IcaroRibeiro

Those review threads (I follow them since Oathbringer release) are always surprising to see how much people like The Way of Kings, looks like the fan favourite of many 

Most of TWoK sounded like a non-story for me. It's just... way too many pages to tell 3 stories that could be condensed in maybe 600 pages. The book always felt like an immense prologue. Coming from Mistborn which was really streamlined TWoK was a big slog. Part 5 plot twists were the reason why I decided to go for Words of Radiance

Glad it convinced me to read Words of Radiance though, still my favourite Stormlight book 

23 minutes ago, NattyBo said:

I think I would have liked this book even more if I knew the next installment wasn’t conceivably be after I die.

 

That out of the equation, it’s a great Stormlight book. Not perfect or near perfect like WoK or WoR, but Oathbringer level for me.

Setting up the Ghostbloods civil war was cool. I’m always down for more Kelsier. 
 

Probably a dumb question but since we saw Hoid becoming Wax’s coachmen, safe to assume Stormlight 1-5 happen before Shadows of Self, Bands of Mourning and the Lost Metal?

Yes. And Ghostbloods will also happen before books 6-10. I think the time dilation bubble was his strategy to keep Roshar events at bay while he keeps developing other Cosmere events without breaking the timeline

I can see similarities with Hero of Ages, but also different implications both practically and philosophically

In Hero of Ages humanity essentially wins, but at a great cost as Vin didn't know what to do with Preservation power essentially putting Scadrial in the verge of extinction (Well the Planet was going to be destroyed anyway, Ruin wanted everything destroyed)

Until Sazed pick up the Shards and correct the broken world, essentially a fresh start. So it's a bitter victory over a destroyed, but now fixed, land 

Here humanity actually survived and while Roshar is now facing the Everstorm the planet is largely unscattered, though without Stormlight I have no idea on how things will work for humans and singers

Humanity and Singers are both subservient to Retribution, essentially their new God. We can't say humanity lost either, most of human kingdoms decided to follow Odium willingly, so I believe they will receive okay-ish treatment instead of being slaves under Singer dominion. Well, except Alethkar... 

It's definitely a lose for the Heroes though, they are all scattered and hopeless...

Anyone else feel like Jasnah is going to be in the second half something akin to what Dalinar was here?

I saw the parallel in the moment Taravangian said she's one of the two humans he actually respects (the other being Dalinar). Taravangian also started pulling his strings to tempt Jasnah like he did with Dalinar, he easily see her as a his future puppet 

A minor deception

We have seen very few from Vedel and Batar, and even less of Pralla. Even Chana who is Shallan mother... I thought we were going to get more of her when Shallan was a kid 

I think Sanderson really neglected her female Heralds on this first 5 books, hopefully we will see more of them in the next 5

Also, anyone else think Aesudan plotline was kinda... forgotten? For Axindweth I think it's a matter of time for her to reapper but Aesudan I really felt  as a abandoned plot thread, I thought she was member of some bigger conspiration 

4 minutes ago, timeimp said:

Can we discuss Sigzil for a second ? 
 

Is there a discrepancy between what we see here and Sunlit Man ? 
 

It’s implied in Sunlit that Sig had armor from his Windrunner days AND his Skybreaker days. 

“The air broke around him—the fragments of his ancient armor trying to push into reality again. Some from his first oaths, some from his second. Either way, it was the absolute wrong time for them to be doing that.”

 

He doesn’t summon armor or swear the 4th ideal in WaT. There were PLENTY of situations during the Shattered Plains sequence that he’d understand and swear the fourth ideal but didn’t? 
 

He renounced his Windrunner oaths and lost his bond there, we knew that was going to happen. He meets Aux at the end, we knew that. 
 

Did I miss something ? I’m starting a relisten next week. 

Stormlight Archive didn't end, Sunlit Man is far in the future, he may come back in the book 6

The Good

• Character Development, good in all arcs
• Resolution of Arcs, really loved every single of them
• Cosmere and Lore Expansion
• High-Stakes Drama!
• Improved Interludes and Flashbacks

The Mixed

• Lack of Foreshadowing for Ancient Spren
• Structure, sometimes that are too much POV interruptions in the chapters
• Weak Villains in Shinovar and Mishram's arc
• Unnecessary povs on Mishiram's Arc
• Setting, good in Shinovar, acceptable in Azir, terrible on Spiritual realm

The Bad

• Predictable and "game-like" Structure in Shinovar arc
• Repetitive chapters in Shattered Plains and Azir
• Gavinor’s role

I really, really liked the book. I’m wondering if it’s my favorite or if I still prefer Words of Radiance. I understand the complaints about the lack of setting, but I can’t help thinking there wasn’t much room for it in this book specifically, as it was meant to be a big climax. The resolution was bold, and I fully bought how each arc concluded. Here are my thoughts on the arcs:

- Azir (Adolin) - C Tier
I love Adolin, but if I had to pick an arc and say, “This was the weakest,” it’s clearly Azir. Ultimately, it was an important arc, as Azir is now the last bastion of light in Roshar, which Brandon emphasized beautifully in the final chapter. Adolin grew a lot as a character, as did his bond with Maya. Yanagawn is also developing into the best monarch—and a skilled fighter too. So, with compelling character development and a strong conclusion, what went wrong? It was repetitive. You could cut out half of the plotlines, and nothing significant would change. From a reader's perspective, it just wasn’t as engaging. Every time an Adolin chapter came up, I found myself thinking, “Can I just get back to the other plotlines?”

- Thaylen City (Jasnah) - B Tier
Now, imagine taking all the interesting character development from Azir’s arc, along with the great ending, but trimming away the unnecessary chapters. That’s Jasnah’s plotline for you. It was heartbreaking to see Jasnah so defeated and at her lowest point. The arc brilliantly showcased her intelligence and capability, while also reminding us that she’s human, bound by flaws in her morality and philosophy. I definitely didn’t see all the plot twists coming, and their ultimate defeat was soul-crushing. Humanity has now lost access to the sea, leaving them isolated.

- Shattered Plains (Venli and Sigzil) - A Tier
Venli finally had some agency—more than in her own book. Sanderson faced a significant dilemma here: would the Listeners, after years of war and abuse, be turned into subservients to mankind? He made the bold and commendable choice of keeping them as an independent force. I wish we’d seen more exploration of Willshaper powers, and I would have loved for Venli to make progress toward another Oath. However, I really liked how her arc concluded. The Listeners deserve peace, and their newfound role as protectors of a Shardpool ties them into what will be a key storyline in the next six books. The addition of the Chasmfiends was one of the best pieces of lore in the book, adding to the "high fantasy" feel of the arc. 

Sigzil’s part was somewhat less compelling, as it primarily focused on fights. That said, Radiant battles are always exciting, especially with the introduction of a new type of Fused and some Stonewards joining the fray! Sigzil has always been my favorite Bridge Four member, so seeing him take center stage as a main character was incredibly rewarding.

K C U F Moash

- Mishiram's Quest (Shallan, Renarin and Rlain) - B Tier

This plotline was a mixed bag. The lack of descriptive detail about the setting hurt it the most. At times, it was hard to understand what the characters were experiencing or seeing. Too many pages were dedicated to following this trio through events that mirrored things Dalinar and Navani had already witnessed, making some chapters feel redundant.

The character development for Renarin and Rlain was good. Their mutual recognition of their feelings for each other and the way their sexuality shaped their self-perceptions were beautifully handled. Their romance felt deeply significant, symbolizing the potential for Singers and humans to coexist. The parallels drawn between them and Gorethil and his Singer lover were especially touching. While I feel some of their romantic arc could have been explored earlier in Book 4 to free up space in this book, this critique is more about Sanderson’s pacing as a whole than a specific flaw in this story. I absolutely loved seeing Renarin become more imposing and assertive after his father’s passing. He’s growing into a powerful and confident character, and I’m excited to see him take on a larger role in future books.

However, Shallan’s ongoing conflict with the Ghostbloods felt underwhelming. Mraize and Iyatil simply don’t feel like threats to Shallan, who has consistently come across as far more powerful and capable than either of them could ever hope to be. Despite this, Shallan’s personal arc still worked for me. Her ability to hold her mother accountable for trying to murder her as a child, while still choosing to forgive, was one of the most powerful moments in the book. Her conclusion, lost and trapped in Shadesmar and separated from Adolin, was heart-wrenching. I was hoping for her to embrace a new role as a worldhopper, but even that now seems unlikely

 - Spritual Realm Visions (Dalinar, Navani and... Tanavast!) - A Tier

RIP Dalinar. You’ve been my favorite character throughout, and you’ll be remembered. What a phenomenal end to his arc.

I almost gave this an S Tier... but then I remembered Gavinor and his cringeworthy, distracting, and utterly annoying interactions with the Bondsmiths. Sigh. I genuinely wish Gav had gone missing completely and that neither Dalinar nor Navani had been aware of him until the final confrontation.

That aside, this was hands down my favorite plotline in the book. Finally uncovering what truly happened in the distant past, especially with the Heralds, was both satisfying and relieving. I’d been worried that some of these mysteries wouldn’t be revealed in the first five books. It was an incredible opportunity to portray the Heralds as the tragic heroes they are—people who gave everything they had, enduring unimaginable suffering, all while serving a Heartless God who cared only about maintaining oaths, with no regard for their pain. Tanavast’s chapters featured some of my favorite writing in the entire series, especially his retelling of how the Shards arrived and what happened to the Dawnsingers. I understand why some readers felt Dalinar’s ultimate decision mirrored "The Hero of Ages" too closely, but honestly? I thought it was incredible. It felt like the perfect setup for the cosmere-wide war that’s brewing in the next five books, and I couldn’t be more excited.

- Shinovar Cleanising (Szeth, Kaladin, Syl and... Nale!) - B Tier

The best aspect of this arc is undoubtedly the character development. Szeth has emerged as one of Sanderson's most tragic and compelling characters, and he’s now among my favorites. His growing friendship with Kaladin felt organic and moving, particularly in the way Kaladin comes to understand that Szeth is not a warrior by nature, but rather a child robbed of his home and forced into a life of killing against his will. It’s beautifully written and incredibly poignant. However, I can’t ignore the issues with this arc.

First, the need to fight every Honorbearermade the progression of events feel both overly predictable and reminiscent of a video game quest, where you face "bosses" to collect their weapons; Second, the lore surrounding the Wind, Stone, and Night felt rushed and underdeveloped. For a writer like Brandon, who usually excels at foreshadowing and gradual worldbuilding, this sudden info-dump felt uncharacteristically forced, as if it were a last-resort addition to tie things together.

That said, Kaladin’s journey took an intriguing turn. His rise to becoming a Herald and then offering therapy to the other Heralds was definitely not on my bingo card, but it was a fascinating development.

Flashbacks (Szeth) - S Tier
My favorite flashbacks in the entire series. No further comments are needed.

Interludes (Mainly Taravangian) - A Tier
After two books of lackluster interludes, we’re finally back to form. It was immensely satisfying to see so many minor characters from books 1 and 2 finally receive their resolutions. Among these, Rysn’s interlude stands out—her new role as a Dawnshard leaves me incredibly curious about what she will do next. The Iriali interlude was another highlight for me. They are such a fascinating and enigmatic people, and I really hope we see more of them in future Cosmere novels.

And then there’s the main event: Taravangian. As Odium, he’s my favorite Sanderson villain to date. Rayse always felt pathetic and petty, but Taravangian? He’s absolutely terrifying. The chapter where he sacrifices his own home city to prove a point to Cultivation is seared into my memory. It’s chilling, brutal, and a perfect display of the kind of cold, calculated cruelty that makes him such a compelling antagonist.

Did you guys have already finished wtf? 

I'm in the middle of day 5 right now. Based on my reading speed I think I'll be finishing it by Sunday 

Really loving the book so far, only very minor complaints 

On 12/3/2024 at 2:25 AM, Wanguu said:

Hey, all good points! I forgot about the herdaz invasion - and it seems maybe Odiun did too! So perhaps Dalinar doing something Honorable will really help in his plan. We saw from the last interludes that he has plans to take everything that's supporting honor (except Aimia and Reshi, but maybe he considers them unimportant?)

I think Adolin and Yanagawn will have a few POVs together in Aizimir, and while Brandon likes to hold Jasnah close, I think we will be getting some of her as well. 

So far we've gotten two interludes between each day, with one belonging to Odium - do you think this will continue?

The book was released to day and it's confirmed we have

As for POV, I was right, we have 10 days = 10 parts

Day 3 POVs are

2 hours ago, mTKOL said:

Just a heads up, it is available now in Amazon Australia

Thanks so much. Just bought it! I think I will finish before Amazon US deliver my hardcover version, hopefully it will be there in time for a re-reading!

It's already December 6th in Australia and the book still not avaible for purchase, only for pre order. Me thinks they will only release digital version when it's midnight US time, which really sucks lol 

5 hours ago, Ewery1 said:

This is a genius idea. No clue!

I'll do it and share if it worked 

Does anyone knows if I change my Amazon account to Australia I can buy the kindle version and read it normally? 

I live in Brazil by the way 

After El's interlude I'm sure the musings we read on epigraphs of the part 5 of ROW were written after the day 2 of Wnd and Truth

They look very much connected to what happened on today's interlude:

Quote

“If I do, can I rule human lands for you?”

“If that is your wish, I will grant it.”

He even mentions he was start thinking a new Poem

Quote

What an enchanting day. In his head, he began to compose a poem to celebrate this new god he was delighted to worship. Someone who, he suspected, would know the value of what he had—and would let El help humankind finally realize their true passions.

This is not unheard of. Dalinar only starts writing "Oathbringer" after the book ends, and so did "Rythmn of War" epigraphs written during the events of the book

Sanderson likes structure, so he will keep the groups divided into 10 parts.

It doesn't mean we need all groups of characters to be presented in all parts. I believe only Kaladin and Szeth will be permanent characters across all 10 days. The others can take a backseat, and some of their narratives can happen in the background and only be quickly mentioned.

Day 2 had the absence of all three groups responsible for the war, i.e., Adolin, Sigzil, and Jasnah, since chapter 22, I think. I believe all those characters will be POV characters in day 3.

Eventually, there will be some Lift chapters in Urithiru, but I don't think this will be a focal point of the story either.

An Azimir (i.e., Adolin) chapter is certainly happening on day 8 because it was already stated that there is an alliance army marching to get there in 6 days, but the first clash is happening sooner than that:

Quote

“The largest group of coalition forces—with many of our Stonewards and Edgedancers—are here. They were fighting near the border with Tukar and Marat, and have been moving home for three days now. Some of those—our rear guard, forty thousand strong—are a six-day march from Azimir.”

“Too far,” Yanagawn said. “The enemy will arrive before then, and my forces are down to only a few thousand. We’ll need reinforcement.”

El's interlude released today gives me the impression that the Shattered Plains will be a focal point, while Azimir and Thaylen City will be more like side conflicts. The Shattered Plains also require Venli, who is a main POV character, so I guess we will see more of her and the union between humans and Listeners against the Fused. My guess is that the definitive battle for the Shattered Plains will happen on day 9

Quote

“Very well,” Odium said. “I name you ruler, with no title. You will take leadership of my armies to assault the Shattered Plains. Travel to the Peaks via shanay-im, and I shall send Dai-Gonarthis to you. Use her… particular talents to take the garrison at the Peaks, and claim the Shattered Plains in my name. I will pay her price another time.”

This left many things unsaid. Why Odium was so interested in the Shattered Plains. How he knew that there would be enough power to Connect them to the well at the Horneater Peaks.

A solid argument for that is Sigzil being the face of this conflict, since he is there the existence of (Sunlit Man spoilers)

...in the Shattared Plains is likely, which is why Taravangian-Odium is so desperate to claim that lands even at high cost

There is also an unmentioned POV that needs to be addressed, which is... Lopen. He's flying with the Minsc to Herdaz. According to them, the Windrunners can get there in a day, so maybe he will have a POV on day 4?

Quote

“Windrunners, then,” the Mink said. “They can get a person across the continent in under a day.”

“But an entire army?” Navani said.

“We’d need a few hundred at most,” the Mink said. “The members of my personal army, which we have rescued. If you drop us at the border on the western side, we will assault the capital a little inland, reclaiming my homeland.” He placed the tattered remnant before Dalinar on the food table. “Your oath, Blackthorn.”

So my guess is the book will be divided in:

Day 3: Kaladin&Szeth, Adolin, Sigzil, Jasnah

Day 4: Kaladin&Szeth, Venli&Sigzil, Dalinar&Navani, maybe Lopen

Day 5: Kaladin&Szeth, Shallan/Renarin/Rlain, maybe Lift/Lopen

Day 6: Kaladin&Szeth, Adolin, Dalinar&Navani

Day 7: Kaladin&Szeth, Venli&Sigzil, Jasnah, Shallan/Renarin/Rlain

Day 8: Kaladin&Szeth, Adolin, Dalinar&Navani, maybe Lift/Lopen

Day 9: Kaladin&Szeth, Venli&Sigzil, Shallan/Renarin/Rlain

Day 10: Every whose POV was not solved by day 9

I was already sure think Radiant was modeled after Shallan's mother, but the Prologue made me extra sure 

I'm sure Chana is Shallans mother

The omission of Gavilar the mentioning her red hair in the Prologue sounds fishy for me. I think Sanderson stepped back to not spoil much in the Prologue, he wants this to be a big twist in Shallans plot line

On 12/5/2023 at 5:25 PM, discorat said:

 

Okay sorry for coming in (after an entire year of being away again)(i study a lot)

I probably agree with venli being a 4 (i am a 4 myself and that might be why i defend her so much). However I have issues with Shallan being a 7 just because she fits as a 4 as well (and i'm also a lightweaver so i just make shallan a 4 so we can match)

Curious, I left this forum for almost a year and came back just a couple of days after your response

I understand why you think Shallan is a 4, but I argue she's not. Many traits and personality structures of a 4 are lacking here. First, she'seager to conform to society's standards and feels genuinely comfortable following them in a very vorin fashion. She's quite extroverted and not at all moody. Shallan didn't display vices types 4 often exhibits such as a tendency to melancholy, self-pity, and unhealthy levels of jealousy.

4 core fear is to have a lack of identity or significance. While she sometimes wonders who she genuinely is (partially because of her multiple personality disorder) her main fear looks to be deprived, in despair, or in pain. When she starts observing there will be a painful experience she shuts down her mind and tries to distract herself with hobbies, jokes and lies. 

Very good and solid theory. I'm very inclined to believe you're right

They make a nice pair together, but it's probably not going to work. Jasnah is mostly assexual, she can engage in romance but isn't nearly as committed to intimacy as Hoid, so it's never going to be a complete couple. She's so far unable to experience pleasure in sex in the same way a non assexual person would, so as much as I enjoy to see them together I can't root for them 

I understand Adolin is a Golden retriever and is a nicer, loving, accepting and more forgiving person compared to others main characters, but Adolin lacks the scars in their soul the others do. Adolin's life so far has been fairly easier and laid back than every one else. Of course he still an highprince heir with military duties, but he trained with the finest swordmasters in Roshar, inherited a Shardplate, is socially appreciated and valued, handsome, wealth and probably never had to work for living. Her mother was lovely with him and even when his father was a heartless tyrant he always displayed to love and care for little Adolin,  making sure he was important, wanted and appreciated since he was a son, a feeling he never showed to Renarin however. The war at shattered plains was against another specie, not human, a group of singers Alethi barley recognized them as sapient animals, capable of emotions and Adolin displayed at first a hatred towards them because of what their ploy did to Dalinar, of course this also have context, but the point is he never needed to felt guilty ou emotionally concerned when finding Parshendi, just like most man don't grown concerned or traumatized after hunting animals  

There is... just very few things going bad on Adolin's life. He don't even have to worry so much with the duties from his social position, he never seemed to be very excited about them anyway. I think deep down he is relieved they now have radiants and people look for them instead of Brightlords, it gives Adolin more freedom and less concern 

Considering how media and fiction usually portrays heros and knights, it's noteworthy Sanderson purposefully choose his more beautiful, shiny and flawless character, the embodiment of social perfection, to not be a Radiant

7 hours ago, Rune said:

What makes you say that?

It was said Fused use surgebinding. Venli even questions Raboniel why,  if Odium is their God, they practice with Honors and Cultivation Surges

However they fuel their Surges with Odium investiture (Voidlight)

I think the Unmade are the ones that actually use Voidbinding

5 hours ago, Binkery said:

I still don't see how so so so many people see Jasnah  as this higher being.  She literally shanked an unarmed drunk asshole in the neck and everyone clapped....that's not the person I look to as a queen bee.  Dalinar saying they "expertly" put that dumb guy in his place.  No.  They (and everyone else in Alethi society) knew what this idiot would do.  Plus her just being a warrior for warrior sake during the battling plus telling Dalinar when he wanted to pursue his powers she just says 'but war general??!' much like how she tried to sideline Shallan (who is so entrenched to spying) saying 'hey you need to make corn for us'  Jasnah is pretty much the dumbest smart person in Roshar.  Much like her father.  That is my very unpopular RoW opinion sadly. 

Don't ban me please

I want to argue but I realized I haven't understand anything you said 

More about the Iriali. They are the most interesting ethnic group in Roshar imo, as they don't come from Ashyn 

More about Reshi Islands

More about the Pure Lake the Selay people, they seem to be fairly neutral in the conflict so far 

More Rysn

More Renarin and Rlain ship!

More details about how the Fused organization and powers works. We still not seen the Fused who can use the surges Division and Tension

Voidbinding. It has been a while it was teased and never showed 

Old Magic, we still don't know HTF this works 

Axies the collector to appear again and getting a more important role 

The Mink to become a Dustbringer asap! 

A view of other Nahel Spren cities such as Inkspren and Highspren

Aesudan to become a major villain 

Official illustrations of Kaladin, Jasnah and Shallan shardblades and shardplates

Dalinar to get some squares. I would love to see Bondsmith squares lol 

Loved to read your reactions, thank you so much for sharing it