81 - Lysander au Lune Part 1: A Character Study

In this epic fantasy, Brandon Sanderson introduces a world called Scadrial, where ash constantly falls from the sky, plants are brown, and supernatural mists cloak the landscape every night. The story follows Vin, a young half-Skaa orphan with the rare ability to become a Mistborn, and Kelsier, a charismatic thief who recruits Vin to join a group of Allomancers in a high-stakes plan to overthrow the divine despot, the Lord Ruler. The novel explores themes of rebellion, trust, and the complexities of a well-crafted magical system based on metals. The world-building is rich and detailed, with a focus on the political intrigue and the harsh realities of a dystopian society.

Dune, written by Frank Herbert, is set in a feudal interstellar society where noble houses control planetary fiefs. The story follows Paul Atreides, whose family is tasked with ruling the inhospitable desert planet Arrakis, the sole source of melange, a substance crucial for extending life and enhancing mental abilities. The novel delves into the intricate politics, religion, ecology, and technology of this futuristic world, as various factions vie for control of Arrakis and its valuable spice. Paul, with his unique abilities and training by the Bene Gesserit, becomes a key figure in this struggle and eventually assumes the role of a messianic leader among the native Fremen people.