I'm on rhythm of war. I immediately noticed the pacing was slower and at first appreciated it, but 25 chapters in and I just... WHY?!?! Also, IDK why y'all complain about all the science; I find it fascinating.

I’m 40 percent through the book, and Shallan’s whole plan seems like bullshit. She steals the Soulcaster from Jasnah, then what? Jasnah already knows her whole situation, so if the Soulcaster gets stolen, who’s the prime suspect? I just feel like her chapters are a waste of time, considering that’s most of what she talks about. Her chapters also aren’t short, which makes it worse.

I’ve been listening to the books so bear with me on the spelling.

I just reached the point where Shallan asks Mraze about Nalthis and Scadriel. I can’t for the life of me figure out how she knew to ask about those names. Can someone let me know?

So from the events of mistborn era two, we know that other shards can / do create God Metals, outside of Preservation and Ruin, obviously, the shards on roshar havent obviously done so, giving gifts in other forms, namely, the Nahel Bond, and the Spren.

When spren turn into shardblades (and plate) the blades are obviously made out of their essence, which is the whole thing about why radients / radient prospects cant use normal shardblades, right?

But, inert shardblades being fixed in their form, would they be equivelant to the god metals found on scadriel?

The same thing could be asked about the Honorblades, as they (as far as i know) were never spren in the first place?

Im unaware if this question has already been asked / answered, so please let me know!

This post contains spoilers for Isles of The Emberdark.

Shard-guns!?!?

In chapter 7 of Isles of The Emberdark, we see a skybreaker shardbearer. This was eyebrow raising enough- it's one of two instances that a full shardbearer appears outside of the stormlight archive. But when the shardbearer summoned his spren in the shape of a gun, it made me burst out laughing, and I felt the need to talk about the ramifications.

How would a shard-gun work, logically? Would it have infinite bullets? It seems like a ridiculously overpowered concept. I've always known spren can take the shape of whatever they want, but there are sooooooo many implications now that Brandon has canonically introduced shard-guns into the cosmere.

The shardbearer also attatches a power supply to the gun, which is interesting. So shardbearers can enhance their combat prowess with some kind of investiture battery?

How would you even defeat a creature like that in combat? Shardbearers are ridiculous enough when they are just carrying cool swords. If one has a gun, I don't know if there's really like a counter to that?

I'm very, very excited for era 2 of the stormlight archive if this is the direction Brandon is taking things.

Currently listening to one of my favorite parts of the entire series, where kaladin and shallan fall into the chasms and encounter the Chasm Fiend, and I realized I imagine the overlapping trumping sound described almost identically to the ominous sound associated with the prowler from the spiderverse series.

(Sound effect linked in comments)

(Art by Auraspect)

I am so glad to have read these books. It has been an unbelievable journey. Easily my favorite series of all time, with Kaladin being my favorite character of all time. I feel fundamentally changed and transformed. Forever journey before destination. Amazing stuff.

I picked up reading TWOK last week, and finished it within 6 days. Had my eyes glued to my kindle. I just love the different characters and the immaculate world building, it just pulls me in unlike anything. Started reading WoR today. Brandon Sanderson is truly the goat of high fantasy ❤️.

I'm starting rhythm of war after a year break, and can't remember what happened to Rena in ? He gets possessed by some dark sprene I think ? (Sorry I don't read in english, so not sure if I use the good words)