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Contains spoilers
Well, I think I’m in it for the long haul now. I *impulsively* decided to start reading the stormlight archive so I could *hopefully* read the first four books in time for the release of Wind and Truth.
*I’m breaking this section up into multiple parts to make it not as stream of consciousness*
After only reading two standalones of Brandon’s coupled with nothing but positive reviews from people, I knew that I could expect a pretty amazing fantasy series. Also, given my first impressions of the previous Brando books I’ve read, I knew that this guy really knows how to write some seriously incredible worlds, characters, and plots. Yet, one thing I could have not anticipated was just how well he would seemingly do this in the stormlight archive.
For starters, I’m a big fan of the origin story flashbacks. I like how they’re their own chapters, and that you’re getting more and more tidbits of someone’s life as the book goes along. I’ve been told this only continues in the books to follow and I think it’s a vital piece of the full story.
Notably, the world building is spectacular. Not only does he create a very intricate world, but he does it so methodically. He’s not dumping the entire encyclopedia on how the world works on you in the beginning, but gives you little sprinkles as you go along. He’s giving you some facts but also allowing YOU to figure out how his world works simultaneously as the CHARACTERS are figuring things out themselves. I think it’s a clever way of giving the reader just enough information to understand in the moment, and question and build upon what they’ve already learned as the story goes along.
In addition, the Brandoavalanches bury you in snow - like I don’t know how you can make it out of one without reading the whole thing until the end. This avalanche *allegedly* starts at chapter 65 when Sadeas leaves Dalinar hanging out on the battlefield. The events that followed…. my jaw was on the floor for at least 5/6 of it.
Overall, the writing style blew me away. Trying to keep someone engaged for 1000 pages straight seems like a daunting task, but Brando has absolutely no trouble at all.
He also somehow builds the best characters?! First of all, Shallan is awesome. She’s an intelligent woman who isn’t afraid to speak her mind / question someone / be a badass and has some INSANE drawing abilities (if you can’t tell she’s my favorite). But Kaladin! What a life that guy has had dear god. His whole flashbacks about becoming a surgeon and his brother Tien were so interesting but also heartbreaking. He’s also a pretty damn good leader but even more a great friend and brother to many. Rock though was probably my favorite of the Bridgemen (would love to try a soup of his). Don’t even get me started on my sus feelings for Kabsal and Sadeas since THE BEGINNING. I KNEW they were both snakes from early on and Sadeas was a very well crafted villain for sure. The whole Adolin courtship plot line is pretty hilarious and I’m glad that’s the first thing we learn about the guy. Dalinar is an interesting man - and all his visions are quite the whirlwind. Jasnah too is interesting and im curious to see how her character will develop in the stories to come. Oh and SZETH. The opening chapter of him was pretty sick and an intense way to start a book. Don’t forget my spren Syl either - she’s a g. Anywho , clearly there’s a lot of characters I could mention but all in all Brando did an immaculate job casting the characters that he did.
So, yeah, I get the hype with this book. I was afraid that *maybe* in some parallel universe that I wouldn’t but now that I’ve read it, there’s no alternate reality where I don’t like this book.
Well done Brando.
5⭐️
I’ve been waiting for a Rooney book for two years now. In short, I would literally die for Ivan. Can we talk about Peter’s stream of consciousness (such an interesting writing form but I kind of liked it / felt like I was genuinely in his head)?! I was intrigued to see how she would write a brothers dual POV story, but holy Sally could never stop surprising me.
One thing that Sally NEVER fails at is understanding people and writing the most REAL feelings. This story is about two brothers who are grieving their dad who’s just passed after a long, grueling battle of cancer. She captures grief in two different perspectives with Ivan and Peter — and again like I can’t express how does the woman just understand every emotion that’s humanly possible and spit it out on paper in the most relatable and engrossing way. AND THE RELATIONSHIPS DONT EVEN GET ME STARTED. My heart to all of the women in this novel - Sylvia, Naomi, and Margaret. And the IMAGERY. She accomplishes so much in just a stream of four word sentences.
Of course I’m biased to Rooney, but I don’t even think I need to explain myself on that regard. She’s a literary genius.
5⭐️
