RHYTHM OF WAR REVIEW

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D I S C O R D

I N S T A G R A M

G O O D R E A D S

E M A I L

[Jov]

Love the order jess, mine is:
WoR
RoW
WoK
Oathbringer

It's great that this list vatries so much among readers.

[jeffsalter]

I just finished RoW, and absolutely loved it. In fact, the more I think about it, and the more reviews/discussions I read/watch (including negative reviews), the more it grows on me and the more I like it. I also thoroughly enjoyed your review, and agreed with almost all of it. You show deep knowledge and tremendous enthusiasm for Stormlight Archive.
I completely agree about the Kaladin arc - just deeply emotional, with tremendous lows, and fantastic payoff.
I completely agree on Navani, and Navani's "frienemy / mutual respect" dynamic she ad with Raboniel.
I completely agree on Wit, and Jasnah (I so want a Jasnah focused book).
I completely agree on Sanderson exploring mental health issues. That's one of the best things about this book, and indeed the entire series (but especially RoW).
I completely agree about the world building. I just seems that with each book, and even each chapter in each book, it's like unwrapping the layers of an onion, or kind of like humankind's understanding of the Universe, beginning with thinking we were the center of the universe, and the stars and planets rotated around us, to understanding earth orbits the sun, along with the planets, to seeing the rest of the Milky way, to understanding that the Milky Way is just one galaxy among hundreds of billions, to understanding the big-bang, etc. Sanderson's gradual revealing of Roshar, and the the greater Cosmere, is a lot like that.

But what I don't agree on, is Adolin.

Warning to other commenters, spoilers coming


You make a good point about the idea of Adolin always being the "Honorable Knight TM" can get a bit tedious (and even tropey). But to me, that is not what matters about Adolin, at all. What really matters about Adolin, and what ends up being hugely critical to the overall story and the story arcs of other characters, is his innate, and endless, kindness, and treating others as an individual who is important, and believing in others he cares for. He does that more than any other character in Stormlight, or indeed really any other books or series I've read. What's also interesting about him is that in RoW he is struggling to find his place in the greater good. He was always the expert duelist, the lady's man, the "Honorable Knight". But in a world of Radiants and Fused, those things don't matter so much anymore. But really, his "superpower" is his kindness, and it proves hugely critical to other characters arcs, and the overall plot. Here are examples:

Kaladin - not long after Dalinar removed him from the field, Kaladin was really struggling, and indeed in deep despair. He was brooding by himself in his room in the tower, and along comes Adolin, who makes Kaladin come out to the tavern in the market, and be with his friends, and generally making him believe that things will work out okay. I really feel that this was a hugely crucial moment, because it seemed like Kaladin was on the precipice of going into a deep, downward spiral that he might not have been able to climb out of. But thanks to Adolin's kindness, and his insistence on believing in Kaladin, and his insistence on believing he would eventually be okay, Kaladin was given the impetus to move forward. Not long after that is when Kaladin decides to help by working with his father, and then to help the other people suffering from battle shock and depression, just like him.

Shallan - thanks to Adolin's unending patience with Shallan's multiple personalities, and his unending belief in her, and his general kindness to her, she was eventually able to work it out in the end (with Veil being absorbed in, and pushing back Formless). I strongly believe that without Adolin's patience and kindness, Formless would have taken over Shallan's personality, and she might have gone completely dark.

Maya - frankly, I'm rather surprised you didn't mention Maya in your review. She was so very important, and fascinating. And here we go with Adolin's kindness, and treating others has important individuals, and showing others he believes in them. Adolin kept doing this with Maya, talking to her, doing the kata with with her, and just generally being kind to her, even though he kept being told again and again and again by the honorspren (and others) that it was "useless and futile", and that Maya didn't hear him, or whatever. And yet he continued. And I believe this is exactly why Maya was finally able to speak during the trial, saying "I Chose", and "this is my sacrifice", etc. Up to that point, no dead eye had ever spoken, and they had been assumed past hope. But Adolin didn't believe that. He believed in Maya, and treated her with kindness. Adolin was losing badly in that complete farce of a trial (it was completely stacked against him - he had no chance). But because of what he had done with Maya, Maya was able to finally speak for herself. If she hadn't, the balance would have tipped towards the honorspren, and many of the other spren, to not only reject bonding with humans, but to bond with the Singers. Knowing this, Adolin's kindness literally saved the day.

Long story short - Kindness matters. And no other character has it more than Adolin. And in the bigger picture, Sanderson is telling his readers the same thing: Kindness matters. What could be more important to say during this era of pandemic and endless divisiveness?

[henrywayne]

SPOILERS FOR THE COSMERE



















Same. We actually had very similar feelings with this book. This is the only Stormlight book where immediately after I finished, I was actually contemplating starting it again just so I can experience it all over again. My ranking:
1. Rhythm Of War
2. Words Of Radiance
3. The Way Of Kings
4. Oathbringer
I LOVED the character combinations for this book. Here are character combinations I want in Book 5, so that it all comes full circle.
1. Kaladin+Szeth+Nightblood- this is going to be such a comical/dangerous combination in Book 5. This team is in Shinovar.
2. Dalinar+Adolin+Renarin- I think it's time the Kholin men had a discussion and quit bottling up things inside. The relationship between Adolin and Dalinar is pretty rocky and I want us to explore this. Plus, it also ties into my theory that Todium could choose Adolin as a champion, especially since he is the weakest link to Dalinar at the moment. Honestly, Adolin was never expected to have much. He was just the solution to the Dalinar conundrum Sanderson had when he wrote The Way Of Kings Prime, but if Sanderson decides to use a character we don't pay attention to, I wouldn't put it past him. He did the same thing with the Pahn Kahl people in Warbreaker where people were like, "who are these and why do they matter" and yet they were the main players of the book. He could do the same for Adolin. This team should be in Urithiru.
3. Shallan+Navani+Jasnah- the Kholin women are just so badass and seeing them hunt 'Thaidakar'(maybe even interact with him. 😏😏😏). This group should be in Shadesmar. I really miss seeing Shallan and Jasnah together.
As a main interlude character, I actually want it to be Vyre this time. I know, unpopular opinion, but I just LOVE TO HATE this guy and I want to see him blind and miserable for a time. Plus, I highly doubt that he's going to be Todium's champion. Taravangian is smart as hell. I have a theory he'll pick someone close to Dalinar, probably a relative.
Prediction for Kaladin's Fifth Ideal: I accept that I must die...to protect those who remain...😭😭😭😭

[divyesh]

Loved this book had to take breaks frequently to "recover" has some of the best moments in the whole series, but Kaladins arc and Navani+Rebonial were my favorite chapters to read.
My ranking goes:
WoR
RoW
WoK
OB

[benjaminhaymore]

Love the enthusiasm! Just hearing you summarize about that Kal moment makes me tear up a little!

[TheBookishMom]

I am getting to this soon!! Catching up on the Cosmere in the new year

[cambrierogers]

It's so nice to see someone fangirling over the cosmere as much as I do

[aldan]

I loved this one too - but i love them all it's splitting hairs but my order is -
WoR
WoK
RoW
OB
They're all 5* reads for different reasons, i think Brandon needs his own star ratings measure comparatively to all other Authors lol

[RimaReads]

I can't decide whether I like RoW better or WoR because they both are sooo good! But after listening to your review, I just wanna reread RoW.

[urigatt]

I love the hype on RoW so much! I'm hypin on it too lol. Each chapter, each scene, it was just so... refined. No info dumps, lots of payoff, more please!

[lucypauwels]

Found a signed copy yesterday! I need to finish Oathbringer asap.

[oggarbagetea]

Its crazy how different everyone's rankings of these books are !

[saber]

Finished this book the week it came out and I was not disappointed with it!

[rock]

WindspreN: start circling kal
Me: CRIES

[iqraciousliliput]

How excited you are over this series!! ❤️

[safinan]

Hi sorry couldn’t watch the whole video... I still haven’t read this book yet 😊 but like the way u review books.... I’m currently reading Robin Hobb book.... keep safe and happy reading to u!! 📖❄️☃️🎄

[Johanna_reads]

I'm having so much fun reading this book right now. Revisiting to watch this video in its entirety as soon as I finish! 🥁

[alejandropastorcuesta]

Cosmere Spoilers**













"Thaidakar" revelation is what blew my mind the most. I actually didn't pick that up on my first read. I realized like 2 days later when i was thinking about the book and had to run to grab my physical copy to make sure. To make it even more impressive, Thaidakar was first mentioned on WOK prologue. wtf

[dunnejos]

To me this is also a Navani book. Heck she named her writing with raboniel "Rhythm of War"

[DonovanGG__]

Imo
1. Radiance 10/10
2. Oathbringer 10/10
3. Rhythm 9.5/10
4. Kings 9/10