Oathbringer

December 4, 2017
The much-anticipated third Stormlight Archive epic fantasy installment is classic Sanderson, with multiple story lines and unexpected twists and turns. Dalinar Kholin has to rebuild his Alethi army to fight the Voidbringers; he’s also grappling with the consequences of his past actions. Scholar’s apprentice Shallan Davar delves deeper into the long-lost mysteries to find ways to save the world from destruction, and Kaladin Stormblessed heads out on the trail of the enemy. Maps, illustrations in Shallan’s sketchbook, and excerpts from Navani’s notes are rich in detail and add critical layers to the fantasy. Sanderson is a master at misdirecting readers with carefully plotted detours, and he dribbles out revelations leading up to the climactic clash. This is just the third title in a massive 10-part saga, so there is still a lot of groundwork to be laid, but Sanderson successfully balances introducing new elements and satisfactorily resolving some threads, leaving fans to eagerly await the next in the series. Agent: Joshua A. Bilmes, JABberwocky Literary.

Narrators Michael Kramer and Kate Reading transport listeners to the storm-ravaged world of Roshar, where Dalinar Kholin prepares for the coming epic battle against the Voidbringers. Character development is at the heart of the book, and it is here that Kramer and Reading shine, with remarkably consistent and multifaceted characters that fuel the action of the story. Kramer's resonant, gravelly voice skillfully communicates Dalinar's inner turmoil as he faces the consequences of his violent past. Reading excels at conveying the emotional depth of Sanderson's other characters as they explore their powers and confront their insecurities and fears. Adept pacing highlights both the intensity of hand-to-hand combat and quieter moments of sorrow and grief, fully realizing the intricate world that Sanderson has created. S.A.H. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

March 1, 2018

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.--Anna Mickelsen, Springfield City Lib., MA

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