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A review by noleme
The Stormlight Archive, Books 1-3: The Way of Kings, Words of Radiance, Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson
3.0
The world building is 5 stars but the writing holds this series back. Sanderson just writes too much. Each book is is 1000-1500 pages long and there is no justification in the story for these lengths. Consider how much story, character development, and world building is in lotr which is the length of one book in this series. Sanderson just over explains everything, often explaining the same thing multiple times. There are also scenes that are completely unnecessary to the plot. For example, when Shallan and Adolin are on their date in the cafe they go to separate rooms when the storm comes in. Adolin then runs into the guys he will be dueling later and Sadeas. Through this interaction the reader learns absolutely nothing and Adolin learns nothing useful either. Sadeas informs him he quit is post as minister of whatever but this never affects the plot which also means the whole chapter we got from Sadeas' pov was also worthless. There are a lot of fight scenes that are long but have no actual consequences. These novels could probably be half the size and would actually be so much better. Dialogue can sometimes be bad and out of character. Sometimes it feels like Sanderson is directly telling the reader what we are supposed to be thinking about something through cringe dialogue. This is Sanderson's main fault. He doesn't seem to trust the reader to learn and make connections on their own which leads to him overexplaining and the overbearing length. I actually regret spending so much time reading these.
Characters
Kaladin started off good but he gets no development until the last pages of the 4th book. His I have to save everyone spiel gets annoying fast. He is also over powered and gets a lot of fight scenes that are pointless.
Shallan also started good but became unlikeable. Her multiple personality thing is just off putting for some reason.
Jasnah is an awfully written character. She was one of the most interesting in the beginning but dies but didn't. When she comes back she does absolutely nothing because her purpose was replaced by her mom who is a good character.
Dalinar is the only character I actually like. He is complex and has excellent development.
The villains are intriguing. They seem complex, not evil.
Characters
Kaladin started off good but he gets no development until the last pages of the 4th book. His I have to save everyone spiel gets annoying fast. He is also over powered and gets a lot of fight scenes that are pointless.
Shallan also started good but became unlikeable. Her multiple personality thing is just off putting for some reason.
Jasnah is an awfully written character. She was one of the most interesting in the beginning but dies but didn't. When she comes back she does absolutely nothing because her purpose was replaced by her mom who is a good character.
Dalinar is the only character I actually like. He is complex and has excellent development.
The villains are intriguing. They seem complex, not evil.