Great news for fans of epic fantasy: Brandon Sanderson has completed the first draft of Oathbringer, the forthcoming third volume in his Stormlight Archive series, keeping the novel on track for a fall 2017 release.
The author revealed the big news late last night:
That’s a wrap, folks. Oathbringer is done at 461,223 words. Still much work to do, but we have a first draft. November 2017 release date.
— Brandon Sanderson (@BrandSanderson) December 9, 2016
Oathbringer has a few more draft revision cycles to go through before it’s ready for the printer. Sanderson often goes into detail on how the drafts come together over on the Stormlight_Archive subreddit. Here’s his latest update, for the curious!
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Awesome!!
SOUND THE REVISION HORN!!! (sshhmmAHHHLOOOO!!!)
TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY :D Thanks Brandon, ;)
Anyway, I just bought the first two (I’ve been putting off reading them until he had more books out so I wouldn’t be stuck waiting like all you all, but I have finally succumbed to the peer pressure). So I should be primed and ready when that comes out!
Yes!
Hear that Patrick Rothfuss and George Martin? Not only does Sanderson actually finish books, he also updates his loyal fans on the progress.
I envy you Lisamarie. I wish I could get a brain wipe of all knowledge of SA so I could read them for the first time all over again. You are in for one hell of a ride.
On another note, looks like we crashed his site. I noticed it hit 100 this morning so I looked to see if he had posted anything about it when I got home and page not found.
@6 – I hope so! Now, I’ve loved pretty much everything I’ve read by Sanderson (I’ve read pretty much everything non stormlight releated so far, except the last Mistborn book, the last Reckoners book (not out on paperback yet) and some of the Mistborn associated short stories), but I have to admit, nothing about the general summary/blurbs has really grabbed me. Basically if it wasn’t Sanderson I doubt I’d pick it up since I’ve read plenty of epic door stopper fantasies in my time and the blurb itself doesn’t seem to set it apart. That said, a lot of the stuff I’ve read by Sanderson has gone in directions I would not have guessed (Alcatraz and the Evil Librarians is probably my favorite example right now) and/or had pretty interesting worldbuilding that made it worth it so…that’s why I’m going to invest my time in it ;)
You can’t really get characterization in a blurb and that’s the strength of Sanderson IMO. If you liked Vin and Kelsier, oh my are you in for it with Kaladin, Shallan, Dalinar, Szeth, Lift, Renarin and company. Two whole books jammed full of extraordinarily capable yet badly broken people.
One of the best things about Sanderson’s books in general, and Stormlight Archive even more than most, is how rereadable they are. Part of that is the sheer length, of course, but part of it is the variety of foreshadowing – some of it, you recognize the first time around, but much of it you don’t really register until you reread it.
Nov. 2017 can’t come fast enough!!!
@@@@@ 7 Lisa Marie– If you ever read Wheel of Time then you will enjoy SA. Way of Kings was the first book that at reaching the end of the novel gave me the same “Wow” factor as the end of the first book of the Wheel of Time series did a long time ago.
That said the Way of Kings did have some slower parts ( to me, anyway) at least the first read through– but the pay off is worth it!
@@@@@Lisamarie, I’ll add to the chorus. These are some of Sanderson’s best. I first discovered him because I heard he was finishing The Wheel of Time, so I immediately began comparing him to Robert Jordan (RIP). I believe this is the series where he surpassed Jordan. Great characters, cool world, awesome magic system. I love the flashback system he uses to flesh out characters. Through this, he manages to take characters that I didn’t necessarily “love” (I’m looking at you Shallan), and turn them into favorites with untold depth. Add to that the ancient mystery of what the H happened to the Heralds and the Recreance… I can’t recommend this enough. (For reference, I absolutely love Wheel of Time and the original three Mistborn novels are my favorite trilogy)
Hah, yes, I love Wheel of Time; that’s how I found Tor, actually – through Leigh’s re-read many years ago. And it’s how I ended up introduced to Brandon Sanderson, actually ;) I sought out a lot of his stuff in the meanwhile; the original Mistborn trilogy I probably my favorite. I did love Vin; I kind of felt teary when I finished it simply because it was OVER (I enjoy the next Misborn trilogy quite a bit but it’s not quite the same :) ). Anyway, I’m set to start reading it tonight, just in time for our vacation :)
Oh! And I meant to ask – I know there is a Stormlight re-read on the site that I’m sure I’ll want to catch myself up on, but is that something I should avoid until after I’ve finished both books so far?
Yeah for sure avoid the rereads until you have read the first two books. Full of spoilers.
@13, I agree with APTimes2, but go back and read them afterward. There’s a lot of great insight to be had.
I’m starting a new book for vacation too. I’m wrapping up my Shannara book and am going to jump into Old Man’s War. We’re going down south to see the in-laws.
Edited to add: I found TOR through Keith’s Star Trek rewatch, then I found Leigh’s WOT reread. I love it here.
Lisamarie, to jump into the conversation … you can read most (or all?) of the TWOK reread once you’ve read the book, because WOR didn’t come out until the TWoK reread was almost done. I’ll go back and check, but it’s only the last couple of months’ worth that even had a potential for spoilers. Even so, I’m betting that when you finish TWoK, you won’t stop to do the reread before you snatch up WoR and keep going. :)
Unless you’re way more disciplined about your reading than I am, you’ll have time to enjoy both books and still catch up on the rereads before November.
Alice – when do you get your crack at the Oathbringer text. After second draft? Or sooner?
R
Rob – sooooon…. :)
It’s a little hard to pin down the revision number, but as I understand it, Brandon did more of the revision part by part this time. He’s now in the process of incorporating the feedback from his editor in part 1, and when he’s happy with that, he’ll pass it to us and go on to part 2. Of course, he still has to do the first revision of at least part 5, and I don’t have a clue as to the status of parts 3 and 4. But it shouldn’t be too much longer before the beta readers get part 1 to start chewing on. I’m guessing it’ll be about 2 months before we see part 5. So if I’m right, beta reading will be complete around the end of February. (And I’ll start working on a teaser post! … which won’t come out until October.)
Alice – so cool….
Agree with Rob. That is so cool, Alice – and I will never cease to be jealous of you and your role in bringing these books to full maturation!!
And Lisa…I discovered Tor just like you did. After my friend got me hooked on WoT back in 2008…I remember searching for “Wheel of Time discussion”…and lo and behold, it brought me to this site. While my activity has ebbed and flowed(mostly ebbed), this is still one of my go-to sites. I’ve been introduced to so many wonderful books here that I otherwise would never have read! The contributors to this site are superb and a joy to read. And I may be a little biased, but I think we have a pretty special community here, one full of both intellect and warmth! All of you all bring such passion to the table…it’s truly remarkable.
Just keep Alcatraz Smeedry away from the draft. We can’t afford to have him brake it.
So cool to read about people having similar journeys to mine (WoT -> Brandon and SA -> TOR) :) And continually happy for finding this wonderful community here loving the same things that I do. Really appreciate all of you :)
Mr Sanderson,
You truly are one magnificent human. Reading your books has brought me a trumendous amount of joy.
Shal it be possible as well to purchase the e-book on the release date? For I live in Belgium.. and I am equally impatient as your other readers.
Pardon my English, I am in need of more practice!
Violet
Violet @23 – I can’t guarantee anything in the European market, but Sanderson’s books generally release the hardcover and ebook on the same date.
does anyone know what is happening with Oathbringer? I have just received an email from Amazon cancelling my pre order stating it will no longer be a available. As far as I was aware the release date was November 2017.
Andyn17 @25 – Oathbringer will release on 14 November 2017. It’s currently in gamma-read, with the final proofreading and correction implementations happening at the end of July. Some of the artwork is still being finalized, but that will be done soon, and then it will be set up for printing.
I have NO IDEA why Amazon would have cancelled your preorder, though. That makes no sense.