Mortals search for meaning, so it is proper they should create it. You get to decide what it meant. What you meant.
Clearly this book is PACKED, and thats probably only half the characters that have roles and amazing stories. There is still Venli, Eshonai, Jasnah, Terravangian, Teft, Dabbid, Rlain and more! Its incredible how I feel overwhelmingly satisfied with almost every character and their progression in this novel.
On top of just pure character plot and development we have the wider cosmere. Never before has Sanderson written so unabashedly about his lore. This was honestly the hardest to follow, I felt like there was so much I had to keep stopping to piece it all together. This didnt hinder my experience at all, as it isnt necessarily bad or confusing, in fact its probably to the betterment of Sanderson. Im more interested in his lore, rereading books Ive already gone through, and getting on to more side stories like Dawnshard and Mistborn Secret History. There's so much to unpack here about the cosmere that I feel like it would not be blasphemous to now say that this is on par with Tolkein and Sanderson needs his own Silmarillion!
To keep this novel as short as possible Im just going to focus on the stand out Characters for me, starting with Kaladin:
I am not a fan of Kaladin. I completely understood his role and dont think he should change but I was never completely on board with him through the first 3 books. He just got on my bad side and wasn't always fun to read from. But this book even made ME feel wonderfully overcome with Kaladins journey. The look into depression, and trauma with him is incredible. His fight to be a surgeon or soldier returns. His strength is tested, pushing him to his absolute limits. Almost the entire novel you are worried for him and his fate. I wouldnt say subjectively his plot is my favorite, but damn....I might have to admit as objectively as I can, that his story and journey is the strongest. His plot is also very connected to Navani's.
So quickly I will bring her up. She deserves her own section and for it to be longer, but theres a limit! Her struggle with overcoming her own self worth while dealing with an incredibly ancient and masterful foe was phenomenal. Like most of the characters in this book, her climatic ending was rich with satisfaction!
Lastly we will travel into Shadesmar to talk about Shallan and Adolin. As has been the trend in the previous books, Shallans story very similarly aligns to Kaladins own trials. Her past ever haunts her and we hadnt even heard the whole story until this book. Just like Kaladin I was on the edge of my seat so afraid for Shallan, probably my favorite character from the Stormlight. After my own research in DID I felt like Sanderson represented it very well without straight up announcing, "Hey this is a real thing that people in our world cope with."
Im most interested to see what her goals and path will lead to after this book.
This leaves me with my other favorite, Adolin. Oh...sweet Adolin. I hope this books stops any Adolin haters from ever dishonoring Adolin again. I know this is getting personal, though they shall remain nameless, I know there are many people out there having assumed Adolin would turn into Odiums champion or some kind of "turn to the darkside". The plot line and how Adolin handles the honorspren, the deadeyes, and his wife Shallan was just incredible. There are even smaller moments like him helping Kaladin. Adolins story has one of favorite moments of the series now, on par with the "Honor is dead, but Ill see what I can do." scene. Its weird, Ill admit, how defensive I can get about a fictional character. But Adolin is so pure, not perfect, but honorable and kind. I think he's one of the best characters of this novel, completely flying under the radar. His whole journey I think mirrors toxic masculinity issues of the real world. This strong man, who is told by his country not to be emotional, not to hug. He respects others that are deemed "below" his station. He likes fashion, he likes respectful duels. But he also has his own hesitations, his own weakness' and self-doubt. He doesnt have the deepest traumas like Kal or Shallan, or the most respectful and important roles like Dalinar and Jasnah. But he's my favorite.
I just have to end this and express again how much these characters stories have blown me away. I teared, and got choked up on multiple occasions. Out of sadness, or just pure epicness, whether it was good or bad this book is full of emotion. And its full of pure interesting world building.
I feel like I have to let alot of it sink in and it would take a reread of the whole series to know where I would place it in terms of "which ones best" but I feel like it definitely has some of the best moments of the series and the book continues to build the series, no steps taken backward. It took the most important step, the next one.
