Fiction

The Land of Oz

Background

Published in 1904, The Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum is the second book in the Oz series and serves as both a sequel and a prequel to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The story introduces Tip, a young boy who escapes from the witch Mombi and embarks on a journey with his magically animated creation Jack Pumpkinhead. Along the way, Tip and his companions, including the Sawhorse and the Woggle-Bug, encounter General Jinjur’s army, which has overthrown the Scarecrow, now ruler of the Emerald City. As the group sets out to restore order, they discover secrets about Tip’s true identity and witness the return of Glinda the Good.

The Land of Oz
The Land of Oz

My Thoughts

This was an interesting read. So much of the content was completely unfamiliar so I really don’t have much to compare it to. It is over a century old and intended for children so I’m not quite the target demographic. However, it was an interesting imaginative story.

Recommendation

A relatively quick read and worth my attention.

King Solomon’s Mines

Background

Published in 1885, King Solomon’s Mines by H. Rider Haggard follows the journey of British adventurer Allan Quatermain, who is hired to lead a dangerous expedition into unexplored regions of Africa in search of Sir Henry Curtis’s lost brother. The group pursues a legendary treasure said to be hidden in the ancient mines of King Solomon, encountering harsh deserts, hostile terrain, and tribal conflicts along the way. As they venture deeper into the unknown, the party confronts both physical dangers and moral dilemmas, navigating themes of colonialism, greed, loyalty, and survival.

King Solomon's Mines
King Solomon’s Mines

My Thoughts

I didn’t expect much regarding the racial undertone of the book but I believe it came off better than expected. The African people’s were presented better than I would have thought for the time period of publication. They weren’t treated like savages or anyone taking issue with what they were doing and with whom. They still weren’t treated well, but they were presented as real 3-dimensional people, which was a pleasant surprise.

The story itself was hard to get into at the first but became more compelling as it progressed.

Recommendation

There was a slow start but it became an enjoyable read.

Looking Backward

Background

Published in 2002, Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy was originally published in 1888. The novel follows Julian West, a wealthy Bostonian who falls into a hypnotic sleep in 1887 and wakes up in the year 2000 to find a radically transformed society. In this future, the United States has evolved into a socialist utopia where private enterprise has been replaced by a centrally planned economy, and wealth and goods are distributed equally. Through West’s experiences and conversations with his new hosts, Bellamy critiques the social and economic inequalities of the 19th century and presents his vision for a more cooperative and equitable future.

Looking Backward
Looking Backward

My Thoughts

Honestly, I have no idea why this came up in my reading lists, but it was an interesting read. The fun part was to find the gaping holes in the logic and the rhetoric of this socialist quasi-manifesto. It was particularly interesting to see how the aliments of the late 1800s would be corrected from a naive utopian vision. I wonder how many people read this and honestly thought, “That’s a great idea!”

The economy has no meaning, and everyone eats, wears, and does pretty much the same thing. All are pressed into military service. All enter the workforce at 21 and retire at 45 where they can thereafter live a life of leisure. The US is still at odds with the rest of the world and simply uses a fairly simple IOU system to handle issues or trade imbalance other governments. Women’s roles are unequal at best and mate-selection is used as both a carrot and stick in this ideal world.

Recommendation

This book gives a good account of how a teenager may handle society government. If you enjoy that, this book is for you.

The Wizard of Oz

Background

Published in 1900, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum tells the story of Dorothy Gale, a young girl from Kansas who is swept away by a cyclone to the magical land of Oz. There, she embarks on a journey to find the Wizard of Oz in the Emerald City, hoping he can help her return home. Along the way, she befriends a Scarecrow seeking a brain, a Tin Woodman longing for a heart, and a Cowardly Lion in search of courage. Together, they face challenges, including the Wicked Witch of the West, and ultimately discover that the qualities they desire are already within them.

The Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz

My Thoughts

Very much not the film adaptation with Judy Garland. This version comes with a map of Oz, silver slippers, strange denizens, and the flying monkeys are controlled by a magic cap with three wishes. This version came with a short history of Frank Baum and his various pseudonyms. He failed at pretty much everything, to include military school, but did pretty well as a writer. I also found out there are several of these books dealing with Oz. I will have to look into those going forward.

Recommendation

Definitely, worth the read.

White Sand 3

Background

Published in June 2019, White Sand Volume III concludes the graphic novel trilogy adapted from Brandon Sanderson’s unpublished prose novel. The story follows Kenton, one of the last remaining Sand Masters, as he tries to stabilize the Diem, the governing body of the Sand Masters, while navigating growing political unrest on the desert world of Taldain. In this final volume, Kenton must contend with assassination attempts, betrayals among allies, and deepening conflicts between the Daysiders and Darksiders. As the rival factions escalate their power struggles, Kenton is forced to choose between tradition and innovation in order to save his people and redefine the legacy of the Sand Masters. This installment also reveals more about the broader Cosmere universe, connecting White Sand to Sanderson’s larger mythos.

White Sand 3
White Sand 3

My Thoughts

I was a little disappointed by the outcome here. There was still a general lack of interesting movement in the story and it ended up wrapping in a neat tidy bow. We learned more about the properties of the sand and it seemed Kriss was about to crack it wide open, but that story arc didn’t really go anywhere. Oh, well. This medium just isn’t for me. There is still much to be told and I could see Sanderson doing more with it in the future.

Recommendation

It was OK.

White Sand 2

Background

Published in 2018, White Sand Volume II continues the story of Kenton, a powerful yet untrained sand master who has survived an attack that wiped out most of his order. As political forces converge and new enemies arise, Kenton must navigate distrust among allies and power struggles within the Diem while learning to control his abilities. Meanwhile, Khriss, an outsider with her own motivations, digs deeper into the mysteries of the planet Taldain and the secrets surrounding the sand mastery. Their paths intersect as a greater conspiracy unfolds, setting the stage for deeper revelations in the larger Cosmere universe.

White Sand 2
White Sand 2

My Thoughts

While graphic novels really aren’t my thing, I wanted to read all of Brandon Sanderson’s works. This is part 2 of the 3 part series. The type of investiture here is through the sun charged sand which can be controlled by the Sandmasters. As the planet is tidally locked around its sun, there is a day-side and a night-side. Night-siders see the control of sand to be blasphemous and the day-sider are simply too blind to their own politics to care. This makes a good setup for a hero’s journey to right the wrongs and fight against anyone standing in the way. Such is the case with this series. However, this installment had the same feeling as Episode 1 – A Phantom Menace. Lots of potential and remarkable amount legalistic non-action. It’s ok though, we are setting the stage for something better. Right?

Recommendation

It was ok.

Arcanum Unbounded

Background

Published in 2016, “Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection” by Brandon Sanderson is an anthology of nine novellas and short stories set within the shared universe of the Cosmere. The collection includes works from several of Sanderson’s distinct series—Mistborn, Stormlight Archive, Elantris, White Sand, and others—each introduced with background and planetary information that ties them into the larger cosmere mythology. The stories expand on minor characters, present key events not covered in the main novels, and provide additional context that enriches the worldbuilding across series. While the pieces can often be read independently, they are interconnected by recurring themes, worldbuilding elements, and a few shared characters that move across worlds.

Arcanum Unbounded
Arcanum Unbounded

My Thoughts

This was a must read, but I’m glad I read it well after most of the books as there are many spoilers and explanations. It also included several stories I had already read; The Hope of Elantris, The Emperor’s Soul, Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell, and Edgedancer. I enjoyed them again through this collection and caught a lot more this time around.

The Eleventh Metal, Allomancer Jack and the Pits of Eltania, White Sand, and Sixth of Dusk were all new to me. That just leaves White Sands 2 and 3 to go before I have read his entire collection. (To this point that is.)

Recommendation

Fun read. However, be sure to read Elantris, The Mistborn Series, and the first two books in the Stormlight Archive before you read it.

Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell

Background

Published in 2013, Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell by Brandon Sanderson is a novella set in the dangerous world of Threnody, where spirits known as shades violently attack those who break specific taboos. The story follows Silence Montane, an innkeeper and bounty hunter who secretly kills outlaws to claim their rewards. As her simple way stop inn is in forest haunted by vengeful shades, she must protect her family while still making a living.

Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell
Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell

My Thoughts

Honestly, my intro doesn’t do the book justice. It was a great read and worth the time and effort, which really wasn’t that much. At a mere 75 pages long, this book is a brochure by Sanderson’s usual standard. However, it was a great short story!

Recommendation

Great read!

Dark One Forgotten

Background

“Dark One: Forgotten” is a six-part audio drama set in the universe of Brandon Sanderson’s “Dark One” series. Developed in collaboration with author Dan Wells, this production is presented in the style of a true-crime podcast. The narrative follows journalist Christina Walsh as she investigates the mysterious disappearance of renowned violinist Leona McPherson, who vanished after a concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Strangely, all memories of Leona seem to have been erased from the minds of those who knew her, including her own mother. As Christina delves deeper, she uncovers a series of similar cases, leading her on a cross-country journey filled with supernatural elements.

Dark One Forgotten
Dark One Forgotten

My Thoughts

This was difficult to listen to for me. I had a hard time relating to the characters and I never knew where the narrative was going. There were some glaring plot holes and it was difficult to read about protagonists that repeatedly make the same foolish moves. Having listened through it, I’m still no nearer understanding. Perhaps I’m just not a fan of the “true crime” style.

Recommendation

I’d skip this one.

Dark One

Background

Published on May 18, 2021, “Dark One” is a fantasy graphic novel that follows Paul Tanasin, an 18-year-old haunted by visions of a world called Mirandus. Initially dismissing these visions as hallucinations, Paul discovers they are prophecies foretelling his destiny as the “Dark One,” a figure destined to shatter Mirandus. As he grapples with his role, Paul confronts themes of predestination and the duality of being both a savior and a destroyer.

Dark One
Dark One

My Thoughts

I’m not generally a fan of graphic novels. I loved the X-Men and still couldn’t get into the comics about them.

This one wasn’t bad but I’m used to a lot more narrative. I thought the art was good, but still I’d rather use my imagination to detail the story.

The door is wide open for Sanderson to continue the story.

Recommendation

I’d wait till he is done before reading it. It went pretty quick.