Board 8 > Finally about to finish Oathbringer [stormlight] [brandon sanderson] (SPOILERS)

(+) Yeah! (+)

Still a few more chapters to go so try to hold off on spoilers until I finish. I'm just so hyped right now, I couldn't wait to make this topic.

Holy crap this book has been so fantastic, I'm constantly astounded by the imagination of Brandon Sanderson. I wish I could dive into his head and see what goes on in there. It would be quite the party.

Assuming I'm the only one that has yet to finish the book around here, but just in case anyone is still lagging behind me or hasn't started reading yet, avoid this topic because there will be unmarked spoilers throughout. This isn't a book you want spoiled in any way.

Will post some thoughts in the next post
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So I left off with Dalinar verbally bitch slapping Odium, then uniting the realms to bring back my three favorite characters (of course Dalinar himself isn't far behind in that ranking) from Shadesmar. Then they were joined by the rest of their Radiant family and friends and I had to stop reading there because the influx of feeling and emotion threatens to overwhelm me at this point.

My boy Szeth is finally on the side that matters, Jasnah unleashed and Renarin finally revealing some things about himself. I've been most interested in his secrets since I relate to the boy and his reserved ways.

I have a feeling I still won't get any answers about Nightblood and the rest of the Warbreaker crew, I'm suspecting that Azure is actually Vivenna, but we can talk more about that later.

Finally I want to say, and I don't know if it's just me, but I've learned some good life lessons from this adventure. A few parts even had me moved to tears, specifically Wit's conversation with Shallan after her failures. "Accept the pain, but don't accept that you deserve it" really got to me. And Teft's recent words, "I will protect those I hate, even if the one I hate most is myself" had me pausing because... it's something I heavily relate to. He was another character I really felt for. I'm familiar with addiction and self-loathing...

And a side note: I'll be getting a tattoo later this year on my arm that'll depict a flying man with a scythe, to represent wind. Not exactly a reference to the Windrunners (more because that's my elemental arm), but I will also be getting the words "Journey before Destination", since I honestly feel like this series has changed my life and it deserves to be commemorated in my own way.

...Anyway, feel free to talk about anything up to the point I'm at. I need a break for now, will continue reading either later today or tomorrow.
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I've been doing a readthrough on the Books and Literature board. Just started a new topic actually

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/202-books-and-literature/76550058

Since I read only one chapter at a time and do writeups, it's been slow-going. Even slower now that I have a job and some days I'm either working or too damn tired to read.

But it's been interesting so far. Past-Dalinar infuriates me to no end, but present-Dalinar is great so it all evens out, I guess.
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Oh cool, I'll give your topic a read

And I hope you skipped my second post
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AquaArcane posted...

Oh cool, I'll give your topic a read. I can't imagine doing write-ups for each chapter, I'm slow enough as it is lol

And I hope you skipped my second post

I did (skip it, I mean), lol. I saw Szeth's name and since I'm only on his second or third chapter now, I figured you were going to talk about things I hadn't read yet.
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Yes indeed, though there are a couple safe things in that post, such as how moved I was at Wit's conversation with Shallan after her failures. Telling her to find the balance and such, it almost felt like he was talking to me...

Also I did a quick search for Azure in your topic and found that you suspect she's actually Siri's daughter? I didn't think of that, I figured she was Vivenna but I'm not too sure. Doesn't seem like we'll be getting answers for the Warbreaker crew just yet either.
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Azure is 100% Vivenna.
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AquaArcane posted...

Yes indeed, though there are a couple safe things in that post, such as how moved I was at Wit's conversation with Shallan after her failures. Telling her to find the balance and such, it almost felt like he was talking to me...

Also I did a quick search for Azure in your topic and found that you suspect she's actually Siri's daughter? I didn't think of that, I figured she was Vivenna but I'm not too sure. Doesn't seem like we'll be getting answers for the Warbreaker crew just yet either.

I don't know if you saw it, but I had another topic before that one. Part of why I posted on the B&L board was because it doesn't purge so that topic will stay up forever (or at least as long as GameFAQs exists and archives topics). In my previous topic, I went through pretty much every theory regarding Azure. When I thought she was a man, I thought "he" was fucking the queen. Once I found out she was a woman, I thought she was a Herald. Now I'm at the point I know she's from Warbreaker, but I don't remember hardly any Warbreakers characters. (Warbreaker spoilers): In all honestly, my 'idea' that she's Siri's daughter might be more wish fulfillment than actual theory because I want Siri and the God King to have kids together. ;_;
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I'm sure they probably did have kids, or you can at least imagine they did. Doesn't mean any of their kids would be worldhoppers. We already pretty much know Zahel is Vasher, and Vivenna was last seen traveling away some place with him at the end of Warbreaker.

I too have trouble remembering Warbreaker characters though, that's why I wasn't too sure about Azure being Vivenna since I mighta been forgetting someone else.
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I don't think Gods in Warbreaker are physically able to have kids, but I can't remember for sure.
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I considered that too, I thought there was something about the Returned not being able to procreate. Although the God-King may be an exception, who knows.
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Oh I also finished the second Mistborn book in the new trilogy, Shadows of Self.

Poor Wax, man.
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Were you around when I had my Oathbringer topic?

Can't remember.

Glad you've liked it! That tattoo sounds badass as hell, I wanted to get a shirt with the words on it but a tattoo sounds great too. Life before death would be my choice.
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TBH I should probably go back and re-read Oathbringer. I know I love almost the whole book but it didn't have any moments quite like "Honor is dead" from WoR
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I was around for someone's topic back around the book's release. I posted a lot before we all got the books, then I had to bail out soon after since everyone got way ahead of me as I was lagging behind. Then I just straight up took a few months off. Picked it back up and haven't been able to stop reading.

As for my tattoo I'll try to remember to post a picture when I get it, though I imagine you're one of the few that will think it's cool. Plus it's several months away still and my memory is awful.
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ExThaNemesis posted...

TBH I should probably go back and re-read Oathbringer. I know I love almost the whole book but it didn't have any moments quite like "Honor is dead" from WoR

Don't know about that, there's been so many moments in Oathbringer for me. The big moment for me in Words of Radiance was Kaladin awakening his powers and fighting Szeth. I think Oathbringer has collectively beat that moment already.

And I still have the last couple chapters to go.
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tag
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Shadows of Self is one of my favourites. That ending is heartbreaking.
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Yeah it fuckin' was, it's an ending that sticks with you. I admit I hadn't been too heavily invested in Wax and Wayne, I enjoyed them just not as much as I loved Vin.

After that ending though, Wax suddenly shot up in my character ranking. I'm grateful I have him to return to after Oathbringer since I will most likely be sorely depressed once this book ends.

Which is why I'm waiting til tomorrow to finish it
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I never really cared all that much about both Vin and Elend. Loved Kelsier (once you're done with Bands of Mourning, you should read the novella Secret History) but the other two just felt really bland to me.

Edit: Actually, after taking a second to think about it, reading Secret History first might be better.
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Oh yeah I still need to read that, I have the novella already since I had to read Edgedancer before Oathbringer.

I did indeed love Kelsier, so I'm excited to see more of him. Even so, Vin was still my favorite, though Elend wasn't anything special, he was just kinda there.
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ExThaNemesis posted...

TBH I should probably go back and re-read Oathbringer. I know I love almost the whole book but it didn't have any moments quite like "Honor is dead" from WoR

I dunno man, "I AM UNITY" was hype as fuck.
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AquaArcane posted...

I considered that too, I thought there was something about the Returned not being able to procreate. Although the God-King may be an exception, who knows.

I'm putting this in spoilers for anyone who maybe hasn't read Warbreaker. Only spoilers for that book.

I thought the entire plot to the first half of the book was about trying to get Siri and the God King to fuck, but no one told him how babby is formed. If he was unable to procreate for some reason, what would the point of that plot be? If nothing else, I think Lightsong healing him would recover that ability.
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It's amazing how many people that have read Mistborn still have Kelsier as their favorite. He's definitely Brandon's favorite as well.
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I like Kelsier, but my favorite since his introduction was always Sazed.

(Spoilers for the first Mistborn trilogy): Which means the first Mistborn trilogy ended in the best possible way for me lol
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Kelsier and Sazed are both awesome, but I'm always more drawn to down-to-earth girls that can kick ass (see: Cassandra Cain).

As for Warbreaker, I forgot all about that whole baby making part of the story... which was basically the premise of the book. Yeah, memory terrible.

At least we can safely assume they did have a kid or two.
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Changed my mind, read Bands of Mourning first. Think that has the better payoff.
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Well isn't Secret History shorter? I could blaze through that pretty quickly and then be on to Bands of Mourning.

That reminds me though, which of his books would y'all recommend after I'm done with these? Haven't touched anything outside of Stormlight and Mistborn (other than Warbreaker obviously)
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Wooooo I love Sanderson

I kinda thought Oath bringer was a little weak though. I felt like the first like 80% was a whole lot of nothing. The climax was awesome but I felt like the characters spent most of the book not doing anything when the stakes and matters in the world felt like they required immediate action.
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Secret History is meant to be read after Bands of Mourning.
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You should read Bands of Mourning before Secret History.

Also as far as other books, there's only one Cosmere world left for you to read (Elantris and its novellas) so why not do Elantris?

That settles it, I'll be reading Bands of Mourning first.

Elantris is the only other Cosmere book? Huh, I thought he had more. Oh well, that'll be my next adventure. I remember people saying that one isn't as good, but people said that about Warbreaker as well and I fucking loved that book.
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It's noticeably more dated in terms of his writing style and more poorly paced but its not bad.

Also there is more in the Cosmere but not full novels (White Sand is a graphic novel and there's a couple other short stories set in different worlds in the Arcanum Unbounded collection)

Oh yeah, I suppose I could read the rest of the Arcanum after Elantris. And I already have White Sand (haven't read it yet), I didn't realize that was part of the cosmere. Sweet.

Plus I'm sure his other books that aren't part of the cosmere are worth a look too.
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The Emperor's Soul is a novella set in the Elantris world (but unrelated so can be read in any order). I'm not sure if it got collected but don't overlook it. It's really damn good. IMO better than both of the "standalone" Cosmere novels for sure.

Oathbringer put me on a small Sanderson binge but I took a break before diving into Mistborn. I just started it so this topic is nicely timed to make me want to read even more.
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Nice! Feel free to keep us updated on your progress. It's been a while since I've read that book so I don't remember a lot but it'd be cool to hear your impressions.
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Alright, just finished the book. Argh I have to wait two more years for the next one, how will I survive...

I'll post some thoughts later, after I've had time to adjust. In the mean time I'd like to hear how you guys reacted to the ending.

FULL ON SPOILERS from here on out.
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Pour one out for those of us who finished it like two weeks after it came out and realized how long we had to wait :(
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I believe that's subconsciously one of the reasons it took me much longer to read it. I knew early on that I'd feel depressed at the end so I took my time.

And I'll probs have some more thoughts later, but for now I just wanna take a moment to gush about some of my favorite characters.

Oh Jasnah, dispatching Fused like they ain't shit. What a badass. My type of lady.

My boy Renarin finally perking up and getting a chance to shine. Stepping up and taking control from his older brother, facing down that thunderclast without hesitation. Still confused at what the hell he even is, we know he's bonded with a corrupted spren but Glys seems nice enough so I'm not really sure what that all entails. Or wait, I guess the Unmade that corrupts spren is the same one that helped Shallan and the others?

Amaran is finally gone! Suck it. Rock with the killing blow was shocking, but awesome.

Moash is a piece of shit. I felt for him in the beginning and maybe he still has some redemption left to find but as of now he can fuck right the hell off.

Oh and I guess I'm forced to abandon the Shalladin ship, though I wasn't that invested in it anyway. Plus Adolin deserved that win, I was really worried he'd end up dying in this book. He had a lot of great moments too, and I'm excited to see what happens with his sword, Maya. Maybe dead spren can be brought back to life? Maybe Adolin will become a Radiant yet.

And maybe Wit is a Radiant now too? A lightweaver? Is he even allowed to do that?
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Taravangian can go fuck himself too.

Also, did Teft swear the final ideal of the Windrunners, while Kaladin still hasn't? I'm not clear on how that all works.
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Taravangian was cool all book and then kinda disappointed at the end. Alas. I still feel like it's kinda part of his plan, but I dunno.
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I should hope so. It felt like he had bigger plans and aspirations then he just kinda fell flat. Like oh... that's all you're about? Lame.

Hopefully you're right and he has more up his sleeve.
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Taravangian biggest disappointment of the entire series so far

I really don't think you can call Taravangian a disappointment until we find out what the fuck Cultivation is up to. I am pretty sure he's right where she wants him to be.
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AquaArcane posted...

And maybe Wit is a Radiant now too? A lightweaver? Is he even allowed to do that?

Yeah.

He's already a Mistborn, a Feruchemist, and has biochromatic breath to at least the Second Heightening. And those are just the magic systems we know about.
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I guess I didn't know about that. He never did anything in the Mistborn books, I don't even remember most of his appearances in those. Did we ever see him using those abilities?

I do remember him having Breath though
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AquaArcane posted...

I guess I didn't know about that. He never did anything in the Mistborn books, I don't even remember most of his appearances in those. Did we ever see him using those abilities?

I do remember him having Breath though

When he's talking to Jasnah at the end of WoR she notes that he stirs some metal flakes into a liquid solution and downs it. And if you'll recall in Well of Ascension before Vin gives Elend the lerasium bead turning him into a Mistborn she notices another bead is missing and Sanderson confirmed that Wit took said bead and was a random guard that reports to Vin/Elend not long before that.

Feruchemy use is just confirmed via Sanderson. I'm guessing he uses it for his memory - dude seems to remember literally everything.
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Although it's worth noting that Sanderson is very coy about whether or not Hoid actually used the bead or is holding on to it for now, but he's clearly got at least one Allomantic power given that he's drinking metal.
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AquaArcane posted...

And maybe Wit is a Radiant now too?

Wit is something so far beyond that.

I don't actually know what it is, but he surpasses Radiants. Odium level, really.
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Hoid picked some stuff up on the Elantris world too, though I'm not sure if we know what it actually does.
(Elantris spoils) Or, given how the magic there is tied to country of origin, if he's even capable of using it.
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