HOLY STORMING RUSTING SHARDS! God damnation, these chapters are freaking amazing. Thank you Brandon for releasing them early so that we can talk about how much we don't know about anything in the Cosmere haha.
Some quick thoughts about the Prologue/Chapters:
Prologue:
I guess the working theory now is that Gavilar meets with Amaran and Taravangian when Eshonai accidentally drops by. This kinda makes sense primarily due to Amaran's actions in the previous books. Its going to be interesting to see how Amaran goes forward after the whole Dalinar/Amaran/Kaladin fiasco.
Another thing that really stood out was how oblivious Gavilar was to the fact that Parshendi don't want their gods to return, and he is actually convinced that they would be happy about that (he actually tells Eshonai, and asks her to tell her elders anticipating that they would approve). Venli being with the elder is a big big revelation. Venli, in my opinion, is more than what the eye can see, and will (or probably already had) a huge part to play.
Chapters:
Right off the bat I want to say that the final thing Dalinar gets to see in the vision (that Stormfather is not able to) might not be something from Honor. It could be an external influence that is injected into the vision (without Stormfather's knowledge, though I don't know how) by someone/something. I don't know if this is the case, but it kinda makes sense if someone/something (I'm not saying Odium here because we don't know all the players yet) has reason to make Dalinar see it and make assumptions that are wrong (Similar to what Ruin does, but then again, Brandon doesn't really repeat this plots. So lets just wait and see what this whole thing with red/gold colors and the recognition of the eyes is).
Also did we ever get to know how the Unmade were born/created? This has always bugged me. Honor broke after being killed and stormfather is probably the biggest sliver of him. But how did Odium get to have 9 (finally the number is conformed) entities?
Also I completely disagree with the theories that Adolin/Renarin/Kaladin/Moash/Amaran/Dalinar/Eshonai will be the champion of Odium because of some recognition of the eyes. First of all it doesn't fit the story well, and as someone already pointed out Honor created this vision, and it is not a part of the future nor is it the past. So assuming Honor added the last part of the vision himself, Dalinar recognizing something in the eye has to do more with the sensation he feels and not someone he actually knows. (One counter argument to my point is that the Kholin family is a direct descendant of Sunmaker, and Sunmaker might have something to do with Odium's champion. But I even this is stretching our tin foil hats to the extreme).
And its freaking amazing now Dalinar becomes the leader we always wanted to see. I've been kinda frustrated with him in the previous book because he would always tip toe around Elhokar. One of my favorite scenes is when he tells Elhokar that he is dating Navani, and leaves the king speechless. Dalinar finally realizes the threat to the world of the living and is taking the reins. I'm glad this book started off strong in this sense and I'm hoping we see a lot of bad chull rust from him as we go on.
I feel like everyone here has already discussed Adolin to a great extent, and there really isn't much other than the fact that he is try to ignore what he did and is not dealing with it yet. Too early to tell how this will progress, but will definitely be interesting to see. Also Teft, you should be the next Wit (once Hoid takes on more responsibility on Roshar). That comment about Sadeas falling on the knife literally had be in fits. Also Shallan and Renarin training sessions are going to be fun to read.
Lastly 'The Thrill'. God damnation, never realized how intoxicating it could be. I mean, we all realized that its addictive and when you feel it you get enthralled by it, but I never thought it would be to that extreme. I mean Dalinar literally acts like he cares nothing more than to feel the blood on his blade and relish in the fact that he is massacaring people without a thought of why. The why part really bothered me. If just one Unmade has this kind of effect on a whole nation, what do the others do? We really need more info from Brandon about this.
Sorry for the rant guys. I've been dying with anticipation for this book for years now and it (at least a tiny bit of it) is here. Also 3 chapters a week is too slow for me. I'm rereading Mistborn Era 1 again now (Currently on Well of Ascension). So if anyone wants to discuss random stuff from that, feel free to shoot me a message or start a new thread. I would really want to waste all your time by making you read my long and not-so-well thought out ideas.
Until next time
Stormfury
