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A review by josiah17
Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
Honestly, I had my doubts about whether or not I'd enjoy this book. I still considered The Stormlight Archive my favorite series of all time up to this release. Though it has been a long two years since reading the first four books, so I wasn't sure if my reading taste had changed or if I still had the same connection to the characters and the world. I'm also not sure I'm a fan of the way the Sanderson's Cosmere novels are trending, becoming more overtly interconnected (in way that feels damaging to the writing of whatever the latest singular novel is, or at least that's how I felt with Sunlit Man). But safe to say, I certainly remained connected to this cast of characters, and I had an amazing time with this behemoth of a book. It is spectacular. Though it is probably my least favorite of the five published thus far because it is not perfect by any means. Let's start with my criticisms, all of which reside in roughly the first half of the book, most of them being technical.
I never used to care much about prose, but that is a portion of my reading taste that has slightly evolved. Sanderson's prose in the first half of the book, mostly during Kaladin and Dalinar's viewpoints unfortunately, felt like a noticeable step down from what I had remembered with his writing. And throughout the entire first half of the book, some of his word choice he uses feels shockingly modern and frankly quite lazy because there are instances further into the book where his word choice and description of objects feels appropriate for the context and present technology on Roshar. Additionally, most of the significant themes he's presenting feel extremely heavy-handed at times. Again, mostly in Kaladin's viewpoint which was very frustrating. Though I like the themes themselves and what Sanderson is attempting to convey and how it fits Kaladin's arc and really the entirety of the cast. The problem merely lies in how Sanderson was choosing to communicate them to the reader. Finally, the dialogue also felt stilted and sometimes slightly out of character. This was less frequent, but still noticeable and affected my enjoyment of the first half of the book. Overall, I can definitely agree with much of the discussion about Sanderson needing a stricter editor.
However, even with some technical hiccups, Sanderson remains the strongest plotter out there. The actual events happening throughout the course of the narrative had me thoroughly engaged. I think this was a result of great pacing as well thanks to the book being split into ten days, not four or five parts as the last four have been. Days 1 and 2 were on the slower and less intriguing side, but I maintain that I was still captivated and then things really took off with day 3 and onward.
And with all this being said, criticisms especially, the second half of the book is absolutely magical. All my problems begin to fade away as the writing becomes more polished and Sanderson starts firing on all cylinders. The number of questions finally answered and the clarity behind Roshar's history is magnificent. The flashbacks for Szeth are moving and present even more fantastic worldbuilding and revelations. Sanderson subverted my expectations with the climax so many times in such fantastic ways. I think I truly love where every character landed at the end of this book, several being very bittersweet. This book feels like such a satisfying and fitting conclusion for the first arc of Stormlight, while expertly setting up the second arc with massive implications and changes for not only Roshar, but the Cosmere at large.
In the end, my criticisms also cannot change how this book, and this series, has impacted me. It has genuinely changed my life. The power and emotional impact of the journey these characters embark on cannot be understated, and I'm forever thankful for Sanderson's ability to write in such an inspirational and touching manner. The mental health representation means everything to me. I have hardly been as moved by any other story I've experienced, and to me that's possibly the most special and important aspect of experiencing a story: simply how it makes me feel.
What a journey, what an epic conclusion. I will remember these characters forever, and I cannot wait to see some of them again in Stormlight 6, which is already so painful to wait for.
Life before death. Strength before weakness. Journey before destination. Thank you, Sanderson.
I never used to care much about prose, but that is a portion of my reading taste that has slightly evolved. Sanderson's prose in the first half of the book, mostly during Kaladin and Dalinar's viewpoints unfortunately, felt like a noticeable step down from what I had remembered with his writing. And throughout the entire first half of the book, some of his word choice he uses feels shockingly modern and frankly quite lazy because there are instances further into the book where his word choice and description of objects feels appropriate for the context and present technology on Roshar. Additionally, most of the significant themes he's presenting feel extremely heavy-handed at times. Again, mostly in Kaladin's viewpoint which was very frustrating. Though I like the themes themselves and what Sanderson is attempting to convey and how it fits Kaladin's arc and really the entirety of the cast. The problem merely lies in how Sanderson was choosing to communicate them to the reader. Finally, the dialogue also felt stilted and sometimes slightly out of character. This was less frequent, but still noticeable and affected my enjoyment of the first half of the book. Overall, I can definitely agree with much of the discussion about Sanderson needing a stricter editor.
However, even with some technical hiccups, Sanderson remains the strongest plotter out there. The actual events happening throughout the course of the narrative had me thoroughly engaged. I think this was a result of great pacing as well thanks to the book being split into ten days, not four or five parts as the last four have been. Days 1 and 2 were on the slower and less intriguing side, but I maintain that I was still captivated and then things really took off with day 3 and onward.
And with all this being said, criticisms especially, the second half of the book is absolutely magical. All my problems begin to fade away as the writing becomes more polished and Sanderson starts firing on all cylinders. The number of questions finally answered and the clarity behind Roshar's history is magnificent. The flashbacks for Szeth are moving and present even more fantastic worldbuilding and revelations. Sanderson subverted my expectations with the climax so many times in such fantastic ways. I think I truly love where every character landed at the end of this book, several being very bittersweet. This book feels like such a satisfying and fitting conclusion for the first arc of Stormlight, while expertly setting up the second arc with massive implications and changes for not only Roshar, but the Cosmere at large.
In the end, my criticisms also cannot change how this book, and this series, has impacted me. It has genuinely changed my life. The power and emotional impact of the journey these characters embark on cannot be understated, and I'm forever thankful for Sanderson's ability to write in such an inspirational and touching manner. The mental health representation means everything to me. I have hardly been as moved by any other story I've experienced, and to me that's possibly the most special and important aspect of experiencing a story: simply how it makes me feel.
What a journey, what an epic conclusion. I will remember these characters forever, and I cannot wait to see some of them again in Stormlight 6, which is already so painful to wait for.
Life before death. Strength before weakness. Journey before destination. Thank you, Sanderson.
"You know what first drew me to you, Kaladin?' Wit asked. 'You did one of the most difficult things a man can do: you gave yourself a second chance."
"I took that second chance... maybe a third," Kaladin admitted. "But now what? Who am I without the spear?"
"Won't it be exciting to find out?" Wit said. "Have you ever wondered who you would be if there was no one you needed to save, no one you needed to kill? You've lived for others for so long, Kaladin. What happens when you try living for you?" Wit held up his finger. "I know you can't answer yet. Go and find out." With that, Wit bowed to him. "Thank you."
"For what?" Kaladin asked.
"For the inspiration," Wit said[.]
"Your pain," the voice said. "All men have the same ultimate destination, Dalinar. But we are not creatures of destinations. It is the journey that shapes us. Our callused feet. Your callused feet. Our backs strong from carrying the weight of our travels. Your back strong from carrying the weight of your travels. Our eyes open. Your. Eyes. Open. You kept the pain, Dalinar. Remember that. For the substance of our existence is not in the achievement, but in the method..."
(I've been sitting between a 4.5 and 5 star rating for this, so I'm just leaving it at a 4.75 for now. But really I don't see it going below that in the future. It may even go up to 5 stars soon after continuing to process. I'm also curious to see how my eventual series reread will affect my perception of the first half of the book. Might add more to this review too, hopefully it's concise enough. Anyways, incredible book.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
Minor: Animal death and Sexual content