“If we slow down,” Jasnah said, “the past catches up to us. History is like that, always gobbling up the present.”
The year of Sanderson continues and while I may have had a rather slow month of reading in May, I did finish Rhythm of War (Tor 2020). Book four of The Stormlight Archivemay very well be my favorite. I’m still Bridge Four forever, but Adolin… somehow the non-Radiant became my heart.
We get more of Venli and Eshonai, as well as seeing the rebellion brewing amongst the Fused, but this novel seemed too much like two novels for me. I wish the occupation of the Tower, the Rhythm of War tone and the discoveries of Navani, while captive, and Raboniel were the dedicated focus. That would also include Venli and Eshonai and the flashbacks there, which I appreciated but wanted more flesh because I couldn’t reconcile what I was being presented with Eshonai’s viewpoint in earlier works.
The storyline with Adolin and Shallan on a mission to Shadesmar to convince the honorspren to bond with humans again, particularly the role of the Dead Eyes, is such great storytelling. While I understand why these storylines happening at the same time were important for the evolution of the story and how the two plots work together, both are such great storylines that interrupting one to give a taste of the other annoyed me every single time.
The portrayal of mental health, most noticeably with Kaladin and Shallan, is respectfully and talentedly done. Suicidal ideation is prominent throughout the series, beginning with book one. In Rhythm of War, they name it and claim – and a healing starts while the world continues to burn down around them.
I love these characters, and I do not regret starting my Sanderson journey with Stormlight.
A Girl Named Tommi 