderson book*: Let’s 🍿

[anishinaabae]

this reminds me of a comment i read on another booktuber's video (who was a man) about cassandra clare's fanfiction plagiarism. it was from a guy who was thanking the youtube creator for his presence in a community that is largely represented by women, as being a male minority could feel alienating and lonely. it immediately made me bristle. why?

well, because of something you touched on in this video! women's opinions don't matter, until a man comes along and validates it. somehow men are only capable of listening to, relating to, and appreciating other men's opinions and views. it's very, very frustrating and dehumanizing. not to mention, another insidious implication about comments like those is that femininity and womanhood is less than. that these hobbies and interests are something men should feel ashamed for enjoying because they're associated primarily with women.

in short, women are people! they're human beings! why is that not enough for you to be able to relate to them and appreciate their contributions? why do you feel lonely when you're surrounded by other people who are just as passionate about the same interests? women didn't manufacture that loneliness, and they certainly aren't the ones perpetuating it either.

you can't say the same about women trying to enjoy ~male-coded~ activities that are dominated by a male majority. that's a whole other topic of discussion!

[lrae]

I love shallahn and her harmful self expectation to be able to be anything and anytime. A daughter, a mother, a woman of the house and that's just the beginning. It's so easy to lose yourself in every role when you're pulled in every direction trying to be what everyone needs and wants.

[justokayemilay]

It's so frustrating. My husband is a scientist in cellular and molecular biology, and he often will question my sources in what I felt are just conversations. Where'd you read that, YouTube? Like nothing on YouTube is educational or factual and I only watch trash, opinionated commentary, and conspiracy theories? It brings my train of thought to a halt, and makes me irritated.

[Hyuchii]

I think what’s important to emphasise (and what is often forgotten) is that sanderson is a devout mormon and that is profoundly reflected in his work, ESPECIALLY how he addresses and writes about race

[Bluenamii]

I am sorry, but I noticed this video wasn't even 1000 pages. Consider changing this video's length because I can't handle reading/watching anything shorter. It hurts my brain. Oh, and did you know that the Way of Kings is part of a connected universe with many other series written by Brandon Sanderson. Brandon Sanderson also is an author. If you didn't know, well, now you know.

[lin]

This has happened to me irl too!! I’ve been in bookstores with friends and said something like “oh i liked brandon Sanderson books but i have criticisms” and a man has popped up EVERY TIME to tell me I’m wrong and talk at me!! It’s so bizarre and offputting!!

[disgruntledmoderate]

This is so icky. My favorite character is Lift, who is a little girl, and I believe I read somewhere that she is one of Sanderson's favorite characters too. How did these weirdos miss that Sanderson isn't into toxic masculinity?