speaking of themes. theres a circle in my head and on it are moash szeth and dalinar. there are assorted comparisons and juxtapositions (agency and choice in ones actions and the lack thereof, theoretically atoning for ones actions, how the narrative and/or author treats them and either condemns or absolves them). and its right next to the essay i will probably never write about jezriens honorblade as symbol (especially as like. juxtaposition of actual literal honor with the alethi value of Conquest As Honorable. like theoretically it should be a cultural symbol of the best of human nature but instead its used for atrocities by people who in one way or another didnt really have a choice and because they dont have the meta knowledge necessary to get what it is exactly. szeth and moash are just kinda similar narratively in general. same themes in play but theyre framed differently)
I have actually managed to finish The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. Although, I don’t think I would’ve managed it without the audiobook…
I loved the world-building and the diverse array of cultures and people we get to experience through many perspectives.
The characters are deeply flawed in the best way. They have great inner character development and you clearly see their growth from beginning to end. Every one of their stories ends differently than how you thought they would. I won’t spoil it but he ending had me rooting for them and so excited.
That being said…. I have nitpicks
Possibly the biggest nitpick is some of the dialogue is just laughable. Particularly Shallan’s early conversations which were supposed to be witty just felt childish and awkward. her character I found to be a bit annoying because of this but I don’t think it’s the actual character, but the dialogue I didn’t like. There were other instances with Dalinar and Kaladin which also had some unnatural and awkward dialogue.
The “interludes” were a bit jarring the first time reading this. They felt completely unnecessary and you never revisited the characters shown in one chapter. I’m partway listening to this a second time and now I can connect the dots and see how SOME of these flow to the current story. I’m sure they will be more relevant in later books.
The story itself I didn’t find all that interesting. The Alethi culture I find confusing and annoying to be honest. That is the point of them but why would a group of people who have a great many ardents that study history, philosophy and everything else not look into the Parshendi?? Why would they not discover more about their battle tactics and how their culture works?
A huge point of Dalinar’s character is that he is apparently the ONLY one who realizes the war has to end at some point. Not one other person does anything to help this war to end. I still don’t understand how Brandon managed to make 60% of this story about going and getting gem hearts because it’s not that interesting… at all. We don’t know if there are any true consequences if they don’t have enough. They are living in wealth and comfort… the only reason they are doing “battle” for these gem hearts is because of status. It’s dumb.
The beginning and middle of the story I begrudgingly listened through but the ending made me want to read the second book. It all came together but I don’t think it needed 45 hours (or 1000 pages) to get there.
by the end of oathbringer, dalinar rejecting odium and moash embracing him is obviously supposed to be a parallel, but moash and dalinar’s pain is not equal. dalinar’s pain comes from remorse for horrible things that he’s done and people he’s killed, and for the most part, moash’s is pain that has been inflicted on him by others, the pain of oppression and injustice and grief and slavery. he’s made one choice by the end of oathbringer that gives him the pain of remorse (betraying kaladin) but everything else that causes him pain is not like because of his actions that he could have prevented. dalinar choosing not to give up his pain is powerful because he’s the cause of his pain and so he can’t let it go bc to let it go would be to deny his culpability in the horrors he’s committed. but moash choosing to give up his pain isn’t like the equal opposite choice. he didn’t cause his pain, and choosing to give it up doesn’t come with the attachment that that pain is his fault and it’s his obligation to bear it to make himself a better person, and choosing to give it up doesn’t make him automatically worse than dalinar etc
#LITERALLY like any analysis that doesnt hinge on their respective social classes is missing the point #Dalinar was so politically and socially powerful that he could kill a city and people would shrug it off #while as a slave turned shardbearer literally everything moash did was scrutinized #stormlight archive
by the end of oathbringer, dalinar rejecting odium and moash embracing him is obviously supposed to be a parallel, but moash and dalinar’s pain is not equal. dalinar’s pain comes from remorse for horrible things that he’s done and people he’s killed, and for the most part, moash’s is pain that has been inflicted on him by others, the pain of oppression and injustice and grief and slavery. he’s made one choice by the end of oathbringer that gives him the pain of remorse (betraying kaladin) but everything else that causes him pain is not like because of his actions that he could have prevented. dalinar choosing not to give up his pain is powerful because he’s the cause of his pain and so he can’t let it go bc to let it go would be to deny his culpability in the horrors he’s committed. but moash choosing to give up his pain isn’t like the equal opposite choice. he didn’t cause his pain, and choosing to give it up doesn’t come with the attachment that that pain is his fault and it’s his obligation to bear it to make himself a better person, and choosing to give it up doesn’t make him automatically worse than dalinar etc
GOD the end of oathbringer was literally so powerful, and i can’t believe row starts and dalinar has done literally nothing by way of reparations and has suffered no consequences from telling the world he’s a war criminal who killed his own wife
This is my Secret Sazed gift for @toastsamurai ! Hope you have a great holiday season !! :D
Waaaa this is seriously amazing!!!
Definitely one of my favourite parts– any dalinar and lift interaction was top tier. You did such an amazing job I am crying!!! Thank you so much and please enjoy your holidays!!!
Bruh hello, it’s me ya boi emerging from the grave.
THis is my (as usual;) extremely late Secret Sazed Gift for greyhavenart! I don’t think they are on Tumblr, but you can check out their Instagram HERE!
I was very excited to get Greyhaven since they drew me SUCH a beautiful Dalinar one year, I wanted to try and return the favour with ANOTHER Dalinar for therm!
For some reason I couldn’t get Dalinar opening the perpendicularity out of my head so I went and did that as my piece for them!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE, MY DUDE! I’m sorry this took so long to get to you the holidays were bonkers!
