A review by theguildwriter
Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective 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

4.25

Of all of the Stormlight books so far, this was probably my least favorite. That being said, the book was still excellent, but the slog in the middle of the book was intense and long. The Sanderlanche that followed was not enough to balance out that slog, even though the events were exciting and satisfying. I think this book was laying a lot of groundwork for what's to come, especially with specific characters. I was still happy with the story overall and felt like I walked away with a better understanding of the world and its inhabitants. I think the best way to tackle this book is to switch to audio when it gets slow and find downtime to passively chip away at it. 

Though a lot of the events were slow and hard to get through, the character development was excellent not just for the main characters but for the side characters as well. As usual, Sanderson does a great job justifying Book 1's interludes and keeping them relevant throughout the series. It helps the world to feel alive and as though it is constantly moving, whether our characters are aware of it or not. I'm excited to start Rhythm of War, but I am glad to be done with Oathbringer.