Kairos

Away from my copy right now, but the one that really grabbed me was when someone said it would “just be a sec”. Second would have been fine, but “sec” just threw me out of the reading fugue I was in.

I was really surprised by this too. Maybe it’s a way of acknowledging the original Dragonsteel, while giving him the freedom to do something else (focus on Hoid).

By character Dalinar: Finally. I really wanted to see the Oathpact and the Recreance, so that was solid at last. I mean, they were both a little weaker than I expected, but still, answers at last. The SR overall was a bit weaker than I expected, and I was kind of annoyed at the Stormfather (again), but I also felt like Dalinar was pushing him more than he should have based on his arc. I wasn’t upset by the ending, it felt fitting, but I agree that Gav felt forced. (Also, did Lift just become responsible for Retribution? I think technically yes). Navani: …was also there. For a Bondsmith, she really doesn’t do much. I also still have no idea where the Sibling came from. Shallan: Felt like her last couple of chapters were finally payoff for growth, which was nice from someone I thought had initially fixed her problems in WoR and have been annoyed by ever since. That said, her Circle was kind of pointless. They do the one Ghostblood raid, and then…nothing. Where are all the Lightweavers in the confrontations? Minimal Stormlight, could have been some amazing opportunities for battlefield tactics. Also, 90% of her poking around in the SR was pointless. What even was the Ghostblood plan? For a secret society that’s supposed to be competent, they’re really just running around doing the secret handshake. Renarin: Gah. He continues to frustrate me. I was like, great, autistic character with glasses who has to actually stay on the sidelines of battle, we can get a fun guy in the chair vibe. I already disliked trying to stick him with Bridge Four, but this just got worse. I dislike him more every book, and I was actively dreading his chapters. Rlain: Singer spy? Seems like a perfect fit for the Lightweavers, wait, what? Nope, he’s got the same spren as Renarin, even down to being corrupted. And of course they’re hanging out together, where their abilities are duplicative. I liked Rlain in WoK and WoR, it felt like a solid arc, but I cannot stand him now. Adolin: finally the good parts. I really enjoyed his arc, seeing him interact with everyone. Honestly, my only complaint was not trusting that Maya would return, and the way she did was amazing. Kaladin: I enjoyed this. His growth finally has stabilized, and we got to see someone move past their trauma while addressing it and acknowledging it‘s still an issue, but they can deal with it. That said, the Wind came out of nowhere. Szeth: Mollie made me so sad. Honestly, saddest part of Cosmere for me. And then having a little stuffed sheep from her wool was heartbreaking, I’m so glad nothing bad happened to it. Getting to see Szeth in this was a treat, and he finally got some growth he deserved. Jasnah: Not many chapters, but she finally had to learn a hard lesson about utilitarianism that I feel should have come before her oaths. Really, I still don’t know how she swore “Journey before Destination”. Excited for her in the back half. Venli: bleh. Was really hoping for cool reveal, and Odium’s shardpool was…not it. Would have settled for more Singer Radiants, but also nope. Also, her viewpoint is just kind of boring. Sigzil: Okay, fair plotline. Wanted more diverse radiant orders in combat, but oh well. Really felt like a prequel to Sunlit Man, rather than this happening first. Everything just revolved around getting him where he needed to go later. Overall: BAM was built up so much, and then was a non-issue Mcguffin. Wind, Stone - felt like came out of nowhere without foreshadowing. Would have been better if Stormfather had just been in those places with some growth. Oathpact - I still don’t quite get how it works, but not supposed to I assume. Would have been nice to learn more Realmatics. Nightwatcher - continues to just be AWOL. I was really hoping she would turn up and make another Bondsmith. Or at least some more of her boons do weird stuff. Dustbringers - were also absent. Please just a few, I want my favorite order to show up for once. Taln- loved his very brief scene, but why oh why was so much offscreen.

I think the interlude with Battar specifically calls her out as being corrupt, which more directly reflects her role as a counsellor. I think more than dark reflections of their aspects, the Heralds are embodying dark reflections of their roles. A couple examples: Nale: defender of the unjustly accused to unmerciful prosecutor. Jezrien: noble leader to blind follower of drink. Shalash: artist to art critic (well, destroyer, but I couldn’t help the joke).

Huh, that’s a good point. Almost definitely some kind of retcon going on there.

Thanks, I was hoping someone would do this, since I’m too lazy to go through and learn the Alethi Women’s script

Or even with a “Feel” command. I could see that being the passion/anger of the overarching Odium-tied Command

This is interesting, and immediately gave me an idea. What if one Dawnshard has become self-aware? That would certainly qualify as different.

I like this. Makes me wonder if we could use this theory to postulate the remaining unknown shards, based off the theoretical commands and the shards we know.

You really need Nightblood in there too. And Odium?

100% this. Jasnah is my least favourite part of SA, and I was quite annoyed when she turned out to not be dead. Aes Sedai all the way, and I had enough Aes Sedai thinking they knew best and not storming *sharing* important information when I read WoT. Also don’t particularly like Renarin, but trying to withhold more judgement there. He was much better in WoK prime (as was Jasnah actually, probably just because we got to see in her head and she wasn’t being all “I know best but I’m not telling you louts anything useful.”)

But hey, at least Elantris doesn’t actively set up a sequel.

laughs dryly in Rithmatist 2

Hey, same. Sort of. Ish. Really more breaking down theology into Realmatics for ease of explanation. (Like the Trinity is Father(cognitive), Son(physical), and Holy Spirit(spiritual)).

Ironically, I got Elsecaller despite hating Jasnah. Which is the number one thing that made me question the result. But hey, the description worked, and the other Elsecallers here seem to fit.