Oathbringer

Brandon knocks it out of the park. It's easy to rattle off the standard criticisms of his writing - the heavy exposition dumps, the told-not-shown characterisation. But increasingly I find that I just don't care, and can even spin those cons into things that I like. The worldbuilding in Roshar is so intricate and exciting that I crave every dump of exposition; each one gives me more to process and ponder. And while it's easy to dismiss the characters as intrinsically talented and therefore uninteresting, I no longer think that I read fantasy for relatable every-person struggles, nor do I think I should. I want to see that I'm reading characters who are exceptional, almost by necessity (spren bond them, after all), and consider what it means to be that way in the face of unimaginable circumstances.

Nor are Brandon's best features missing from Oathbringer. The pacing is continuous and non-stop, even the interludes leave us craving more. Every chapter is a revelation, or a laugh, or a development, or growth, interweaved to be continuously engrossing. I did, after all, get through the 1200+ pages here in a day or so, and it was not exactly forced. If there was one thing I would nitpick at, it would be the increasing prominence of the cosmere in the book. I worry about how an inexperienced reader, or someone who didn't wait out for the book's release, will receive the continuous interjection of terms like Connection, Investiture, Splintering and others. I think more characters than ever before in Oathbringer are involved in the cosmere, and they play much bigger parts.

I am feeling like I find it harder to give praise than to nitpick these days. Still, read this book. And then again, once you've had a chance to appreciate the careful craft in this beautiful, beautiful volume.

what a book. i know the general consensus is that Words of Radiance is everyone's favorite installment in the Stormlight Archive, but (not having read Rhythm of War) this is mine.

potential spoilies ahead.

the most compelling characters ive ever encountered are in this series, and they have the chance to shine in Oathbringer. Dalinar's struggles with his past and the kind of man they make him today feel so authentic and relatable. Shallan trying to separate her identities and figure out who she truly is resonates with those who struggle with imposter syndrome. Kaladin just, well... being Kaladin... is a journey you don't want to miss. Adolin went from a character that is there to a character i'm glad is there.

also, just wanna highlight the most goosebump inducing quote i think i've ever read:

“Ten spears go to battle,” he whispered, “and nine shatter. Did that war forge the one that remained? No, Amaram. All the war did was identify the spear that would not break.”

oooooooo baby. had to put the book down and do a lap around my room after reading that line.

the further i get into this series, the more confident i am that i'll be rereading it all not too far off in the future. dont wait. read the Stormlight Archive.