Wind and Truth
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Em
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 Stars)
I've been sitting on writing this review for a few days because I still find myself just sitting and staring into the void after finishing this one. The depth of meaning and cultural relevance in this series is unparalleled in my opinion—Sanderson writes an incredible adventure story on the surface, full of political intrigue, strategy, war, character development and so much more; but there are layers to his writing that strike at true themes of humanity. Deep philosophical questions that are hard to answer, and will be answered differently by different people at different points in time. What does "greater good" mean? Who is in the right? How do we keep moving forward when the past and individual trauma cuts so deeply?
There were so many "YESSSSSSSS!!!" moments in this book, as the final book in the first arc. I was told this would be a fully completed arc, which I assumed meant we'd have some pretty little bows at the end. So I feel a little mislead in that respect — we might have some shoelaces, but definitely no bows.
I'm so happy where everything ended up, but I'm sitting right on the edge of being satisfied and screaming into the void that we'll have so long to wait until the entire 10-book arc is complete.
Okay...now to include the spoilery things that I don't want to forget:
*****SPOILERS*******
- DALINAR IS DEAD?? But is he? His soul has been "claimed" by something...
- Kaladin is a HERALD?! And he's just sitting around with the rest of the heralds providing therapy services until the next return. This is just golden. I'm so glad they found a way to not be tortured. The recurrence of his "Honor might be dead, but I'll see what I can do" line was PERFECT.
- Adolin has decided to be the leader his father always knew he could be — but there's no more Kholinar...so will he be King of Urithiru? Is he going to stay in Azir? He's my absolute favorite character.
-Shallan is PREGNANT!?! And stuck in Shadesmar.
- Where the hell is ROCK? I expected him to show up at the end and was so sad that he didn't. But I'm thinking he might show up in the next novella.
- Renarin and Rlain's love story was unexpected, and the best thing in the book! I felt Shallan's giddiness and joy when she saw them holding hands and started jumping up and down like a little schoolgirl.
- I need to know more about the Cosmere — the little glimpses we got off world with Wit are fascinating!
There might be more—honestly I have so many thoughts about this book and series. But that's a pretty good summation.