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Rhythm of War

Rhythm of War

Epic FantasyFantasy
Pages
1088
Published
2020
Language
English

Synopsis

A year into the war against the singer forces who now control Urithiru, Navani Kholin — scholar, artifabrian, and queen — finds herself isolated when the tower falls and is forced into a dangerous collaboration with the brilliant Fused scientist Raboniel. Their intellectual partnership probes the deepest secrets of Stormlight and Voidlight, with implications that could end or escalate the war. Meanwhile Kaladin, struggling with exhaustion and depression after years of constant battle, returns home to care for his people. Rhythm of War gives Navani her first major protagonist role in the series and uses her perspective to examine how science, discovery, and knowledge itself can be weapons. It features the most extended exploration of the Cosmere's underlying physics to date while maintaining the character-driven emotional core that defines the series.

Prose complexity
10/10

Vibe

TenseDarkAtmosphericThought-ProvokingHopeful
Multiple POVsFound FamilyMorally Grey

Genres

Epic Fantasy Fantasy High Fantasy Adventure

About the author

B
Brandon Sanderson

Born in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1975, Brandon Sanderson spent his early twenties working graveyard shifts at a hotel — writing novels at the front desk between guest check-ins. By the time his debut, Elantris, was published by Tor Books in 2005, he had completed thirteen novels in the drawer. His subsequent Mistborn trilogy and the ongoing Stormlight Archive series established him as the primary architect of the Cosmere, an interconnected fictional universe in which most of his fantasy series share...

Characters

Kaladin StormblessedProtagonist

Struggling with depression and exhaustion, he retreats from front-line combat only to find himself the last Radiant standing in occupied Urithiru.

Navani KholinProtagonist

Queen, scholar, and artifabrian, forced to probe the secrets of Light alongside her Fused captor.

Shallan DavarProtagonist

On a covert mission in Shadesmar while managing her fractured selves.

RabonielAntagonist

A cunning, ancient Fused scientist who captures Navani and shares her hunger for discovery.

Adolin KholinSupporting

Working in Shadesmar to negotiate with honorspren and build alliances for new Radiant bonds.

All characters in Rhythm of War

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Rhythm of War need to be read after other books?

    Rhythm of War is the fourth main novel in The Stormlight Archive series. To fully understand the plot, characters, and world-building, it is essential to read the preceding books: The Way of Kings, Words of Radiance, and Oathbringer, in that order.

  • How does Rhythm of War connect to other Brandon Sanderson books?

    This novel is part of Brandon Sanderson's larger Cosmere universe, meaning it shares underlying magical principles and some subtle connections with series like Mistborn and Elantris. While it can be enjoyed independently, readers familiar with the Cosmere will recognize certain recurring elements and characters.

  • Why does this book focus so much on science and research?

    Navani's arc as a scholar gives Sanderson the opportunity to explore the Cosmere's underlying physics — Stormlight, Voidlight, and Investiture — more deeply than any previous book. The science-of-magic thread is central to the plot's resolution.

  • Does Rhythm of War end on a cliffhanger?

    Like previous books in The Stormlight Archive, Rhythm of War concludes with significant plot developments and resolutions for some character arcs, but it also leaves major overarching conflicts and character journeys open, setting the stage for future installments.

  • Is Kaladin's depression handled realistically?

    Many readers with depression have praised Sanderson's portrayal of Kaladin's mental health struggles in this book as unusually authentic for epic fantasy. Sanderson has stated the portrayal was personally important to him.

  • What does the title 'Rhythm of War' refer to?

    It refers to Navani's in-world research into the rhythms of Stormlight and Voidlight, and to a metaphor about cycles of war and peace on Roshar that she and Raboniel discuss across the book.

  • Who is Raboniel and why is she different from other Fused?

    Raboniel is one of the ancient Fused, enemies reincarnated over thousands of years of war. Unlike most, she is capable of genuine scientific curiosity and a kind of grudging respect — which makes her far more dangerous than a straightforward villain.

  • Whose flashback chapters appear in this book?

    Eshonai and Venli — a singer Shardbearer and her sister — provide flashbacks recounting the singer perspective on the Evenstorm's return, giving the enemy's viewpoint its most extensive treatment in the series.

  • Is Rhythm of War a good starting point for the series?

    No — it is the fourth book in an ongoing series. Start with The Way of Kings.

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