2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss Words of Radiance, the second book in the The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson.

Pages: 1087 pages

Length: 1 Month (March & April)

Participants: Kathelijne, Dominique, Trisha.

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.


Happy Buddy Reading!

I have to confess... I started a little bit early (just 2 days though! 😉). I just could not wait anymore! Haha finished part 1 + interludes,
(view spoiler)[How is it possible that we’ve only read one book and I already missed these characters and this world? It literally took me right back in and we pick up right where we left off. Surprisingly, I’m equally enjoying Shallan and Kaladin’s storyline, didn’t think that would happen haha.

Although we’re just a 100 pages in, it feels like we already got so much more explanation about everything from those first few chapters between Shallan and Jasnah (RIP…). Here’s what I can gather from everything up to this point (pls correct me if I’m wrong), so the Voidbringers are the Parshendi, at least that’s what has been concluded (although those interludes really threw me off, I gotta say 😂). Every time the Voidbringers come back, so do the Herald and Knights Radiant, which seems to be happening this time as well.
It feels like the spren are the ones who are able to grant the magic abilities to the (to-be) Radiants. They are also the ones bringing them together. There seems to be one specific spren of the order that ties itself to a person (Syl to Kal, Pattern to Shallan). In this realm, they don’t remember everything, in Shadesmar they do. Right?
There are 10 different orders. If Dalinar wants to refound the Radiants, I assume he needs one from every order. So far, we have seen a maximum of 4 orders, I think? Kaladin is from the order of the Honorspren, Shallan the Cryptics, Jasnah was ? and then you have the Assassin in White, but he could also be of one of the orders we’ve already seen. Then we’re still missing a lot of orders. However, there are clearly more out there (like Ym in the interlude).
So why? Why are the Spren suddenly binding themselves to humans again while in the past this oath had been broken for some reason? Just because the Voidbringers seem to be returning or is there more to it? Still many, many questions but I feel like we’re finally uncovering a little bit of the concept.

Ummm… one last thing. What is up with Shallan’s changing symbols? It’s small details like that, that really throw me off😂 I mean, it can’t be there for nothing. (hide spoiler)]

Kathelijne wrote: "I have to confess... I started a little bit early (just 2 days though! 😉). I just could not wait anymore..."

That’s cheating! It’s just 28th 😏

LOL! I’ll mostly start it by the end of this week. Go SLOW!!

Just an update:

Taking Raviteja’s advice, I read The Final Empire (finished it yesterday) and enjoyed it thoroughly. Nothing matches The Way of Kings (it stands out hands down) but The Final Empire had great character building too, I instantly fell in love with Kelsier and his crew. On the other hand, reading Warbreaker wasn’t as satisfying an experience as the other two books - I clearly didn’t feel a connection with any of the characters.

Looking back, my ratings don’t make sense anymore; I’ve rated all the three books 4/5🌟(in terms of stars) but all three of them were so different in terms of reader-experience and feel-good quality! I’m thinking of upgrading my original ratings of The Way of Kings (upgrade to 5🌟) and Warbreaker (downgrade to 3🌟). I would never want a fellow reader to have an impression that I had the same experience with all 3 of those books when I didn’t!

There is no denying that Sanderson is so good at creating flawed yet lovable characters! Oh, btw, there was Hoid in there too pretending to be an informant - of course, you guys already know that!

I will be starting The Well of Ascension today and will wrap it up before I pick this one up!

Kathelijne, reminder: please read slow!!

I'm sorry 🙈 I was on a holiday though, that's why it went by quick. I have exams next week so I'll definitely slow down, don't worry! haha

So glad you started Mistborn and have been enjoying it so far! The Well of Ascension is my personal favorite of the three (although they are all very, very close) so enjoy! 😉

Trisha wrote: "Kathelijne wrote: "I have to confess... I started a little bit early (just 2 days though! 😉). I just could not wait anymore..."

That’s cheating! It’s just 28th 😏

LOL! I’ll mostly start it by the ..."

L'm planning on starting a little bit this afternoon. It's the 28th even though I live in Canada, I'll be using Australia time, as an excuse!

Trisha wrote: "Just an update:

Taking Raviteja’s advice, I read The Final Empire (finished it yesterday) and enjoyed it thoroughly. Nothing matches The Way of Kings (it stands out han..."

Trisha wrote: "Just an update:

Taking Raviteja’s advice, I read The Final Empire (finished it yesterday) and enjoyed it thoroughly. Nothing matches The Way of Kings (it stands out han..."

Well, its tricky rating those books when you read them in a sequence.. The Way of Things stands too tall between those three.

The Final Empire has good bits of everything but my favourite is its magic system. Allomancy and Feruchemy were quite complex and unique and yet the possibilities with them were quite many. Sanderson makes it much interesting in Book 4 of Mistborn but you have some time to get there..

Oh and btw, did you pay attention to the epigraphs in The Final Empire? Now that you finished it, you can read them all together, and I think they continue in The Well of Ascension too.

Keep an eye on characters (in Mistborn) to see if someone pops up on the other side. The Well of Ascension too is a fun read, and I hope you enjoy it.

Kathelijne wrote: "I have to confess... I started a little bit early (just 2 days though! 😉). I just could not wait anymore! Haha finished part 1 + interludes,
How is it possible that we’ve only read one book and I ..."

Hmm, I only say keep reading. You will know more as you go on. A lot come to my mind reading your thoughts, but they are all spoilers 😅

Did I mention I love this series? Because I love this series. So much. Anyway, I finished part 2 (and the interludes), so much to unpack here,
(view spoiler)[
Let's talk about Shallan (her changed symbol is Pattern apparently). Although, I'm kind of enjoying her story less since Jasnah died, her chapters certainly have some moments. I mean, she created a Shardblade out of thin air (and knew how to wield it btw!). For some reason, I actually have been thinking this for a while because there had to be something different between the Shardblades of the Radiants and the ones that the people now are using. Otherwise, Syl wouldn't dislike them so much? And Pattern talked about a sword a few times (and the references to the 10 heartbeats). I'm just going to assume they can all do this, Kaladin as well. Maybe their sprens become the blade in some way?

Talking about their Sprens, I'm kind of worried for Syl, these bonds between spren and humans apparently don't seem to end well as the Stormfather pointed out. Kal obviously wouldn't kill her for no reason, so I assume it would be a heart-breaking one. Or maybe she's slowly becoming more human and human. If she does, it would mean she would eventually die right?

I also really, really hope that Kal and Adolin become friends. Like there is so much potential for a good friendship there. Especially because they don't seem to like each other very much (purely out of principle), but secretly kind of respect each other. I can see it happening haha.
(hide spoiler)]

There is one main question that I'm not sure about. Maybe I just missed it or it isn't given yet.(view spoiler)[
Btw, I'm just calling them the Radiants for now, to make it easier.
So do all Radiants have access to the same powers? I mean, besides what their individual Spren can do, it does seem like Kaladin and Shallan have some of the same powers. But Shallan is more focussed on the Soulcasting and Kaladin in the Surgebinding. Does it just have to do with practice or does every order have different abilities?

Also, Shallan is definitely the one who killed both her parents and just repressed the hell out of it right? Or is that just me? 😂 (hide spoiler)]

Just theorising here (badly, I might add) 😄

Kathelijne wrote: "Did I mention I love this series? Because I love this series. So much. Anyway, I finished part 2 (and the interludes), so much to unpack here,

Let's talk about Shallan (her changed symbol is Patte..."

Oh, these are good questions, and frankly I dont remember myself thinking so much about the world and lore when I read it first. Good job, I say!

Now to your questions..
(view spoiler)[Your idea is correct. The way Shallan formed her shard blade doesnt have that 10 heartbeat restriction. You will learn more about it on your way.

Stormfather is talking based on past history. Details about it will emerge slowly over the books (there is some even in Rhythm of War, which is book 4) and I love how it changes our understanding of those past events. Without divulging much details, I can say Syl is a unique spren. You will know more about her later.

Kal and Adolin, you will find out. There are going to be some interesting events. (hide spoiler)]

Now, with the main question.
(view spoiler)[Shallan's and Kaladin's powers have their differences so you know.. So, can assume/expand this to what the almighty told Dalinar in Chapter 4.
Ten orders of knights, founded with the purpose of helping men fight, then rebuild.”
The only reason (logical one) for why there are 10 orders is simply because each order is different.

Btw, the right word is "surges", that is what the Radiants do. It is already mentioned in chapter 3, in that discussion between Shallan and Jasnah.
“There are ten fundamental Surges—forces—by which the world works. Gravitation, pressure, transformation. That sort of thing.
(hide spoiler)]

Good questions, but if can stitch different things from discussions in different chapters, you have some answers.

Raviteja wrote: "Kathelijne wrote: "Did I mention I love this series? Because I love this series. So much. Anyway, I finished part 2 (and the interludes), so much to unpack here,

Let's talk about Shallan (her chan..."

Thank you for answering everything, I really appreciate it Raviteja! I followed your advice and stitched things together. I literally created a table to keep track of the magic system (I get real perfectionistic about these things) 😂
(view spoiler)[I'm excited to discover more about these past events, including the Recreance, I'm sure there will be a lot of twists we didn't see coming haha.

Mmhh so Syl is a unique spren, that's interesting because something doesn't quite seem to add up with Kaladin's powers? Kaladin is described as a Windrunner and I think that's definitely true because we've seen him use Adhesion and Gravitation as described in the ars arcanum of Way of Kings. BUT we've also seen him use Illumination (remember when he just discovered his powers) and Progression (because he can heal himself). So how is that possible then? Maybe he has all of them (similarly to a Mistborn)? If Syl is a unique kind of Spren that might be the cause? I could be way off though.

Based on your explanation of the main question and some info in the book, is it correct then to assume that every order has two Surges? And those Surges can be found in just two different Orders? Like Transformation (soulcasting) is part of Shallan's order and Jasnah's order? And only of those two? (hide spoiler)]

Kathelijne wrote: "Raviteja wrote: "Kathelijne wrote: "Did I mention I love this series? Because I love this series. So much. Anyway, I finished part 2 (and the interludes), so much to unpack here,

Let's talk about ..."

I wish I am this organized (in general). I was reading Malice last week and I so regretted not taking notes early in the book. In case of Stormlight Archive, it didnt matter so much for me because everything fell in place for me by Oathbringer.

(view spoiler)[No no. Kaladin's powers are what are expected of a windrunner. There is nothing different there. You will find why Syl is unique, way later though.
I believe self-healing with stormlight is possible for most orders. However, only those with the surge "regrowth" (or officially progression) can heal others.

By this point, you are still not exposed to all the orders, so I suggest you to wait ;) I am not answering it yet.
I know the curiosity can overwhelm you, but patience. You will know the orders as you move through the plot. (hide spoiler)]

Finished the next part (3) 😏
(view spoiler)[
First of all, I am absolutely LIVING for the friendship between Kaladin and Adolin. They say they don’t like each other but they obviously do. They just don’t want to admit it and I’m here for it. I knew that Kaladin would jump into the arena, yet I still gasped when he did haha. Challenging Amaram was not the smartest move though, Syl did try to warn him. Another dynamic I'm still absolutely fond off, Syl and Kal. They are getting so comfortable around each other and their bond seems really strong. Yes, love it. So that was me geeking out... sorry 😅

So Shallan is back to just being alright for me. I find her chapters to be more interesting when she’s around the other characters, especially Kal and Adolin (that scene in the carriage with Wit was hilarious). The ones where she’s trying to be a con woman... well those are not really for me.

She also just seemed to have forgotten that she has a Shardblade? She hasn't mentioned it once. I feel like her father may have used his Soulcaster on her. Maybe he did something with her memories? Not sure if that's even possible but every time she thinks about her past, she just blacks out. Something definitely seems very wrong about that.

Also, does this mean that Kaladin actually killed Shallan’s brother...? 😳 Well that’s gonna be interesting. (hide spoiler)]

On the interludes
(view spoiler)[Normally, I'm not really into the interludes and just want to get back to the story but I really liked the Lift interlude. I hope we'll see more of her.

Not the biggest fan of Eshonai's character. (hide spoiler)]

Raviteja wrote: "Kathelijne wrote: "Raviteja wrote: "Kathelijne wrote: "Did I mention I love this series? Because I love this series. So much. Anyway, I finished part 2 (and the interludes), so much to unpack here,..."

(view spoiler)[
Ah yes, I'm starting to get it more now. Every Radiant can heal him or herself (and obviously glow), they just can't heal others. Expect for the ones who have the Surge of Progression, like Lift.
(hide spoiler)]

Part 4. Wow I could not stop reading this part, I stayed up way too late for this.
(view spoiler)[
So first of all, Adolin got imprisoned until Kaladin was released... LOVE THAT. Secondly, Moash now has a Shardblade, that can't be good. Hopefully, Kaladin will turn around and change his mind about killing the king. I'm with Syl on this one. Also, SYL!!! Where did she go? I mean, she better come back. Right? *she says in a very scared voice*

This is probably what the Stormfather meant when he said he would "kill" her. I'm not sure what exactly happened, but I think it's that he is supposed to be honourable. Syl is an honorspren so maybe if he isn't, she can't bond to him? However, Kaladin having no powers was of course very necessary for the whole thing with Shallan in the chasms.

I'm not sure how to feel about that whole part because don't get me wrong, this is the part I couldn't stop reading. It was great to see our main characters finally being forced to interact with each other and to see them kind of overcome their prejudices towards each other. And I do truly like their squabbling. However, I really don't want a love triangle 😂 I hate love triangles and I love Kaladin and Adolin way too much for that. But we'll see I guess.
But no, I read this whole part basically in one sitting. It was amazing. (hide spoiler)]

The interlude
(view spoiler)[ So because Taravangian went and found the Nightbringer, he is stupid one day and brilliant the next from what I understand. The Diagram he made on a brilliant day and that’s what they’re following? It’s kind of confusing but I think that’s it? Also, he was apparently working with Gavilar? Unite them.?
What I don’t understand is the whole thing about controlling Szeth. I mean I get that they don’t want him to find out that Radiants are returning but isn’t Szeth himself a Radiant?? And why would one of the Honorblades missing convince him that they’re not returning? Don’t understand any of that 😂 (hide spoiler)]

I’ll be getting to this book only after the readathon ends. Sorry, bad planning on my end!

Kathelijne, I will read all your updates when I pick this one up. 🙁

This topic has been moved to the April Buddy Reads folder.

Yeah of course no problem Trisha! I started early anyway so 😉

Question for you Raviteja, I still have to read Mistborn Era 2, in between what books would you recommend reading those? Or are there no further easter eggs with that series? In that case, I might pick them up after finishing the series 😄

Finished the book.
This is no surprise but I loved it. Rated it 5 stars :)
(view spoiler)[An amazing sequel, I’m not sure which book I love more but luckily I don’t have to choose :) The most pleasant surprise for me was probably Adolin. I liked him in Way of Kings but he has now become one of my absolute favorites. It was very shocking to just see him snap and kill Sadeas though. This will probably be a big part of the next book for his character.

The book felt like the ending of the beginning, if that makes sense? Like the book 1 and 2 were kind of the set up for the characters and the relationship, and that the ‘battle’ now begins. The Voidbringers are officially back and the Radiants are refounded. I can’t wait for all orders to slowly come together and become a badass army haha. Right now there are four orders in Urithiru right? Dalinar is a bondsmith, Kaladin is a Windrunner, Shallan is a Lightweaver and Renarin is a Truthwatcher. Of course, we also know that Jasnah is something (?), Lift is an Edgedancer and Szeth is now a Skybreaker?

Some parts towards the ending were a little anticlimatic for me, like the battle scene. I didn’t feel so many emotions as with the betrayal of Sadeas in Way of Kings. It also felt a bit sudden that Renarin was a Radiant? It makes sense but I mean that ‘revelation’ was like two sentences 😂. But besides a few of those little moments, it was a wonderful sequel and had amazing moments. When Syl came back and Kal said the words... I had chills, literal chills. Shallan revealing herself to Dalinar, him tying himself to the Stormfather! There's just so much! Sanderson did a fantastic job of making these characters even more real and complex than he did in the last book. Their actions and emotions feel just so real and relatable, that’s what absolutely made this book for me.
To think we have to wait two months!! I can’t 😭 😂
(hide spoiler)]

Easter egg?
(view spoiler)[ Ummm so wait.. was that Nightblood? Szeth's sword? How the heck did it end up in Roshar? I'm confused 😂 The way I screamed when I saw those words. I guess we were right about there being more to Nightblood, Trisha! haha (hide spoiler)]

Sorry, I bought/built a new gaming PC, so I am barely reading books or looking at GR 🙈

Kathelijne wrote: "Finished the next part (3) 😏"
(view spoiler)[ This is the beginning of Kaladin-Adolin relationship and there is a long way to go..

You shouldn't be sorry for geeking out :D

I always had mixed feelings with Shallan's chapters. They are not bad, but I find them pale in comparison with the other character's chapters.

No, Shallan doesn't have a shard blade. But you already know what that blade is *laughs silently*. Dig a bit into the history of the current shardblades and there lies your answer.

Yup, Kaladin did (hide spoiler)]

Kathelijne wrote: "Part 4. Wow I could not stop reading this part, I stayed up way too late for this. ."

(view spoiler)[ Now that you have finished the book, you know what happens :D

You're right about the bond between Kaladin and Syl. The ideals/oaths serve ther bond and breaking them weakens it.

hahaha, the relationships are... complicated. You will understand what is the complication as it goes through but its not something you will hate.

Taravangian's brilliance on each day is just random. Diagram is a plan that he wrote on his most brilliant day and they are following it. But even Taravangian does not remember most details about that plan, so its a matter of blind faith. The goal of Diagram's plan is to unite the humans of Roshar but the means in which they plan it is not completely known.

Szeth is not a radiant, he didnt bond a spren. His previous abilities of surgebinding were because of using the honorblade and he lost them once he lost the blade as well. Because of the missing honorblade, he thought that the one with the power was getting it from the honorblade, not a true radiant. (hide spoiler)]

Kathelijne wrote: "Yeah of course no problem Trisha! I started early anyway so 😉

Question for you Raviteja, I still have to read Mistborn Era 2, in between what books would you recommend reading those? Or are there ..."

I would recommend you to read them when you can. The earlier the better (atleast book 4 before Oathbringer, in your case). The Alloy of Law is a light read too. There is Secret History from Mistborn that has some spoilers for Cosmere, and it itself has some spoilers for Mistborn 6. Even I am yet to read it :/

Kathelijne wrote: "Finished the book.
This is no surprise but I loved it. Rated it 5 stars :)"

(view spoiler)[I agree that this book is ending of the beginning. Adolin's character will see more growth and evolution, particularly in Rhythm of War (Book 4).

So far we have seven orders, including Jasnah's. Renarin has been a radiant for a whole but he was not entirely sure what kind of a radiant he is or about his spren. There is something different with his spren in this case, and you will know the details later. (hide spoiler)]

Easter Egg:
(view spoiler)[Yes, nightblood is that blade. That is one easter egg. How it ended, we dont know. But if Nightblood is here, that means atleast Vasher and Vivenna also must be here. Think about all the characters you saw in this book and see if you find them here. It is very tough though to actually realize who Vasher is, particularly. In fact, Sanderson was quite surprised that readers pay so much attention to details when someone asked him if a particular character is Vasher.

But there is also something that Wit tells Kaladin.
Wit leaned down to tune his instrument, one leg crossed over the other. He hummed softly to himself and nodded. “Perfect pitch,” Wit said, “makes this all so much easier than it once was. . . .” (hide spoiler)]

Wow you're building a PC? That's so cool!

@Raviteja
(view spoiler)[ Oehh now I'm really excited about Adolin and his relationship with Kaladin in the coming books! I can't wait 😄 Happy to hear we're getting more of his character, especially in Rhythm of War.

About the Shard- and Honorblades... So their spren do in fact become their Shardblades, at least I guessed that! haha :)
So the current Shardblades, like the one Adolin has, are 'dead' spren right? Because when Kaladin broke his oath with Syl, she 'died' as well, and you just confirmed that was because he broke his oath. So we can assume that when the Radiants abandoned their oaths in the Recreance, the vision Dalinar had in Way of Kings, the same thing happened. Then men found a way to still kind of bond to these blades but it's not a full connection (10 heartbeats restriction to summon it)? That would explain why Shallan and Kaladin don't have that restriction and why the spren don't like the Shardblades?
And now the Honorblades are starting to make sense too! Szeth was never a Radiant, as you just said, so when he knew that Radiants were actually returning, he knew that he was right all along. But this time he is a real Radiant right? A Skybreaker? Because Nightblood is not an Honorblade? I think?? (hide spoiler)]

Easter Egg (Maybe I got it?? 😳):
(view spoiler)[ WAIT... I literally went through all of my annotations about the characters and... is Vasher actually Zahel? Or the other way around? Maybe I'm way off but I feel like that would kinda make sense. Because I remember Zahel feeling really important but then he was barely in any scenes and I was kind of dissapointed. He's also very skilled with the sword and Shardblades...? However, I would have no idea who Vivenna would be and I guess they would be together so maybe it's not him 😂 Maybe they're just really small characters that I wouldn't have written anything down about. I have no idea, but I wouldn't have thought about them being there for even a second if you hadn't mentioned it! I'm clearly not paying enough attention 😉

As for the thing about Wit... I have absolutely no idea what that means hahaha. (hide spoiler)]

Raviteja wrote: "Kathelijne wrote: "Yeah of course no problem Trisha! I started early anyway so 😉

Question for you Raviteja, I still have to read Mistborn Era 2, in between what books would you recommend reading t..."

Thank you! I'll definitely move up Alloy of Law to April then, if I enjoy it, the other two shouldn't be a problem. How did you feel about Era 2? I'm hearing so many different reactions. I feel like people either don't like it or love it more than the original trilogy.

I actually got Arcanum Unbounded in the mail yesterday so I'll read Mistborn Secret History after Era 2 then. I feel like I quickly have to read all of the Cosmere before Oathbringer 😂

Kathelijne wrote: "Wow you're building a PC? That's so cool!"

There is enough on the internet to understand how to do it. Most of my research went into picking the right components and finalizing them.

Now, back to your thoughts..
(view spoiler)[
I thought that was a fairly obvious thing to guess. For radiants, spren become their shardblade (since current shardblades came from the older generation of radiants). All the current shard-blades that are existing are dead spren (well, not fully dead but you can consider that they lost themselves and their identity). Syl almost died when Kaladin broke his oath. She would have if he continued in that path. I am glad that it didnt happen.

When Recreance happened, it is like what you said. The spren have lost themselves but are still bound to the realms (physical/cognitive), so they can be summoned. For the current spren, those shardblades are a reminder of what happened long ago.

Honorblades are highly invested and they belong to the patron of the order, letting them get the order's abilities without bonding a spren. So who ever weilds a honor blade gets the powers of its order. In case of Szeth, he was not a radiant when he assassinated Gavilar, but he is one of skybreakers now. But he is not like a traditional radiant at this point.

Oh, I didnt come to this conclusion by myself (because I read Warbreaker after stormlight archive, and also because I didnt observe so much), but yeah.. Brandon confirmed that Zahel is Vasher. You haven't seen Vivenna yet. So sometime during/after the events of Warbreaker's sequel, they all came to Roshar. Actually the first thing you would realize is Nightblood and then you try to dig back, you find Zahel. 😅

Oh, you've forgot Warbreaker's magic system then.
Perfect Pitch is the ability that you get after second heightening, that means Wit is atleast of 2nd heightening, and has atleast 200 breaths. Who knows, he might have more. (hide spoiler)]

Kathelijne wrote: "Raviteja wrote: "Kathelijne wrote: "Yeah of course no problem Trisha! I started early anyway so 😉

Question for you Raviteja, I still have to read Mistborn Era 2, in between what books would you re..."

Actually, Alloy of Law is the weakest of the three books, so dont judge the rest of the books based on it. I was okay with it, but I loved Shadows of Self and Bands of Mourning.

Its not fair to compare it with the original trilogy. The first three Mistborn books are set like an epic fantasy while these are of the wild-west steampunk types. You need to read them and decide if you like them or not :D

Raviteja wrote: "Kathelijne wrote: "Wow you're building a PC? That's so cool!"

There is enough on the internet to understand how to do it. Most of my research went into picking the right components and finalizing ..."

(view spoiler)[ Don't know how I forgot that term so quickly (how? lol), but yes of course! Was Wit already of 2nd heightening in Warbreaker or is that something we don't know? (Or forgot 🙈) (hide spoiler)]

Kathelijne wrote: "Raviteja wrote: "Kathelijne wrote: "Wow you're building a PC? That's so cool!"

There is enough on the internet to understand how to do it. Most of my research went into picking the right component..."

(view spoiler)[Wit in warbreaker was just a story-teller. He didnt have any role to play in the plot itself, but now we see that he can also use the magic from Nalthis (hide spoiler)]

Hi all, I was finished with part 2 last night but didn't get a chance to update here. I've also been reading Kathelijne's spoilers (read until msg#12) and of course, Raviteja's answers to those and I'd like to confirm that I'm buzzing with the same energy and inquisitiveness. My thoughts/doubts:

(view spoiler)[
1. I know Kathelijne might know the answer by now, but I'm still going to give it a try just so that if I'm wrong, you folks can put me right.

There are 10 orders of the Knight Radiants, each has two surges, and since there are 10 types of surges, each order shares one surge with one other order. This was told a few times in bits and pieces but more elaborately in the epigrapgh of chapter 35. So far, we know:

*Jasnah has transformation (soulcasting) + one other that I don't know yet
*Shallan has illumination (lightweaver - confirmed by both Jasnah & Pattern) and transformation (soulcasting).
*Kaladin has adhesion, gravitation and progression (How does he have three surges - I'm definitely getting something wrong here) -I just noticed that this very doubt was posted by Kathelijne and Raviteja asked her to wait, so I'll wait too.
*Szeth is also a windrunner so I'm assuming he has the same surges as that of Kaladin. Right?

And based on what Jasnah said, they are only surgebinders at the moment and will become the radiants later when the time (desolation?) comes.

2. Is Jasnah really dead? I mean, if she is one of the radiants, isn't she supposed to be alive - they have only now started to reappear.

3. Zahel - Is he by any chance (I know I'm taking a very long shot) Vasher from Warbreaker? He says he is very old (just like Vasher), used to hear a particular voice in his head (could be Nightblood) and curses using colours (in his interlude he says something about
the colour green while cursing Kaladin).

4. I'm loving the chapters from the POV of the Parshendis; these are full of new information. Parshendis don't really hate the humans, instead they just seek freedom from both the humans and their own Gods. They got Gavilar killed to prevent their own listener Gods from returning. Could these listener gods be the real voidbringers?

Also, the Parshendis think that the sprens betrayed them by giving their surges to the humans. Stormfather is also a type of spren who betrayed the Parshendis by trying to protect the humans.

5. Now that Szeth knows that his life as a truthless was based on a lie (I still couldn't get what the lie is, but it's probably about his surgebinding abilities. He might have been called a liar when he spoke about those abilities), would he change for the better?

6. There's mention of an honorblade - now what is that? (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "Hi all, I was finished with part 2 last night but didn't get a chance to update here. I've also been reading Kathelijne's spoilers (read until msg#12) and of course, Raviteja's answers to those and..."

Lets see.
(view spoiler)[
1) That is right, about the knights radiant.
Kaladin doesnt have progression. I believe every order of the knights radiant can heal themselves with stormlight. Progression allows you to heal others. You are yet to see someone with progression, so for that, you have to wait. Szeth was *not* a windrunner but he used the honorblade of windrunners' which gave him those powers.

That is not entirely right. Ascension depends on speaking the ideals, though there needs to be a strong situation/conviction that makes the person say it and believe in it.

2) Oh, radiants can die (they are not immune to it) and it can happen in battle.

3) Congrats! That is something I had never guessed by myself (partly because I read Warbreaker, three years after WoR) and you are correct. It is confirmed that Zahel is Vasher.

4) You are yet to get the full history of humans and parshendis in Roshar. You will get a more clearer picture of it as you go through.

5) I guess Szeth's status as truthless was dependent on a claim (his) that Voidbringers and Radiants would return, and he was cast out for saying that? Szeth's journey is a long one, and it gets interesting later.

6) I am afraid, I need the sentence or something that mentions it 😅
(hide spoiler)]

Raviteja, thanks, that was enlightening! (view spoiler)[

Progression is even better an ability than I thought - healing others? Wow!

I forgot to ask earlier: Shallan was able to summon a shardblade. Before this incident, I thought a shardblade had to be won from another shardbearer or was passed to one's children - probably that's only for regular humans while Shallan is a radiant (or a prospective radiant). Can all the radiants summon shardblades and so can Kaladin also do the same?

Wrt the honorblade, the term is first used by Eshonai in her interlude I-1 Narak:

"Venli didn’t flinch. “The humans have Surgebinders.”
“Perhaps not. It could have been an Honorblade."
"You fought him. Was it an honorblade that struck you, wounded your leg, sent you limping?"

Referenced again by her in the interlude I-4 Last Region:

“If Surgebindings are back,” Davim said to Consideration, “then it might indicate that the gods are returning anyway. If so, we’d best be prepared to deal with them. Forms of power will help with that.”

“We don’t know they will come,” Eshonai said to Resolve. “We don’t know any of this. Who knows if men even have Surgebindings—it might be one of the Honorblades. We left one in Alethkar that night.”

Are honorblades different from shardblades? Sorry, not googling all this because I'm afraid I might come across a spoiler. (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "Raviteja, thanks, that was enlightening! "

(view spoiler)[
Ah, think about where the existing shardblades came from.. You will have your answer!
Rest of it is RAFO (read and find out).

Hmm, the answer for honorblades is going to come out soon in the book (atleast as far as I remember). Lets wait till you finish the book and then we can discuss further (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[
1. Yeah I was really confused about this too, but it becomes clearer throughout the book and it's like Raviteja said.

3. Wow, I definitely didn't catch any of those hints, good job!!

4. It's great that you love those chapters because I feel like the POV's from the Parshendi will become more and more important as the story progresses (think in future books as well? that's what it feels like at least). They definitely provide some interesting backstory and a look into 'the other side'.
(hide spoiler)]

Oh no... the infamous RAFO. Isn't that Sanderson's favorite word? ;)

Kathelijne wrote: "Oh no... the infamous RAFO. Isn't that Sanderson's favorite word? ;)"

haha, yes! :D
That's his answer to most of the Cosmere questions during book signing events or any such meetups :)

btw, did either of you read Mistborn era 2 (books 4-6)? I just finished Secret History and oh boy, it actually gives a certain good information about Cosmere. Also, it is a behind-the-scenes book that shows what happened in the world of Mistborn (particularly around books 1-3). The book/epilogue is a major spoiler for Bands of Mourning (book 6 of Mistborn), so should be avoided until you read it.

no not yet! I think I'll read it at the beginning of next month, before Oathbringer. It's good to know where Secret History fits because I was planning on reading the Arcanum Unbounded pretty soon, but I'll wait reading that story then :)
Did you enjoy Secret History?

Kathelijne wrote: "no not yet! I think I'll read it at the beginning of next month, before Oathbringer. It's good to know where Secret History fits because I was planning on reading the Arcanum Unbounded pretty soon,..."

oh, Secret History is very fun and a must read. I would recommend you to read it before Oathbringer since a particular epigraph in Oathbringer makes sense if you read Secret History before.

Nope, I have only read the Mistborn first two books after you suggested reading them, Raviteja. I will be reading the third book right after Words of Radiance. I am buddy reading the Mistborn books with another group who has planned to read the fourth book in June and then the others. Looks like I’m going to miss all the Easter eggs!

Trisha wrote: "Nope, I have only read the Mistborn first two books after you suggested reading them, Raviteja. I will be reading the third book right after Words of Radiance. I am buddy reading the Mistborn books..."

Oh, dont worry much. Just make a note to visit the epigraphs once you finish Secret History. They do not tie much into the plot, but they give some revelations about Cosmere as a whole. So you dont miss much :)

Raviteja wrote: "Oh, dont worry much. Just make a note to visit the epigraphs once you finish Secret History. They do not tie much into the plot, but they give some revelations about Cosmere as a whole."

I’m going to jot down all your tips onto my iPad notes - titled How to have a smooth ride through the Cosmere. 🤓

Trisha wrote: "Raviteja wrote: "Oh, dont worry much. Just make a note to visit the epigraphs once you finish Secret History. They do not tie much into the plot, but they give some revelations about Cosmere as a w..."

Hmm, even I am kind of making a reading order for my 2023 Cosmere reread (when stormlight archive book 5 comes out). :D
I plan to do better note making!

Finished with part 3. I’m going too slow this time, I feel so burnt out after the readathon that I’m hardly reading at all these days.

Kathelijne, I resonate with your thoughts on part 3. I’ll respond to your thoughts and add my own below:

(view spoiler)[ I’m rooting for Adolin and Kaladin’s friendship. There is enormous growth in Adolin’s character, making him more likeable than he was in the previous book. That duel with Adolin and Kaladin vs the four shardbearers gave me such an adrenaline rush. Although I expected Kaladin to join the duel and save the day, still when he spoke “Honour is dead...”, I cried.

Shallan’s chapters are okay, she’s never been my favourite, and now that Jasnah is not there, she doesn’t have a lot of interesting inputs. But I do like the sections where she is playing Veil - I’m interested in seeing how far her surgebinding goes.

On the topic of Jasnah, I am keeping my hopes up and waiting for her to get back. I still don’t know her exact powers, but what if she belongs to an order that has abilities which could have helped her to escape?

Also waiting for Sadeas and Amaram to be a given a taste of their own medicine. And someone really needs to dethrone that dumbass King Elhokar.

Who is this person who killed Ym and tried executing Lift? He wants to kill all the surgebinders for he fears they will bring upon the desolation. He is a surgebinder but he doesn’t seem to be one of these new generation of radiants; I’m guessing he is either one of the original radiants or perhaps a herald. He apparently knows what the radiants are capable of - could that be because he actually witnessed the previous desolation? Why are there so many characters? (hide spoiler)]

Editing to add: (view spoiler)[
When Shallan meets Wit while he was role playing Adolin’s driver, she hugs and thanks him. Was Wit the messenger in chapter 45, Middlefest who first asked Shallan about her interactions with spren and enquired whether spheres lost their light when she was around? The messenger provided her information about her eldest brother and confirmed her doubts about her father’s notoriety and that he would end up destroying their family. The messenger has to be Wit, he definitively made some cool Wit-like comments.

And who is this woman referred by Wit in his conversation with Kaladin - he says there is only one woman who matches him in age. (hide spoiler)]

Ah the slower, the better right? Every time you finish a book, you'll be closer to the end (I don't want this series to ever end :))
(view spoiler)[ I agree, we've seen a great character arc from Adolin in this book. Him and Kaladin are now my two favorite characters, by far! And the "Honour is dead" is simply iconic 😄

In between Words of Radiance and Oathbringer, there's a short novella called 'edgedancer'. This book is about Lift and it'll give you the answers you're looking for about the person who tried to kill her. So I won't say anything more on that ;) but I really enjoyed it!

Yes, Wit was the messenger in chapter 45! I'm also curious to see who this person is that matches Wit in age. I remember thinking it might by the Nightwatcher? However, the Nightwatcher is a spren and not really a woman so I guess that doesn't make any sense. I need more information about Wit in general though. Like who is he (besides a worldhopper)?? 😂

As for Jasnah / Sadeas / Amaram and Elhokar... keep reading is really all I can say haha
(hide spoiler)]

Darn, you’re so ahead! I’ll be reading Edgedancer before I get to the next installment. Now that you’ve hinted at its storyline, I can’t contain my curiosity.

Finished part 4. (view spoiler)[

So Shallan doesn’t have a shardblade, it’s an honorblade. And from what I can make out, honorblades were wielded by either the Heralds or the Knight Radiants; these are now being summoned by these gen z radiants - as we saw in Shallan’s case. Going by this, Kaladin might also have the ability to summon one.

I’m confused about the number of honorblades. Taravangian says that ‘one of the other seven is missing’ - if there were originally ten honorblades (one for each order), does that mean that three of these blades are currently in possession of these new radiants? We know Kaladin hasn’t summoned a blade so far, so he can’t be one of these three. One of them could be Jasnah, but that still keeps us short of 2. Am I missing something?

What exactly was Gavilar planning to do before he died? Did he have the same visions that Dalinar now has?

And yes, what happened to Syl? Like Kathelijne, I’m also not in favour of Kaladin conspiring against his own King. I mean I do kind of want Elhokar to die, but I don’t want Kaladin to be involved in this crime - definitely not an honourable thing to do. (hide spoiler)]

Trisha wrote: "Finished part 4. "

Hmm, your questions are spoilery (which means they are good) 😅
Though, I would say you are not exactly in the right direction about honorblades and shardblades.

Since, you are done with part 4, I would suggest you to go ahead and finish part 5, then I will answer what is left :D

I’m halfway through! This is so fast paced (read ‘well-paced’) that it is impossible to stop now, I think I’ll be finished with it soon.

L'm a bit behind. Almost done with part 2. Will catch up!