[Territory]

I'm a little over halfway through the Mistborn trilogy. I know it's classified as fantasy, but it seems to lean toward Science Fiction (of which I am, admittedly, very unfamiliar). I'm just wondering--is The Way of Kings more in the fantasy realm than Mistborn?
I'm probably moving on to A Song of Ice and Fire next, but I'm so enthralled by Sanderson's writing that I thought I might try The Way of Kings next instead.

[Darksbane]

I've not read The Way of Kings yet, but I did not find that Mistborn was sci-fi at all. What makes you think it is more sci-fi than fantasy?

[Territory]

I'm afraid I'm not too familiar with all this terminology; I'm far from an expert on any fantasy. So forgive me if I use the terms incorrectly.

Compared to the other fantasy I've read, Mistborn seems...different. I guess it's just in a different category within the fantasy genre. It had a sci-fi feel to me because it's all about metals, burning, synthesizing, etc. It doesn't have that fantasy feel to me like, for example, the Robert Jordan books. I guess that means maybe it's just not "high fantasy." The main thing that feels science-fictiony to me is the way the world is. Everything is covered in ash, which makes it feel almost futuristic to me. Maybe these are all just predispositions I have :)

I guess I'm just wondering if The Way of Kings is closer to high fantasy than Mistborn is. I love Mistborn, it's just different than what I'm used to. Not that that's a bad thing--I was simply curious.

Ugh, I doubt I've explained this very well at all. Hopefully it makes some sense.

[Darksbane]

Certainly it makes sense. Mistborn is kind of a post-apocolyptic/ wasteland setting with a fairly unique magic system, but still fantasy, IMO. I don't think that being a futuristic landscape makes it a sci-fi. I don't know the distinctions of what makes something fit into the sub-genres of fantasy, so I won't even try to speculate there.

From what I understand, Way of Kings is also a wasteland type of setting, but I don't know much about the magic system yet. I'll be reading it soon though, probably starting tonight.

[Rob B]

The answer to your question is likely present in one of the two threads actively discussing the book:
Way of Kings Discussion Thread [Spoiler Lite] (http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27442)
The Stormlight Archive Series by Brandon Sanderson (http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26020)

However, I'll try to take stab at it based on what I've know...

Brandon meticulously crafts his magic systems in as logical a manner as possible. So in that sense, perhaps that's why you get more of a science-y feel to Mistborn. The world is very much in a state of flux, with a domineering overlord ruling the land.

As for The Way of Kings, the magic in that comes across not as explicit. The foundation for how things work is in the background, but the characters use magic in a less step-by-step manner, if that makes sense.

[Territory]

I didn't want to read those two threads in case there were spoilers. Sorry!

Thanks for the help!

[pat5150]

TWoK is no more or less fantasy than the Mistborn books, whereas GRRM's ASOIAF is fantasy all the way.

I'd go with ASOIAF myself. . .

Patrick

[slindeman]

I would say Way of Kings is more like high fantasy than Mistborn. The battles involve bows, spears, etc. in addition to magic weapons/armor and magic in general. Travel is by horse and boat. The setting isn't based on medieval Europe like you might prefer, but it is closer to that than Mistborn was.

[lifayt]

Mistborn is definitely fantasy, but it has a very science-y feel to it due to the way sanderson writes. The methodical proven magic system was actually part of what turned me off from the series. I preferred Way of Kings and ASOFAI to Mistborn because it was more... magical.

[Territory]

Thanks for all your help, guys. Much appreciated!