Katy

Oh really! I’m sorry! I’m new to this site! I didn’t see that!

So I’ve been thinking a lot about the whole overall Cosmere plot. And I was thinking that instead of Dalinar uniting all of Roshar, that in actuality he is supposed to unite all 16 shards. I feel like Dalinar would be perfect for this, as he has been both extreme evil and good. He’s been the prime example for both. I feel like this would make him a great character to be a god. Wit even mentions this, saying the original gods name, and then saying what would it be like to rip a man apart, and then put him back together. Any thoughts? Do you guys think it’s likely?

I too have wondered what Adolin will do in light of the true reason behind his mothers death. And I have a couple theories. 1. Adolin accepts it, moves on, sees his father has changed (I dearly hope it isn’t this route as I find it unrealistic) 2. Adolin pulls erm. A Shallan. He “accepts it” when in reality, he doesn’t want to think about it. The man he idealized, killed his MOM?? And burned an innocent city down! I can see him tossing it to the side, trying to pretend like it didn’t happen, and continue on his way. After all, he’s always been strong all his life, and if he could forgive his father for being inactive, he can for this right? But really this suppressing of feelings, will lead to a meltdown or breaking point. I can see this as he’s seen quietly dealing with his problems, and potentially pushing them aside for the sake of others. 3. He can’t forgive his father. He feels embarrassed he idealized the man who killed his mother, and can’t believe he didn’t piece it together before. I can see him going into a deep withdrawal phase, and start avoiding others (as to avoid getting hurt). Maybe he’ll go off on his own, to think about things, and reevaluate everything. 4. He goes off the deep end, and plans revenge on his father. Like how he was protecting his father when killing Sadeas, maybe the same line of thought will go into killing his dad? Personally I can see all these situations. There’s evidence in the text for each of these. With how Brandon treats Adolin, 1. Is very likely. With how he puts blind trust in people, and is constantly taking care of others I can see number 2 also. Number 3. could also be a possibility. He seems to solve all his problems on his own, and sometimes when people are an extreme and that extreme hurts them, they turn to the other extreme. I can additionally see number 4, as with Adolin, he does have a dark side, and has zero problem killing if he deems it necessary (we see this in war and Sadeas’s murder). Anyway those are my four predictions. As for Kaladin and Shallan hooking up, while I can see Shallan doing that, I definitely can’t see Kaladin. He values Adolins friendship too much, and is way too loyal. Don’t think Kaladin could hurt any of his friends like that.

Yah same. I mean no human would just roll with that. I really hope Brandon gives time to that story line, instead of it being in the background.

Also I forgot. About Szeth. TBH. Since Adolin killed a man, tho because he had too. And Dalinar like murdered a city, they’ll probably be a lot more open to Szeth, than they would’ve been in book 1. So that may not be as big of a deal, as I originally thought.

True! These could be covered more next book! I have a feeling Kaladin killing the brother will come back into play (since surely the brothers will want to know what happened and it’ll force Shallan, confront her feelings). And Jasnah being queen will probably be discussed more too. We’ll probs get a lot more Jasnah, and maybe some insight from Adolin and the after effects. Since I’m sure it’ll be weird, witnessing the after effects. Like it’s one thing to say it, but to see it. Yah know? Maybe I’m under estimating Brandon over here. Which I often do, and I’m often surprised haha.

True. Him right away coming clean, will definitely help. And yes, it is obvious he isn’t the same man, I totally agree. But it may be less obvious, on a political scale, when you barely trusted him to begin with, and on a personal scale when that’s your mom. I’m really interested to see where this will go. I can see it not taking too much time cuz look Dalinar has changed, it’s been years. I can see it taking like half the book, and the characters being conflicted over it, yet at the same time not being the focus. And I can see it becoming more focal point, and book 4 is about Dalinar gaining ground and trust. Since for at least 5 years he lied about it. This’ll be interesting!

Yah....probably...it’s just that’s so huge ya know? I guess I just wish side characters got more attention. But if no attention was paid from shifting from Adolin, to Jasnah being queen, which is also huge, I doubt this will get much attention. Unless one of the sons go dark, and it’s part of the plot. Also that’s good info to know! Man I can’t wait for Renarins book. I always want more with him, but he’s such a minor character!

I hope you’re right! And no that’s true there is some logic as why other characters were “brushed over.” But with Adolin he did, and really with no excuse (except maybe to cut down on length). We see when Adolin is with Shallan, he does act weirdly whenever Sadeas is mentioned. And he even says himself, that he felt awful lying to everyone. Another arc that is skipped over, is his debate to give up the throne. We see him look thoughtful over what Azure said, but that’s it. And all of a sudden, boom. Jasnah’s queen. I guess with two major arcs skipped in this book, I’m worried with another major arc coming it will also be skipped over. But maybe not, since as another person said, a whole book is gonna be written about his past. With the political situation, and Renarin getting more time (well it was implied), maybe it’ll be covered better! I sure hope you’re right and it’s a theme for next book!

Thank you!! So I totally get what you’re saying. Yes everyone knows that Dalinar is pretty blood-thirsty. But I believe that the story they put out was that the king of that city (Rathalas is it?) assassinated Queen Evi, and in revenge Sadeas burned down the city, while Dalinar was either away, or like in a drunken stupor. Or too shocked to do something. At least that’s what Adolin made it sound like. So on a political scale, that will definitely effect the treaty because he lied about it for 5 years, and then went to the Nightwatcher to forget. I feel like that will undermine Dalinars trustworthiness a lot on a political scale. But I’m sure that’ll be covered. What I’m more worried about, is the emotional scale. To know that Dalinar due to being a psychopath, and inadvertently killed their mother, should be a huge shock to the boys. Between Sadeas death and debating whether to give up his Throne, Adolin had hardly any screen time in OB. And Renarin. Well his two chapters were a lot compared to other books. Now it’s hinted that we’ll get more on Renarin later. But still, I do wonder how they’ll react, or if they’ll be even given the chance to react.

So....I’m really worried that Dalinars past next book will be super brushed over. Sanderson has so far brushed over Kaladin killing Shallan’s brother, Adolin murdering Sadeas, and Szeth wanting to be Dalinars body guard. I feel like normal people would not react well, if they found out their dad killed their mom (even if by accident), but I worry this will be brushed over. Which just isn’t realistic, especially since the boys still get emotional about their moms death (at least Adolin does) thoughts? Do y’all think it’ll be covered? Or will it be forgive and forget? Or it’ll be happening but off screen? (Like Sadeas murder)

So my opinion, is that your view of Adolin is due to poor writing on Sanderson’s part. Because if you really think about it, Adolin is quite the interesting character too, or could be, if Sanderson bothered to pay him any attention. Let’s start from a young age. Adolin is single-handedly raises by his mother up until age 12, where his mother supposedly dies from assassins. Then he basically is either raised by nannies, or raises himself, up until age 17 because his father spends those five years in a drunken stupor. When his father visits the Nightwatcher and loses all memories of Evi, he then starts to build a real, or at least more healthy relationship with his son. We already see from his character, that he’s raised by his mom pretty much. He’s very empathetic to those surrounding him (like his mother), and even has a talent in feminine things like fashion (dunno if his mother was a fashion queen, but he really didn’t get that from Dalinar). We can also tell that Adolin didn’t have an active father till age 17. He is constantly trying to prove himself to his father, and clearly idealizes him. Almost like, he’s trying to prove his worth. Which is something no child should have to do. Let’s switch topics tho. Enough on Adolin’s current parent issues (I’m sure Evi’s death will later become an issue). Now let’s go to WOK and WOR. He clearly has issues with Kaladin, and despite being typically fair, he does have prejudices. We see him confront these prejudices, and realize he Prince Adolin is wrong. To go against how ones been taught all their life, and expand their viewpoint is hard to do. Yet that’s exactly what Adolin does. Now finally to OB. Tho this topic isn’t thoroughly discussed, Adolin killed a man. Yes he later comes to the conclusion it was justified. But you do see him really struggle with the fact of lying to everyone. Adolin is such a genuine dude, so to lie to everyone must have been painful. His self-preservation vs what’s right, must’ve really been a huge debate for him. Which we see, since whenever anyone brings up Sadeas he is described as looking guilty. And finally, what makes Adolin a compelling character. His uselessness. Now he’s not useless, he’s really the emotional glue of the team, and has battle experience none but Dalinar have. BUT, he feels useless due to his lack of powers. Adolin went from the center of the universe, to a nobody. And that’s got to be jarring for a Prince. He’s always fared well, and been talented, and now well. He’s not. He doesn’t understand. He doesn’t have powers. And all of his friends are super cool, and here he is, with just a sword. It would definitely play at his confidence, and make him question what his real worth is, especially if he placed it in his battle skills (which methinks he did). Adolin is quite a compelling character. He has quite the story, and quite the growth. Yet due to poor writing, and Sanderson telling rather than showing, it doesn’t show unless you look at it with a fine eye. I don’t blame you for thinking there’s nothing to Adolin, because to be frank, sometimes I wonder if the author himself thinks the same.