Includes MASSIVE SPOILERS for The Stormlight Archive books 1-4.The Stormlight Archive book 5 is out in December, and there are several critical narrative threads to keep in mind before diving into it. Brandon Sanderson has become one of the world’s most renowned fantasy authors, and it’s no secret that his epic saga contains some massive volumes, each with over 1,000 pages. The Stormlight Archive is a dense series with complicated world-building and a plethora of characters to keep track of, so it’s crucial to recap at least the main characters’ storylines before the new installment, Wind and Truth.
Not to mention, many of Sanderson’s books are connected through an expansive fictional universe called the Cosmere. Series like Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive are linked with standalone novels like Warbreaker, and those connections become more prevalent with every volume. For example, 2020’s Rhythm of War all but revealed that the leader of the sinister Ghostbloods was none other than Kelsier, one of the heroes from the Mistborn series who died back in The Final Empire. Twists like this have made the story increasingly challenging to follow, but that’s what makes it all so exciting.
7 Dalinar & Odium Have Agreed To A Contest Of Champions
Wind And Truth Will Show The Countdown To The Contest
The main plot thread of Wind and Truth is the impending contest of champions between Dalinar Kholin and the god Odium. The end of Rhythm of War saw Dalinar finally convince Odium to agree to terms for a final confrontation that will determine the fate of Roshar. Wind and Truth’s narrative is a ten-day countdown to the contest, with Dalinar preparing for the fateful duel, seemingly intending to fight Odium’s champion himself.
If Dalinar wins, Odium is forced to forfeit Alethkar and Herdaz, establishing peace on Roshar.
The stakes of the contest of champions are clear: if Odium wins, Dalinar will become his enforcer as a Fused, carrying out Odium’s will on Roshar and throughout the Cosmere. If Dalinar wins, Odium is forced to forfeit Alethkar and Herdaz, establishing peace on Roshar. Importantly to Wit, the worldhopper whose goal is to keep Odium restricted to Roshar, either outcome will limit Odium to the Rosharan system. While terms have been set that forbid the abuse of loopholes, Odium seems to have something planned.
6 Taravangian Has Become The New Vessel For Odium
Taravangian Tricked Wit In The Rhythm Of War Epilogue
Rhythm of War’s epilogue is one of the most bone-chilling sequences in the entirety of the Cosmere, as Odium swapped from his previous vessel, Rayse, to the body of Taravangian. Having done this after agreeing to the contest of champions, protagonists in Wind and Truth will find Odium much harder to read and predict, as the change in vessel notably shifts the personality and capabilities of the antagonist god. Taravangian has always been a conflicted character throughout the saga, and this will surely continue now that he’s inhabited by an ultra-powerful force.
Importantly, the epilogue also saw Taravangian/Odium and Wit share an exchange of dialogue, where Odium manages to trick Wit by tampering with his memories. Odium engages in a conversation with Wit, where the worldhopper realizes Rayse is no longer the vessel before Odium takes that time away from him and restarts the dialogue. This time, Taravangian manages to trick Wit into believing Rayse is still the vessel, demonstrating Odium’s heightened power of manipulation.
5 Kaladin Is Going On A Quest To Shinovar
Kaladin Swore His Fourth Ideal In Rhythm Of War’s Climax
Kaladin has been through a lot in The Stormlight Archive, and Rhythm of War saw him at one of his darkest points yet after the death of Teft, his friend and ally from Bridge Four. After attempting to take his own life again, Dalinar shares with Kaladin a vision of his deceased younger brother Tien. At this moment, Kaladin was finally able to accept his Fourth Ideal, declaring, “I accept that there will be those I cannot protect!”
Despite suffering heavy losses, Kaladin is heading into Wind and Truth with a newfound sense of inner peace and balance. His plot in the new book will see him going on a quest with Szeth to visit the Assassin in White’s homeland, where some conflict is stirring. Given the notable differences between these characters, the quest should make for an interesting reading experience, and the title of the book refers to their pairing, with Kaladin representing “wind” and Szeth representing “truth.”
4 Shallan Has Broken Away From The Ghostbloods
Shallan Has Taken Control Of Her Personas… Mostly
Shallan Davar has been involved with the Ghostbloods, an off-world organization plotting on Roshar, since Words of Radiance. Her story in Rhythm of War saw her travel to Shadesmar on a mission from the Ghostbloods to kill the leader of the Sons of Honor, which ends up being Kelek, one of the Heralds of the Almighty. Ultimately, she meets with Kelek, who shares information about the larger conflict in the Cosmere, and she breaks away from the Ghostbloods.
Related
The Stormlight Archive Is Already Avoiding Making Game Of Thrones’ Biggest Mistake
Brandon Sanderson once pointed out one of the major mistakes in Game of Thrones, and it highlights a strength of The Stormlight Archive.
Importantly, Shallan also spent the book grappling with her various personas, discovering her spren Pattern had been corroborating with Mraize from the Ghostbloods. She also discovered that she had another spren from childhood, Testament, who was repressed in her memories along with the murder of her parents. Facing all of this eventually allows her to swear new truths and advance her abilities as a Lightweaver.
3 Adolin Succeeded In The Trial At Lasting Integrity
Adolin’s Deadeye Has Been Partially Revived
Adolin Kholin is notably the only main character in the series not to have taken any Radiant powers, which continues to be an internal conflict for him. Rhythm of War saw him leave Urithiru in conflict with Dalinar, his father, over disagreements regarding their respective actions: Adolin’s killing of Torol Sadeas and Dalinar’s involvement in Evi’s death. The wedge between them will continue to define his journey going into Wind and Truth.
The possibility of deadeyes returning is an important question mark going forward.
In book 4, Adolin and Shallan journeyed to Lasting Integrity in Shadesmar, where Adolin tried to win over the support of the honorspren, agreeing to be put on trial for the actions of human ancestors. In the trial, the spren attempted to use Adolin’s deadeye Shardblade, Mayalaran, against him, hoping she would condemn him. She defies expectations by instead speaking in his defense, showing that she’s been partially revived. The possibility of deadeyes returning is an important question mark going forward.
2 The Heralds Are X-Factors Throughout Roshar
Each Herald Of The Almighty Could Make An Impact
The Heralds of the Almighty are all in various positions throughout Roshar, and their involvement will be important in Wind and Truth.
Shalash: Ash has spent The Stormlight Archive traveling and destroying artistic depictions of herself, not wanting to be revered. She’s now with Talanel, and has been held by Jasnah at Urithiru and the Emul war front.
Nale: Nale sought out Szeth to help him train as a Skybreaker and is the only Herald to be part of a Radiant order. Nale has fought in battles in the True Desolation for the side of the singers.
Jezrien: Jezrien has appeared in flashbacks as a beggar meeting with Dalinar and was also present at the palace when Gavilar was murdered. Jezrien was later killed by Moash toward the end of Oathbringer.
Chanarach: Chana’s location is unknown, but a common fan theory points to her being Shallan’s mother.
Vedel: Vedel’s location is still unknown.
Related
This 2023 Brandon Sanderson Novel Is A Must-Read Before The Stormlight Archive Book 5
Before Wind and Truth comes out in December, this 2023 Brandon Sanderson book is worth reading for its references to The Stromlight Archive.
Kalak: Shallan met Kalak at Last Integrity, where he serves as High Judge for the honorspren. He led the Sons of Honor under the nickname Restares.
Pailiah: Pailiah’s location is still unknown.
Ishar: Ishar is massively important for Wind and Truth, as he’s convinced the people of Tukar that he’s a god and believes that Dalinar is Odium’s champion. At the end of Rhthym of War, Dalinar briefly broke through to the sane part of Ishar, that said he could reform the Oathpact if a radiant swore an oath by him, telling Dalinar to meet him in Shinovar.
Talanel: Talanel was the Herald who appeared at the end of The Way of Kings, proclaiming that a new Desolation was coming. His mind has been practically destroyed from his time being tormented in Damnation alone.
Battar: Taravangian identified Dova, the ardent in Kharbranth helping in the Diagram, as being the Herald Battar.
1 Supporting Character Arcs
The Stormlight Archive’s Ensemble All Matter
Not every character had that much going on in Rhythm of War, but they’re all briefly worth covering.
Navani Kholin: Navani was present at Urithiru during the occupation in Rhythm of War and also spent much of the book becoming acquainted with the tower’s spren, the Sibling. In the end, Raboniel protected her while she bonded with the Sibling, becoming a Bondsmith. She blinds Moash and then kills Raboniel out of mercy.
Jasnah Kholin: Jasnah has recently become the Queen of Alethkar, and she and Wit have formed a romantic relationship.
Moash: Moash was blinded by Navani after killing Teft, and she used her powers to return his pain to him, forcing him to reckon with killing his old friend.
Venli: After defending the Radiants at Urithiru, Venli left with Leshwi and others to the Shattered Plains, finding the listener settlement where her mother, Jaxlim, has been. She swore her second Ideal at the end of Rhythm of War, having reunited with Jaxlim.
Lift: Lift didn’t lose consciousness like the other Radiants at Urithiru in Rhythm of War and aided in trying to wake the fallen Radiants.
Gavinor: Gavinor, Elhokar’s son, has been retrieved from the occupied Kholinar, though he’s traumatized by what happened to his mother and father.
Related
Every Brandon Sanderson Book You Should Read Before The Stormlight Archive Book 5
Book 5 of The Stormlight Archive, Wind and Truth, requires the context of several other Brandon Sanderson books. Here’s what you need to read.
Sigzil: Sigzil was Hoid’s apprentice and has been taking on more responsibility with the Windrunners in Kaladin’s absence.
Renarin: In Rhythm of War, Renarin’s visions result in his involvement with Taravangian’s ascension to Odium.
Szeth: Szeth has sworn himself to Dalinar, and believes he killed Taravangian at the end of Rhythm of War. He sets out in Wind and Truth to swear his Fourth Ideal as a Skybreaker.
The Ghostbloods: Iyatil and Mraize are the primary representatives of the Ghostbloods on Roshar. In Rhythm of War, it was revealed that their leader is Kelsier from the Mistborn series.
Cultivation: Cultivation still hasn’t revealed her full hand, but she’s been involved in influencing Dalinar, Taravangian, and Lift’s stories.
The Stormlight Archive
The Stormlight Archive is an epic fantasy series by Brandon Sanderson, set on the storm-ravaged world of Roshar. The series follows multiple characters, each with their unique storylines, as they navigate political intrigue, ancient prophecies, and powerful magic. Central to the story are the Knights Radiant, legendary warriors with magical abilities who must return to save their world from impending destruction. The series explores themes of honor, leadership, and the burden of power.
- Created by
- Brandon Sanderson
- Character(s)
- Kaladin Stormblessed , Shallan Davar , Dalinar Kholin , Adolin Kholin , Jasnah Kholin , Szeth-son-son-Vallano , Navani Kholin
