*Warning: this article will contain minor spoilers for ‘Wind and Truth‘ and major spoilers for the previous books in the Stormlight Archive series. If you’re new to the series or haven’t finished book five, I’d recommend clicking off this article. Thank you.*
The Stormlight Archive has been my favorite modern fantasy series for a long time. Each entry, from ‘The Way of Kings‘ all the way to ‘Rhythm of War‘, have been masterpieces in their own rights. I’ve read this monster of a series six times over the years, and with each re-read, my appreciation for them has grown stronger.
Going into ‘Wind and Truth‘, I was equal parts excited and terrified. This entry was set to be the end of Stormlight’s first major arc. Would any of my favorite characters survive? How would the series change in preparation for the second arc? Who will be the one to put Moash in the dirt where he belongs? Sanderson set the bar for himself extremely high with this one.
And he cleared it with the grace of an Edgedancer. ‘Wind and Truth‘ is nearly what I would consider a perfect book. I could hardly put it down from beginning to end!
I waited a few weeks to review this book after finishing it. Partly because I needed time to get my act together after the complete devastation Sanderson unleashed upon my emotions. But mostly because I didn’t want to cloud the review with any early-read excitement. As huge a Stormlight fan as I am, I wanted to be honest, fair, and critical.
So believe me when I say that this may be the best book in the Stormlight Archive.
Our story begins right where ‘Rhythm of War‘ left off. The terms for the contest of champions have been set. In ten days, Dalinar Kholin and Odium will settle the fate of Roshar once and for all. The Night of Sorrows is nigh. For better or worse, everything is about to change.
But Kaladin Stormblessed has another task, given to him both by Dalinar and the Wind itself. He must travel to Shinovar with Szeth and assist him in his Skybreaker’s quest to cleanse the land. More than that, he must use his limited experience as Roshar’s first therapist to heal the Herald Ishar and enlist his aid. Kaladin’s days as a soldier are over. Now he and Syl need to find their new place in the world.
Kaladin and Szeth’s shared plotline is easily my favorite part of the book. Their group dynamic a delight; every chat between Kal, Szeth, Syl, Nightblood, and Szeth’s Highspren is equal parts wholesome, adorable, and hilarious. More than that, we get answers to many of the series longest standing questions. Szeth’s backstory, Shinovar, the Heralds; it all culminates in an ending that had me bawling like a baby.
Back with the other Radiants, Dalinar must prepare for the contest with Odium. To do so, he and Navani must make a journey into a realm even Wit is afraid to enter: the Spiritual Realm. There, they hope to find the answers to their deepest questions and find the key to Odium’s downfall. But he will face many obstacles in his search for the truth. The greatest of them all: the Stormfather.
This is where the book’s major reveals occur. All the biggest mysteries built across the series thus far come to a head here. Unfortunately, that means I can say practically nothing about it without spoiling the entire book. But rest assured: it’s all amazing.
Shalan’s plot is tied directly in with Dalinar’s. While the Bondsmiths search for the secret of Honor’s death, Shalan, Renarin, and Rlain race against the Ghostbloods to find the prison of Ba-Ado-Mishram, strongest of the Unmade. But in their journey, each of our three heroes must confront something far more dreadful than the Ghostbloods: themselves.
In every Stormlight book, Shalan is always among my least favorite characters. But ‘Wind and Truth‘ wraps her arc up in a neat little bow, complete with one last backstory plot twist. I found it a bit anticlimactic, but it does all it wants to do reasonably well. The real stars here are Renarin and Rlain for yet more reasons I cannot spoil.
While all of this is happening, the war rages on in one last desperate push from both sides. The human defense is fought on three fronts, led by Adolin, Sigzil, and Jasnah. They only need to hold out against the enemy for ten days. But with the overwhelming Singer forces unleashing their full might, and the human’s resources dwindling by the hour, lasting even one will be difficult.
I have mixed feelings on these plotlines. Adolin’s is absolutely fantastic from beginning to end. Jasnah’s has some crazy plot twists, but the pacing is a bit slow and unexciting. Sigzil’s has cool fight scenes and a few emotional gut punches, but had a somewhat lackluster conclusion. None of them are bad by any means, but I do consider them the weakest parts of the book.
Also Venli is there. I’ve always thought she was boring, and that sure didn’t change here. In fairness, her storyline here is more interesting than the last few books. But that’s like saying that watching blue paint dry is more entertaining than red paint.
Between each day, we spend some time in the mind of our antagonist: Taravangian, the new Odium. Taravangian has always been the best villain in the series, and he’s only become more so with as a god. A raging narcissist justifying his lust for power with excuses of ‘the greater good’, desperately trying to force his friends/enemies to admit he’s in the right. Every single scene with him feels like playing a chess match you’ve already lost. Of all the villains across the Cosmere, this is the best one by far!
Now we come to the book’s most critical point: the ending. This was always going to be a major hurdle for ‘Wind and Truth‘. Sanderson somehow needed to conclude the story as it’s been up to now in a satisfying way. A monumental ask in it of itself. More than that, he had to set the stage for another five books to come. To put into perspective how difficult this task is, it’s basically like finishing a climb of Mount Everest, then convincing your friend to do it with you again.
Given my general enthusiasm throughout this article, you can probably guess how it panned out. Rarely have I found a book that left me so utterly satisfied while still leaving me starving for more! I cannot wait to see where the series goes from here come Stormlight 6!
In 2030. Honestly, after this one, Sanderson deserves that break. Not that the lunatic would take it. Fifty bucks says he’s already written five books since publishing this one.
‘Wind and Truth‘ is a damn near perfect conclusion to the Stormlight Archive’s first arc. Even the book’s weakest points had me enraptured. If there were any doubts as to the series’ pedigree, of its place as one of fantasy’s best, they’ve been blown away in the Highstorm! This book, this series, is a true masterpiece!
The first five books of Stormlight (seven if you include ‘Edgedancer‘ and ‘Dawnshard‘, which you really should) were reading experiences I will never forget. I read a lot of books. But very rarely do I find a series that truly changes my life for having read. They’ve been a comfort in some of my darkest times, and I feel that I am a better person because of them.
So thank you, Brandon Sanderson. Thank you for teaching me the most important words a man can say.
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