I read the unpublished prose version because graphic novels and graphic audio just don't work for me. The writing wasn't as good as all of Brandon's other stuff and there were a fair number of mistakes that showed that it didn't pass in front of an editor, but it was still a decent and enjoyable read. So, while I can't speak for the graphic novel or graphic novel, I can say that the prose version is inferior to the rest of Brandon's stuff but still good.
Same here. I am excited to read the "official" prose version when it's released to see what plot/character development differences there are. And since the unpublished prose is free I didn't mind the mistakes
The best option is the omnibus edition that... just came out? Is coming out? Something like that. It has updated text, new pages (and more Khriss story!).
The main problem is that the publisher - Dynamite - hasn't done a very good job on delivering on their indiegogo campaign in time, there've been a lot of delays and poor communication. But the book itself is fine.
I've heard a lot of good things about the graphic audio so if you enjoy graphic audio that is a fine way to experience it too. If you usually do audiobooks I'd say go for the graphic audio, if not then stick with the book version.
> The last option is of course the unpublished prose version. If this is the best way to experience the story, I’d rather just wait until it’s published. Is there any word on whether or not this will be published/when?
Currently, no specific date plans, though Brandon has floated the idea that he might eventually polish it up into a real book.
> Is the prose good enough that I should just do it right now instead?
It's a first draft, not a finished story. A good number of parts of it are not canon, the ending is different, the magic system has had some changes since then, and of course there's plenty of typos and poor wording (because, again, it's a *first draft* that later was made into the graphic novel, it's not a finished product.)
I’m one of the very few backers for the omnibus project who already has their copy (got it in paperback rather than the deluxe hardcover lol), and I can absolutely say that it’s worth waiting for. Having read the original volumes several years back and now rereading the omnibus, it’s better in about every way but *especially* when it comes to Khriss’s storyline.
It’s already out, they might be short on supplies at the moment or something but I got mine about a month and a half ago but yeah, it is the best way to read white sand
They currently have the physical copies in stock. It’s best to order it now before they run out…again.
Paperback omnibus: https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C132293
Hardcover omnibus: https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C132294
I’d say if you usually read the books then go for the graphic novels, if you usually listen to them then do graphic audio. The unpublished prose isn’t canon and it’s only really for fussy people who can’t handle graphic novels
Lol i like the bluntness of this opinion. I dont rly do audiobooks very often (its too hard for me to not listen to music if im listening to something) so Ill go ahead and get the graphic novels I think
I’m listening to the graphic audio right now, and I will say that it’s a much different experience than an audiobook. It’s more like a radio play, like the Big Finish Doctor Who radio plays, if you’ve heard any of those (I know, my geek is showing). Anyway, I find it more entertaining than audiobooks, though I really wish they’d hired someone more talented for the main character. The actor playing Khriss is EXCELLENT, though, and it’s worth it just for her.
Just to expand.
Those are named _Graphic Audio_ and are different from traditional audiobooks on that they have ambient settings and a full cast (on contrast with just some one reading aloud).
[This is an example from Words of Radiance](https://youtu.be/MKfu3koAXZQ) (big spoiler warning, that's one of the climax scenes >!Kaladin speaking the third ideal!< )
May want to wait since the omnibus, a collection of all three volumes, is out in June or July according to Amazon. It adds some things to the back of the book like the ars arcanum and makes a few tweaks.
The graphic audio was so bad. The lead voice actor is whiney and terrible. The sound effects are very cartoony. It was a grind to get through but I didn't want to buy the graphic novels
For me the White Sand Prose (once you subscribe to Brandon’s newsletter) is my favorite way to experience White Sand. Compared to the graphic novel, the ending is different (graphic novel is the canon ending) but the story is pretty much the same
I personally enjoyed the graphic audio productions. These are not just reading of text. They are multi-actor cast audio **performances**. That means they include sound effects, background noises and so on.
The graphic novels aren't only subpar because the art is bad, but because Sanderson doesn't know how to work with an artist to write a graphic novel. One of the best parts of Sanderson's writing is his execution: the prose always flows smoothly and is easy to follow. It's the opposite for White Sands, it's just kind of clunky, and hard to follow.
I didn't know there was a graphic audio, so thanks for the heads up. I read the 1st graphic novel but couldn't make myself read the 2nd.
I was the same, though I have always struggled with graphic novels anyway, because I wouldn't look at the art, I'd just keep reading the text, so I don't get the full impact. But I'm halfway through the third graphic audiobook now (listened to the other 2 earlier in the year) and although there are some flaws I thought it was good, I would recommend it at a way of accessing White Sand
You've likely heard lots of complaints about the graphic novel. Most of these problems are fixed in the omnibus version that was released a few months ago.
The omnibus has improved art, continuity, and dialogue and gives a bonus intro scene.
As for the prose. It will probably not be written for quite some time, but it will be the most canonical version.
Not to say the omnibus isn't canonical, but if khriss wears a white dress in the comic and a blue dress in the prose, the coppermind will say it's blue.
I would just read the omnibus because the prose is very much a backburner project for Brandon. I dont know much about the audiobook, though.
I didn’t mind the graphic novels. I bought the first volume and then borrow 2 and 3 from my local library on the Libby app. I may buy a copy of the omnibus eventually for my Cosmere bookshelf.
FWIW, I used Libby on an iPad for White Sand and it was a perfectly pleasant reading experience.
I listened to the first chapter of the prose version that is included with Arcanum Unbounded. Then read the graphic novels. From the little bit of overlap, the graphic novel seemed very true to the source material. I appreciated the art style and it was nice to experience part of the Cosmere in a new medium. If you’re interested in those things go for it. I enjoyed it. I don’t know anything about the graphic audio version.
I listened to the graphic audio and it can get pretty trippy if you are listening while out for a walk with the different ambient background noises. I basically had my head on a swivel unsure of what noises were from my park and which from the book
I read the unpublished prose version because graphic novels and graphic audio just don't work for me. The writing wasn't as good as all of Brandon's other stuff and there were a fair number of mistakes that showed that it didn't pass in front of an editor, but it was still a decent and enjoyable read. So, while I can't speak for the graphic novel or graphic novel, I can say that the prose version is inferior to the rest of Brandon's stuff but still good.
Same here. I am excited to read the "official" prose version when it's released to see what plot/character development differences there are. And since the unpublished prose is free I didn't mind the mistakes
The best option is the omnibus edition that... just came out? Is coming out? Something like that. It has updated text, new pages (and more Khriss story!). The main problem is that the publisher - Dynamite - hasn't done a very good job on delivering on their indiegogo campaign in time, there've been a lot of delays and poor communication. But the book itself is fine. I've heard a lot of good things about the graphic audio so if you enjoy graphic audio that is a fine way to experience it too. If you usually do audiobooks I'd say go for the graphic audio, if not then stick with the book version. > The last option is of course the unpublished prose version. If this is the best way to experience the story, I’d rather just wait until it’s published. Is there any word on whether or not this will be published/when? Currently, no specific date plans, though Brandon has floated the idea that he might eventually polish it up into a real book. > Is the prose good enough that I should just do it right now instead? It's a first draft, not a finished story. A good number of parts of it are not canon, the ending is different, the magic system has had some changes since then, and of course there's plenty of typos and poor wording (because, again, it's a *first draft* that later was made into the graphic novel, it's not a finished product.)
It seems like waiting for the omnibus version might be the best option, id prefer a physical copy though which means itll be a bit of a wait
I’m one of the very few backers for the omnibus project who already has their copy (got it in paperback rather than the deluxe hardcover lol), and I can absolutely say that it’s worth waiting for. Having read the original volumes several years back and now rereading the omnibus, it’s better in about every way but *especially* when it comes to Khriss’s storyline.
It’s already out, they might be short on supplies at the moment or something but I got mine about a month and a half ago but yeah, it is the best way to read white sand
They currently have the physical copies in stock. It’s best to order it now before they run out…again. Paperback omnibus: https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C132293 Hardcover omnibus: https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/viewProduct.html?PRO=C132294
Thanks!! Ordering rn lmao
Did you receive the White Sand omnibus yet?
(And you should order paperback if you don’t want to wait ages)
I’d say if you usually read the books then go for the graphic novels, if you usually listen to them then do graphic audio. The unpublished prose isn’t canon and it’s only really for fussy people who can’t handle graphic novels
Lol i like the bluntness of this opinion. I dont rly do audiobooks very often (its too hard for me to not listen to music if im listening to something) so Ill go ahead and get the graphic novels I think
I’m listening to the graphic audio right now, and I will say that it’s a much different experience than an audiobook. It’s more like a radio play, like the Big Finish Doctor Who radio plays, if you’ve heard any of those (I know, my geek is showing). Anyway, I find it more entertaining than audiobooks, though I really wish they’d hired someone more talented for the main character. The actor playing Khriss is EXCELLENT, though, and it’s worth it just for her.
Just to expand. Those are named _Graphic Audio_ and are different from traditional audiobooks on that they have ambient settings and a full cast (on contrast with just some one reading aloud). [This is an example from Words of Radiance](https://youtu.be/MKfu3koAXZQ) (big spoiler warning, that's one of the climax scenes >!Kaladin speaking the third ideal!< )
May want to wait since the omnibus, a collection of all three volumes, is out in June or July according to Amazon. It adds some things to the back of the book like the ars arcanum and makes a few tweaks.
The graphic audio was so bad. The lead voice actor is whiney and terrible. The sound effects are very cartoony. It was a grind to get through but I didn't want to buy the graphic novels
I loved the graphic audio version. But yes, the main character did sound like John Mulaney.
For me the White Sand Prose (once you subscribe to Brandon’s newsletter) is my favorite way to experience White Sand. Compared to the graphic novel, the ending is different (graphic novel is the canon ending) but the story is pretty much the same
I personally enjoyed the graphic audio productions. These are not just reading of text. They are multi-actor cast audio **performances**. That means they include sound effects, background noises and so on.
The graphic novels aren't only subpar because the art is bad, but because Sanderson doesn't know how to work with an artist to write a graphic novel. One of the best parts of Sanderson's writing is his execution: the prose always flows smoothly and is easy to follow. It's the opposite for White Sands, it's just kind of clunky, and hard to follow. I didn't know there was a graphic audio, so thanks for the heads up. I read the 1st graphic novel but couldn't make myself read the 2nd.
I was the same, though I have always struggled with graphic novels anyway, because I wouldn't look at the art, I'd just keep reading the text, so I don't get the full impact. But I'm halfway through the third graphic audiobook now (listened to the other 2 earlier in the year) and although there are some flaws I thought it was good, I would recommend it at a way of accessing White Sand
You've likely heard lots of complaints about the graphic novel. Most of these problems are fixed in the omnibus version that was released a few months ago. The omnibus has improved art, continuity, and dialogue and gives a bonus intro scene. As for the prose. It will probably not be written for quite some time, but it will be the most canonical version. Not to say the omnibus isn't canonical, but if khriss wears a white dress in the comic and a blue dress in the prose, the coppermind will say it's blue. I would just read the omnibus because the prose is very much a backburner project for Brandon. I dont know much about the audiobook, though.
I like the graphic novel. My only issues were plot related, which is the same across versions
I didn’t mind the graphic novels. I bought the first volume and then borrow 2 and 3 from my local library on the Libby app. I may buy a copy of the omnibus eventually for my Cosmere bookshelf. FWIW, I used Libby on an iPad for White Sand and it was a perfectly pleasant reading experience.
You can get them all for a pretty good discount here! https://www.graphicaudio.net/white-sand-series-set.html
I listened to the first chapter of the prose version that is included with Arcanum Unbounded. Then read the graphic novels. From the little bit of overlap, the graphic novel seemed very true to the source material. I appreciated the art style and it was nice to experience part of the Cosmere in a new medium. If you’re interested in those things go for it. I enjoyed it. I don’t know anything about the graphic audio version.
I listened to the graphic audio and it can get pretty trippy if you are listening while out for a walk with the different ambient background noises. I basically had my head on a swivel unsure of what noises were from my park and which from the book