My Next Read - Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson
3/18/2025
I am going to start a new book Wind and Truth, from one of my favorite authors - Brandon Sanderson. The first book I read from this author was Mistborn, which I really enjoyed. Since then I have read probably over 10 different books from him including the last 3 from the epic Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan who died before he finished the series of 13 books.
So Long..... This audio book is 62 hours
All his books are so long I have a hard time remembering it all. Here are summaries from books 1, 2, 3, and 4.Book 1 - The Way of Kings
Overview
*The Way of Kings* is the first book in *The Stormlight Archive* by Brandon Sanderson. It introduces the world of Roshar, a land battered by magical storms, and follows the stories of Kaladin, Dalinar Kholin, and Shallan Davar as they become entangled in the return of the Knights Radiant and the looming threat of Desolation.Main Plot Points
- The Assassin in White: The novel opens with Szeth-son-son-Vallano, a Shin assassin, murdering King Gavilar of Alethkar using the powerful magic of Surgebinding. His actions set off the War of Reckoning between the Alethi and the Parshendi.
- Kaladin’s Journey from Slave to Leader: Once a proud soldier, Kaladin is betrayed and sold into slavery. He ends up as a bridgeman on the Shattered Plains, expected to die carrying bridges into battle. Through determination and his developing bond with the spren Syl, he becomes a leader, inspiring his men to survive.
- Dalinar’s Visions and Struggles: Highprince Dalinar Kholin, Gavilar’s brother, experiences cryptic visions during highstorms, urging him to unite the kingdom. As he wrestles with whether these visions are madness or divine guidance, he begins to adopt the lost ideals of the Knights Radiant.
- Shallan’s Deception: Shallan Davar seeks to become the ward of the famous scholar Jasnah Kholin, but her true motive is to steal her Soulcaster to save her family from financial ruin. Along the way, she discovers her own Surgebinding abilities and a deep connection to the mysterious spren, Pattern.
- The Battle of the Tower: In the climax, Dalinar’s forces are betrayed by Highprince Sadeas, leaving them stranded at the mercy of the Parshendi. Kaladin, embracing his destiny as a Windrunner, uses Stormlight to fight back, saving Dalinar and proving himself as something more than just a slave.
Key Themes
- Honor and Leadership: Dalinar’s struggle with honor and duty reflects the lost ideals of the Knights Radiant.
- Redemption and Growth: Kaladin’s transformation from a broken man to a leader embodies resilience and hope.
- The Power of Knowledge: Shallan and Jasnah’s scholarly pursuits reveal hidden truths about Roshar and its magic.
Conclusion
The novel ends with Dalinar embracing the words *“Unite them”*, Kaladin realizing his power as a Surgebinder, and Szeth preparing for more assassinations. The stage is set for the coming Desolation and the return of the Knights Radiant in *Words of Radiance*.Book 2 - Words of Radiance (Book Two of The Stormlight Archive)
Overview
*Words of Radiance* by Brandon Sanderson is the second book in *The Stormlight Archive*. It primarily focuses on Kaladin’s journey as a Windrunner, Shallan’s growth as a scholar and Lightweaver, and the brewing war against the Parshendi. The book culminates in the legendary Battle of Narak, a turning point in Roshar’s history.Main Plot Points
- Kaladin’s Rise as a Radiant: Now Captain of the King’s Guard, Kaladin struggles with his hatred for the lighteyes, particularly Amaram and Elhokar. He ultimately embraces his duty to protect, swearing his Third Ideal as a Windrunner.
- Shallan’s Journey and Secrets: Shallan Davar travels with Dalinar’s army, uncovering more about the lost city of Urithiru. She learns to use her powers as a Lightweaver, confronts her traumatic past, and assumes leadership through deception and intelligence.
- Dalinar’s Political Maneuvering: Dalinar works to unify the Alethi highprinces and strengthen his bond with the Stormfather. He begins laying the foundation for the return of the Knights Radiant.
- Szeth’s Mission and Fall: The assassin Szeth, manipulated by Taravangian, continues his assassinations but eventually faces Kaladin in an intense duel. Kaladin defeats him, and Szeth is resurrected and given Nightblood by the mysterious Nale, herald of justice.
- The Battle of Narak: Dalinar’s forces engage the Parshendi at Narak, only to discover that the enemy has awakened the Everstorm. Kaladin, Shallan, and Dalinar’s leadership help them survive, but the event marks the return of the Voidbringers and the beginning of a new Desolation.
Key Themes
- Honor and Duty: Kaladin learns that true honor lies in protecting even those he despises.
- Truth and Lies: Shallan’s journey highlights the power of both truth and deception in shaping the world.
- The Return of Magic: The reemergence of Surgebinding, the Oathgates, and Voidlight marks a turning point in Roshar’s history.
Conclusion
The novel ends with the Everstorm spreading across Roshar, awakening the Parshmen as Voidbringers. Dalinar takes command of the Knights Radiant, and Szeth’s fate shifts with his new bond to Nightblood. The war has only just begun, setting the stage for *Oathbringer*.Book 3 - Oathbringer (Book Three of The Stormlight Archive)
Overview
*Oathbringer* by Brandon Sanderson is the third book in *The Stormlight Archive*. It focuses on Dalinar Kholin’s past and his quest to unify Roshar against Odium. Meanwhile, other major characters face personal challenges, uncovering deeper mysteries about the world and its magic.Main Plot Points
- Dalinar’s Past and Redemption: The novel reveals Dalinar’s dark history, including his ruthless conquest of Roshar and the painful loss of his wife, Evi. As he struggles with his guilt, he seeks to unite the world through diplomacy rather than war.
- The Fall of Kholinar: While Dalinar attempts to build a coalition, Shallan, Kaladin, and Adolin embark on a mission to liberate the Alethi capital, Kholinar, from the Fused. However, the mission ends in disaster, and they are forced to flee into Shadesmar, the realm of spren.
- Kaladin’s Leadership and Growth: Kaladin wrestles with his responsibilities as a Windrunner, struggling to balance his duty to protect with his need to fight. His journey takes him through singer-occupied lands, where he begins to understand their perspective.
- Shallan’s Identity Struggles: Shallan continues to battle her fractured mind, shifting between her personas—Veil, Radiant, and herself. As she deepens her involvement with the Ghostbloods, she discovers secrets about the nature of spren and Shadesmar.
- The Battle of Thaylen Field: Odium’s forces launch an assault on Thaylen City, leading to a climactic battle where Dalinar faces the full power of the god of hatred. Dalinar resists Odium’s influence and swears his Third Ideal as a Bondsmith, forging a connection with Honor’s remnants.
- Taravangian’s Gambit: Taravangian manipulates events behind the scenes, making a secret deal with Odium to preserve Kharbranth while ensuring his own rise in power.
Key Themes
- Redemption and the Past: Dalinar’s journey revolves around accepting responsibility for his past actions and choosing a new path forward.
- Identity and Mental Health: Shallan’s dissociative identity disorder is a major focus, highlighting the struggle of self-acceptance.
- War vs. Diplomacy: Dalinar shifts from a warrior to a diplomat, emphasizing the power of unity and words over violence.
Conclusion
The novel ends with Dalinar’s powerful realization: *"I am Unity."* He defies Odium’s influence, proving that honor and unity can stand against hatred. Meanwhile, the world is now fully at war, setting the stage for the conflicts to come inBook 4 - Rhythm of War (Book Four of The Stormlight Archive)
Overview
*Rhythm of War* by Brandon Sanderson is the fourth installment in *The Stormlight Archive*. It continues the battle between humans and the singers, expanding on themes of war, politics, and the nature of magic in Roshar. The novel is divided into multiple perspectives, with key characters facing personal and external struggles.Main Plot Points
- Urithiru Under Siege: Navani Kholin, the Queen of Alethkar, becomes a prisoner in Urithiru after a surprise attack by the Fused and Raboniel, a high-ranking enemy scholar. She is forced to collaborate with Raboniel to uncover the secrets of fabrials and anti-Voidlight.
- Kaladin’s Struggle: Kaladin Stormblessed grapples with depression and PTSD while trying to protect Urithiru. He adopts a new role as a leader in mental health support for his fellow soldiers while also discovering new powers related to Honor.
- Dalinar’s Growing Influence: As the leader of the coalition against the Fused, Dalinar continues learning about his Bondsmith abilities. He faces conflicts with Taravangian and the unstable political landscape.
- Venli and the Singers: Venli, a singer bonded with a spren, struggles with her role as a secret Radiant. She works to free her people from Odium’s influence and preserve singer culture.
- Shallan and the Ghostbloods: Shallan Davar navigates her complex relationship with the secretive organization known as the Ghostbloods while managing her dissociative identity disorder. She learns more about the origins of Shadesmar and spren.
- Taravangian’s Betrayal: Taravangian outwits Odium himself, seizing the god’s power in a shocking twist that reshapes the balance of power in Roshar.
Key Themes
- Science vs. Magic: The novel delves into the scientific study of Investiture, particularly through Navani’s research into fabrials and anti-Investiture.
- Mental Health and Trauma: Kaladin’s journey highlights struggles with PTSD, depression, and the importance of emotional healing.
- Morality and Leadership: Characters like Dalinar, Taravangian, and Venli explore the weight of leadership and the cost of their choices.
Conclusion
The book ends with major shifts in power, particularly Taravangian’s ascension as the new Odium. Navani successfully discovers and weaponizes anti-Voidlight, Kaladin embraces his new path as a surgeon and warrior, and Roshar teeters on the edge of a new conflict that will define its future.COMMENT BOARD [00318]
Please keep things family friendly, since we are a civilized community here at alanharmon.net! - (CPC Ver 0.01a)