Series: Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson ("Way of Kings")

[Stephan]

Anna wrote: "Please no open spoilers for any book, not even the first one! :)

How to use spoiler tags:

[spoilers removed]

Click on "(some html is ok)" in the top right corner of the text box (on desktop vers..."

Thanks. I'm not doing all that, though. I'll just delete it.

[Bonnie]

Finished Oathbringer.
Sad to report that I was underwhelmed (a reflection of my own brain and reaction, not any criticism of those who enjoyed it more than I did). And now, since Allison will want to know why :-) I must attempt to organize my thoughts.

Despite the awesome setup of characters, intricate magic system/mythology and the inventive world, I thought it often dragged. In the second half, against my will! my mind often left Roshar and travelled to Middle Earth (and occasionally Westeros, or Realm of the Elderlings), as I compared various facets to Roshar, thinking about how much more I cared about those characters and their problems, than I did about those in Oathbringer. This is a general problem for me and fantasy (I usually like science fiction more): so little fantasy I read comes close to measuring up to Lord of the Rings.

I thought the book felt like a wrap at the end of Part 3, with some arcs stabilized and some characters in interesting cliffhangers… but there were still hundreds of pages to go.

Liked:
(view spoiler)[
-Diplomacy challenges with Denalar and other monarchs
-Shallin/Veil and team learning how to be spies
-Shallin and Jasnah sparring after Jasnah's return (would have liked more of this. S. had SEEN J stabbed to death, she was not more surprised?)
-Shallin struggling with a Multiple Personality Disorder of sorts
-Risn's story (merchant who wished she were still out trading and traveling)
-Themes of slavery/oppression - Kaladin seeing life of slavery from Parshmen's point of view
-My fav = Pattern enjoying his chaperone duties and yelling "No mating!"
(hide spoiler)]
Disappointed/underwhelmed by:
(view spoiler)[
-Sidelining Jasnah and Renarin; little to no POV with them (which meant their big scene together at the end lacked emotional resonance)
-Fallout of Adolin’s murdering Highprince Sadeas
-Kaladin’s visit home, no thoughts about new bro?
-King Elkohar’s redemption/reunion with his wife / then sudden death
-Dalonar’s backstory: interesting, but too much of it. I had it figured out long before the flashbacks ended.
-The Everstorm, such a cool idea (I love the whole Roshar ecology and the culture having developed to withstand storms from the east) but we didn’t see or feel that much in this book
(hide spoiler)]
Disliked:
(view spoiler)[
-Shadesmar world: beings living there, how the Fused got in there, money is the same as the physical world, underwear? I did not like or understand this otherworld, and could not wait to get out of there

-Too MUCH lore. Too many beings and splicing off into new levels and beings. Heralds, Knights Radiant, gods, godlings, demons, Unmade..... Very cool and frightening beings but instead of letting the dread of them seep in (red eyes, weird stuff with decayed food) it's on to a new breakoff or deity or Nightwatcher or Bonesmiths or Bondsmiths or Stonebreakers or Unborn or Regal or Reaches or Screamers or mistspren or this one’s taking over another one’s body or what have you. I’m OK with occasionally looking up a name on the fan wikis but I don’t want to need to do it every other chapter.
(hide spoiler)]

I am glad Sanderson set up his world and magic system carefully, and in the last two books I liked the setup with the Spren and Parsh people, but maybe (for me) becoming overcooked. I would rather work with the characters and beings we’ve got and care about them, than keep splitting off new ones. It just becomes a Magical Matrix world and i can not bring myself to stretch my emotional investment any more. Also I found myself wondering “How did they find out about these people? How did X character know this monster/being’s name?

One of the parts of LotR I liked the least was, in The Return of the King, (view spoiler)[Legolas and Gimli I think? took off and returned to the Fields of Pelennor battle with a bunch of ghosts from the underworld or something. (hide spoiler)] Even upon rereading I was always confused by that. Who were these spirit people and how did anyone know how to go get them? That is the way I felt for much of Oathbringer, with more and more fantastical beings popping up.

[Hank]

Oh man, now we know what triggers Alabaster, you are doomed! :)

Hey Anna, I am going to go vote in both polls and not read or comment on either of the books!

[Alabaster]

Hank I really don't see how I'm doomed unless you all start filling the discussion with pictures of scribbled-on books. :)

Bonnie: I understand what you're saying about how much of the story seems like an exposition dump. I noticed that too, and it also drove me a little crazy. I do think it was intentional though - Sanderson plans to write 10 books in the Stormlight Archives franchise, a "front half" and a "back half" (I don't think that counts as a spoiler, but let me know if you want it fixed). So while it's a bit annoying now, I'd honestly rather see a huge info/exposition/worldbuilding stage in this first section so that he's free to pursue established concepts and plot points in the later stories.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Alabaster, I am a big sister through and through, don't tempt me to make all posts photos of me scribbling in books! I can't fight it forever!

Bonnie, you know me well :') really great thoughts. I'm sorry it didn't all pull together for you, but I get it! are you planning to continue?

Hank! you are extremely sassy today! I'm going to attribute it to a good birthday and excitement about trivia time :D

[Anna]

What? What?! Where am I?

[Bonnie]

Yes indeed Allison. You folks on this thread keep me amused. Also, there were some tears shed by readers during Rhythm of War so I must see what that's all about!

Conveniently, 3.5) Dawnshard just popped up for me at the library so I will start right in and keep going.

[Anna]

Hi to new readers! :) If you want to talk about a specific book or chapter in the series in a spoilery way, please use spoiler tags and tell us what book/chapter/part you're talking about!

How to use spoiler tags:

(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]

Click on "(some html is ok)" in the top right corner of the text box (on desktop version) as you're typing your post to copy/paste the code. Or go to this help page if you're not on the desktop version.

[Tamara]

Hi. Resurrecting this discussion (hopefully), since I'm just finishing The Way of Kings, Part I. I wanted to talk about the clues, rather than doing literary analysis, yet. So I'm not sure this is the right place to share my clue conclusions, since the thread has literary analysis questions to respond to at the top. If I should put it somewhere else, please tell me.

I wanted to talk about conclusions after reading this first book (Part 1 of Book One, ending at chapter 36). Because there are so many clues placed here, which are building the foundation for whatever the big picture is that will be revealed through the series.

So, here are my conclusions, so far (I'm actually only up to chapter 33, but have also read the one about Kaladin in the storm) - the first two are obvious, but to set things out:

('Spoiler' tag is for anyone who hasn't read Part I, although everyone here seems to have read far beyond that! But in case, and because them seems to be the rules)
(view spoiler)[
- The shardplate armour and swords are, of course, from the Knights Radiant. Since others get these when their bearer dies, those existing still in the world are remnants left behind after their deaths.
- The Knights Radiant used these to save people on Roshar from the Voidbringers and whatever else battled them from the beginning.
- The Knights had the same abilities that Szeth has - to use Stormlight for power, and to move in weird ways. That's why they could descend from the sky and 'fly' up into it in Dalinar's vision. It's also why their armour glowed.
- Because the Shardplate and shardblades that people in the present use aren't used by the Knights, with their special abilities, but by ordinary people, the armour doesn't glow, and they can't use it for the same things. The armour is obviously extremely powerful, since it still has its amazing qualities, after millenia (or at least 500 years, if it was made continously over the time the Knight orders existed and not just the same suits made at the very beginning), but is not being fully used.

They have the remnants of a fallen civilisation, but don't understand their significance or how to use them. This is connected to the way the countries are set up, and the land itself:

- Alethkar was where the Knights Radiant lived, and it was their job to protect the rest of the world. So their culture became about being the best fighters - but for the goal of service and sacrifice. This is where the instructions in the book, The Way of Kings about leaders serving the others, come from. They had great power, but had to use it for good, so their rules about its use were strict.
- Present-day Alethkar is still a warlike culture, but they've lost the reason. They don't protect others, but the fighting itself has become the end instead of the means. Their culture retains its respect for skilled fighting and certain elements of honour, like taking responsibility, but has lost the purpose for which their forbears lived this way.
- This is why 'lighteyes' are the leaders/rulers/nobility, because they were the ones who protected others; they had light-coloured eyes because the armour/sword had that effect on them, perhaps because of the use of Stormlight. In this disconnected present, where they have some of the forms but not the meaning, those most directly descended from the past Knights with their light-coloured eyes (or maybe light-colour eyes are a dominant trait in this setup. If they're recessive, though, like in reality, then having them would indicate a higher ratio of ancestors with that trait - and they would all probably marry each other, which would concentrate it) are held to be higher in station that those without. Not because that's how it was in the past, but because what they've retained is that those with this trait were the powerful ones who protected the rest, which evolved into political or social power once the Knights were gone.
- Dalinar's vision shows that the Shattered Plains used to be a country or region where people lived before the cataclysm that changed their world and destroyed the Knights. The reason it's now like it is, geologically, is a result of that cataclysm. The chasmfiends fit into this, I think. I'm not sure if they're leftovers of the cataclysm/the fights that happened before it (like in Dalinar's vision)/things that were there from the beginning, like the thunderclasts mentioned there. Not sure why they'd have gemstones for hearts, and yet be alive. Although animals are made from rock, there, as are some plants, so I guess that's not unusual in such a place. But it would be interesting if they were remnants of something created to destroy - made by someone. That's a really far-out thought, without much to back it up. Just a wild sort of guess, probably incorrect.
- I think Kaladin has the same ability as Szeth.
- I think Dalinar and Gavilar are descendants of Knights Radiant, perhaps. Or have just been given a similar duty, newly, because something like them is needed again. It's really sad that Gavilar was killed, when he was doing something that was so important. I guess that's why it passed on to his brother. Although them being descendants of the Knights is, perhaps, obvious, since they're Alethi, and Alethkar is the original home of the Knights. I guess I mean they're more direct descendants?
- I think Kaladin might be, too - although that's another sort of obvious conclusion, given the one above.

- I'm not sure about the Knights turning evil and betraying everyone. I think this could be a misreading of history. The way things turn into myths and legend, and bitterness and resentment become stories of what happened and why, but from one perspective. Those who don't know any details accept it, and it becomes memory/fact/history.
- I think that it's partly true, though. I think there might have been a conflict between one, or a faction, who wanted to stop fighting and dying for everyone else, and change things in some way, and those who maintained the codes and everything else. That the good ones were destroyed in this conflict, and somewhere, the dissidents or original dissident remain still. Perhaps something to do with the letter we're given snippets of in Dalinar's chapters?

- I want to know what the King of Kharbranth's sadness/hauntedness is about, which Jasnah mentioned. And the two figures that Shallan 'saw'. Were they actual phantoms, or her mind working something out, and therefore representations? Are they the 'Voidbringers'; perhaps a creation of whoever destroyed the Knights? Are they, literally, haunting him? Or is he the one directing the group who want Szeth to kill those people? Or part of it? (Another wild guess, but based on hints).

- I can't figure out the Parshendi. I actually wonder if they, and the Parshmen, are also descendants of a creation back in the distant past, like hybrid robots (I can't think of a better word); or perhaps they're the original inhabitants of Roshar? Whereas the rest are refugees, originally, from a human planet? Totally wild guess, here! But it would explain why they want to destroy the Alethi. Or I'm not convinced they do want to destroy them. Perhaps destroy their civilisation? Since they're focused on the 'war' and leaving their actual country to rot a bit. It's an obvious ploy - the assassination - to get them to the Shattered Plains. But not enough clues to understand why, yet. That's frustrating. (hide spoiler)]

Maybe I'll have a bit more filled in after reading the couple of chapters I haven't yet.

[Anna]

This thread is for any type of discussion, it doesn't have to follow any other rules except not spoiling things for others! I know lots of people have read the book(s), so I'm hoping someone will jump in shortly to chat with you :) I haven't read the books yet, so I won't open the spoiler.

[Tamara]

The question was asked before, were you shocked by the first description of using the bridges? And yes, I was horrified. I think there's no other way to feel, is there? It's horrific. That men are used in this way, and that the experience is like that. You feel front and centre, just as Kaladin is.

[Tamara]

Anna wrote: "This thread is for any type of discussion, it doesn't have to follow any other rules except not spoiling things for others! I know lots of people have read the book(s), so I'm hoping someone will j..."

Thanks for your help, Anna. You're an example of someone not having read the first book in the series for this thread, so 'spoiler' tags might be needed for that situation. I find it frustrating to use them when it seems like there's not enough reason.

[Anna]

The reason is that people can chat about the book(s) as they read, so for example you don’t have to see spoilers for the second half. You can of course also go chat in the spoiler thread of book 1, but then you’ll very likely be spoiled for lots of things you haven’t gotten to yet. That’s what spoiler tags are for 🙂

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Tamara, that's so many great hypotheses! Very excited to see what you think/confirm/negate as the series progresses :)

[Bonnie]

Tamara wrote: "The question was asked before, were you shocked by the first description of using the bridges? And yes, I was horrified. I think there's no other way to feel, is there? It's horrific. That men are ..."

It certainly was. At the time I even enacted little play bridges on the table trying to imagine how those things actually worked.
I have not forgotten Bridge Four. This summer at a restaurant I saw a guy reading one of the books at breakfast. Someone else went up to him and asked him about what he was reading. So then I looked over and said, Yes, I've read it too, they're really good, and I said "Bridge Four!" + salute to the guy.

[Ryan]

Ditto Allison - Tamara, you're in for a treat. Most of your questions and thoughts will have more information revealed as you keep reading the series. I'm afraid it would count as spoilers for you if those who have read further respond! In the meantime, I'm enjoying reading your comments.

[Tamara]

Bonnie wrote: "I have not forgotten Bridge Four. This summer at a restaurant I saw a guy reading one of the books at breakfast. Someone else went up to him and asked him about what he was reading. So then I looked over and said, Yes, I've read it too, they're really good, and I said "Bridge Four!" + salute to the guy."

I'm not as enamoured by Bridge 4 yet as others seem to be - I probably need to get further along to feel that way. I think it's great, what Kaladin is doing. I admire and feel for him, with him continuously trying, trying, and always failing. But such a noble spirit, and he can't help helping others and having hope, because that's how he's made. I prefer this to people who just overcome obstacles and bam! it's all solved. This representation is more like my own experience! But without the heroics...
Bridge 4 is pretty cool, though - it's just early days.

[Tamara]

Ryan wrote: "Ditto Allison - Tamara, you're in for a treat. Most of your questions and thoughts will have more information revealed as you keep reading the series. I'm afraid it would count as spoilers for you ..."
Thanks, Ryan - and Allison. I've changed a couple of my thoughts, since I went and read on here a bit, from the author's answers to people's questions, and on his website. Like that (view spoiler)[Kaladin and Szeth's abilities aren't the same, but related. And that Parshmen are almost certainly original inhabitants of Roshar. Not sure about the humans, though (original also, or from somewhere else planet-wise...which would really change the scope of the story). And apparently Shallan is a lot more important than she seems. I don't like her a lot - no dislike, just a bit 'meh' - yet, so that will probably change. I'm thinking that her drawing ability, especially the part about taking 'snapshots', is probably some kind of Knights Radiant gift, too. (hide spoiler)]

I'm happy for anyone to tell me if my conclusions/guesses are cold/warm/right/wrong/nearly right. I like to know a little of what's going to happen in a story, so I know whether to worry; it also gives me some motivation to read/watch on, because I know if there's something interesting to look forward to. Just general sorts of things.

[Ryan]

(view spoiler)[Well, you're right about where the Parshmen are from, and you figured it out quite early! Though there's a big role for them to come. Shallan will also evolve significantly over the next books. Good guess about her drawing ability. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

I am about halfway through the (57+hr) audiobook of Rhythm of War. I tried reading it in print when it came out, as a library book (for which I was #1 on the holds list when it arrived at the library), but I ran out of time and had to return it.
I still dislike Shallan, about as much as I always have. And, every time she gushes about Adolin, I like him a bit less. *sigh* Maybe Sanderson can have a major plot twist in a later book and kill her off? I do like Pattern though.
(view spoiler)[I find Sanderson's plotting style amusing in this one - things are going too smoothly, so of course the bad guys show up and in relatively few pages the bad guys have captured the good guys' key stronghold. It felt a bit rushed actually, like maybe it should have taken another ten pages or so. (hide spoiler)]

[Gabi]

Well, I'm pretty sure he won't kill off Shallan, which I'm grateful for, because she is one of my favourite characters.

[Mindy]

This is super random but this is for the serious Brandon Sanderson fans:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a-k6...

The title of the video: "It's Time to Come Clean" - Brandon Sanderson

[Anna]

I had no interest in watching that, but then I saw people (outside of GR) talking about a Sanderson related thing, and I thought hmm maybe this video is about that and watched it.

I kinda want to comment, but will restrain myself :)

[Leonie]

Anna wrote: "I had no interest in watching that, but then I saw people (outside of GR) talking about a Sanderson related thing, and I thought hmm maybe this video is about that and watched it.

I kinda want to ..."

😂😂😂

[Mindy]

Yeah, I myself am not really a strong Sanderson fan but I know a couple of people who are very, very excited about this.

[Anna]

I mean I’m kind of excited in a way I guess? 😄 I have so many things I want to say, or one at least, but yeah. I almost started a new thread for this video with a spoiler warning so that people can talk about it 😂 But of course people are already talking about it everywhere.

[Mindy]

Anna wrote: "I mean I’m kind of excited in a way I guess? 😄 I have so many things I want to say, or one at least, but yeah. I almost started a new thread for this video with a spoiler warning so that people can..."

I think it would be lovely and wonderful if there was a space to discuss this in this group! (Just my personal opinion.) There is already a lot to discuss because of what is happening already with the thing.

[Anna]

Mindy, please start the thread! I’m about to sleep or I’d do it myself. I hope to wake tomorrow to several pages of comments! 🤓

[Mindy]

Anna wrote: "Mindy, please start the thread! I’m about to sleep or I’d do it myself. I hope to wake tomorrow to several pages of comments! 🤓"

Oh boy. My first thread! Yikes! Ok, will do.

[Anna]

You can do it! 👍🏻

The thread is here: Brandon Sanderson's Plans for 2023

[Mindy]

Best Mods ever !

[Tamara]

I finished The Way of Kings, Part 2, and just started Words of Radiance. I found out what spren are! I was surprised he just gave that to us - I thought I'd have to figure it out over time.

Speaking of spren, (view spoiler)[
I'm still wondering what the place that the Heralds went back to between fights was (from the original prologue). Was it Shadesmar? Not sure about that. And the 'God' who was showing Dalinar the visions - was that a highly-evolved spren? Or perhaps one of the Heralds - my original idea. Jasnah said there were levels, which makes me wonder if some of them evolved into really powerful beings. Also, the fact that each of the 10 orders of Radiants corresponds with a virtue or concept like truth and honour - and spren are manifestations of ideas from people. Which leads to Odium being also a type of powerful spren, or perhaps a group of them.

The spren thing's a bit hard to grasp, since they seemed to be spirit-like creatures - personifying water, wind, and emotions. But now, they include those strange creatures Shallan was seeing, with the symbols for heads - does this mean they can be really anything humans imagine? It lessens their wonder and beauty for me... I'm a bit disappointed. But it does make the development of powers clearer - and the reason people have begun to have them again - as well as why the powers ever stopped in the first place.

I wonder how that's connected with the Knights leaving. So far, it seems like it was to do with them being too affected by the powers, and armour and swords, they wielded. That they did it in service of others, but it changed them too much, and they were tired of it. Like it was making them less human, or less distinct as individuals - as seen with the eyes gone so pale in Dalinar's vision.

The 'reveal' about the parshmen was great. He led up to that really well, so that when Jasnah started putting it together for Shallan, I realised it just as/before she said it. (hide spoiler)]

The cover and 'endpages' (at the beginning) art in this one is really nice. I'm seeing what I missed out on by reading the first book in its split version - I can actually make out the handwritten notes on the sketch pages now!

[Gabi]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts,

[Gabi]

hit the button too soon, sorry ... I wanted to add: " ... it is always so great to read the thoughts of first time readers. I'm reading the series aloud to my boys atm and listen to their reactions and musings is the best thing ever.

[D]

I'll be one of those first time readers before too much longer. My tbr backlog is obscene but this is high on it.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

Tamara, such great thoughts!! I'm excited for you to continue the series and say what in your guesses evolves!

[Tamara]

🙂 After reading on a few chapters, I realised some of my ideas were wrong 😁😏 - and I'd mis-remembered the spren explanation, so got that wrong there, too.

I'm really appreciating (view spoiler)[learning about the actual situation with the Parshendi/Listeners, from Eshonai's perspective. I hadn't expected that. It's so tragic, what they did to King Gavilar, and what they brought upon themselves as a result.

I'm so glad to learn that they deliberately forsook their old 'gods', who would have been the one(s) leading them towards the destruction they repeatedly brought to the world and the humans. And so concerning that they might be moving towards that again - from all the convoluted problems now existing.

I like - it's so hopeful - that there's possibility, though, of individuals deliberately changing this, just through their desires and choices. Eshonai and Dalinar, for example. Also that, as we're given the history of this world, so tragic and noble, both, these individuals we're following might be able to make this time different. That, although the great threat is there that it will hapen again, as it always has in the past, these people are learning from the destruction and suffering of that past, and they carry the hope of preventing it, or at least changing it, this time. That they might, together, create a different future. That the destruction is not completely definite - that there is something that can be done; that these few people might, actually prevent it and transform it. I hope that happens - but just the hope is enough, for now. And not just the humans and (at least one) parshendi, but the spren as well.

And I'm glad things have started to go well for Kaladin - that his awesomeness has been recognised, and he has his band of honourable men, and that they are doing awesome, hopeful things with the rest of the former bridgemen, and making good waves in their environment. 🤗🦸‍♂️👏

But Jasnah! 😢😭😧 (hide spoiler)]

[Tamara]

Gabi wrote: "hit the button too soon, sorry ... I wanted to add: " ... it is always so great to read the thoughts of first time readers. I'm reading the series aloud to my boys atm and listen to their reactions..."

It is a really thoughtful book/series, isn't it? I'd find the hard scenes too shocking for children, but the difficult choices characters have to make, and their reasoning, their trying and hoping, failing and sometimes succeeding - I think it's a very realistic representation of how life is. It gives lots of thoughts about honour, hope, friendship, struggle, leadership, giving in to your weaknesses or dark parts or resisting them - repeatedly, seeking revenge and making assumptions.... Lots of learning opportunities. This is what I think makes a really good story. True things, told in story form, that make you think and help you learn - whatever it is you need to learn through them. These aspects make it a really good story for kids!

[Tamara]

Things I forgot to mention:

(view spoiler)[ I like that the abilities of the Knights Radiant aren't inherited, but chosen or selected. And that it's, perhaps, possible to learn them - if the spren choose or are drawn to you. It does seem, though, that those who have the abilities had a certain capacity before: like Shallan's art, Kaladin's honour/courage/desire to protect, and Jasnah's desire to learn and investigate for the truth.

I was right, I was right!! About the king of Kharbranth being the leader of those who employed Szeth. Just one of my speculations about his sadness, but it was right! (hide spoiler)]

[Gabi]

The hard scenes aren't too shocking for my boys - with the exception of (view spoiler)[Tien's fate. I was dreading that moment and my younger son still is complaining about it, even though we are already in book 4 (hide spoiler)].
Kaladin's struggle for identity and meaning in life is absolutely perfect for my puberty sons. They identify a lot with him and he is their hero.

Tamara wrote: "Things I forgot to mention: ..."

I think (view spoiler)[ the Radiants are all people who have been broken in some aspect or other (so far at least, if I recall correctly). I have the feeling that that is an aspect for getting chosen by a spren.

And good one on Taravangian! I was quite surprised by this the first time I listened to the book. (hide spoiler)]

[Tamara]

Gabi wrote: "Kaladin's struggle for identity and meaning in life is absolutely perfect for my puberty sons. They ident..."

Oh, I can see how that would be the case! A really good hero, especially because he does have so much to struggle with, and so much that is really difficult keeps happening to him - the story that Wit tells/gets him to tell in Words of Radiance (I've just read that part) reflects that so well. His attitude makes such a difference, and the fact that all of this hard stuff happens, and he does make mistakes, often, too, makes him relatable and more heroic.
I appreciate how Syl tells him how crazy he gets when he thinks about 'lighteyes' - his enormous prejudice regarding them, which stops him from some important things, like (view spoiler)[ telling/showing Dalinar his Surgebinding gifts. This might have prevented Amaram from being named leader of the Knights. It's also part of what causes poor decisions where he seems to have been thinking only about his own pain/revenge/etc., and ignored the effect of the decision on others. (hide spoiler)]... He's weak and strong, both, and that's realistic.

As for the returning (view spoiler)[ Knights Radiant, your comment reminds me of that quote everyone likes, about how the cracks are how the light gets in 🙂. I'm not sure they're very different to anyone else, in being somewhat 'broken' - because aren't we all? But these events push them to discover their gifts - and perhaps that's connected with what you say about spren being attracted to them partly by this. I wonder if that aspect is more about their response to the breaking - determination, working on skills, etc. It seems, also, that they're decent - wanting to help others, and that the difficult things don't stop that. (hide spoiler)]

[Tamara]

I finished reading Edgedancer. I liked it. And it left me with a nice feeling. I like how unique Lift is - her distinct approach and voice. Amusing to read about, strange, and also unexpected, in that really satisfying way. She seems, at first, when you meet her in the book before, to be a bit selfish or completely unconcerned with others, etc., but there's a deeper story and side there, which we find out a leetle bit more about in this book.

I like how compassionate she really is, and how good she is at doing things, despite how really bad at them she appears to be (and is, in some aspects). I guess, there are things that matter to be good at, and others that don't, even though their respective appearances seem to say the opposite. For example, she's terrible at getting her powers 'right' in the way they make her look, or make her speed and smoothness all work well. But she's very good at perceiving things, and showing others that reality. I mean, she even (view spoiler)['changes' Darkness, like she says she will... helps him see the futility and wrongness of what he's been doing (hide spoiler)]. Wow! Who else could have done that? Who would have thought that a little errant girl would have been the one to? Very cool.

[Tamara]

Gabi wrote: "Well, I'm pretty sure he won't kill off Shallan, which I'm grateful for, because she is one of my favourite characters."

What is it you like about Shallan, Gabi? I've become a little more warmed to her character since getting through the rest of the 2nd book (my opinion went down, at first). Perhaps there are parts of her character, or journey, which resonate with you, or things about her you find endearing which others find annoying. Or just things you see that others don't.

[Leonie]

I'm 25% through Wind and Truth and very much enjoying it. There are lots of switching of viewpoints, but I don't mind it all, as each character is distinct with an individual voice.

[Olga]

Leonie wrote: "I'm 25% through Wind and Truth and very much enjoying it. There are lots of switching of viewpoints, but I don't mind it all, as each character is distinct with an individual voice."

I'm 73% in an I'm kind of tired to be amazed. In a good way, but gosh, it's a lot. This will need at least one re-reading to put every little detail in the right place. So far I'm just listening at x1,45 because I need to know how it ends.

[Leonie]

Olga wrote: "Leonie wrote: "I'm 25% through Wind and Truth and very much enjoying it. There are lots of switching of viewpoints, but I don't mind it all, as each character is distinct with an i..."

I've also bought the audiobook, as I often find that a listen gives me more insights than that first, gulping, read, where I'm just galloping through the book.

[Olga]

Leonie wrote: "Olga wrote: "Leonie wrote: "I'm 25% through Wind and Truth and very much enjoying it. There are lots of switching of viewpoints, but I don't mind it all, as each character is disti..."

Oh, I definitely galloped through the audiobook. I usually listen at x1.35-1.45. For me reading with book is usually slower, more attentive, with tons of highlighting going on.

[Eric]

I'm approaching 20% into Wind and Truth . The terminology came back to me fairly fast. I was surprised, but Sanderson puts just enough background in to trigger the language. Spren, Radiants, Windrunners, etc.

[Leonie]

And now I've finished it! And I have to say that I really enjoyed it. What an enormous ride from start to finish, with some unexpected twists and turns. Am really looking forward to finding out where the story now goes.

Also, significant sadness for a variety of reasons.

[Eric]

Leonie wrote: "And now I've finished it! And I have to say that I really enjoyed it. What an enormous ride from start to finish, with some unexpected twists and turns. Am really looking forward to finding out whe..."

Sanderson claims this book five is the "end of the arc." I've heard other authors use the "arc" description before. Not sure I understand other than the end of the rainbow, but not necessarily the end of the tale. Time will tell.