Reviews

Sanderson does plot planning extremely well, and it’s very clear that storycrafting is where he really excels. However, I find that the pacing of this storytelling is rather inconsistent: some parts of this book really drag, whereas other parts are just balls-to-the-wall action for a hundred pages straight. There were points where I was able to put this book down mid-chapter because it wasn’t all that compelling.

I’m finding that his character work seems to be getting better the longer I spend with this series. Kaladin is much more rounded out and nuanced now, more than mental illness and insecurity; Dalinar’s past has been unearthed; Shallan’s arc seems has rounded out to actually feel more full. I really liked Shallan’s story in this book with the fracturing sense of self. Watching her deal with who she wants to be, who she will be, was very compelling. This fractured sense of self is the only reason I was willing to tolerate the

love triangle

that was finally nipped at the end of this book.

Shallan’s story was so focused on her fracturing self that other elements in her story were lost for a lot of the book.

The ghost bloods were brushed off for the latter part of the book, then all of a sudden came back around at the end to wrap up the open end of her first quest & give her a new task. Her brothers have been randomly showing up here and there, and I can’t really get a grasp on how she was feeling about her brothers, if anything at all. She was obviously happy to see them, but she hadn’t even thought of them in 600 pages.

Jasnah’s arc here is a little confusing, too. It makes sense to me, in a way, that she would be able to independently /become a badass/, but it felt very sudden, and now she’s super OP. Her arc compared to Adolin, for example, just isn’t very well fleshed out. I’m not sure how Sanderson decides which side characters to dive into, especially with so many people to choose from.

The interludes in this book were shorter, which I did like. They can really drag out a story when you hit a climax, then have to wait 100 pages to continue it.

Overall, Sanderson does a nice job of giving you more about the world and context of this story, but it’s clear where his strengths lie, in my opinion. The line-level prose is not outstanding, but his control over the plot is impressive.

naimar's review

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adventurous emotional mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I did like this book but it felt a little less tight than the previous two in the series. Still loved it though! Especially love Shallan and her internal journey.

miss_majuu's review against another edition

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5.0

There are no words capable of describing this experience
Most importantly how dare you Brandon? Especially chapters I-3, 37, 43, 75, 76, 84, 91, 94(!), 100(!!!), 117, 118(!!), 119!!!!!, 120(!) are terrible and perfect and awful

I love Dalinar so much I will start crying just thinking about him

I have approximately 150 quotes marked and I can’t choose any favorites I want to put here… I just keep thinking of more and more and more
But still I need to write down some of them
5/8 are about Dalinar and that truly says it all

“I used to take the terrible things that happened to me, as proof that there was no god. Then in some of my darkest moments, I took my life as proof there must be something up there, for only intentional cruelty could offer an explanation”

“But storms, it was either this or start killing again.”

“The only honest officer in the army, the honorable soldier. Noble, like the Heralds themselves. Our father. The greatest man in Alethkar”

“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”

“You cannot have my pain”

“Maybe you don’t have to save anyone, Kaladin. Maybe it’s time for someone to save you

“I will protect those I hate. Even….even if the one I hate most…is myself”

“I forgive you”

jackohagan's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

dr_anna_hands's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

lindsayaunderwood's review against another edition

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5.0

So much darker than the first two books in the series. Still amazing.

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