Sixth of the Dusk (Cosmere)

Brandon does such a great job dropping you into a world full of culture and history with likable characters and fast paced urgency of plot. I sure hope he develops this into a novel and completes the story for us.

I loved this novella by Brandon Sanderson. I think these are a bit overpriced for the length, but I buy them anyway so I suppose they're not overpriced for the quality if you're a fan of Sanderson. The only of his novellas I enjoyed more was The Emperor's Soul.

I don't know how he does it, but Sanderson has just conceived a whole new world that simply "lives." This novella sheds a little more light on the cosmere - and captivates me in wanting to know more.

Oh great, yet another teaser. When will he stop creating new fascinating worlds, with new fascinating mechanics? Also, this one introduces the notion of beings capable of connecting the cosmere, for bonus tension.

It's a fun story, but the brevity hurts it. Where Sanderson's previous short works have felt complete (The Emperor's Soul is one of my favorites), this one feels more like an introduction to a bigger story.

Brandon Sanderson has the full set of skills. He produces incredible worlds to explore, interesting characters who grow, unique settings (whether techno or magic), action, etc. Sixth of the Dusk is a short read that refuses to go in a straight line. Classic Brandon.

I love most things Sanderson, but I'm not sure why this novella exists. Well written as always, with a well-thought out story...but is he going to write more of these? It doesn't feel like a novella, it feels like a few chapters of a book.

Sanderson makes worlds that are expressive and subtle, at first I couldn't quite get into the flow but after a little bit, the story was gripping and thoughtful. My only concern is that I hope we see more from this Cosmere world.

This was my first exposure to Brandon Sanders, and I was hooked. Incredible story telling and an intriguing world. When I was done, I was ready for more from these characters! I am now reading his Mistborn trilogy and I am so far very satisfied with the experience. I am looking forward to more works from this apparently prolific author.

This is another great Cosmere novella by Sanderson. Like his other novellas, I wish this one had 1,000 pages -- I could've read 100 chapters. I can't wait to see how these characters and this world fit into his master Cosmere plan!!!

I love reading Brandon Sanderson! Every book so far has taken me to a new and exciting place, and Sixth of the Dusk is no exception. A great story and interesting world made for a nice quick read with some new things to think about in the Cosmere.

This truly leaves you wanting more, in every way possible. I want more writing by Sanderson, more about this story in particular, and I want more information on how this fits in to this world he's constructing.

I don't know how Brandon Sanderson can create so many believable worlds, but each one is detailed and different. This story felt too short, though, and the ending felt abrupt. Still, it's a great read with great characters.

This is an excellent Novella from a prolific writer. I honestly couldn't put it down. The hardest thing to swallow with this novella is the ending, it just comes too soon. I would read five hundred more pages in this world if I could. Just excellent.

Short, sweet and engaging. Once again we are shown the magnificent mind of Brandon Sanderson as he starts crafting yet another uniquely wonder-filled world, through the eyes of yet another glum but endearing character.

Of all of Brandon's works this title has one of the most distinctive and harrowing messages which I found very applicable to the real world. Often Sanderson gives readers a peek at morality and asks them to question right and wrong. This work takes process a step further and gives a deeper and more timeless impression. The battle between man and nature and humanities' effect on that nature makes "Sixth of Dusk" an incredible read.
#MUSTbuy

Whyyyyyyyyy was this so short?! I think Brandon hates me. I'd give him 5 stars if he'd written another 30 chapters! My acute case of Cosmere withdrawal was not abated at all by this tasty tidbit. My Kindle received the brunt of the punishment as I pounded it mercilessly with my finger looking for the next chapter. Denied! It's been 3-4 days now and I'm still reeling...I may need help. Is there a Sanderson Support Group?

I cannot wait to read more of these. If this I really in the same universe as Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive, then I'll read every single one of them.
I'd recommend these to anyone with a pulse.

Ah, the Cosmere. No living author has so successfully created a multiverse as Brandon Sanderson, or come up with such wildly varying worlds to fill it with.

And with such a wealth of worlds, Sanderson has plenty of room to tell all sorts of stories. One good example of this is "Sixth of the Dusk," set on a world where birds are able to bestow magical gifts on the humans who accompany them, and a terrible technological threat is looming over a simple archipelago. Like most of Sanderson's short stories, it's a robustly-written, swift-moving story with some unexpected twists and wildly creative ideas.

The dangerous jungle island of Patji is home to the Aviar, a special breed of birds who have magical powers. Six of the Dusk (that's his name) makes a living breeding and selling these birds to the mainlanders; while Patji is treacherous even to those familiar with it, he survives with the help of his two Aviar companions Kokerlii and Sak. Sak's gift is particularly useful -- she can see and communicate the potential deaths that Dusk might encounter.

Then Dusk accidentally traps a mainland woman named Vathi. After they retreat to his safecamp, she reveals that change is coming -- a company from the technologically-superior mainland is sending a vast expedition to the island, to determine why the Aviar can only be produced on Patji. Obviously Dusk isn't pleased by the idea of his way of life being completely wrecked by greedy mainlanders, and the visions of corpses everywhere is only making him more apprehensive. But what can one trapper do to turn back the tide?

Brandon Sanderson's fictional worlds are always very complicated and imaginative, so anything smaller than a doorstopper tends to leave you desperately craving a fuller exploration of whatever world the story takes place in. "Sixth of the Dusk" is no exception -- it takes place in a world moving towards technological and scientific breakthroughs (think the 19th century), overseen by a race of godlike aliens. Also, some very interesting wildlife -- telepathic rodents, nightmaws, shadows in the ocean, and a race of wizard parrots.

In some ways, the story is about the clash between nature and technology, between modernity and tradition -- and to Sanderson's credit, he doesn't really take a side. Sure, the company is "treacherous" and grasping, but the wild, nature-driven Patji is just as vicious. This is also reflected in the characters -- both Dusk and Vathi are determined and clever, but in different ways that reflect their different backgrounds. She's more technologically savvy and sometimes condescending, and he's more adept at survival and wise in the cruel ways of nature (to the point where he wants to shoot all the nightmaws).

Despite the complexity of the world and issues, Sanderson writes the story in a fairly simple style; his prose is strong and swift, and he slowly peels away some genuinely surprising revelations about the company's technology and the nature of the Aviar. The biggest problem is perhaps the ending, which feels... unfinished. Sure, that may be realistic, but it leaves you wishing that there was a sequel, or perhaps a full-length fleshing-out of the tale.

"Sixth of the Dawn" is a solid self-contained story... that leaves you wishing that Brandon Sanderson would expand this story into a full-blown novel, or return to the world of First of the Sun. A strong, balanced side tale of the Cosmere.

Finished a few days ago and I can't stop thinking about it. Loved the world-building and the interplay between the various life forms on the island. It's so, so real, that I've found myself almost bringing it up in conversation as an interesting place I'd like to visit after reading about it. I can't believe Sanderson. I know I rave about him all the time, but he's that good. Like a total jerk. Used affectionately, of course.

What I liked:
Interesting premise. Good themes. Different setting than I have seen Sanderson do with a trapper/frontiersman vibe to it.

What I did not like:
Too short...I know that it is a novella, but whenever I read a short Sanderson book it feels as though I have been robbed of depth. The content is like the first 5 chapters of an unfinished book. I did not really understand how this book related to the Cosmere. Perhaps I am too slow, but nothing directly related to any other Cosmere book that I have read...other than there being a magic system.

If you want a quick taste of a Sanderson work, not a bad choice, but definitely not one of my favorites.

Another Short Brandon Sanderson involving the cosmere. The protagonist and his magical birds help him and his companion to survive the perils of a jungle island of Patji. The protagonist is named Dusk usually based on the time of day he is born however, he is named Dusk because his people have entered the dusk of the way things used to be done. Progress is to be made...Civilization to take root on the pantheon of islands, not hunted by specialists who brave the horrors of the islands.

As I say at work...Bigger, Better, Broken....all in the name of progress.

Another great story by Brandon Sanderson. The characters had a lot of depth and the plot, while simple it really made me want more. With all this new knowledge I'm eager to find out what happens next.

Full review on ReadingOverTheShoulder.com

I read this novella in the Shadows Beneath anthology but grabbed this as a solo ebook too, because well, I just like the cover so much.

It's a wonderful addition to the cosmere books and this world has already hooked me like all of the others before it.

Please write a series in this world immediately. Like right now... okay well write Stormlight 3 first and Mistborn Trilogy 2... then this.

As Sanderson always does, he creates a completely unique world for this short story. The characters are complex, and the greater world is hinted at before being slowly revealed. I don't want to give any of the plot away, so I am intentionally being vague.

Sixth Of The Dusk serves as an introduction into a much larger world. You could almost consider this to be the first 20-25% of a novel. You will be left wanting more.

Have you ever heard of Euro-burn. When traveling around Europe, or anywhere really, sometimes you can become a little numb to it all. Oh, another magnificent 500-year-old Church. I’ve seen three of those. It’s all amazing, but you have trouble recognizing that. Brandon’s stories are like that. Going back to reading other authors will be hard.

Sanderson is always good to read. This short story is no exception. His clever and inventive magical systems always amaze me. This wasn't my favorite, but being lower on my list of Sanderson books still warrants a higher rating than most other books I read.

Incredible. Even if it weren't for the Cosmere connection, this is a great story with the kind of buildup and twist ending I expect from him. Add in the Cosmere connection and it's even more exciting; to say more might spoil it. Beautiful and intriguing worldbuilding, as usual.

I love all of Sanderson's stories. The issue that I have with this novella is that I'm not sure how it ties in the same universe as Mistborn. The story on it's own is amazing and wonderful, but after reading it, I was at a loss as to how it correlates to the rest of the universe. I found myself spending more time wondering how it'll tie in, if at all than it took to read this novella.

At the end of almost every Sanderson work there is this little shiver of "Wow!". Often followed by - I wish this was a longer full length story. Sixth of the Dusk was a delightful way to relax for an evening!

Another cosmere book! It really poses some interesting questions in a subtle way concerning the workings of Sanderson's cosmere. It's fun and interesting to learn about the different islands and birds. Sounds weird right? Read it!

Eh, well written but really didn't do much for me. Too short, not much substance, environment I couldn't really connect with, and not many additions to my cosmere understanding. Not sure there were many takeaways from this book

Brandon makes another world, another Magic, another story so different, so imaginative, so... Real. Recommended to all his fans and those looking for something they can get through quick to see if they should be a fan (spoiler: the answer is yes).

I loved this short book! It had what i have come to expect from Brandon Sanderson, well developed characters in a unique environment that has the ability to take you away. Highly recommend this to anyone.

Sanderson writes stories that so engaging that you rip through them, but are also so nuanced that you want to go back and dissect every bit of information. Sixth of the Dust is no exception. It feels more like a prologue to a larger story than some of his other short works. Hopefully it is.

Yay Cosmere! Another short story peeking at another world in the Cosmere. Good story telling, interesting world, standard Sanderson. Doesn't further the plot of any of his other stories directly, so don't expect that. But if you love the worlds he creates then its worth the quick read.

I mostly liked it because it gives more insights into the entire cosmere, which is really complex and fascinating. I love Brandon Sanderson as a worldbuilder, though the story was just too short, and in retrospect, just a tiny but forced.