Words of Radiance (The Stormlight Archive #2)

[Trisha]

So I finished this last night, about 4 am in the morning - technically not 'last night'. :P What a GREAT BOOK!! This time I'm not restraining myself and rating it a well-deserved 5 stars. I have read all the comments now in this thread (finally), my thoughts below: (view spoiler)[

Sanderson's mind is like an idea generating machine! That difference between honorblades and shardblades is insane - how does he even weave something like that? I'm very intrigued to know how Szeth came across his honorblade (the one before Nightblood) and how Nale came across the Nightblood? Is that why Zahel is here in Roshar searching for Nightblood?

I was right about Jasnah being alive :D I'm so glad she is back. I really do like Navani and her. These two are such well-written female characters.

I agree with Kathelijne that the climax felt more like the beginning of the ending - very well phrased! :) Very curious to know how these new found radiants would fight against these stormforms/voidbringers. Also, want to know how those extra characters from all the interludes (from both the books) would finally come together, especially Rysn and Lift. We haven't heard from Ishikk and Axies in this book - those did seem to be interesting characters to me.

I think there's more that I wanted to say but I can't recollect it all. Okay, yes, so I read about the two different climaxes Sanderson wrote for this book - one where Kaladin kills Szeth and the other where he leaves him wounded. Do these changes impact the next books, as in do the course of events differ in the next books because of this one change? (hide spoiler)]

This series is going to be my favourite!!

[Kathelijne]

So glad you loved it!!
(view spoiler)[
Yes, I literally don't understand how Sanderson does it. On top of that, he's also writing multiple series at the same time! I mean, how??? haha

So from what I understand, Szeth mentioned that his people are somehow in charge of the Honorblades? Maybe they're the ones protecting them? That would mean that his people are probably the ones that settled at the place where the Heralds left their blades at the beginning of the prelude of Way of Kings? I reread this and nine swords were left behind. The tenth blade is the one of the Herald they left behind, who's the "crazy" one, I assume? Of the nine swords, Kaladin took one from Szeth. And then Taravangian mentioned there were 7 left, so now there is one other Honorblade that is lost. Is that correct?

I also can't wait for the Radiants to really bond together in the next book (hopefully). Can you imagine someone like Lift interacting with some of the mains? Like everyone could be in a serious meeting and then Lift being like, 'is there any food?' They'll be so tired 😂 I want to see it haha.

And, I agree, it's good to see that Jasnah is still alive! I really liked her, but I get why she had to go for the course of this book. It literally wouldn't have worked with Jasnah around having all the answers! (hide spoiler)]

So looking at your rating, you liked it better than Way of Kings? Also curious what your order is, Raviteja?

I've had some time to think and I would say I liked the first book more, but it's really close! It also feels so much like one story, instead of two separate books. But I've seen interesting debates about it online so I'm curious as to what you guys think :)

[Raviteja]

Trisha wrote: "So I finished this last night, about 4 am in the morning - technically not 'last night'. :P What a GREAT BOOK!! This time I'm not restraining myself and rating it a well-deserved 5 stars. I have re..."

(view spoiler)[I think 'why Nightblood, Vasher (and probably Vivenna) came to Roshar' is the question that needs answers first. It will most likely be in Nightblood (Warbreaker #2) but no one knows when that book is going to come.

Those two characters have a long way to go. I am sure you will enjoy how they will evolve in the next two books. :D

Rysn's story is a parallel arc, though surprisingly it didnt have a strong intersection with the story yet. Dawnshard is kinda her story, and there you will see a very brief intersection but it goes separately again. I am thinking it is going to happen in book 5.

The first one would definitely impact the plot. Szeth is interesting and he has a good role in the next two books. (hide spoiler)]

[Raviteja]

Kathelijne wrote: "So glad you loved it!!

Yes, I literally don't understand how Sanderson does it. On top of that, he's also writing multiple series at the same time! I mean, how??? haha

So from what I understand, ..."

Sanderson has his legs on multiple boats, but he somehow manages to sail well on all of them.

(view spoiler)[
The blade that Szeth used in The Way of Kings is Taln's blade and that gave him the surges of a windrunner. I am not fully sure that the honorblades are 'lost', its just that no one knows where they are.

You will see more of it in Oathbringer ;)

I like WoR over TWoK, if that is what you are asking :D

It is one plot, in the end. I think most of Sanderson's books are similar. You dont find a disconnect between the books and in the end all of them are a part of one big story. (hide spoiler)]

[Raviteja]

btw, the Stormlight books follow a 'template' when it comes to prologue and epilogue, in case if you havent realized.

[Dominique]

Kathelijne wrote: "Did I mention I love this series? Because I love this series. So much. Anyway, I finished part 2 (and the interludes), so much to unpack here,

Let's talk about Shallan (her changed symbol is Patte..."

Finished part 2

(view spoiler)[ I agree about Kal and Adolin. Even though you can feel the dislike between them, there is a form of respect that. When this friendship happens, it`s going to be a deep one.

Sadeas and his wife.. pure evil. Pretty sure they ordered the assassin in white to kill Dalinar. I hope he doesn't partner with Aramam, pure chaos.
I do think Syl is becoming human and Kaladin will propbably have no choice to kill her.

Do hope Renarin get more story, he's still in the back. Want to know where he stands.

Shallan's story is interesting, she had Jasnah with her but now that she has to stand on her two feet, she has to make her own way. I'll be surprised if she ends up with either Renarin or Kaladin instead of Adolin (hide spoiler)]

[Kathelijne]

Dominique wrote: "Kathelijne wrote: "Did I mention I love this series? Because I love this series. So much. Anyway, I finished part 2 (and the interludes), so much to unpack here,

Let's talk about Shallan (her chan..."

(view spoiler)[
Yeah, Sadeas and his wife are really awful. All the time when reading, I just couldn’t forget what happened last book.. I think it bothered me more than it seemed to bother Dalinar 😂

Also hope to get more from Renarin, he’s so cute. I want a POV from him!
(hide spoiler)]

[Dominique]

Kathelijne wrote: "Finished the next part (3) 😏

First of all, I am absolutely LIVING for the friendship between Kaladin and Adolin. They say they don’t like each other but they obviously do. They just don’t want to ..."

Finished part 3.

(view spoiler)[ Poor Renarin, I knw he`s trying to be brave just like his father and brother but risking his life in the arena with people bigger and more experienced was not to smart. I can't wait to see if he'll continue on this path or just leave the fighting for others.

Wit is back! I was wondering when he was going to show up! The reactions that all three had was so funny. I want him to have more scenes with Kaladin and Shallan.
I liked the risk Shallan took when she did the impersonations. I hope it's Amaram and not Kaladin who killed her brother. Hopefully, Shallan and Kaladin will connect and help each other.

Kaladin was so full of rage after the duels and messed things up for them to destroy Sadeas. It looks like Dalinar was on Amaram's side but I have a feeling that he did believe Kaladin's story and ha a plan also in motion.

Interlude: Lift reminds me of Vin of Mistborn. That was a great chapter and pretty sure she'll pop up soon.
Szeth chapter was too short, it was interesting to know that he hears his victims screams all the time.

Eshonai, murderer and just evil (hide spoiler)]

[Dominique]

Trisha wrote: "So I finished this last night, about 4 am in the morning - technically not 'last night'. :P What a GREAT BOOK!! This time I'm not restraining myself and rating it a well-deserved 5 stars. I have re..."

Finished.. another 5 stars

(view spoiler)[ I agree with you guys, I feel that Sanderson is an amazing writer. So few can write a book like that and not feel bored from beginning to end.

I was reading and kept thinking about Jasnah and was happy to read she was still alive, She was missed.
I had a feeling about kaladin, Shallan and Adolin and was glad he didn't go that way.
I happy I was right that Dalinar had a plan about Amaram, and was planning something to show Kaladin he knew he was a good man.
I need to start annotating, too much information in his books! (hide spoiler)]

[Kathelijne]

Glad you enjoyed it Dominique!

(view spoiler)[
It's so sad to see how insecure Renarin is, just because he's not like his brother and father... because he's so sweet!! He might be one of my favorite characters honestly. Although, I still can't get a read on him, I want a Renarin POV!

I get that about the annotating! There's just too much in these books, I'll definitely have to reread them every time a new book comes out :)
(hide spoiler)]

[Dominique]

Kathelijne wrote: "Glad you enjoyed it Dominique!


It's so sad to see how insecure Renarin is, just because he's not like his brother and father... because he's so sweet!! He might be one of my favorite characters ..."

Same here. He said the next one will come out in 2023.