I love ASOIAF and the Stormlight Archive for the exact same reason

Summary

In this video, the speaker explores the unexpected parallels between two of their favorite fantasy series: 'A Song of Ice and Fire' by George R.R. Martin and 'The Stormlight Archive' by Brandon Sanderson. Despite the perceived differences in tone and style, the speaker finds that both authors excel at character development and subverting reader expectations. The analysis focuses on characters like Jaime Lannister and Dalinar Kholin, showing how each author uses unique narrative techniques to reveal the complexity and humanity of their characters. The video serves as a tribute to the power of character-driven storytelling in fantasy literature.

Takeaways

• 📚 The speaker is a long-time fan of Brandon Sanderson and has recently become deeply engaged with George R.R. Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series.
• 🏆 'A Song of Ice and Fire' has unexpectedly become the speaker's second favorite series, just behind 'The Stormlight Archive'.
• 🚫 There's a perceived rivalry between fans of Sanderson and Martin, with criticisms such as Sanderson being too optimistic and Martin being too grim.
• 🤔 The speaker finds value in both authors despite these criticisms, appreciating their ability to subvert reader expectations and explore complex characters.
• 🧐 Upon re-reading 'The Stormlight Archive' after experiencing 'A Song of Ice and Fire', the speaker noticed striking similarities in how both authors develop characters.
• 🌟 Both Martin and Sanderson excel at creating characters in difficult situations and at subverting reader expectations regarding character arcs.
• 🚀 The speaker warns against dismissing either author in the comments and emphasizes the importance of thoughtful criticism.
• ⚠️ Spoiler warnings are given, with the speaker's intent to keep the discussion spoiler-free, focusing on early character developments and arcs.
• 🔍 The speaker compares Jaime Lannister from 'A Song of Ice and Fire' and Dalinar Kholin from 'The Stormlight Archive', noting how both authors take different approaches to reveal character depth.
• 💡 The discussion highlights how both series explore the complexities of human nature, with characters who evolve, frustrate, and surprise readers.
• 🔁 The speaker concludes that the ability of Martin and Sanderson to delve into the human condition is what makes them the speaker's two favorite authors.

Q & A

What are the two series that the speaker considers their top favorites?

The speaker's top two favorite series are 'The Stormlight Archive' by Brandon Sanderson and 'A Song of Ice and Fire' by George R.R. Martin.

Why does the speaker believe that some fans of Sanderson and Martin are at odds?

The speaker suggests that Sanderson fans might find Martin's work too depressing and criticize the pace of his book releases, while Martin fans might see Sanderson's writing as overly optimistic and lacking in complexity.

What is the speaker's stance on liking both Sanderson and Martin?

The speaker enjoys both authors and finds it surprising that they are not allowed to like both, as they believe these fandoms are often seen as diametrically opposed.

What commonality does the speaker find between the works of Sanderson and Martin?

The speaker finds that both authors excel at exploring characters in difficult situations and subverting reader expectations for character arcs, which is why they both stand out to the speaker.

Why does the speaker believe that the perception of Sanderson's and Martin's writing styles might be exaggerated?

The speaker feels that people often exaggerate Martin's nihilism and Sanderson's overly positive writing, not recognizing the complexity and depth in both authors' works.

How does the speaker's view of Jaime Lannister change throughout 'A Song of Ice and Fire'?

Initially, the speaker disapproves of Jaime Lannister but after reading his point of view chapters in 'A Storm of Swords', the speaker's perspective shifts, and they come to appreciate his character arc and humanity.

What character from 'The Stormlight Archive' does the speaker compare to Jaime Lannister?

The speaker compares Jaime Lannister to Dalinar Kholin from 'The Stormlight Archive', noting that both characters start from opposite perceptions and evolve in complexity.

How does the speaker think George R.R. Martin uses character perspectives to affect the reader's view?

The speaker believes that Martin uses character perspectives to inject empathy and twist preconceived judgments, making characters more human and relatable.

What does the speaker appreciate about Sanderson's character development in 'The Stormlight Archive'?

The speaker appreciates how Sanderson explores the potential for characters to change and grow, even from dark pasts, which resonates with the reader's own experiences of forgiveness and redemption.

Why does the speaker believe that the works of Martin and Sanderson are similar despite their differences?

The speaker finds that both authors are adept at delving into human nature and the complexities of the human condition, which is why they are the speaker's two favorite authors.