Contemporary Urban Fantasy: Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson
Brandon
Sanderson is one of my favorite authors of all time. He has mastered the art of
world building in the fantasy genre. Throughout his books he has created
several different and unique worlds with their own systems of magic/technology.
From Allomancy (pushing and pulling using different metals), to Stormlight (a
magic electricity that lets you distort reality by changing gravity), to the
manipulation of Bio Chroma in Warbreaker, each world has a unique form of supernatural
ability that affects how each society is structured and functions. In
Warbreaker, the more breaths (life energy/laten magical ability each person is
born with) the wealthier you are perceived to be. The increase in the number of
breaths helps increase your perception and allows you to distinguish between
slightly different shades of color. A painting may appear a red plain to
someone with one or two breaths, but the painting would be a beautiful portrait
to someone with enough breaths. This ability also allows them to “awaken”
objects to complete simple tasks. Ropes can be empowered to grab things of
their own volition or clothes empowered and hardened to take impacts. This
costs breaths that cannot be regained but allow for someone to preform amazing
feats.
The story itself revolves around
two sisters, who are opposites, being thrust into roles that, at first glance,
would suit the other. Soon however each realizes an aptitude and talent for
their task and the book ends with the sisters having reversed roles and
characteristics. The change occurs over the course of the novel quite well
though one feels more forced than the other. In addition you have Vasher who is
a fairly standard character type and Lightsong the Bold, a Deity who doesn’t
believe he is divine. While Vasher is standard, Lightsong is a pure joy. He is
ridiculous and lovably respectable all at once. You will enjoy any chapter with
him and (*SPOILER*) his death is one of the saddest yet best in any of the many
books I have read. He is a treat to read about.
In the end I cannot recommend this
book any more highly. It has conspiracies, magic, humor and some great
characters and world design. If you have never read Brandon Sanderson, this is
the perfect place to start.
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