Ailvara

If we assumed, that the surface of it all is the conclusion - that Shallan did get over her issues and made an educated decision as she thinks - it'd be terrible writing. Not just bad, but so bad that completely impossible coming from Brandon. But if we acknowledge all the hints, this isn't sloppy, but well justified, possibly excellent and very brave. I think most of us assumed, that Shallan would put herself together and make a reasonable decision. But people don't usually get out of such huge mess as easily as fictional heroines. She made a few missteps in managing her psychological condition; ones that seemed fairly minor at the time she took them, and in line with how she is used to deal with problems. Oh well, just suppressing one more memory for a moment. Or putting up a face she needed for the job anyway. Now she is in a fractured condition without realizing it, disconnected from her key character traits and feelings (including any feelings she has for Kaladin), lacks social experience (arguably even for her age, considering her messed-up family), she is understandably stressed and in desperate need for safety. She is already engaged to Adolin and expected to marry him - which puts on her some pressure, let's not pretend it doesn't - and, how luckily, he's a really good guy and they genuinely like each other, which is probably more than she could expect in a society where arranged marriages are normal. Now, who in her situation and state of mind would genuinely do something different, hands up, please. So, while current state of events is possibly a huge mistake on the young lovebirds part, it's not a mistake of the author. It's all justified. And there is no chance, that it won't be explored. And I think, that people who say this is all over, actually mean, that the further development will be done just between Adolin and Shallan. What I think we see here then, is Brandon purposefully setting up a very troubling situation, planning to address some quite heavy stuff. After cooling down a bit, I genuinely think, the if the trio would acknowledge and resolve their issues now, it would be... Too easy. And we still have 2(7) huge books to go. Now, in this new level of mess, seeing Shallan wake up one day and having to decide between being herself (f.ex. possibly saving Pattern's life) and her marriage, her lies getting out, or any other tough situation that this may lead to... Well, this will be a challenge. Basically, by getting this inconclusive conclusion now, I think we're not stood up, but quite clearly promised much more emotional struggle that we ever anticipated. And whichever relationship prevails will be so much more genuine and mature than if it was all resolved now. That being said, there IS still tons of Shalladin hints out there which need to be acknowledged. And that's why I believe - although of this I'm understandably les confident, than of the sole fact, that this is not over - that this mess will eventually include Kaladin. For this moment, I don't want neither the divorce, Adolin's death nor Kal being the third wheel. But I trust Brandon with resolving this much more than myself, so this might as well be done in the satisfying way. This might require bending his comfort zone some more, but we've seen him done it, so I would anticipate it from the major romantic subplot in his grandest series.

Sorry about that! I just linked it to Shallan's reasons for marrying Adolin and attitude to the wedding that was just discussed. How she concentrates on lust, rituals and so on (details) and when it comes to the big picture (love, marriage) she has her head in the clouds.

Now I'll just purposefully leave it here in the middle of the conversation about the wedding.

I disagree. With another important character, a romance can develop naturally and along other plotlines. Concocting some love interest on the side would require more screen time to establish it, or if won't be believable and satisfying in any way.

I just started to wonder, what Shallan's next truths could be. That cannot be just any deep truths - they should be harder than the last ones. Harder than being her mother's killer. Now it won't be easy to beat and I'd guess something going very south with Adolin would do the trick.

I just finished watching Battlestar Galactica for the second time and it hit me really hard how much this reminds me of Lee and Starbuck. And boy, wasn't that heartbreaking from start to finish. Details of what lead me there in the spoiler.

If he doesn't unite at least the Roshar's three I'll be surprised. And that would be a good start, especially if other shards yield to Hoid's pleas and interfere, leading to some ultimate confrontation. But imo leaving all worlds without their individual shards would be too drastic and limiting.

Both of your comments state precisely why I think Adolin will die. As much as I love him, someone of the main-mains needs to die before all this over and there are some characters that I would cry for even more.

I am so glad I'm not alone in this. Can you point to any of these comments to fans you mentioned?

I didn't mean him being broken, but passionate.

I'm really surprised, that this topic was directed into whether this would actually happen and if it would make sense. Come on, it's a shipping thread. Give up logic and have fun.

Just a wild unrelated thought. Ever since we learned Odium is passion, I couldn't help but cringe at Shallan's remarks about Kaladin. It's like he would make a pretty good influence target or alternative vessel for the shard.

This is quite similar to what I was expecting from the huge revelation. There was somewhere a line which indicated that radiants might have abandoned their oaths specifically in order to kill their spren - it led to a discussion, that the bond could prove dangerous to humans at some point. Adding to that, by the word of Stormfather, sprens changed after Honor's death, which could be the cause for them starting to dominate humans in some way. One thing that doesn't add up, is that Tanavast included Recreance in the visions, which indicates it happened prior to his death - but then again, it could just be a point in time during the process of splintering? Anyway, that was what I expected, that keeping the bond would pose a threat of losing sanity/soul ever since Honor was dead. And I think it is still not out of question, considering how we mostly agree here that the given relevation is most interesting, but unsatisfactorily linked to Recreance.

Me neither, he's not a trolling-over-sense type. That's why I'm wondering, if it's something he planned to do, but resigned after characters going a slightly different way than he intended, or if there's some additional drama coming. Otherwise it simply makes no sense.

Yes, they're boring. I'm mad for my preferred ship sinking, but also because Brandon teased so much in the Shalladin direction, that he left the thread hanging like a pierced bubble. I don't see any sense in establishing any grounds for Shalladin in the first place now, it feels like he changed his mind in the middle. I also wonder, what he's getting at with this triangle resembling another (possibly Dalinar/Navani/Gavilar). It seems we are either left with a red herring or Adolin getting killed off and Shalladin happening later, possibly in the sequel series. Both options absolutely terrible.

It's the first time I've pre-ordered anything from british Kindle Store and I'm wondering if it's likely to come at midnight local time or same as in the american store?

I have trouble with my friends and family as well. The Oathbringer is out precisely for my birthday (which is destiny or what), and now I hear they expect to drop by for some cake/party stuff like I didn't have any plans. Zero understanding here.

Hi, I was just going insane waiting for Tuesday, so I finally found this place to both feed the crazy and keep it at bay. Let's see how this goes

When I think of Adolin, I automatically see Bradley James. He reminds me of Arthur so much. Personally, I give no shh about ethnicity, let the best win. Especially since he's mixed anyway.