Use the Falchion

I'll definitely watch the video when I have time! Oathbringer is the Stormlight book that means the most to me. I went through some of the toughest months in my life not too long after it came out, and Dalinar's quotes were some of my mantras. If I ever get a tattoo it'll be of the Bondsmith symbol. It means that much to me. At the same time, I'm not sure it's the best. I mean on a technical level absolutely - Brandon's prose and writing skills improve with each Stormlight book, and it shows here. (I always feel like he pushes himself during Stormlight books, solidifies those improvements during the YA trilogies he writes in-between the books, and then pushes himself to another level during the next Stormlight book.) But is it the best? It gives me the highest highs and the lowest lows. It gives me some of my favorite moments in the entire series ("The Subtle Art of Diplomacy" is an absolute gem of a chapter). It gives me the most important quotes. Dalinar's story is so resonant with me on some levels that I can't help but relate. And yet, I can't help but say that while it's the most important to me, it's not the best. Oathbringer feels like the sum of its parts, where to me WOR feels like it's more than that. Then again, I always cheat when I answer these sorts of questions - I always say that TWOK is my favorite to reread, WOR is objectively Sanderson's best work, and OB is the superior on a technical level and the book that means the most to me - and I'm sort of a contrarian, so don't take too much stock in what I say lol! As it stands now, I'd say that Oathbringer is my "favorite," of the Stormlight books, but WOR is the "best."

Well of Ascension read far better the second time than the first, and Warbreaker read a lot better when I read the annotations along with it and found some songs that meshed well with story.

I'm not sure if it's possible, but if it is, can we have warning stickers on which thread of WoBs will have RoW spoilers, specifically the Dawnshard annotations Q&A page? I know it's obvious for the chapter annotations, but I may have just spoiled myself on something simply because I wanted to see what Brandon said about Dawnshard, not what he was saying about RoW in that thread. I'll be staying off the Arcanum until I get RoW and finish it, but it's a valuable asset for debates and discussions, and I don't want other people spoiled simply because they were looking up an answer to a question.

Thanks for the warning! I'll keep that in mind when I get to it. From what I've heard, the books go in a direction that I'm very happy the show didn't. I'm good with just the show.

My thoughts abridged: I liked it but I didn't love it, which felt weird because Rysn is one of my favorite characters and so many cool things happened! I think the change in her mindset really threw me for a loop. The last time we saw her she was learning to adapt, and by this novella she's adapted and has a new outlook on life. I'm very happy for her, but part of me wishes we could see flashbacks, just to see how far she's come. Maybe that' something a Stormlight show could add in. It reminds me of a complaint I heard on a thread here, where character's subtleties are sometimes dropped between stories to move the story forward, or how Sanderson will sometimes skip the more interesting bit for the readers in order to get to point in the story he wants to tell.* The Lopen was great as always, and I liked how him saying his Oaths at really common times still is a sort of joke. The Cosmere lore was also great, but it didn't feel...right to me. Huio was awesome though. He may not be my new favorite, but he's definitely in the Top 10 now. And yet...something in this story felt off to me. I want to say it was the prose, and how it felt far more YA than Stormlight usually feels, but I can't say for sure. If that was the case though, it'd make sense, with Brandon writing Skyward 3 right after (and switching between the two during revisions). I don't know, something was just off for me. Maybe it was the fact I was reading it on my iPad.... I'll definitely reread this during my Stormlight reread next year. Maybe then I'll feel differently about it - most Sanderson books I have problems with drastically improve on a reread, and I think that this one will feel a lot better sandwiched between books. Overall rating is a about a 7.75/10. It's not better than Edgedancer or Secret History, but it's informative, fun, and a great teaser for Rhythm of War! The accompanying soundtrack mostly comprised of "Rysn" and "Wandersail" by The Black Piper. P.S. - I love how Brandon is developing side characters in these novellas. I hope Rock also teams up with someone new and unexpected, so they both get developed. Rock, Renarin, and Jasnah roadtrip anyone? *This was clearest for me in Starsight. Brandon wanted to tell a certain story, but I found the story he didn't tell to be more engaging in concept.

One more week, and I most likely won't be able to read because of my new part-time job, grad school projects, and family coming in town...sigh...

Ha! In that case, why not Taika Waititi? He has Mo-cap experience and is a pretty hilarious actor himself.

So here's a question - there are a couple of videos and posts out in the world about recasting/rebooting Star Wars. One of my favorites is Screen Junkie's gone-too-soon series Cast Away So my question to y'all is, if you could recast any Star Wars trilogy, who would it be with and why? (And yes, you can give characters slightly larger roles than before.) I know that right now I'd probably recast the prequels. Outside of Qui-Gon Jinn and Maul, this is a list for Episode 2 & 3 casting, not Episode 1. Qui-Gon Jinn: Lin-Manuel Miranda I don't really know why I want this, but I think it could work. It'd be a vastly different interpretation than Liam Neeson's but I think it'd be fun to see. Besides, he brings in star power...and it was either him or Sean Bean. I think I chose Lin due to the meta-story. I like the idea that in Hamilton he was a student of Washington, and now he's finally a teacher. Obi-Wan Kenobi: Robert Pattinson I wanted someone devilishly charming and British (YES I KNOW EWAN IS SCOTTISH), and his was the first name that came to mind. If one wanted a Scottish actor, James McAvoy is a great choice. Padme Amidala: Chloe Bennet Cute, charming, and quite the action girl (with terrible taste in men to boot!), Chloe would shine in the role of Padme. For a reboot, I'd probably retool Padme's arc in order to make it line up more with the OT. So I need a leading lady who can keep up with that. Honestly for a reboot I'd overhaul Padme's entire role... Anakin Skywalker: Ryan Gosling Had you asked me about this choice a couple of years ago, I would have gone with a a person of color. Anakin's story would be much more powerful if it was a young black boy who was freed from slavery but never truly free from bondage. His distrust in a system that wanted to use him and his ultimate betrayal by someone he trusted screamed "OTHELLO" to me, and I reveled in it. (Yes, I know that version of Othello is more of modern interpretation, but I like it and I'd keep it.) Heck, in today's day and age, that still may work. But if we're tying it into the OT, then I think Ryan Gosling is the best fit. He looks like he could be Harrison Ford's son, and him looking similar to Kylo Ren was weirdly the most important factor for me this time around. If I went with my original feeling, I'd probably pick someone like Ricky Whittle or Winston Duke I haven't seen his work in American Gods, but I've heard nothing but good things about the show. And I enjoyed his character in The 100. Winston Duke is always good. Darth Maul: Iko Uwais Iko's work in The Raid movies is nearly iconic at this point, and I sort of like the idea of having this smaller, seemingly not as menacing Maul be the ultimate threat that our heroes have to face. Besides, he can do all of his own stunts! (Also, his role in TFA was wasted. Give him another chance!) Or Terry Crews! For those Brooklyn Nine-Nine jokes! Or Min Na Wen. I love her role as Agent Melinda May aka The Cavalry in Agents of Shield, and I like the glares she can pull off. Seeing her as Maul would be hilarious. But again, I'm not sure the role would be good for her (and she's already Fennic Shand in The Mandalorian). Darth Tyrannus/Count Dooku: Hugo Weaving Hugo Weaving can totally play up the "I'm a noble, eat it" vibe that Dooku gives. He's also another LOTR veteran, so having him back would be awesome. However, I'd like to see him play a bit more domestic version of Dooku. Like, if we saw him at the beginning of the movie helping out with the politics, claiming that he left the Jedi Order to live a life helping out his home world as a politician, not unlike Padme. Have him pave the way for Anakin to think that he can survive and do good outside the Jedi Order. Give him and Padme the hope that they could live a normal life together...and then the war starts, destroying any chance of that. And then the reveal happens that he's actually behind the assassination attempt and everything else. Have him reveal that he's sick of acting like the middle-man for government. (All-the-while not realizing that he's also a middle-man for Palpatine.) He's a count and he wants respect! And in the new world that his master will bring...he'll have it. Darth Sidious/Chancellor Palpatine: Andre Braugher NINE-NINE! ...apparently I won't stop until I put the entire cast of Brooklyn Nine Nine into Star Wars... The original plan was to put Samuel L Jackson as Palpatine. Imagine him saying "I AM THE MOTHERF-@>#<G SENATE!" It'd be hilarious! But Jackson hasn't played a role that requires an Affable nature for quite some time. I think we need that. People would subtext the ever-loving stuffing out of this choice, but I think it's about the skill in this case, not the skin. (Although the skin can be used to raise a point.) Another surprise choice may be Robert Downey Jr. This is more for meta-parallels than anything else; and if I was going to do that, I'd probably put Chris Evans in as Grievous. No thanks. A third, extremely out of the box choice would be Amy Poehler. Amy is mostly a comedian*, but seeing her play the sort of maternal replacement role to Anakin all-the-while using him for her own in could echo some really cool historical matriarchs. (Empress Dowager Cixi for the Qing dynasty in China comes to mind.) (Although then people would start rooting for Leslie Knope as the Galactic Emperor...and that would lead to people memetically rooting for the Empire more than I'd like...but if it gets us Aubrey Plaza as a Sith...) Like Andre, going for this role means that people will most likely get the wrong message out of this, and that's what the scrip would have to work hard to avoid. Asajj Ventress: Hannah Quinlivan I think she'd work well as an action role, and the PT needs more female action roles...and more active roles for women in general... Mace Windu: Henry Simmons ...I've been watching a lot of Agents of Shield... Henry has the authoritarian nature that a Mace Windu needs to have. He has the body-type to make Mace intimidating, and the iron-nature to make Mace seem dogmatic. I think he'd fit the role nicely. So yeah, what are your choices? *Comedy is NOTORIOUSLY difficult to get right, so those who act in comedy usually have the chops for more dramatic and operatic pieces of work too. I don't doubt Amy's ability in this field at all.

No, but I've often dreamed about gaining a spren and access to surgebinding powers, and all of the changes I'd enact in the world (and people I'd help) with them...

I loved the show! There was a time where it felt like the closest we'd get to Battlestar Galactica. But I wasn't too hot on Season 6 and I haven't watched Season 7 yet. My friend in med school basically hate-watches the show. There are so many medical errors or straight up lies that it ticks him off to no end. I on the other hand laugh at his anger at the show, but I sympathize. I'm not sure he has time or the will to finish it now, but I think he got through Season 4 before he gave up. (I told him that Season 5 would be the best place to end his suffering and finally give up.) I think The 100's peak was the run of Season 2-4. Season 5 was good, but it didn't feel like it fulfilled the promise it should have. Season 6 had some good moments, but it didn't carry that punch earlier seasons had. I'll watch Season 7 eventually. Hopefully. How far are you? Are you a Bellarke fan?

My take on it: Worldhoppers are usually trying to blend in and/or amass power secretly (either as individuals or in groups). Spreading the knowledge of firearms and gunpowder stands in direct opposition of those goals, as it announces you as a foreigner and potentially gives your enemies the chance to replicate a weapon. As a meta-reason? That's no fun, and erring on the side of awesome is far more fun. Technology in Sanderson's works function for the story and the setting. If guns don't help those two things, then they won't be developed. Just because something can be developed and reach a logical conclusion doesn't mean it should. But honestly I don't really care enough to think about it more than this post.

I wasn't impressed either, but I do feel like we'll see the direct fallout of this episode in the next one. And I think that's a relatively new trend for this season. Last season we had breaks of time between each episode. Maybe it was a day, maybe a few weeks or months. But time passed. This time around, one episode leads into the next after a couple of days at most. And I like that change.

Dipping French fries in ice cream is weird? I felt like it wasn't too uncommon when I was growing up...then again, I though putting mayo on fries was weird before I visited Europe. I definitely want to try that now! I'll have to ask my dad about weird food combos. He's the weird eater in our family.

Dalinar immediately came to my mind too. My current working theory is that Unity is a type of Dawnshard that Dalinar seems to be close to accessing or already, subconsciously, possesses. @teknopathetic So maybe it was originally held by Ishar (who used either that or the Change Dawnshard to set up the Knights Radiant and bind them to the Oaths), then Nohadon, then at some point Melishi, and - if my theory is correct - now Dalinar?

Gotta say, as diametrically opposed as we are, I LOVED talking comics and superheroes with @Dunkum and you! It's been far too long since I've been able to talk about it with anyone, and I've honestly missed it. Now, in terms of your comments, the whole point of the Rebirth reboot and the Doomsday Clock storyline was to finally purge Frank Miller and the whole "gritty realism" that Miller and Watchmen brought to DC out of their system. Metal is a crazy wild ride and it's so much fun! I have a friend who hasn't read many comics other than Saga, Superman: Red Son, and whatever comics I let him borrow a few months ago. He went out to buy Dark Nights: Metal and feel in love. It's crazy, zany, weird, and full of alternate reality stuff. That's what DC prides itself on being, and that's what it is. In many ways, you can call it a return to form. Hydra Captain was weird and quite controversial. It was like Superman: Red Son but without keeping the integrity of the character. Did people unfairly judge it before it was complete? Yes. But was it also not that good of an idea? Also yes. And at the end of the day, that's my point. Outside of the X-Men recently (which I really need to check out sometime), the only time I hear about Marvel comics is when they're doing something controversial. But when I hear about DC, they're doing something either really cool or at least innovative. That being said, I'm really glad you enjoyed the run. I stopped reading the Star Wars comics a while back, but I still keep up with what's coming out. Charles Soule's Vader run was DOPE though, as was the original Doctor Aphra run. Have you read Shattered Empire? It's a four-shot comic that came out in preparation for The Force Awakens, and it might be one of the best Disney-era Star Wars comics out there. I'll try to check out the run of Man-Thing! I'm going on a comicbook binge this weekend for the first time in months. Sadly everything I'm buying has already been planned out, but when I do my next splurge Man-Thing is on the list!

I know!! And I actually didn't mind Arrow Season 3! Arrow Season 5 was fortunately a return to form, but yeah, they couldn't keep up that newly recovered momentum. Iron Fist pulled a reverse Luke Cage. The first half of Season 1 was terrible, but the second half was a lot better. Granted, when you start at the bottom you can only go up. (Although if you want to see a show about a blonde trust-fund kid coming back from being presumed dead with martial arts and a desire for vengeance, re-watch Arrow. At least Stephen Amell can do some of his stunts.) The Defenders wasn't bad, but it wasn't that good either. Like Luke Cage, they [MASSIVE DEFENDERS AND LUKE CAGE SPOILERS] And like Luke Cage, the show suffered for it. That X-Men theme is iconic! I was a '90s baby though, so I actually grew up with Spider-Man Unlimited and X-Men: Evolution. Maybe that's why I'm partial to letting Cyclops and Jean rest a bit. (Scott and Rogue had far better chemistry than Scott and Jean!)

Respectfully I disagree. Outside of the few great exceptions of Kamala Khan, Spider-Gwen, and Miles Morales, Marvel comics have been struggling to make solid storylines for years. They sunk the Ultimate universe in Ultimatum, one of the worst events of its kind; Civil War 2 was boring at best and awful at worst; and do you remember how much flak Marvel received for Hydra-Cap? And those are the memorable storylines. Meanwhile DC introduced the Court of Owls, villains so popular that they have their own movie, are the villains in the next Batman game, and may factor into the next Batman movie. DC confirmed that there are three canonical Jokers running around. DC has had some of the best crossovers in years with Dark Nights: Metal and the sequel Death Metal. New 52 was mostly duds, yes, but the Batman, Aquaman, and Justice League runs were phenomenal. People can still talk about those! And if you haven't checked out Superman: Unchained, I suggest you do. It's a really fun (if confusing at times) read. Rebirth, while not super exciting, did bring back some of the Pre-New 52 stuff as well. Not to mention that DC is more willing to play with graphic novels and reach different markets than Marvel is. DC's Young Readers and YA line is not only stronger, comprised of unique stories that the comics don't tell. Go into the Marvel section of a bookstore and you'll find reprints of Miles Morales' first foray as Spider-Man (which is awesome and incredible, but it's not new). Go to DC and you'll find a second-gen immigrant Green Lantern. (Green Lantern: Legacy.) Marvel retells Iron Man's best child-appropriate stories; DC is inventing new stories about Young Bruce Wayne, Diana Prince, or even Selina Kyle. They're hiring big-name authors to create those stories too. And we can't forget the adventures of John Kent, Damian/Ian Wayne, and their new female friend.* DC is doing the Future State jump for a few months next year too. There are rumors that it used to be 5G or whatever it was called, but those can't fully be proven. But Future State looks really interesting! When was the last time Marvel had a non-X-Men future time-line story that was good? Old Man Logan at its beginning? I'm not saying that Marvel hasn't done any daring moves in the past couple of years - Jane Foster's run as Thor and Sam Wilson's run as Captain America are supposedly great and new staples in recommend reading for the characters. And Superior Spider-Man was really fun too! But DC has been far more willing to experiment with its stories, characters, and concepts in than Marvel, and it's that sort of mindset that gets people's attention in a positive way. Overall, I see Marvel's slates and I don't feel anything other than a passive curiosity at what X-Men is doing right now. But I look at DC and see something to look forward to - to be excited about. Marvel's cartoons aren't any better. Both recent Spider-Man cartoons were mediocre at best, their latest Avengers cartoon had to survive off of the spin-offs, and Agents of Hulk exists... DC may not be where they used to be, but Justice League Action has its fans, and Teen Titans Go knows exactly what it is and whom its catering to, and it isn't afraid to mock itself and those who mock it about this fact. Young Justice: Outsiders may have been spread thin, but that's still a revival of a show, and that is huge. And agreed on Harley Quinn. That show is carrying the whole stinking playing field right now. But again, that goes to show that DC isn't afraid of doing things differently. Of doing what Marvel won't do (or rather what Disney won't let them do). In terms of live action, it's frankly a tossup at this point. CW has historically had the lead with Smallville, and I don't think the CW DC shows blew that lead either. And yes, the MCU has had some phenomenal hits with Daredevil, Luke Cage (at times), Punisher, Runaways, and Cloak & Dagger. But they were also built on a faulty promise that DC comics weren't. And let's not forget the dips in quality that were Iron Fist, The Defenders**, and Inhumans. On the other side you've got two amazing first seasons of Arrow and Flash, with everything else being splotchy; Legends of Tomorrow being just a wacky fun hijinks show; Supergirl being...Supergirl, and Black Lightning talking about issues Luke Cage frankly didn't. The DC characters crossed over from one show to another very often, and it created this sense of a shared universe that the Netflix shows couldn't do with the world they apparently inhabited. (I still remember the time a character in Jessica Jones said "the big green guy" instead of the Hulk, and how Daredevil kept referring to the Invasion of New York as "the incident.") So Marvel may win this round in the near future (FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER HYPE YEAH!!!), but they're doing so on the ground that DC paved.*** Also I meant Amalgam comics as in when Marvel and DC worked together and combined their characters into one, not crossovers. I think those are better than the standard "Captain America meets Superman" or "Batman meets Spider-Man" comics. THAT BEING SAID, I'd love to see a 1-2 year long crossover run, where we just explore a world where Marvel and DC characters exist together. How different would the Justice League look if the Avengers were operating at the same time? Would one be earth-based and the other completely galactic? Imagine the double-talk at the fundraisers Tony Stark and Bruce Wayne would throw together. And you know Peter Parker and Dick Grayson would be best friends. ...assuming we're de-aging Peter to be roughly Dick's age. Otherwise Peter would be stuck around Bruce, and there's so little fun in that. Miles could join the Young Justice crew and have a great time there. And Kara Danvers could hide her Kryptonian origins in the adventures of Supergirl and the X-Men! ...could I have my Captain America & Wonder Woman romance? (Imagine them meeting in WW2 and then Steve goes into the ice. He's awakened by SHIELD, but refuses to be a superhero in the new world. SHIELD acquiesces, and gives him bodyguard duty...and he's guarding none other than one Diana Prince.) Although the Marvel Manga comics are...interesting to say the least... In terms of crossovers, I agree it's a tight race. I think DC still edges out Marvel due to the fact that their iconic crossover event changed their entire canon in a really cool way. Secret Wars didn't do that. Granted, Marvel's mid-late 2000s run of Civil War, Secret Invasion, and Siege was phenomenal IMO. (At least the Young Avengers/Runaways crossover during that time was.) But they blew it with AvX and things after. But right now, I can't even remember what Marvel's crossover this year is. *YMMV on whether or not this story is good, but it's definitely different. **I truly believe that the CW crossovers are the reason The Defenders was so lackluster when it came out. Think about it. When it was announced, we had only one major crossover even in the first Avengers movie. But by the time The Defenders came out in 2017, we had two more Avengers movies and roughly 4 crossover CW DC crossover episodes, each getting bigger than the last. What The Defenders prided themselves on being felt more-or-less commonplace by the time it rolled around. ***None of this is a knock on Marvel or DC. They both help pave the path the other walks on. And while they are rivals, they're also great friends, and share a lot of actors, writers, creators, and overall workers. When one is doing well, so is the other. This may be the most controversial take I've heard in a LONG time.

Here are my controversial opinions for today (which if I stay on schedule, won't respond to until tomorrow): Byleth and Ignatz from Fire Emblem: Three Houses have better characterization than Itsuki Aoi from Tokyo MIrage Sessions#FE. HOWEVER, Byleth and Ignatz also underscore how good characterization should be the starting line, not the finish line. That's where they fail for the most part, as the two never really grow beyond their past and their quirks. I still really like them though. Marvel may have better movies overall, but DC has better comics, shows, and cartoons. And their amalgamation comic run together was better than most of their crossover stuff. The MCU shouldn't bring back Wolverine, Cyclops or Jean Grey. Wolverine is like an Basketball MVP number, you gotta retire it for a time. Cyclops and Jean Grey have way too much narrative baggage right now. The Phoenix Saga can be good, and building up to the Phoenix Force as a galactic level threat can be cool; but after three bad movies, it's time to let it rest for now. That leaves the question of who should lead the X-Men. And I say it should be none other than Storm. (Jubilee was my go-to pick for the longest time, and I still think could have a cool storyline in the MCU*; but Storm needs to be the leader.) Mighy Morphin' Power Rangers may be the foundational Power Rangers series, but it's far from the best. Dino Thunder, Dino Charge (NOT Dino Supercharge), and RPM are all better series. *Jubilee needs a storyline in the MCU though. We need more women of color in front of the camera, and her '90s attire could be excused as the youth simply being going for a retro style. And her powers are almost perfect for a mutant who wants to become a social media influencer. Start there, and develop her into a real hero.

@Iarwainiel no problem! Yeah, having older women interested in romance - not flings, but actual romance - is a rarity; now it's definitely I wish I saw for Leia! (Poe bossing Kylo around because he's the new step-dad is both traumatizing and hilarious.) I know Daniel Abraham's The Dagger and The Coin series has an older woman/younger man romance. It was uncomfortable at first for me, admittedly, but I grew to really like it. I'm still not used to it, but I've seen in my life and I love how it breaks general fantasy conventions.

Y'ALL. I FOUND SZETH'S THEME SONG. It's very explicit though, so don't listen in a place where curse words will get you in trouble.

I think the idea is cool, but it may feel too much like Kaladin vs Amaram. Or maybe it's just how I'm picturing it. In my mind's eye, I see Szeth having a rival or mentor as a young, promising Stone Shaman acolyte (not confirmed but I'm willing to wager some absolutely nothing that Szeth was an acolyte). Over the course of the flashbacks, we see that person become Szeth's ally and friend, but ultimately betray Szeth's confidence and have our favorite Shin assassin deemed Truthless. Now, with the return of the Desolation, this person was also deemed Truthless - after all, Mr. T had notes on how to make one if he truly needed to IIRC. So it should be possible to make another. Szeth comes to cleanse Shinovar, but now must fight the person he once held in such high esteem. The Truthless that comes to cleanse them in blood vs the soul sentenced to death that will chariot them into glorious captivity. ...or some such nonsense. The important question is: are you really redeemed if you're killed for your mistakes in a justified cleanse? Or is life always worth it, even if its now life as a slave? Again, cool idea and concept, but the Amaram vs Kaladin fight already had that undertone of "you looked up to me and betrayed you," IMO. Do you see this differently than I do? If so, please share!

Answering the original question...I don't think either choice fits for me. There are parts of the ending that I really like, and other parts that I really don't. I don't think I have it on a binary of "good or bad," helps anyone because I don't think it's that simple. I love how we get to the space-ship, and I love David's meeting with the Other Steelheart, and I like the ending. But I don't like Calamity or the reveal. So does that make it good or bad? I guess if I had to choose, I would consider a "bad" ending something that makes me second guess or actively stops me from visiting the series again. The endings to things like The Legend of Korra or The Rise of Skywalker for me, or Mass Effect 3's ending for other people. (EDIT: The Burning White would also probably fit this category for me.) Something that actively makes one say "this journey is not worth the destination." Calamity is not that for me. I enjoy most of the book, and I'm absolutely wiling to suffer through that ending when I reread the trilogy. The confusion weirdly hypes me up for things like Deathrise* and The Apocalypse Guard. So by that metric it's good. Even still, I'd hesitate to call it that. So yeah, I can't choose. *For those who don't know what Deathrise is:

Nice job on the video! My own thoughts on the matter: Words of Radiance does everything I like in a sequel - it digs into the world a bit deeper, pushes the characters farther, contains different yet still incredibly satisfying action, explores new ideas, and contains fun character interactions. Deeper worldbuilding - I know you said that the story still takes place in the Shattered Plains for the most part, and you're absolutely right. But through Shallan arriving there, we get to meet new brightlords, see new warcamps, and overall gain a new perspective on something we hadn't seen before. When we see Eshonai's perspective, we learn that there is so much more to our enemy and why they're fighting than ever before. There's mystery on those plains, and we finally get to explore them. To me, this was a great example of vertical worldbuilding instead of horizontal worldbuilding. Words of Radiance has the best pacing as well. The Way of Kings is a very steep entrance price, and while things happen, it becomes clear for some readers that there's not really an end-goal that the Sanderson is working towards. It's a lot of set up and promise with very little payoff. It's the illusion of movement (I'm pretty sure there's a WoB about this). Oathbringer, while not the same, is similar for large chunks of the book. Each "chunk/book" feels very different from the other parts, and it creates a feeling of...not sloppiness, but fracturing. This isn't true, of course, and I very much enjoy the time we are able to spend with our characters just living, but these are complaints I've heard and I sympathize with. (I'm not sure I agree with them entirely, however.) Conversely, Words of Radiance gives a deadline for its characters and some intrigue around it. The countdown isn't perfect, but it works. (And unlike TROS' countdown, WOR's countdown takes place over a logical amount of time and allows the characters to worry about it without forcing them to go on time-wasting side-quests. And it actually matters.) Shallan's character is explored in great depth in WOR. I've seen more than a few fans go from "she's boring - can I skip her chapters?" to "Shallan is my new favorite character/she's so interesting!" Dalinar gets this treatment in his book, yes, but I don't see as many posts about increasing opinions of him as I do for Shallan. The action is better than TWOK's action scenes, if not on a technical level, then on a sheer awesomeness factor. Four versus one, Szeth vs Dalinar leading into Kaladin's Superhero Landing and the two fighting above and within two raging storms...yeah, I can see it. I do think Oathbringer tops WOR in terms of action, but when WOR received its ranking, OB had yet to come out. And we saw so many "dream" character interactions! Kaladin and Adolin, Adolin and Shallan, Shallan and Kaladin, and quite a few more! You mentioned Avengers movies in a sort of dreading way, but there's a positive superhero aspect too - when all of our favorite superheroes meet for the first time and team up to take down the villain! But does this answer the original question - does Words of Radiance deserve its Goodreads rating? Honestly, I'm not sure. But I know that I think that the rating of the book reflects the quality of the story, and apparently I'm not alone.

You mean Poe? Yeah, he was shipped with a lot of people. He and John Boyega had chemistry with everyone. Apparently Poe was going to have a romance with Rey in Colin Trevorrow's version of Episode IX. Leia and Poe would definitely be unexpected! I always saw their relationship as surrogate mother and son. If Jasnah is interested in men and doesn't end up with Kaladin (...or even if she does and Kaladin makes a Heroic Sacrifice), I totally ship this! I can just imagine it...

Any time!