While I didn't enjoy Oathbringer quite as much as the first two books in the series, I still feel it's worthy of a 5-star rating. Each of these books has specific characters at the forefront, and in this novel they are Shallan Davar and Dalinar Kholin.
There are some aspects of Shallan's character that are fascinating, such as her multiple "personalities" or illusions that she adopts to explore and find out who she really is. However, her romance with Adolin felt very awkward, and Shallan spent so much time fretting over her different personalities that it became tedious to me. Dalinar's flashback sequences were jarring to me as well, and although they did provide some insight to his past, I felt they could have been fewer in number. I did enjoy the focus on Dalinar more than I thought I would, however.
Where The Stormlight Archive really shines as a series for me, is in two areas, and that's why I'm firm on my 5-star rating here. First is the world-building and magic system. In its cohesiveness and expansiveness, the Cosmere feels almost like Tokien-esque. There seems to be an ever-expanding mythos that is both wondrous and fascinating. Many questions are answered in Oathbringer, but as Sanderson pulls back from his focus on the nation of Alethkar to look at the world in full in this new novel, numerous new possibilities unfold. It is indeed an amazing world to explore.
Second, I find the character development really interesting and satisfying, and the moral dilemmas faced by the characters really serve to propel the story forward, with glorious and sometimes tragic consequences.The Dalinar flashback sequences paint the Alethi people as bloodthirsty, immoral savages, a "Ghengis Khan" like marauding horde that kills for sport, without mercy or conscience. This presents quite a problem as Dalinar finds himself faced with the return of the Voidbringers. Dalinar needs to use diplomacy to form an alliance to defend their world, but who would believe him? Every nation-state in the world of Roshar seems suspicious, distrusting its neighbors. Some wonder if the Alethi people are worse than the Voidbringers who have come to conquer the world. In a "Game of Thrones" way, the Alethi resemble the rulers of Westeros, who all appear corrupt, conniving and treacherous.
Dalinar has bonded himself to Honor in the previous book, which requires him to keep his Oaths and integrity. Watching him change as he struggles mightily with this, makes his arc worthwhile. Other characters' moral choices shape them as well. As the parshmen are released by the tens of thousands from their lives of slavery by all the nation-states of Roshar, how will they treat those of Roshar who have enslaved them for thousands of years? Are the parshmen the rightful rulers of Roshar? Many of the main characters in the Stormlight Archive seem have little to no moral center at the beginning. What is interesting is seeing how catastrophic and extreme events are shaping them, and some make sacrificial choices of great integrity, such as the men of Bridge Four who seek to become Knights Radiant, while others sink low and take a path that dooms themselves and others (avoiding spoilers here. .).
Some characters who have some transformative moments:
-Kaladin as he spends time observing the newly freed parshmen
-Venli the Parshendi who paved the way for the Voidbringers' return
-Taravangian who is alternately a fool or a genius, an empath or a sociopath, deciding what path to take.
-Odium, the enemy, who comes portraying himself as an "angel of light" with a golden tongue but a heart filled with ruin and death.
-Jasnah Kholin, the great historian and thinker of the Alethi, racing against time to crack the technology of the past to save their future.
-Renarin, who has bonded with a void-spren, the forgotten member of Alethi royalty who may be the wild card that can tip the balance.
-Lift, with the exuberance of a child, but with powers that rival any of the other Radiants.
-Szeth, the Assassin in White, who is no longer forced to kill, but can now make his own choice about the direction of his life.
-the men of Bridge Four, who have a new lease on life and who share a bond that has enabled them to achieve great things.
All of these characters have time in Oathbringer, some a lot more than others, but watching their choices shape them has been delightful and satisfying. Some of the characters in Oathbringer don't end well- they are not cookie cutter stories. Some crash and burn, some betray their friends and the ones they love. Others reconsider their hate, and choose love instead. While I would have wished for more time for some of my favorite characters like Kaladin, and even Lift, who had the main role in the Edgedancer book that I looked forward to seeing her story continue in Oathbringer (which it didn't), I relished every bit of Oathbringer. This is what sets it apart from most other novels of this and other genres, and I can't give it less than 5 stars with a clear conscience.
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Popular Highlights in this book
“Sometimes, a hypocrite is nothing more than a man who is in the process of changing.”Highlighted by 10,820 Kindle readers- “But sometimes a hypocrite is nothing more than a person who is in the process of changing.”Highlighted by 9,939 Kindle readers
- The most important step a man can take. It’s not the first one, is it? It’s the next one. Always the next step, Dalinar.Highlighted by 9,195 Kindle readers
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Reviews with images
Ok read but pages in the wrong order
Good read but not as exciting as the first two. It follows so many characters that I became less engaged with their stories. Dalanar had the best character arc. Kaladin's journey fell rather flat and disappointing as a point in progression was hinted at and then did not follow through with the promise. Shallan's journey progressed but lacked surprises. Adolin felt very much a supporting character, and it seemed very contrived that he would continue to just be the same token normal dude even though he has such close relationships with multiple Radiants and all of their friends are developing powers except him. If you have read far enough to get to this book then of course you should read it. It's still a good read. Unfortunately my copy had pages inserted in the wrong places so I had to jump ahead and then flip back again somewhere around page 600-800 in order to read the pages in the correct order.
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Pranav
Looks used and bad quality
Reviewed in Sweden on February 20, 2021
Pranav
Reviewed in Sweden on February 20, 2021
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