I liked Wind and Truth better than Rhythm of War. Watching Kaladin and Szeth’s relationship grow was a big reason why.
They’re an interesting pair to put together. Both are dangerous, both have been through some serious shit, and they carry different ideas about duty and what they owe other people. Giving them time together lets those differences become part of the story.
Their journey takes them to Shinovar, where Szeth has to confront his homeland and his past. Kaladin has a role that asks more of him than being able to win a fight. I liked seeing their relationship develop through the conversations and the trouble they encounter along the way.
Meanwhile, Dalinar’s contest of champions with Odium is only ten days away.
I thought that was a cool concept. There’s an enormous war happening, but this agreement gives it a specific deadline and a confrontation everyone has to prepare for. The terms matter, the choice of champion matters, and so does everything that can happen before the contest begins.
That gives the different storylines a shared sense of urgency. Dalinar and Navani search for an advantage in the Spiritual Realm while other characters face battles across Roshar. There are a lot of people involved, each trying to accomplish something before time runs out.
And the fighting and magic are a big part of the appeal for me.
I like the sword fights, the different powers, and the way Sanderson combines them. Lashings can change the direction gravity pulls someone, so movement itself becomes a weapon. Add fighters with different kinds of Surgebinding, and knowing how to respond to an ability can matter as much as landing a hit.
There’s room for close combat and larger battles here. Szeth’s part of the story brings the danger into a more personal setting, while Adolin’s fighting in Azir gives us another side of the war. Moving between those situations keeps the action varied.
Having characters I’m interested in makes those scenes better. With Kaladin and Szeth, I wanted to see how they would deal with each other as much as how they would handle the next threat. Their growing relationship gave their journey something that held my attention between the fights.
The combination worked for me: a pair of characters I enjoyed following, a contest with enormous stakes, and the combat and magic that keep drawing me back to Stormlight.
Who I’d recommend it to: Readers who have followed the first four books and enjoy Stormlight’s battles, magic, and developing relationships. Kaladin and Szeth’s journey was a particular highlight for me.
Caution: This is the culmination of the first five-book arc, so read the earlier novels first. It’s a large book with multiple storylines, detailed lore, violence, and heavy emotional material.
Discussion question: What did you think of Kaladin and Szeth together, and did the contest of champions keep you invested in the buildup?
— Cory Lane