David - proud Gleeman in Branwen's adventuring party > Recent Status Updates

I wanted to let you all know why I've been so inactive. My father was hospitalized after a fall last week, and it looks like he will be battling cancer a third time. He has a biopsy scheduled tomorrow. Any prayers, healing energy, and positive vibes you could send him would be greatly appreciated!

Reports said there were about forty thousand here. That was a number she could comprehend. But her eyes didn't see forty thousand, they saw endless ranks. Numbers on a page became meaningless. She hadn't come to fight forty thousand. She'd come to fight a tide.

Talk about a one-sided battle!

The humans were good at judging the arrival of storms, though they were often wrong on the hour they were right on the day.

Good at predicting weather? This really is high fantasy!

Soon enough, she had an orderly room full of calming sounds. Papers shuffling, pens writing, people quietly discussing. Giving her people enough room to innovate, but also enough careful corralling to keep them innovating in the proper direction.

Sanderson makes even office work sound magical!

"Does it ruin our plans?"
"Absolutely."
"And... you don't mind?
"Of course not. This is going to be so interesting to crack open!"

I admire her ability to recover so gracefully in the face of defeat. That's hard to do, especially since sometimes things just go wrong in every possible way!

"It was war."
"Is that an excuse?"
"An explanation."
"One used to explain too much," Syl said. "It's war, you say. Nothing to be done about it. You act like it's as inevitable as the sun and storms. But it's not. You don't HAVE to kill each other!"

Me after Sanderson's writing destroys me again

As the starspren reclined on the cloud, it leaned over- as if looking straight at her. Then it threw its head back, arching its neck, and held the position.
"Storms!" Shallan said. "It's POSING! Vainglorious spren monster!"

So majestic! When I try to pose dramatically, it goes more like this...

"The squad is stronger than the individual," Kaladin said. "You simply need to get them pointed in the right direction. Get them to lift the bridge together..."

Bridge Four references destroy me every time! Sanderson really knows how to hit his readers in the feels!

The two of them stood facing one another, until finally Jasnah reached forward. What followed was the most awkward hug Navani had ever been part of, both of them making the proper motions, but unenthusiastic at the same time.

I can relate, I've fallen victim to the awkward hug as well!

"Robbing Jasnah? Robbing JASNAH?!"
"I know!"
"She’s never mentioned this, so I bet you did it, didn’t you? At least, you fooled her for a little while?”
“I totally did! I almost escaped. Except, you know, she’s Jasnah!

Rule #1 of the Stormlight Archive: Never EVER mess with Jasnah!

Zu would run off ahead, her spren advising caution and as often ignored. Zu went to where people wouldn't, as she put it, "keep making rules about how I should live."

Zu is a rebel!

"I'll go," Lift said, then yawned. "I'm getting bored here."
The room fell silent, and Navani suspected that everyone was thinking along the same lines. They couldn't send Lift to lead an envoy representing them. She was... well... Lift!

Lift trying to make it through a diplomatic meeting:

"Stormfather help us," Shallan said lightly. "A Kholin has learned to relax once in a while? Surely the moons will stop orbiting and the sun will come crashing down."

I'd laugh, except I have as much trouble relaxing as the Kholins do! I can't even relax when my picture is being taken...

"I think we're losing," Syl said. "To a guy wielding something he found in Adolin's sock drawer."

Syl will always be my favorite member of The Cosmere! Also... SYL GIFS NOW EXIST!!!

Today is the celebration of a man who dreamed of peace and equality for everyone. We have a long way to go before his dream becomes a reality, but I hope that one day we will wake up in a world without racism and prejudice, and that we won’t need to dream anymore. Happy Martin Luther King Jr Day!

"He doesn't need fixing up with anyone."
"That's not what Syl says."
"Syl used to think human children came out through the nose in a particularly violent sneeze. She is NOT an authority on this topic."

Sounds ridiculous, except I've had unpleasant sneezes like that!

When you already have the book on Kindle, but you get a physical copy for Christmas so you can read the maps and illustrations more clearly! Can you tell I'm smiling behind the mask?! 😁
Hope everyone on Goodreads has had a great holiday season and that 2021 is a much better year for us all!

Kaladin looked to where Syl hung in the air. Dalinar fixed his gaze on her so she must have decided to reveal herself to him.
"I'm sorry," the spren said softly. "My relatives can be... difficult."

Nice to know the spren are just like us when it comes to being embarrassed by their families!

"We might be able to create fabrials beyond what anyone has ever imagined."
Rushu cocked her head. "Neat," she said. "I'll write down my thoughts."
"That's all? Just... 'neat'?"

Talk about a subdued reaction...

"Oh, you sweet soft breeze," Veil thought. "Bless you for being so naïve."

I can't wait to call someone a "sweet, soft breeze" now! Wind insults make sense, the wind can be a jerk!

As many people reflect on what they are thankful for today, I wanted to tell you how grateful I am for all of you! I first came to Goodreads to chat books, but since then I've made many meaningful friendships here. Thank you for your friendship, you all have brought so much happiness into my life!

Things seemed to be going so well. That made Veil worry, of course. Were they going too well?

Veil worries that things don't seem worrisome enough? Sounds like a woman after my own constantly stressed-out heart! 😨

"Rhythm of War" is finally here! I'm so excited to be starting my buddy read of this with The Wonderful Branwen today! 😀
And now I begin a loooooong work day waiting to be able to start this book tonight...

Why cover up what he had done? It needed to remain in view for everyone to see what he'd done. What he'd become.
What she'd allowed to happen.

No spoilers here, but, WOW, some of these character arcs went in directions I wasn't expecting! This book has really surprised me... much like this gif!

Sapora supposed being disturbed from a 5,000 year-long slumber would put any creature in a bad mood.

I can relate, I'm more of a "cat waking up" person vs. a "dog waking up" person

A returning howl called out from somewhere in the trees, followed by another, then another, until a chorus of wolfsong carried in the evening air.

The hounds are on the hunt!


Or not

Now he just needed to decide what to do-
Palom thought he'd been hit by a boulder.
"You recovered quickly," Mateli hissed.

Mateli, king of the sneak attack!


This guy, not so much..

"Argh!"
Sapora whirled round, one scimitar already out and ready to strike.
"My... cloak..." Tacio said. A thin branch had snagged it as he'd passed, and he gingerly pulled it free. Sapora sheathed his blade.

Thanks for the false alarm, Tacio! 😂

I bet you didn't know these birds are highly intelligent, did you? They are indeed, both smart and trained.

Some birds are very clever.

Other birds... not so much!

"Who else do you have on board?
"With you on board, the total comes to - " He paused, and when he saw Arnolf's spirits lift Caleb finished, "One."
"You have got to be kidding me! Just me?" Arnolf started to pace again.

I don't think that was very helpful, Caleb! 😂🤣