Scan barcode
jlkim's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
5.0
rubiscodisco's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
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
4.25
Sanderson's third Stormlight Archive novel is exciting, action-packed, and cinematic, bordering on schlock-y, with nice literary themes and a The Last Jedi-type flaw of going off on momentum-breaking detours.
What I specifically like about these Stormlight novels, compared to the one other series by Brandon Sanderson, is the emphasis on pretty epic and universal themes. This time, it's about Dalinar's redemption, about bearing the burden of guilt, about slavery and how that affects those who were emancipated from enslavement, and about grappling with a colonial, imperialist legacy. They were treated so well, in fact, that I could have sworn this book was written post-Black Lives Matter movement and the George Floyd protests in 2020, only to find out this was published quite a few years prior.
My biggest complaint with the Stormlight novels, aside from the first one which was my favorite, is that they're kind of bloated. I'm sure the epic scale was intentional, but at some point we have to admit that some of these sections (glaring at you, Kholinar section) weren't cohesive with the rest of the story, broke momentum, and didn't have to be as long as they were. It's like the author had absorbed Robert Jordan's tendency towards too many named characters and too many location changes from his stint completing The Wheel of Time.
What I specifically like about these Stormlight novels, compared to the one other series by Brandon Sanderson, is the emphasis on pretty epic and universal themes. This time, it's about Dalinar's redemption, about bearing the burden of guilt, about slavery and how that affects those who were emancipated from enslavement, and about grappling with a colonial, imperialist legacy. They were treated so well, in fact, that I could have sworn this book was written post-Black Lives Matter movement and the George Floyd protests in 2020, only to find out this was published quite a few years prior.
My biggest complaint with the Stormlight novels, aside from the first one which was my favorite, is that they're kind of bloated. I'm sure the epic scale was intentional, but at some point we have to admit that some of these sections (glaring at you, Kholinar section) weren't cohesive with the rest of the story, broke momentum, and didn't have to be as long as they were. It's like the author had absorbed Robert Jordan's tendency towards too many named characters and too many location changes from his stint completing The Wheel of Time.
mcloonejack's review against another edition
5.0
People are going to want you to believe Sanderson gets a little too lost in the sauce with this one, maybe casts his net too wide. I would strongly disagree! Yes there is absolutely a lot going on here, but it’s all (to me) just as intoxicating as the first two books, but oftentimes in different ways.
The biggest is Oathbringer’s fitting focus on morality and personal philosophies and general inner turmoil. Taking this truly huge story and carving out character development moments like Sanderson does apparently chafes some people (including at least one popular less-than-thrilled review that, with all peace and love, seems to have entirely missed the slow burn character development), but to me it’s some of his finest work that I’ve read yet. In particular, Shallan’s conversation with Wit and Dalinar’s later scenes are truly stunning, borderline tear inducing.
Sanderson also suffuses some more humor into this one, including my beloved Lift. It’s definitely needed given the weight of this story now.
And the plot! The revelations! The twists and turns! The many still unanswered questions! It is baffling that after three 1,000+ page books there is still clearly so much more story to tell, but there sure is. And I can’t wait for more.
The biggest is Oathbringer’s fitting focus on morality and personal philosophies and general inner turmoil. Taking this truly huge story and carving out character development moments like Sanderson does apparently chafes some people (including at least one popular less-than-thrilled review that, with all peace and love, seems to have entirely missed the slow burn character development), but to me it’s some of his finest work that I’ve read yet. In particular, Shallan’s conversation with Wit and Dalinar’s later scenes are truly stunning, borderline tear inducing.
Sanderson also suffuses some more humor into this one, including my beloved Lift. It’s definitely needed given the weight of this story now.
And the plot! The revelations! The twists and turns! The many still unanswered questions! It is baffling that after three 1,000+ page books there is still clearly so much more story to tell, but there sure is. And I can’t wait for more.
sahayden7's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
4.0
paulapages's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
lucindashirreffs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Adolin Kholin in a crop top and booty shorts that say “princess” on the ass WHEN
daniellecheri's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
microbemasher's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
5.0
This was easily my favorite book in the series so far. I hadn't expected the character revelations we saw in it, and I love how even "simple" characters in this series have the capacity to surprise me.
The Sanderstorm at the end was a doozy. This book left me chomping at the bit for books 4 and 5, but also terrified of what else I might learn in those books!
The Sanderstorm at the end was a doozy. This book left me chomping at the bit for books 4 and 5, but also terrified of what else I might learn in those books!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Trafficking, War, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Slavery, Violence, and Alcoholism
pinakamataas's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Oathbringer definitely doesn’t deliver the portrayal of high morality and pristine characters, but the ability of the author to write character growth to a character that you originally thought was the epitome of the good guy, and when all turns out to be false, is really a mindfuck of the highest order.
I acknowledge that who Dalinar is in WoK and WoR and who he was in the past are two completely separate people, and in Oathbringer Dalinar regains his memories and he truly has to come to terms with what he has done, and thus it’s the ultimate reading experience to see how the new and shiny Dalinar is roughed up by his past and truly grows as a person. This whole plot line is truly satisfying, but honestly hard to read.
I’m actually really appreciative of Shallan’s arc together with Adolin in this book. How she herself is confused over her personality and in turn her illusions and their characteristics, but then she opens up and finally lets Adolin see her, and I just loved how Adolin came clean about his actions at the end of WoR 🫣, there were so many bumps in the road to them coming together, but frankly it’s nice to read about choosing the other. It’s not going to be my favourite grand romance of the series, but to be honest, I’m not reading SA for romance.
I read it to feel emotions that IRL would be debilitating. And Sanderson delivered.
And here it was much less a Sanderlanche than several mini avalanches after the halfway point.
(Really hard to keep this spoiler free, so much happens here)
Elokhar’s death was one of the most useless, devastating things to happen, right after he made his first adult decision of not being a petulant child and abandoned his voidbringer wife and saved his toddler son, while carrying his child and actually starts to say the oaths to use the Stormlight, and then Moash just offs him?! Absolutely heartbreaking.
Then the subsequent travel through Shadesmar and how the world is a complete mindfuck of a place (but still very well written), gaining Syl’s backstory the young ancient daughter 😅, and then shit starts to hit the fan in the physical world and Kaladin&co just can’t catch a break before finally Kaladin for the first time actually does catch a break and I got all fuzzy inside.
And then the honorable mentions that can’t be left off the review: Lift was being less ridiculous, but that’s what you get for playing more important role in the plot. Azure had an interesting beginning, but frankly she should have listened to Kaladin, he’s rarely wrong of where he needs to be, but I expect she’ll make a comeback in RoW. Szeth made an interesting decision especially with what Skybreakers stand for, but his dark companion? Oooh! I did not expect the return of Nightblood and I’m here for it! (Chanting: More! More! More!)
And finally, there’s Anticipationspren floating of what will Venli do in RoW. This is getting more complicated.
I acknowledge that who Dalinar is in WoK and WoR and who he was in the past are two completely separate people, and in Oathbringer Dalinar regains his memories and he truly has to come to terms with what he has done, and thus it’s the ultimate reading experience to see how the new and shiny Dalinar is roughed up by his past and truly grows as a person. This whole plot line is truly satisfying, but honestly hard to read.
I’m actually really appreciative of Shallan’s arc together with Adolin in this book. How she herself is confused over her personality and in turn her illusions and their characteristics, but then she opens up and finally lets Adolin see her, and I just loved how Adolin came clean about his actions at the end of WoR 🫣, there were so many bumps in the road to them coming together, but frankly it’s nice to read about choosing the other. It’s not going to be my favourite grand romance of the series, but to be honest, I’m not reading SA for romance.
I read it to feel emotions that IRL would be debilitating. And Sanderson delivered.
And here it was much less a Sanderlanche than several mini avalanches after the halfway point.
(Really hard to keep this spoiler free, so much happens here)
Then the subsequent travel through Shadesmar and how the world is a complete mindfuck of a place (but still very well written), gaining Syl’s backstory the young ancient daughter 😅, and then shit starts to hit the fan in the physical world and Kaladin&co just can’t catch a break before finally Kaladin for the first time actually does catch a break and I got all fuzzy inside.
And then the honorable mentions that can’t be left off the review: Lift was being less ridiculous, but that’s what you get for playing more important role in the plot. Azure had an interesting beginning, but frankly she should have listened to Kaladin, he’s rarely wrong of where he needs to be, but I expect she’ll make a comeback in RoW. Szeth made an interesting decision especially with what Skybreakers stand for, but his dark companion? Oooh! I did not expect the return of Nightblood and I’m here for it! (Chanting: More! More! More!)
And finally, there’s Anticipationspren floating of what will Venli do in RoW. This is getting more complicated.