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Words of Radiance
Brandon Sanderson
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WoR: Section 6 - Part Three: Deadly (Chapters 35-58)
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featuring Shallan, Kaladin, Adolin and Navaniwith 275 pages the longest part of all. Epigraphs are citations of "Words of Radiance" which describe the Radance Knight's relations and backgrounds.
Shallan meets her betrothed and entangles herself deeply into the Ghostbloods - a group of murderous schemers. She develops from frightened chicken to self-confident sorceress.
Great character development with Adolin and a mind-blowing "final" duel.
Kaladin's character gets ever more tense the more lashing capabilities he develops.
It is amazing how Sanderson avoids easy solutions and invents schemes within schemes to develop a better tension arc. The ending of this part alone would have made a fine cliff-hanger for a followup-volume. Not so here - there is yet the volume of a small novel to go.
The action parts involve Adolin's duels which aren't dull "shard hits shard" descriptions but very diverse tactics. No duel is the same as previous ones; they involve fist slamming, wrestling, and well: shards hitting shards. Risks get higher and Adolin's character gets less high-nosed but more human:
Sanderson releases tension in some nearly comical situations - alone the imagination of a heroe's embarassing confession how he follows nature's calling in Shardplates and the heroic efforts of armorers cleaning the plates afterwards couldn't have been done better. But Sanderson doesn't edgy humor only - more often, Shallan brings witty wordplays and there is one scene with hilarous Hoid/Wit.
Mystery, action, humor let us nearly forget the overshadowing doom. What more could be expected?
I really enjoyed the diversity of techniques in the duel as well. I also really really liked how Renarin showed courage in attempting to help Adolin but didn't become a super warrior instantly. The development with Moash joining a crew to assasinate Elhokar was intriguing as it showed Kaladin's dual loyalty and with his statement of never trusting lighteyes again it could develop poorly for clan Kholin. Be interesting to see if Grave's crew has any affiliation with the ghostbloods.
Wit mentioned there only being one woman his age in the world. Do we know who she is?
I'm pretty sure that this section had some of my least favorite dialogue for the series so far... mainly from the repeated use of the word, "Yeah."I get that people say it, but it felt like it was in every other sentence for a while there, and for some reason I just expect better diction from courting lighteyes.
It did start to feel like you couldn't swing a stick without hitting someone in a secret society who knew more than your average bear in these chapters. Hopefully that distills down a little bit before we wrap this one up, because it's a bit silly here.
All that said, Kalodin's chapters really pick up, Adolin earns quite a few points, and Shallan remains reasonably fun to read.
Bill wrote: "Wit mentioned there only being one woman his age in the world. Do we know who she is? "
I don't think it's ever spelled out, but I believe he was referring to Cultivation, one of the Shards on Roshar. (At the very least, I don't know of any other people in the Cosmere who are as old as Hoid and the Shards.)
I don't think it's ever spelled out, but I believe he was referring to Cultivation, one of the Shards on Roshar. (At the very least, I don't know of any other people in the Cosmere who are as old as Hoid and the Shards.)
Mod
* Shallan is able to do cool stuff with her drawing and lightweaving. Sanderson always has the coolest magic systems.
* Did Shallan meet Wit in one of the flashbacks? If not who was the messenger in black from her brother? So when Wit shows up and Shallan gives him a hug, this seems to confirm my earlier suspicions.
* Shallan makes a comment about how short of a time she's been lightweaving and Pattern disputes it only for her to tune him out. Does this relate to her mother's death? Or her father's?
* Shallan received blackbane from her brother Wikim. Will she use that to kill her father?
* We discovered earlier that some of the parshmen are spies. Listeners in dull form. I wonder if Shen is one of them. He seemed to want to tell Kaladin something when Kaladin told him he'd be able to carry a spear. His leaving seems to almost confirm my suspicions.
* So Shallan doesn't have her brother Helaran's blade. It looks like Kaladin killed him, since she identifies Amaram's as her brother's. I'm going to need to revisit that scene in WoK now.
* It appears that Amaram is even worse than expected. He's trying to bring the voidbringers back?
* Kaladin has taught himself how to essentially fly. Brandon Sanderson always seems to come up with the coolest stuff while staying within the bounds of the rules he sets.
* Humor is not something Brandon Sanderson seems to do a lot of, but his writing of Wit is hilarious. I was cracking up the whole time.
* Wit's comment about how there is only one women his own age is intriguing. Who is she? And how old is Wit?
* Kaladin once again lets his anger get the best of him. Just when I thought he might reach a better place with Adolin. I'm not sure what he expected there. I hope he works through his rage faster than Rand did. I'm starting to get tired of it. Elhokar once again shows he's a child and pretty much everything Kaladin thinks to be true of light eyes.
* The excerpts of the Words of Radiance don't make much sense to me. I think they will interesting to revisit later in the series once we know more.
* The final battle here is AWESOME. Mr. Sanderson spoke about how this book is really a trilogy and that the end of part 3 is really the end of the "Second book". How mad would you be if you had to stop there and wait for the next book?
Mod
I had the same question about Wit's reference to this other woman. I have no idea who this Cultivation Mandi mentions is. Or what "one of the Shards on Roshar" means. Is that from another book in his "Cosmere"?
I didn't notice the whole Yeah thing that Sky complains about. The book was too busy being AWESOME! Then again he's an an author and probably reads with a more critical eye than I do. What a bummer that must be. Spending time picking apart the writing when you could be busy enjoying the story. o.O
Oh, dear, how to explain the Cosmere... Putting it behind a spoiler tag only because this doesn't relate directly to WoR, though Sanderson freely talks about all of this at signings, and it doesn't spoil anything in this book (or any others, really.) The 17th Shard wiki is a great source of information if you're curious.
(view spoiler)
tl;dr version: Most of Brandon Sanderson's adult novels are connected, and it's epic.
Edit: And I should note that most/all of Sanderson's Cosmere works have little nods to the background story. He's not planning on having it take center stage for a long while--not until the 4th Mistborn trilogy (yeah, there are gonna be 12 Mistborn books). But if you're aware of what's going on, there's a truly ridiculous amount of hints and wink-wink-nudge-nudge moments, especially in WoR.
(view spoiler)
tl;dr version: Most of Brandon Sanderson's adult novels are connected, and it's epic.
Edit: And I should note that most/all of Sanderson's Cosmere works have little nods to the background story. He's not planning on having it take center stage for a long while--not until the 4th Mistborn trilogy (yeah, there are gonna be 12 Mistborn books). But if you're aware of what's going on, there's a truly ridiculous amount of hints and wink-wink-nudge-nudge moments, especially in WoR.
Mod
All I really want to know is are shards and/or this Cultivation explained in one of his novels? If so, which one? Or is this all from what fans have pieced together from interviews etc?
I haven't read all his Cosmere novels yet, so I'm reluctant to visit that link yet.
Rob I haven't read many of his other books (the man is so prolific!) but found the spoiler super helpful and not spoilery at all.Mandi are the shard blades and armor made from the shards you're talking about?
On phone so I must be brief. I have to say I was all ready to skip the duel cause I'm not into long military stuff but that was exciting.
Shallan is a bit much but lots of fun. Can't wait til she and K see each other for what they are.
The story is great but I've realized what doesn't make this 5 stars is the writing itself. I find myself wanting to skim because it's long winded as if it could be said with less words. I know everyone's gonna argue with me! I'm also ready for kaladin to move on, for the story to move on, this section was too long and could use an editing.
Oh and I don't remember Wit at all, I'll have to google him in WoK.
@Rob: There are references in all of his novels (in The Stormlight Archive, the epigraphs at the beginnings of each chapter are especially Cosmere-significant.) What's known has been pieced together from in-text clues and direct answers (or lack thereof) from Sanderson at signings and such. He's been getting more blatant with his self-referencing, especially in the Stormlight Archive.
@Lori: Shards (Blades and Plate) aren't the same thing as Shards (of Adolnasium.)(I swear, Sanderson has way too much fun trolling his fans sometimes. lol) Shards of Adolnasium are massive concentrations of magic, to the point of essentially being gods (Ruin and Preservation in Mistborn, Honor/The Almighty in WoK, ect.) Shardblades and Shardplate were named by the inhabitants of Roshar, who aren't aware of the greater Cosmere and the other use of the term Shard. There may be some connection to true Shards (e.g. legend says the Shards were gifts from the Almighty, who is himself a Shard of Adolnasium), but we don't know exactly why these artifacts are called Shards.
@Lori: Shards (Blades and Plate) aren't the same thing as Shards (of Adolnasium.)(I swear, Sanderson has way too much fun trolling his fans sometimes. lol) Shards of Adolnasium are massive concentrations of magic, to the point of essentially being gods (Ruin and Preservation in Mistborn, Honor/The Almighty in WoK, ect.) Shardblades and Shardplate were named by the inhabitants of Roshar, who aren't aware of the greater Cosmere and the other use of the term Shard. There may be some connection to true Shards (e.g. legend says the Shards were gifts from the Almighty, who is himself a Shard of Adolnasium), but we don't know exactly why these artifacts are called Shards.
Mod
No arguing. Just going to tell you that you're wrong and move on. :)
Seriously though, this is my favorite section of the book so far. Then again I'm loving every second.
Thanks for weigh in on the spoiler stuff, I went ahead and read it and you're right. But I'm still curious how all that stuff was pieced together.
Was this Cultivation woman(shard bearer) mentioned somewhere in Way of Kings?
@Mandi
Thanks for your posts, very informative. Like I said I knew about his Cosmere as a concept, but haven't really dug into the details. I'm afraid to go looking until I finish reading his other Cosmere novels. I believe I only have Elantris, Warbreaker and the novella The Emperor's Soul left at this point. Then I'll definitely be checking on the link you posted.
I appreciate your summaries for me.
No problem. The Cosmere stuff fascinates me. I mean, it blew my mind when I first stumbled into it, and I keep getting dragged deeper and deeper and oh my god you haven't read Warbreaker. (Sorry, ignore me. I'm rereading Warbreaker and getting inordinately excited by all the Cosmere implications.)
I could ramble on for days about the Cosmere (which is why it's a really good thing I finally created an account at the 17th Shard to participate in those discussions.)
I could ramble on for days about the Cosmere (which is why it's a really good thing I finally created an account at the 17th Shard to participate in those discussions.)
Mod
Based on most of the reviews I've seen though I'm probably going to read Elantris before Warbreaker though.
No, I know. It took me a long time to read anything other than the first Mistborn trilogy--and the man has a crap-ton of books out. Been too long since I read Elantris, though. Not since I discovered the Cosmere. That's next on my reread list.
Rob wrote: "And how old is Wit?"Standard Time Lord age.
I mean, I'm not saying that he's a Cosmere-flavored Doctor Who... but I'm implying it. Strongly.
Mod
And as Mandi was saying above, all of Sanderson's books that don't explicitly mention Earth (like Steelheart or Rithmatist) are part of the Cosmere.At the signing I went to, he mentioned that The Way of Kings (in story version) has made its way to at least one other Cosmere world.
Did Shallan meet Wit in WoK? It seemed odd that they were embracing or maybe I'm just forgetting. The messenger in black seems like a good theory from above.Loved this section... But I am ready for Kaladin to move on for his intense hatred of all things lighteye,, though it makes perfect sense for him to do so.
I'm guessing Syl had her moment in the duel because she saw Pattern. Wonder what she thinks of that!
Mod
Loved this section... But I am ready f..."
No. I'm pretty sure she met him in one of the flashbacks. I think he was acting as a messenger for her brother.
I mentioned that in my long list of observations above.
Ah that makes sense. Hope they meet some more... Would make for some interesting dialogue.
Mod
Anytime Wit is around makes for interesting dialogue.
Mod
Plus they aren't on earth, who knows how gravity works there?
I think the gravitational lashing is also a lot more about how the person perceives the world to be rather than being scietifically accurate. I mean when he lashes himself up what is he lashing to?
Rob wrote: "probably going to read Elantris before Warbreaker"There is one specific connection of Warbreaker and WoR which you can only love if you've read Warbreaker - (view spoiler). Anyway, here is my review for warbreaker.
Mod
Alex wrote: "What exactly is the danger of a highstorm? Is it flying debris?"In Dune they have Coriolis-storms which rip skin and flesh off your bones. THAT's what a real storm is. Highstorms are lukewarm breezes in comparison :)
Alex wrote: "Agreed that the "yeahs" felt out of place in an epic Fantasy novel."I also think that every real fantasy should be in original language instead of an adapted one like modern English. I just can't stand those half-hearted authors that follow their editors and change everything - even the dialogue parts - to English.
I always loved Tolkien's Quenya passages and just skipped the boring English parts.
Same goes for SF - having learned Klingonian and Romulan all the English translations are totally inadequate.
Namarie!
>Elhokar pulled a dick move at the end. >Kaladin is a little one-minded about Amaram but its cool to see him practicing with his powers more.
>Amazed that Adolin's fight in the end worked out so well, after starting out so badly (right up until the end, at least).
>Shallan is quickly becoming quite good at her disguises which is nice, since she could have also become one-minded like Kaladin.
>I really wish there was more about the Parshendi/Eshonai story from this viewpoint, but I guess its not time for that yet.
>I was intensely reading the Wit section to make sure I didn't miss anything. I immediately wondered who could be as old as him on Roshar, thanks for mentioning Cultivation. That makes a lot of sense.
-----
Alex wrote: "that whole courting scene at the viewing patio with Shallan and Adolin felt like it was Urban Fantasy or YA, not epic fantasy"
One might say that Adolin and Shallan are young adults in a situation that is new to them with a person that was previously unknown to them. Not sure if I'd be exceptionally eloquent in that situation (actually I'm completely sure I wouldn't be eloquent in that situation).
Andreas wrote: "I also think that every real fantasy should be in original language instead of an adapted one like modern English. I just can't stand those half-hearted authors that follow their editors and change everything - even the dialogue parts - to English."
Couldn't disagree with you more. I don't read SF/fantasy to learn a new language. The specialized names for certain things (like the animals on Roshar) is fine but replacing words unnecessarily or having entire dialogues in a different language is just showing off that should left for compendiums and encyclopedias.
Alex wrote: "I have a minor issue with the gravitational Lashing. I dare any one of you to point to me exactly where the centre of the Earth is."
Well, if you want to talk physics, the extraordinary difference in mass between a human (Kaladin) and a planet (Roshar) would be such that being slightly off with finding the centre would not have a significant effect on the lashing.
Alex wrote: "I can see that they're two young adults...but it just doesn't match the tone of the rest of the book."I'm with you on this all the way. Awkwardness is fine. Silliness is fine. A general lack of eloquence, an overabundance of exuberance, and a few clumsy attempts at being clever during the courtship are all fine and to be expected.
But consider this: The word "yeah" occurs 73 times in this book. 9 of those take place over the course of that single conversation, a conversation between two well bred, well educated individuals who are trying to impress each other.
The "yay for originality" line was also just a couple of steps too far. It just wasn't in keeping with the vernacular of the book.
Of course, this is a total nitpick. I loved this book. But if a scene is weak, you gotta call it like it is. Content-wise, it was still enjoyable, and that's a big plus in my book. I mean, I'm not even complaining about how often Shallan's vaunted wit strays into the territory of body odor (hint: it's almost every time).
Fortunately, I don't read Sanderson for his debonair flourishes in the field of romantic conversation, and he pulls off enough clever word play to earn more than a few liberties.
Well it's all part of his simplistic writing that I've mentioned before - honestly it's not the best. I went back to my reread of Malazan and because my brain had such an easy read for this book, I am having problems focusing on the detailed and descriptive prose! I didn't form any internal movie with WoR, and at one point realized I never got any real description of crem. Another comparison is that I visually dreamed Mielville's Perdito Street Station, the city was completely formed.
I don't usually like overly descriptive prose unless it paints a moving image in my head.
So the colloquial language and the lack of visual were some weaknesses.
Personally, I like Sanderson's more relaxed prose (tbh, I didn't even notice the "yeahs" in that scene as I was reading.) And WoR gave me some of the most vivid mental images of any book I've ever read--from spren to the different races on Roshar to the landscapes to the action... Literally the only thing in these books I wouldn't have a clear picture of without the illustrations are axehounds (and that's just because the "hound" part makes me picture an Earth dog, so the other details didn't seem to fit.)
I mean, there's obviously a spectrum of writing style (and reader preference.) I wouldn't call it simplistic vs. sophisticated, because that implies that one end of the spectrum is better than the other. More casual vs. formal voice. Or understated vs. ornate language.
I'll admit, I come down more on the Hemingway side of things than the Faulkner side. (Faulkner having said something about how Hemingway's writing never sent readers to a dictionary, Hemingway replied, "Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?") I don't like noticing prose. I think the words on the page should be invisible so I can pay attention to the story. I don't want to be thinking about the author while I'm reading. As far as I'm concerned, Sanderson is a master of "quiet" prose. I won't be marveling at the technical skill--because I'm too busy living in the world, adoring the characters, and obsessing over the stories.
And I like that. Others are more auditory in their reading and want prose that has a certain rhythm to it. Or they like text with a lot of meat on the bones. Or whatever. And that's fine. Different preferences and all that.
But I wouldn't say that Sanderson's writing style is a weakness. To me, it's another reason to love the book.
I mean, there's obviously a spectrum of writing style (and reader preference.) I wouldn't call it simplistic vs. sophisticated, because that implies that one end of the spectrum is better than the other. More casual vs. formal voice. Or understated vs. ornate language.
I'll admit, I come down more on the Hemingway side of things than the Faulkner side. (Faulkner having said something about how Hemingway's writing never sent readers to a dictionary, Hemingway replied, "Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?") I don't like noticing prose. I think the words on the page should be invisible so I can pay attention to the story. I don't want to be thinking about the author while I'm reading. As far as I'm concerned, Sanderson is a master of "quiet" prose. I won't be marveling at the technical skill--because I'm too busy living in the world, adoring the characters, and obsessing over the stories.
And I like that. Others are more auditory in their reading and want prose that has a certain rhythm to it. Or they like text with a lot of meat on the bones. Or whatever. And that's fine. Different preferences and all that.
But I wouldn't say that Sanderson's writing style is a weakness. To me, it's another reason to love the book.
Mod
I'm having that same problem. But honestly I think that's another reason why I like Sanderson better.
Mod
Since he's likely going to be asleep for many more hours, I'll play agent and say yes he is. He's got 3 or 4 books that I'm aware of.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/list...
Rob, I can see why you'd prefer the easier reading, there's a lot to be said for it. I'm missing it as I plunge back into TCG! I have to think too hard! I found Sanderson a joy to read, so I am not casting any kind of judgment,
Mod
This provided me a short 2 week break from things, but now I'm having to play catch up and so far it's not grabbing me. We'll see how I feel by the end of the week though.
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Books mentioned in this topic
Dune (other topics)A Memory of Light (other topics)
Elantris (other topics)
Warbreaker (other topics)
The Emperor's Soul (other topics)
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