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4.74 AVERAGE
4.74 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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
Another banger! I always appreciate when a book can give me an OT3 headcanon - you’re so real for that Brandon.
Qualm as always is “damn boy, consider making this two books” but that qualm is immediately slapped away because it all comes together like a crescendo at the end.
I really wish the interludes weren’t something I had to pay attention to because they stress me out despite the important lore and world building. Like bitch, you appear once! But then you’re referenced in a side convo and have to wrack my brain how I know you? Ugh!
But seriously, really enjoying these books.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
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
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
"Thy tooth is not so keen, / because thou art not seen, although thy breath be rude."
Credit where its due this was better than the last one. But it suffers from every 1100-page tome's problem and the old multiple-perspectives problem: god the interludes are boring!
Also, does nobodydie in this universe?
Credit where its due this was better than the last one. But it suffers from every 1100-page tome's problem and the old multiple-perspectives problem: god the interludes are boring!
Also, does nobody
assustador como ele consegue ser ainda melhor que o primeiro
Before I dive into my spoiler-free thoughts, I want to start by saying that under different circumstances, this could have easily been a 5-star read for me. Right now, though, I’m tired, grouchy, and in the middle of a 4-month Sanderson spree. Spending that long in the Cosmere can do things to your patience—Sanderson’s writing is mystery after mystery, question after question, leaving you confused as hell until the very end when he throws you the tiniest crumbs: a few answers here, but even more questions to contend with. Objectively, Words of Radiance is not a 4-star book. It’s brilliant, better than most books out there, but I had a 4-star experience, and that’s what I’m going with. This is a subjective review, after all, and anyone is free to disagree.
First off, the character progression was phenomenal in every which way. Shoutout to my favorite grumpy bridgeboy in particular, Kaladin Stormblessed, as well as Dalinar Kholin, Adolin Kholin, Szeth Son-Son-Neturo, Syl, Shallan Davar, (sort of), and Renarin Kholin (for trying… not for succeeding, but he gets points for effort). I do wish we had a bit more page time with Navani, Teft and Rock, but I guess you can’t have it all.
Now, I’ll be honest, Shallan’s progression fell a bit flat for me. Let me explain why: it was predictable. One of Sanderson’s greatest strengths is his ability to shock and subvert expectations, but Shallan feels like a walking talking cliché—a traumatised young woman who copes by burying her issues and can only unlock her full potential by confronting the truth. Listen, it works, but it doesn’t quite hold up when compared to the other characters, whose arcs feel deeper and more complex.
The plot, though? Exceeded expectations. As always, Sanderson delivers in spectacular fashion. The story kept me on edge the entire time, weaving through the political chaos of the Shattered Plains with high princes clashing and our characters battling inner demons of their own - all while a massive storm (literally and figuratively) looms on the horizon. The stakes are massive, and the sense of urgency is palpable. It’s rare to read a second book in a series that doesn’t fall victim to middle book syndrome but this one avoids it masterfully. The pacing, the tension, the way he drip-feeds information—he eases you into the world like you’re a newborn figuring it out for the first time. No info dumps, just a steady stream of revelations that keep you hooked throughout.
But—and here comes my rant—I did find myself frustrated with how the information is presented sometimes. Yes, Sanderson’s world is vast and detailed, and I respect how carefully he reveals things. But am I the only one who gets confused as hell sometimes? I know we’re not supposed to have all the answers, but 1,200 pages of questions with only a few answers by the end of the book feels… exhausting. You finish the book feeling accomplished but also like, “Oh god, there are still 4,000 pages of learning ahead of me.” It’s impressive, sure, but it also feels like you need to be some kind of Cosmere scholar to get through it all. This is exactly why I won’t be touching The Wheel of Time. I know it’s supposed to be incredible, but this has taught me that I don’t quite have the dedication for another long, dense series like this.
Anyway, I’m still excited for Oathbringer because, well, Dalinar Kholin (I don’t need to explain). Even if I AM dreading the length a little. I’ll definitely take a break before diving in—I don’t want to knock off stars out of pure pettiness, because yes, I’ll admit, part of this 4-star rating might just be my petty frustration. It’s such a long book to leave me feeling so confused - I feel like I both wasted time and loved every second of it. Does that make sense? Idk it does in my head.
Anyway, those are my thoughts. I loved this book a lot, I just wish I didn’t feel so “ugh I got so much more to get through before I feel even remotely satisfied.”
First off, the character progression was phenomenal in every which way. Shoutout to my favorite grumpy bridgeboy in particular, Kaladin Stormblessed, as well as Dalinar Kholin, Adolin Kholin, Szeth Son-Son-Neturo, Syl, Shallan Davar, (sort of), and Renarin Kholin (for trying… not for succeeding, but he gets points for effort). I do wish we had a bit more page time with Navani, Teft and Rock, but I guess you can’t have it all.
Now, I’ll be honest, Shallan’s progression fell a bit flat for me. Let me explain why: it was predictable. One of Sanderson’s greatest strengths is his ability to shock and subvert expectations, but Shallan feels like a walking talking cliché—a traumatised young woman who copes by burying her issues and can only unlock her full potential by confronting the truth. Listen, it works, but it doesn’t quite hold up when compared to the other characters, whose arcs feel deeper and more complex.
The plot, though? Exceeded expectations. As always, Sanderson delivers in spectacular fashion. The story kept me on edge the entire time, weaving through the political chaos of the Shattered Plains with high princes clashing and our characters battling inner demons of their own - all while a massive storm (literally and figuratively) looms on the horizon. The stakes are massive, and the sense of urgency is palpable. It’s rare to read a second book in a series that doesn’t fall victim to middle book syndrome but this one avoids it masterfully. The pacing, the tension, the way he drip-feeds information—he eases you into the world like you’re a newborn figuring it out for the first time. No info dumps, just a steady stream of revelations that keep you hooked throughout.
But—and here comes my rant—I did find myself frustrated with how the information is presented sometimes. Yes, Sanderson’s world is vast and detailed, and I respect how carefully he reveals things. But am I the only one who gets confused as hell sometimes? I know we’re not supposed to have all the answers, but 1,200 pages of questions with only a few answers by the end of the book feels… exhausting. You finish the book feeling accomplished but also like, “Oh god, there are still 4,000 pages of learning ahead of me.” It’s impressive, sure, but it also feels like you need to be some kind of Cosmere scholar to get through it all. This is exactly why I won’t be touching The Wheel of Time. I know it’s supposed to be incredible, but this has taught me that I don’t quite have the dedication for another long, dense series like this.
Anyway, I’m still excited for Oathbringer because, well, Dalinar Kholin (I don’t need to explain). Even if I AM dreading the length a little. I’ll definitely take a break before diving in—I don’t want to knock off stars out of pure pettiness, because yes, I’ll admit, part of this 4-star rating might just be my petty frustration. It’s such a long book to leave me feeling so confused - I feel like I both wasted time and loved every second of it. Does that make sense? Idk it does in my head.
Anyway, those are my thoughts. I loved this book a lot, I just wish I didn’t feel so “ugh I got so much more to get through before I feel even remotely satisfied.”
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced