Read Along of Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson: Part 1

You can see Amanda and Naithin’s Part 1 post, and the links to the other blogs taking part, here.

This week we have read up to the end of Chapter 12.

1. All right, let's start easy - how are you liking the book so far? We've been introduced to a lot of characters and started several stories now. Any in particular catch your attention? Anything intrigue you?

The book caught me up straightaway and I am having a very difficult time not reading ahead of the schedule.

We have met some interesting characters, but the thing that is driving my interest at the moment is the amazing magic system. Wow! I was impressed with the world building in Mistborn: The Final Empire, but this has really blown me away. It is such a sideways move from our own world that I am delighting in every new scene and character.

At the moment I am most interested by Vasher and Nightblood: there is so much that I want to know about these two! How did they meet? How was Nightblood created? How does it kill people? What are they doing in T’Telir? What? Why? Who? How? Where? When?

2. The Returned are all treated as Gods, but at least one of those Gods doesn't believe in his own divinity, despite seeing potential visions. Do you think the Returned will prove to be divine? How do you feel about the religion built up around them?

I guess it depends what you mean by ‘divine’. The certainly seem to be divine in that they could be immortal if they kept taking a Breath every week and they are superhuman in size and possibly other ways as well. Many religions worship gods that require sacrifice from their followers, although the fact that they need something so intensely personal from their worshippers does seem strange. I was intrigued by the suggestion that they are only Gods until they find someone for whom they will sacrifice themselves.

I can understand why a religion would grow up around people who return from the dead: it seems like a very logical step to take for the rest of society. However, it seems that the Returned are now so removed from that society that they are in danger of losing touch with their purpose in coming back. It is hard to imagine Blushweaver sacrificing herself for anyone. It seems very important that they are kept ignorant of their previous lives, so we do not know if their characters change in the process of Returning. I would like to know why their dreams are considered to be prophetic: are their examples of them coming true?

3. The God King didn't turn out to be the way he's presented and thought of in this world. Any ideas on what his role will be in this story?

I am not at all sure that he is as all-powerful as the priests say he is. He certainly seems to be much more tolerant of Siri than we were led to believe. I loved her little outburst:

Will you please just get on with it?

I guess he finds her interesting or amusing enough to not kill her, but at the moment he seems to be involved with doing a huge amount of nothing.

4. The title - Warbreaker - what do you think it might refer to?

It seems like it will be a person or thing that can end a war, but I have no idea who or what it is. I find that I am very unsuccessful at predicting what will happen in Mr Sanderson’s books! :)