In this third installment of Sanderson's projected ten-volume fantasy epic (after
Words of Radiance), fearsome Voidbringers and a new destructive storm have been unleashed on the world of Roshar. Leader Dalinar Kholin struggles to unite humanity against the threat while haunted by resurgent memories of his past as a ruthless warlord. Shallan Davar grows in power as a Lightweaver but habitually fractures herself into distinct personae with little connection to one another as a coping mechanism. Kaladin Stormblessed, the most prominent of the new Knights Radiant, has a major crisis of faith. Antagonist Odium, largely backgrounded in previous books, has a much more prominent role. Sanderson moves these and a host of other characters forward while expanding on the culture and history of Roshar, which, in a trademark Sandersonian twist, turns out to harbor an axis-tilting secret. With many moments of connection and plenty of action, humor, and magic, Sanderson's latest brings everything to a dramatic and satisfying crescendo. Perhaps only the exceptional vocal talents of narrators Kate Reading and Michael Kramer could make a 55-hour odyssey in audio form pass so pleasantly, but all signs point to Sanderson generating hit after hit until this massive project is complete.
VERDICT A satisfying installment in a series that delivers on all its promises. The author recommends reading the shorter installment Edgedancer (also available in audio) before tackling this volume.
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