Rhythm of War

Humans were orderly beings. They liked to see lots of straight lines, if only so—in some cases—they could be the one drawing curves. And if a tool seemed broken at first glance, perhaps you were simply applying it to the wrong task.

Finishing a Stormlight Archive book is like a visit from the Nightwatcher and you leave with a blessing and a curse, but you're not sure which is which. I tore through Rhythm of War and now have the inevitable Stormlight hangover. My brain is reeling from revelations, developments and frantically piecing it all together.

Radiant and I are coping mechanisms that, for the most part, work. But something deeper has started to manifest.

What did I misinterpret? What did I miss? Fast forward years when Stormlight Archive #5 is set to be released I will have forgotten everything in Rhythm and re-read everything because it's all connected.

Sanderson has mentioned the Stormlight books would be standalone and not require support from other Cosmere novels until the later stages but Rhythm of War is connecting dots subtly and overtly. "Travelling off world" is mentioned numerous times and elements from other systems are shown or referenced that Sanderson's not-so-little Cosmere web is taking shape.

Those are just the ones I noticed, and Sanderson has surely planted seeds for other nuggets that I missed.

One thing I know for sure, Stormlight Archive #5 is going to be amazing!

Do you genuinely believe that a man of integrity is the same as a murderer?

Rhythm of War is difficult to review, it's similar and different to predecessors and that isn't a negative. The focus on characters is not evenly distributed and there is a deliberate focus on one story over the others. This results in the book appearing lopsided but there is plenty happening to keep your attention and never feel like the book is dragging.

What I enjoyed most about the book was the emotional trauma and struggle of characters, and if you take a masochistic delight in such a thing then strap in.

“I guess … we’ve both become more lax over the years,” Dalinar said.

“I think I’ve stayed the same person,” Adolin said. “I’m just more willing to let you be disappointed by that person.”

Adolin has surprisingly become one of my favorite characters. His hoity toity ways back on the Shattered Plains were even contrasted by coming to the aid of a lady for hire who was being roughed up by a member of another Highprince.

On the surface Adolin seems rich and entitled, and yet he is that and more. He respects those around him (even if they are of a lower station), understands the influence his name and title carry and genuinely cares. The moments he would share with a bridge runner, checking in on his Ryshadium and speaking to his blade before a battle are all indications that this is a decent person.

When good men disobeyed, it was time to look at your orders.

Adolin and Veil have a discussion about his relationship with Dalinar that was one of the biggest emotional impacts the story had on me. A father who challenges his son to be more honorable, to attract a spren, while the son is the very definition of honor. The emotional exchange with Shallan reminded me of her being trapped in the chasm's with Kaladin in Words of Radiance and discussing how you can carry on.

“Since we all go to the same place in the end, the moments we spent with each other are the only things that do matter. The times we helped each other.”

The revelations and Cosmere implications are significant. The battle sequences are epic when they occur, but what I enjoyed most about the book (and why it deserves five stars) are the characters and their struggles.

It's rare I will quote from a different book but this line from Oathbringer echoed throughout Rhythm of War: “The most important step a man can take. It's not the first one, is it? It's the next one. Always the next step, Dalinar.”

Always the next step. Finding the strength to continue with your battle. Emotional and physical damage all take their toll and each of us are tasked with moving forward and taking that next step.

He smiled and met Kaladin’s eyes. “It won’t be like that for me,” Kaladin said. “You told me it would get worse.”

“It will,” Wit said, “but then it will get better. Then it will get worse again. Then better. This is life, and I will not lie by saying every day will be sunshine. But there will be sunshine again, and that is a very different thing to say. That is truth. I promise you, Kaladin: You will be warm again.”

Sanderson is showing his characters in a traumatized and raw state and not everyone can return to normal or be pieced back together the same way. The immortal words of Radiants (Life before death. Strength before weakness. Journey before destination) all mean something different to each Radiant, Order or civilian, and that journey is one we all share.