Vasherin

They both seem to have similar issues and they're mainly about the book's structure. I know Brandon has spoken about Rhythm of War not being structured in the way that he usually writes books and not to expect his typical avalanche but it seems that maybe in trying to tweak that he has thrown off his alchemy a little bit. Particularly worrying for me was Merphy's comment that those who loved Oathbringer would likely feel the same about Rhythm of War as OB was far and away my least favourite SA book. All of this is subjective though so hopefully when I get the book I don't even notice these things. Either way, I'm sure I'll love the story. I've never been fully on board with certain elements of the way Brandon writes books, characters and especially dialogue but I've never not been amazed with the plot and worldbuilding and so I fully expect the same here!

Thanks for the welcome! Words of Radiance is my favourite so far I think. The main characters are starting to come into their own and that was very entertaining to see. Of course, they are more powerful in Oathbringer but I found that their dialogue was just a bit melodramatic for my taste. The secondary characters’ arcs in Oathbringer and the overall story were so good though. What about yours?

I just find it very weird that “Shallan’s book” didn’t deal with the most traumatic moment from her past. I understand it from the point of view of escalating the truths as she progresses. However, from a narrative stand point it doesn’t make any sense to me. Lightweavers are unique in speaking truths rather than Ideals and so I think it would have made a lot of sense to keep her flashback book until book 5. Of course that might not have made sense from a narrative perspective. Either way I just find it messy the way it’s worked out. I’m definitely not arguing that the characters shouldn’t develop but Shallan going from “repressing past trauma” to “repressing a different past trauma” isn’t the most riveting of developments.

That’s not what I’m saying. I’m just saying that it’s not making for an interesting read for me right now. I am on board with what you’re saying about Kaladin and accept that it makes sense from a storytelling perspective even if I think the point is hammered home too often. It’s frustrating to read but the pay off will probably be worth it. Shallan being in the exact same position as she was at the beginning of Words of Radiance in regards to actively avoiding memories of a childhood trauma is just not good writing in my opinion. Not to retread what I’ve said but it retroactively lessens the impact and purpose of Words of Radiance in my mind. I’m not saying it’s a flaw in how her trauma is depicted but I just think that moving the goalposts at this point is lazy at best and a rehash at worst. The characters in this book have had plenty of internal conflict and I understand that it’s a running theme and pretty much a prerequisite for radiance. I am just finding it exhausting to read about at this point. A brief respite while they deal with more external issues would be appreciated. There are also other ways for their internal issues to manifest rather than the same thing happening multiple times. At the end of the day Brandon might well blow my mind with Shallan’s past to the point that I can forgive the cheap tactic and I’m sure Kaladin’s 4th ideal will be suitably epic (or, preferably though improbably, his descent into becoming Odium’s champion). I just had to speak my mind on this because I’m really not enjoying this aspect of RoW so far.

I was 1% away from Elsecaller so there’s a possibility I’d have had two spren sniffing around me! Okay, cool. I think I’ll leave it until after Rhythm of War. I wouldn’t be able to finish everything else before the 17th. Maybe I’ll notice some more tie ins retrospectively.

Thank you! I did, I got Truthwatcher. What about you?

Thanks! I’d probably have to say Jakamav for that one. He’s just one of those characters that doesn’t seem to have any redeeming qualities

Thanks! Hmm, I know Felt is a Scadrial native though I don’t have a strong memory of his character in Mistborn. I can’t remember who the Sel native is though, assuming you don’t mean the lighthouse keeper in Shadesmar. Mind refreshing my memory on that one?

Does anyone else find it very frustrating that both Shallan and Kaladin’s issues seem to be never ending? While on one hand it’s a more realistic depiction of real life issues in that they are rarely resolved in one fell swoop, as a storytelling device I am beginning to find their struggles way too repetitive. It’s maybe not so pronounced with Kaladin. His story and internal monologue is very repetitive regarding each of his hold ups but they at least seem to be dealt with in a realisation that ends up with him swearing a new ideal before another takes its place. At first he was just downtrodden and hopeless, then he had a complex regarding who deserved his protection. Both of these things directly correlated to his oaths. This is why everyone assumes his fourth ideal will be related to his current obsession with not being able to save absolutely everyone. As an overall arc I think this is fine. However, reading his thoughts at the start of RoW is so tedious for me right now. He goes round and round in circles and the exact same concerns can be brought up three or four separate instances in the same chapter. Shallan’s troubles are less excusable to me. I think her DID storyline started off as a logical interpretation and a smart way to display her talents as a lightweaver and their associated risks. I thought it was beginning to drag towards the end of Oathbringer and I’m dismayed to see that there’s no real end in sight. Which would be fine in my opinion if she weren’t on the cusp of regressing even further. I am assuming that her mysterious fourth persona will end up being the Ghotbloods’ other operative and I think there’s potential for that to be interesting. The fact that this is tied to yet another terrible secret from her childhood, however, is infuriating to me. We know that she killed both of her parents and was justified in doing so in both cases. I struggle to see how she could have done anything that would affect her more as a young child. Not only that but the fact that there’s a bigger, unresolved trauma in her past cheapens Words of Radiance for me. Why didn’t Shallan’s flashback book address the biggest issue from her past?That makes zero sense to me. I’m sorry to be so negative about a story that I love, I am just really tired of reading the same chapter from an internal perspective over and over again. Again, I realise that it’s a somewhat realistic depiction of mental health issues and I’m sure the overall resolution for both characters will be all the more satisfying for the tedium endured. As a reader though, I’m bored of it and I really think that Shallan all of a sudden having another, darker secret is not good writing. Is anyone else feeling similarly? Or does someone have a different perspective that can help me see these developments (or lack thereof) in a more positive light?

Hey everyone, signed back up to the forum. I was a member previously but forgot my username etc. I’m now reobsessed after completing my SA/Warbreaker reread prior to Rhythm of War’s release. Do we know if things from the other cosmere titles are going to start being relevant to Stormlight in the way that Warbreaker is?