Songstream

I'd say Words of Radiance is my favorite so far.  I like seeing Shallan becoming a force to be reckoned with, and the raising of the stakes near the end.

I think that Elhokar is becoming a Dustbringer.  He's a force for destruction, and when he embraces that, he'll be able to use it for good.

Though we know very little about the Dustbringers, one of their surges is Division, which is associated with destruction and decay.  I see several actions of his that have unintentionally resulted in destruction, decay and disunity.  His neglect of Moash's grandparents.  His reassignment of Roshone to where he couldn't do any harm (and did extensive harm to Kaladin's family).  His responsibility for Sadeas' escape from the dueling arena after the disadvantaged duel.  His lack of leadership as nominal king.  The complete debacle that leaving his wife in charge of Kholinar results in.  All are a result of his actions, and I can't think of anything he's done right for the kingdom that hasn't had Dalinar's hand leading the way.  To use the quote Gyorn mentioned above, I think he's coming to realize all of it at the end of WoR.  

Quote

“It’s a pattern, though I can’t figure it out. When I try to be strong, I make a fool of myself. When I try to be merciful, people walk all over me. When I try to listen to counsel, it turns out I’ve picked the wrong men! When I try to do everything on my own, Dalinar has to take over lest I ruin the kingdom."

As for the description he gave of the strange figures he saw,

Quote

"... They watch me.  Always.  Waiting.  I see their faces in mirrors.  Symbols, twisted, inhuman..."

A lot of people have assumed that these are Cryptics.  Cryptids do have symbols for heads, and appear quite creepy and inhuman.  However, their heads are extremely ordered, to the point that details are beyond even Shallan's ability to keep track of.  Unless it's just a different word used by a different observer, I don't think twisted could be applied to their appearance.  They're angular and ordered, which seems opposite of twisted to me.  I don't think they necessarily have to be voidspren, as others have theorized.  If these are a different type of spren, then that leaves open several orders for Elhokar's spren to match, but I think his personality best matches one of the ones with Division, and he's no Skybreaker.  

Hello!

I'll write more elsewhere, but since I'm on my phone, I'll keep it simple.

I've been a lurker for some time, have read most of the Cosmere writings, and have some thoughts and ideas that I haven't yet seen mentioned anywhere.  I look forward to theorycrafting with you!

-Songstream