Bastille vs. the Evil Librarians

Few modern fantasy authors have reshaped the genre quite like Brandon Sanderson. Renowned for his intricate worldbuilding, innovative magic systems, and compelling character arcs, he has captivated millions of readers worldwide. His work blends epic storytelling with meticulous attention to detail, making his novels both immersive and intellectually engaging.

Breaking onto the scene with Elantris, he quickly gained recognition, but it was Mistborn: The Final Empire that solidified his place among the genre’s greats. The trilogy introduced a unique alchemical-inspired magic system, Allomancy, and a cast of unforgettable characters navigating a world of oppression and rebellion. His ability to craft deep, well-structured narratives continued with The Stormlight Archive, a sweeping epic that has drawn comparisons to some of fantasy’s most revered sagas.

Beyond his original works, his contribution to Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series was a defining moment in his career. Handpicked to complete the legendary saga after Jordan’s passing, he delivered a masterful conclusion with The Gathering Storm, Towers of Midnight, and A Memory of Light, staying true to the spirit of the original while infusing it with his own storytelling finesse.

Themes of perseverance, sacrifice, and the nature of power echo throughout his books. His magic systems are not mere plot devices but deeply integrated elements that shape cultures, economies, and conflicts. This meticulous approach extends to his worldbuilding, where each setting feels rich, lived-in, and distinct.

His prolific output and ability to consistently deliver high-quality, ambitious narratives have garnered him a dedicated fanbase. Through projects like the Cosmere, a shared universe linking many of his novels, he has built an interconnected web of stories that continue to reward long-time readers with hidden connections and expansive lore.

In addition to his novels, he is known for his deep engagement with fans, often sharing insights into his writing process and publishing updates through social media and his online lectures. His record-breaking Kickstarter campaign for self-published works showcased not just his popularity but also his innovative approach to modern publishing.

With each new book, he pushes the boundaries of fantasy, proving that the genre still has endless depths to explore. Whether through epic sagas, standalone masterpieces, or groundbreaking experiments in storytelling, his impact on fantasy literature is undeniable, and his legacy continues to grow with every spellbinding tale.

Raised in Orem, Utah, Janci Patterson never quite fit into one creative mold. She started college as a hopeful engineer before discovering her real calling in a creative writing class at Brigham Young University. The shift wasn't just academic—it was the beginning of a lifelong curiosity about how people hide, change, and come undone. That curiosity has since become the spine of her fiction.

Patterson’s debut novel Chasing the Skip gave readers a first look into her fascination with morally gray characters and complicated family dynamics. From there, she expanded into speculative territory with the A Thousand Faces series, a genre-bending exploration of shapeshifting, lies, and identity. Her writing style is clean, direct, and emotionally honest—favoring depth over drama, and subtlety over spectacle.

More recently, she’s become known for co-authoring novellas in Brandon Sanderson’s Skyward Flight series. In Sunreach, ReDawn, and Evershore, she seamlessly slips into a universe of galactic warfare and resistance, writing with the same psychological nuance she brings to her solo work. It’s not just space battles and high-tech ships—it’s about loyalty, fear, and who you become when everything familiar is stripped away.

Janci often collaborates under the pen name Cara Witter, teaming up with authors Megan Walker and Lauren Janes to write epic fantasy—yet even there, her signature themes persist: layered characters, hard choices, and the quiet resilience of people caught in impossible situations.

Outside of writing, she’s a game enthusiast, a reality TV connoisseur, and an unexpected expert in custom Barbie doll repaints—proof that storytelling can take many forms. She lives with her husband and children in the shadows of the Utah mountains, surrounded by books, projects, and probably more glitter than she’ll admit.