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Brandon Sanderson, renowned for his best-selling fantasy works set in the Cosmere universe, is the creative force behind popular series like “The Stormlight Archive” and “Mistborn.” Known for engaging with fans on platforms like YouTube and Reddit, Sanderson frequently shares his thoughts on other fantasy franchises. He’s candid about his mixed feelings towards “Harry Potter,” particularly critiquing Voldemort’s character development. Conversely, Sanderson has praised George R. R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire,” the saga that inspired HBO’s “Game of Thrones.” On Reddit, he expressed his “enormous respect for GRRM and his talent as a storyteller.”
Despite his admiration for Martin, Sanderson acknowledges that he finds the series somewhat bleak for his liking. Specifically, he mentioned feeling uncomfortable with the brutality of Daenerys’s storyline. “I’m all for putting characters into dire situations and letting terrible things unfold. But her plot crossed the line for me,” Sanderson remarked in a comment thread. He appreciates the brilliance in the storytelling but admitted that it left him feeling uneasy. Sanderson also attributes his discomfort with the explicit content in Westeros to his Mormon faith.
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Brandon Sanderson has a different writing style
Beyond his own creations, Sanderson is celebrated for completing Robert Jordan’s “The Wheel of Time.” This has led some fans to suggest he might conclude George R. R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire.” As Martin continues to work on “The Winds of Winter,” followed by the anticipated “A Dream of Spring,” readers have grown increasingly anxious about the series’ conclusion, fearing it may never be completed. However, Sanderson has made it clear that he is not the right candidate for the task.
In a Reddit response, Sanderson explained, “I wouldn’t be right for the job for many reasons.” He pointed out the vast differences in their writing styles, especially regarding tone and magical elements. “I write darkness into my books, but it is darkness as contrast to light, and there is always a spark of hope,” he stated, while noting that Martin “prefers his magic to be arcane, unknown, and dark — not a tool, but a force you can sometimes (with great danger) apply.” While Sanderson respects Martin’s unique approach, he acknowledges that their styles are distinct and not always to his taste. The future of “A Song of Ice and Fire” might eventually rely on another author, but Sanderson has confirmed it won’t be him.
