Arcanum Unbounded

 Arcanum Unbounded is a compilation of short stories and novellas written by Brandon Sanderson about his Cosmere Universe.

Compiled by Khriss, a worldhopper from the Taldain System (White Sand graphic novel series), Arcanum Unbounded are some of the documents from the many Cosmere planets that give background, world building, character development. While they aren't dire, at this point in time to read them all alongside the major series, they are enlightening and a joy to read. 

Through reading these, I've discovered that my favorite story that Brandon has produced so far is Misborn: Secret History which has major spoilers for the Mistborn series (for both Era 1 and 2, read them first before you read Secret History otherwise you'll be vastly disappointed). But it is my favorite because Kelsier is amazing, Fuzz makes me cry, and Ruin is a major nasty piece of work but such an interesting character. 

As I said before, it is a compilation of stories of : 

The Selish System

• The Emperor's Soul, 
• The Hope of Elantris, 

The Scadrian System 

• The Eleventh Metal, 
• Allomancer Jak and the Pits of Elantia: Episodes  28-30, 
• Mistborn Secret History,

The Taldain System

• White Sand (an excerpt of the graphic novel and an excerpt from the written, rough draft version, which I like better than the graphic novel version)

The Threnodite System

• Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell

The Dominad System 

• Sixth of the Dusk

and The Rosharan System

• Edgedancer

These are very good books that I highly recommend reading. If you haven't read any of the Cosmere series (which I suggest you rectify quickly) many of these stores are good to read as a standalone, except Misborn Secret History and Hope of Elantris. The rest could be enjoyed on their own without any hiccups or misunderstandings. My only other suggestion would be to read White Sand completely with the other volumes in the series to help things make sense, though for the excepts you'd be fine as a jumping off point for further reading. (For the rest of the written story of White Sand you can go onto BrandonSanderson.org and become a part of their newsletter and be able to ask for the link for the whole story. I've yet to be able to do it myself as my life isn't always free of craziness, but it's something I plan to indeed do in the future.)  

White Sand Volume 2

Reading White Sand Volume 2 was a fun adventure. Obviously you need to read the first volume (which I found was much more enjoyable my second time through).

This is the continuation of the "White Sand" series by Brandon Sanderson in the Cosmere universe.

Here Kenton is working with Khriss to keep the Diem going. On he verge of collapse and bring posted by the Dayside government, they work hard to negotiate with and persuade the probable to keep the Sand Masters running and a part of the city and culture. All the while defeating same creatures, visiting parties and government dignitaries, and killing assassins who want Kenton dead. He very much has a full plate to work on.

This graphic novel is done really well. It seems more artistic that the 1st Volume in some of its mirror-ment.  Though at least in the last chapter of my edition, the artwork style changed suddenly to something far more simplistic. It didn't give a reason and it didn't seem like it would be important thematically. Aside from that confusion, it worked well. 

This time through the series I enjoyed the story a lot more than simply reading one volume at a time. If you are going to read this series, do so with multiple volumes in hand. The flow is better, the plot makes more sense, and it the lack of climax at the end of the first volume can be overlooked.

I very much loved Khriss in this book. She is my favorite character here by far. The other characters do get their time to grow and become interesting, but I love her most.

I am far more interested at the end of Volume 2 than I was with 1 and can't wait for Volume 3 to be published though it has no publishing date as of yet.

White Sand

Edit:

Reading White Sand a second time with the next Volume of the series in my hand, I enjoyed this book so much more. The flow and development of everything was so much better.

In a world of only dark or only light, the Sand Masters have control of the sand. To them, manipulating it is their way of life. To Kenton, it is a way to prove to his father that he isn't screw-up. After completing a very difficult task and at the advancement ceremony, the Sand Masters are attacked and most of them are betrayed and slaughtered. Kenton is the only one, as far as he's aware, that makes it out alive. Enter, Duchess Khrissalla who finds him and travels with him to the city where he can call on the city counsel for aide. But Khriss had secrets of her own as well as her own agendas. 

This second reading, and having read a lot more comics and graphic novels recently, put me in the frame of mind for a novel of this sort. This story is different from Brandon's other work because of the genre it is based in, so take that as you will. Some, like in my first read, may not appreciate it for what it is though it is well done. 

The world is actually very well developed and the cultural misunderstandings that might bog down a regular novel are easily bypassed through the simplicity of the genre it is displayed in. 

The character development, especially with the 2nd Volume in hand, flows much more easily than I originally have it credit for and they really are just well done. I love Khriss, she is fantastic. If you are going to read it,  which I suggest you do, have at least the second volume ready to read after. They work well and need to be read together.