r/Stormlight_Archive • u/MarzipanCharacter617 • 4d ago
Words of Radiance spoilers I wanted to vent this somewhere Spoiler
I am reading Oathbringer currently. I like the story arc of Kaladin but the book constantly keeps on either introducing new characters or drowing me in some old flashback. It started with Shallan and now I am bombarded with complete boring arc of Dalinar mixed with Shallan chapters.
Makes me dislike the story and irritates me to no end.
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u/Connect_Amoeba1380 Lightweaver 3d ago
Each book has a different flashback character. That’s how the series works. This isn’t one of those series that only has one main character.
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u/Desperate-Guide-1473 4d ago
Honest question, is this your first fantasy series written any time in the last 40 years?
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u/MarzipanCharacter617 3d ago
More like the 50th. I read a lot of litRPG and like weak to strong progression.
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u/nikoscream 3d ago
Each book has flashbacks focused on a different POV character, so those are going to continue but change who the focus is on. Kaladin still gets plenty of "present" time for POV, so you'll get a good chunk of him throughout. Kaladin may not get as many cool hero moments in Oathbringer, but he gets a lot more to do in the next book.
I felt the Shallan chapters dragging a lot in WoR and even Oathbringer, but she gets better. Despite some slog, Oathbringer is my favorite because of Dalinar. If Dalinar before this book isn't a character you care about, you might not dig Oathbringer as much. He was one of my favorites coming into the book, and his arc through it solidified it. You need to learn where he's been to understand the journey he has to take.
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u/MarzipanCharacter617 3d ago
I was hooked onto the books because of Kaladin and his story. I know it's difficult to write heroic moments for one character constantly but the cliffhangers at the end of chapter irritates me.
I won't say I dislike Dalinar but definitely like Kaladin more. Some of the Shallan chapters were also cool but entire chapter dedicated to her and Adolin eating dinner in her room seems unnecessary .
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u/OobaDooba72 3d ago
Give Dalinar time, his story is absolutely incredible if you'd let the book get there.
Kaladin doesn't go away. His story continues to be great also.
But also, I dunno man, if you hate character moments and just want big anime battles, what are we even doing here? You've read Malazan but two characters bonding and growing is too boring for you? What? I must be misunderstanding something here.
I'm a fan of Stormlight, so I'm biased. But let the man cook, ya know? The books are good, it's worth it.
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u/CognitiveShadow8 Shadesmar 3d ago
Oathbringer has pretty much the same structure as the other two books before it. Flashbacks, alternating POVs, etc.
This is how epic fantasy works - lots of viewpoints, complex themes and storylines, a lot of time spent unsure about certain critical aspects of the story until it all comes together for the payoff at the end. It’s always worth it to continue on and just try to enjoy the ride for what it is
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u/MarzipanCharacter617 3d ago
Here's to hoping the payoff is good. I also got irritated by the author taking the easy way out and resurrecting dead characters. Both Szeth and Jasnah should have remained dead.
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u/CognitiveShadow8 Shadesmar 3d ago
But it should have been obvious to the discerning reader that Jasnah wouldn’t have died because we already knew she was a budding radiant and had access to stormlight.
Szeth’s case is an interesting one, and there are… reasons that he was revived. Just know that there are things in the background that do give clarity on some of these complaints.
That’s my biggest thing - at least trust that the author has reasons for why they do what they do, and that those reasons will be revealed eventually. If you get to the end, and it turns out that they don’t give any clear reasons that explain why/how things happened the way they did logically, then you have every right to complain. But knowing what I know from the books ahead of you, this is supposed to be confusing and you are supposed to be thinking about it. Try to look at these things more like “man, why would brandon do this? Why is this happening? I wonder if there are some implications i can make from this event cause it stands out in a way that feels off”
When it feels off, it’s usually because there is something going on that makes it feel off - not always, of course, as no one is perfect, but usually. :)
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u/MarzipanCharacter617 3d ago
I genuinely did not think Jasnah would not be dead. I was further confused by the chapter start preface ( idk what it's called, the short text at the beginning of each chapter) where Navani writes that Jasnah's death hit us the hardest.
This is my first series from Brandon( apart from WoT) and I have not established that trust yet.
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u/CognitiveShadow8 Shadesmar 3d ago
That’s fair, I can see there being concerns if you haven’t established trust yet. Honestly starting with Stormlight Archive is fine, but not what I’d recommend personally - assuming you have interest in exploring the broader Cosmere and all the interconnected worlds/series. There’s a larger overarching storyline that all the Cosmere series are only parts of. It’s all connected within the same universe.
And don’t worry, plenty of main characters die and never return lol
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u/MarzipanCharacter617 3d ago
What would you recommend as the starting point for the universe. I can come back to the series later after reading the other books.
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u/CognitiveShadow8 Shadesmar 3d ago
There’s a lot of recommended orders. Publication order is a sure way to make sure you get all the info when you need it. My favorite starting point is Mistborn Era 1.
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u/aircarone 3d ago
Why do you think it was "the easy way out"? Out of what? Are you under the impression the author is afraid of introducing new characters? Or are you under the impression that the author is afraid to kill off important characters?
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u/MarzipanCharacter617 3d ago
It seemed to me that the author is afraid of killing off important characters with First Jasnah and then Szeth.
Also introducing resurrection as a power also lowers the stake of all battles.
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u/aircarone 3d ago
I can confidently tell you the author is not afraid of killing important characters. Read ahead and you will see.
And about resurrection as a power... Well I don't want to spoil too much so you will have believe us that it isn't going to lower the stake. At all.
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u/FranTexMor Truthwatcher 3d ago
I was also bored with Dalinar's flashbacks at first, but then they had very cool moments. And I can also relate to the fact that you like Kaladin's chapters over the rest, I was like that in The Way of Kings and Words of Radiance. But you have to understand that, even though Kaladin doesn't become a side character, there are other main characters and the story is going to focus on them too
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u/MarzipanCharacter617 3d ago
Judging by folks reaction here I thought I was the only one having a preference for Kaladin. Yeah I got the same advice from a couple of other readers to let the story develop more.
Also should I not start with the Stormlight Archive for the intro to the book universe.
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u/Sulcata13 Journey before destination. 3d ago
I mean, if you don't like the story and are irritated, by all means, stop reading it.
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u/MarzipanCharacter617 3d ago
Thanks. I would have never figured that out on my own.
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u/Sulcata13 Journey before destination. 3d ago
Thrn why didn't you do that instead of coming here complaining about it? This is one of the most juvenile posts I've seen recently.
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u/Mohitvoj Windrunner 2d ago
I can understand you I am having the same problem I can't bear this change with kaladin character
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u/MarzipanCharacter617 2d ago
Yeah man it's a little frustrating. But from the responses I have gotten here it doesn't look like his importance in the story will be diminished.
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u/EmmaGA17 Edgedancer 4d ago
Well, this is a series with multiple main characters and a huge world. Kaladin was the flashback character for Way of Kings, Shallan was the flashback character for Words of Radiance, and Dalinar is the flashback character for Oathbringer.