When I first read Oathbringer, I rated it 60/100 and felt that some parts dragged, especially in Dalinar’s flashback sections. It wasn’t as gripping and unputdownable as Words of Radiance, in my opinion. However, upon rereading it now in 2023, I enjoyed it much more. The plots, intricacies, characters, and their ideals and motives were fresh in my mind, and I saw depth, layers, and details that I may have missed before.
After escaping the battle with the Parshendi on the Shattered Plains, Dalinar Kholin and his armies find themselves at Urithiru, a mythical city. Although they were arguably the victors, the Everstorm summoned by the Parshendi is wreaking havoc throughout Roshar. To make matters worse, the Parshmen – docile slaves to humans for millennia – are no longer content with their former captors. Meanwhile, Kaladin Stormblessed travels to inform his parents of what is to come, Shallan Devar investigates the secrets of Urithiru, and the newly-formed Knights Radiants adjust to their new powers and responsibilities.
Oathbringer is an absolute tome, clocking in at a staggering 1,233 pages.
Oathbringer is an absolute tome, clocking in at a staggering 1,233 pages. Although I initially felt that the book could have been streamlined, I now trust Sanderson with the scale of the journey presented here. I suspect that what I once analyzed as filler may add to the future books and the overall payoff sevenfold.
While I still don’t hold it up to the lofty standards set by the series’ first two books, I think I underrated Oathbringer. It’s a masterpiece that stands out on its own, and there are very few other books I can compare it to.
When it was released, the hype surrounding Oathbringer was already epic by the time it landed on my doorstep, and rightfully so.
In my review of Words of Radiance, I said, “Brandon Sanderson is one of the greatest fantasy writers of our time,” and while I still believe this statement to be true, I can’t necessarily attribute Oathbringer as proof of it. It’s a step down from Sanderson’s usual brilliance, and I must tread carefully when reviewing it.
It’s the third book in The Stormlight Archive, a series that is intended to run for 10 books, split into two five-book cycles. This makes it a challenging book to write, as Sanderson has to do justice to the books that came before it, make enough progress to pave the way for what’s to come, and still fit within a 10-book arc.
As expected, there’s a lot going on in Oathbringer. It features 25 separate point-of-view characters, though most of the narrative revolves around Dalinar, Kaladin, Shallan, and Adolin. There are also numerous geographical locations, making it challenging to keep track of everything. Even readers like me, who’ve been reviewing books for over a decade and have read Robert Jordan, find ourselves occasionally losing track of names and places that were introduced but not fully explained.
It’s hard to do justice to such a massive book. Suffice it to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story progresses beautifully, and I was thrilled to be reunited with my favorite characters, Kaladin, Syl, Shallan, and Wit. Despite its challenges, Oathbringer is a masterpiece that’s worth the read.
As I reflect on my experience reading Oathbringer, I find myself flooded with memories of the parts and elements I adored. Dalinar’s flashbacks were a highlight for me, particularly his struggles with alcoholism and the details of his past with his wife. The story of his meeting with the Nightwatcher also left a lasting impression on me. And then there was Shadesmar, a place that I remembered vividly from my first read and that was just as enthralling to revisit. Bridge Four’s flying training was a fun change of pace, while the evolution of Shallan’s personalities as Veil and Radiant was fascinating to witness. Her progression throughout the book was nothing short of engrossing.
But perhaps what stood out most to me was the fable-like stories that Sanderson wove throughout the narrative, adding depth to an already richly detailed world. These tales could have easily stood on their own and won short story contests. One story, in particular, that Shallan brought to life through her drawings for Pattern, captured my imagination in a way that few stories do.
Of course, I can’t forget the Sprens, which I found awesome. Their relationships with the main characters were a delight to follow, and talking to Wit was always a charming, crazy, and interesting experience. It was also great to see Lift again after reading her novella, Edgedancer. And let’s not forget the ultimate enemy, Odium, whose champion’s nine shadows created superb imagery in my mind. The final third of the book, in which we learn more about Szeth and his talking sword, was especially rewarding. And the last 25% of the book, in particular, was a marvel, featuring some of the best moments in the series so far.
Now that I’ve finished writing this review, I can finally dive into Rhythm of War and can hardly contain my excitement.
Summary
While Oathbringer may not quite hit the glorious heights of Words of Radiance, it is still a magnificent fantasy read. Sanderson continues proving himself as one of the best and most consistent fantasy authors currently writing, and Kaladin, Dalinar and Shallan remain characters I never get bored of.
