NYB

Evrything was slowly built up with things being "normal" and within the "physics" of Roshar; everything you meantioned I can accept being normal in this world. That's the beauty of creating a universe - if done well, you can describe what's realistic. Yes society is different, but as meantioned in Oathbringer, being gay was unheard of in Alethi culture, (even if it was more common in Azir). After establishing that, it feels out of place for there suddonly to be every other person meantioned to be gay. This is definitely a part of it. I think the other books did better with keeping it as adding to the story instead of being to forefront with it. I didn't think of this. I still stand with what I said before, but I guess not as intense as I originally thought. I don't have a problem as much with Renarin&Rlain (although I do think its over emphasized), but it seems like he goes out of his way to meantion things. The Sarqqin thing I actually think was done well - wasn't emphasized as being radical (and ) but other cases seems to obvious/unnecessary (Lyft in the tower, Kaladins run-ins with Sigzil and Drehy). Just off the top of my head. The small incidents that seem overemphasized, and with Renarin-Rlain thing, I feel is too much emphasis on gay relationships. This book seems to be more explicit about relationships, yet the only one that actually gets developed is Renarin-Rlain. Maybe his focus in this book signifies he'll be more important in later books? I just don't think it adds to the book.

Honestly, I'm only half way through, but I am disappointed because of the "romance". There is such an emphasis on gay relationships, while personally, I have no qualms about people's decisions, but here it only detracts from the book. You can look at it a number of ways. (1) This is set in a medieval time period, in which open gayness was unheard of. (2) Even nowadays when its accepted, it isn't common. Why does everyone that didn't have a prior relationship now have to be gay? (3) WaT isn't a romance (or gay romance), its an adventure fantasy. In every one of Brandon Sanderson's books, the thing that draws me to reading them is the lack of plot holes, and I can just let myself get wrapped up in the fantasy world. With each of these numerous scenes, I am ripped out of this "fantasizing/imagination" and reminded that there is a political agenda here too. A "good story" is interrupted by unrealistic romances. (4) This leads into the idea that I read books to take a break from politics and enjoy a good story, which is ruined in WaT by the constant reminder of the political/social agenda that "being gay is normal". Please don't take this the wrong way, I have nothing against people who make choices in their life to do whatever they want, or for it to be more accepted in society. I am only saying including this in a major fashion, especially as prevalent as it comes up in WaT, detracts from the book. Yes, I think that adding this detracts from your books, but yhank you Brandon Sanderson for making such great books. The world you created is quite amazing and enjoyable to explore.