Brandon Sanderson, author of TOWERS OF MIDNIGHT and THE WAY OF KINGSFrom the press release:

Sanderson’s first new project will be an original, standalone short novel set in the universe of his Mistborn trilogy (Mistborn, The Well of Ascension, and The Hero of Ages). Sanderson previously announced plans for a sequel trilogy set in the far future of that world, and the new novel, entitled Mistborn: The Alloy of Law, is set during a frontier era where “allomancy” meets gunplay. The Alloy of Law will be published in late 2011.

Sanderson’s second project, titled The Rithmatist, was first drafted in 2007 and perfected this year. Set in an alternate-history America where magic users (called “Rithmatists”) battle wild chalk creatures, The Rithmatist introduces Joel, a student at the Rithmatist academy with great interest in but no ability to use the magic. But when students start vanishing, it’s up to him to expose the sinister figure behind the disappearances. The Rithmatist will be published in 2012 after the publication of A Memory of Light.

At least three novels from Sanderson in 2012. The dude’s an absolute workhorse.

The Alloy of Law is a project I’ve been anticipating since first reading the Mistborn series last year. Sanderson’s greatest strengths are his creativity and ability to innovate. I love that he’s taking the semi-medieval world from Mistborn and pushing forward to a more advanced gunpowder age. I’ve always felt that the clash of science and magic isn’t under-utilized in a lot of Fantasy, and Sanderson is certain to have some interesting ideas on how the two will work together. Plus, Mistborn‘s magic system relies on the manipulation of metal, which guns are rather reliant on, so Sanderson will be forced to show his cleverness.

The Rithmatist sounds great. The school setting is nothing unusual, but it’ll be nice to see a protagonist who’s keen (rather than reluctant like Harry Potter) but unskilled. Sanderson’s a good enough plotter than I’m fairly confident we won’t see Joel suddenly develop a hidden affinity to the magic, as is so often the case in the genre. I’m curious to see how Sanderson plays in America. Even if it’s an alternate history version, it’ll shackle his world-building a bit and establish rules he’ll have to play within (something he’s likely learned from playing in the Wheel of Time universe). I wonder why he’s chosen an alternate history America for the project instead of an entirely fictional world.

Discussion
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  • Scott December 1, 2010 at 11:54 am

    Yeah, I am REALLY looking forward to the Alloy of Law as I think it could make for a pretty awesome novel. The Rithmtiast does sound good too. Should be good times!

  • Clifton Hill December 1, 2010 at 12:18 pm

    Fascinating stuff. Me thinks (with a dash of suspicion) that the Mistborn novel will play well with the recent influx of Steampunk furor. That universe had steampunk potential written all over it. The style, the metal, and now the…machines (or at least guns, but I’m gonna guess there are some machines in there somewhere).

  • Peter Ahlstrom December 1, 2010 at 2:46 pm

    The new Mistborn novel may seem a bit steampunk, but it’s basically just 1900–1910-level technology. Not particularly punky.

    THE RITHMATIST, however, is springpunk.

  • Preston December 1, 2010 at 9:28 pm

    A very minor quibble, but I would hardly characterize Harry Potter as reluctant – unaware, at points, but he definitely seeks out adventure and responsibility from book 1 through book 7. Anyway, the Sanderson titles do sound interesting, and despite my Harry Potter quibble, Joel does seem like a reasonably unusual character, assuming he remains magic-less.

  • Clifton Hill December 2, 2010 at 6:40 am

    @Peter – I see. Well I’m certainly no expert on steampunk. I’ve always enjoyed the art style, but never read any myself. What is springpunk?

    Hey, you work for Sanderson, can you get him to tell the library to lay off. They want Towers of Midnight back. I’m not done. ;-)

  • aidan December 2, 2010 at 6:42 am

    I stand by the description. Harry might fall into adventure and own up to the responsibilities placed on his shoulders, but he’s almost never eager about it. He rejects his fame and often laments his celebrity. He doesn’t jump into the study of magic, nor seem particularly interested in the practice. He’s a good guy who values his friends and family, and will protect them at all costs, but, beyond Quidditch, I’d hardly say he’s proactive in spreading and growing his fame/ability.

  • Peter Ahlstrom December 2, 2010 at 9:52 am

    I’d agree with Aidan on all counts there. Though I would keep the desire for fame and the desire to learn separate. Hermione is always into expanding her knowledge and trying new things. Harry is more into following Ron’s lead in sneaking around and just doing enough to pass his classes while he worries about saving whoever it is he has to save this book.

  • Peter Ahlstrom December 2, 2010 at 9:54 am

    Springpunk as Brandon uses it is basically like steampunk except you have before-its-time advanced technology with a focus on springs instead of on steam as the motive force.

  • aidan December 2, 2010 at 9:56 am

    Re: Springpunk — See also: Mainspring by Jay Lake

  • Gabriele December 2, 2010 at 10:28 am

    Does this man have clones? :D How can one human being write so many books in so short a time, plus travel around for book signings and stuff, and have a family as well?

  • Clifton Hill December 2, 2010 at 8:57 pm

    Hmm…ok. I guess I’ll have to read something in springpunk to see what I think.

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  • Gabriel December 12, 2010 at 2:22 pm

    I think the Rithmatist may have been inspired by Fullmetal Alchemist. Sanderson has shown an affinity for including aspects of anime in his stories, and to anyone who has seen FMA, then the similarities are quickly apparent even from a rough synopsis of what the book may be like. Just as FMA is set in our world, I feel the parallels will only lend to his abilities rather than restrain them.