Includes SPOILERS for The Stormlight Archive through Wind and Truth.
WithWind and Truthnow released, the first sequence ofThe Stormlight Archiveand its character arcs are concluded.BrandonSanderson’s latest fantasy novel offers readers the culmination of several narratives established in 2010’sThe Way of Kingswhile also establishing the foundation for another fiveStormlight Archivebooks. While it may not be the final ending, it is an ending for now, and with years to come beforeThe Stormlight Archivebook 6 hits shelves, there’s plenty of time to analyze the already existing characters and what their journeys really meant.
The Stormlight Archivefeatures a massive ensemble of characters, so this will primarilyfocus on the main flashback POV characters from each book as well as the other Kholin family memberswho are featured prominently in the story. All of these characters are exceptionally written and will be relatable to different readers in different ways, so the attempt is to discern which arcs were the most effective with all five novels considered, building towardWind and Truth’sclimactic ending.
9Navani
Navani Is Well-Crafted & Nuanced But Doesn’t Have Enough Time To Shine
Navani Kholin is a spectacular supporting character, and while her arc isn’t flawed in any particular way,she’s rarely provided the opportunities to take center stage as many of the others do.Rhythm of Waris the novel that spends the most time examining her, and she’s easily one of the best parts of the book, proving that she’s capable of heroism, just like Kaladin or Adolin. The novel also explores more of her relationship with the late King Gavilar, demonstrating the emotional abuse he subjected her to in his journey for power.
Navani is a strong-willed mother and wife, with Brandon Sanderson importantly demonstrating how powerful a married couple can be when they communicate and listen to one another.
Throughout all five books, Navani is a strong-willed mother and wife, with Brandon Sanderson importantly demonstrating how powerful a married couple can be when they communicate and listen to one another. It’s not hard to imagine why she’s the queen, as she’s a person one could easily be inspired by and look up to. And yet,Sanderson cleverly crafts her POV chapters to show the insecurities she feels about her relationships and her profession, demonstrating the nuance of even the strongest people. If she’d had more to do inWind and Truth’sclimax, she might hold a higher spot.
8Renarin
Renarin’s Best Moments Are Still To Come
Renarin is another character who simply hasn’t had enough attention placed on him despite being Dalinar’s son.There are long stretches of theStormlight Archivebooks where Renarin is absentand his fascinating powers have barely been explored. This is mostly because Renarin is set to be the main flashback character ofThe Stormlight Archivebook 7, so Sanderson is likely saving his most compelling material related to the character for later on. With that being said, he still has some narrative aspects worth praising in the first five volumes.
The Stormlight Archive Book 5 Quietly Sets Up Each Of Its Main Flashback Characters For Arc 2
Brandon Sanderson has concluded many of the main arcs of The Stormlight Archive, but he also laid out the foundations for new ones in Wind and Truth.
Renarin’s duality with Adolin, particularly how it’s explored in theOathbringerflashbacks, is a fascinating one, though it’s primarily used to demonstrate Dalinar’s arc.Wind and Truthonly just began to show how being the Blackthorn’s son has affected Renarin in the long run. Joining Bridge Four and finding acceptance there is a beautiful idea, and it’s fantastic that it’s led to a romantic partnership with Rlain. Again, that narrative is one that will be exciting to see developed in the future, especially given what their union means for the broader world of humans and singers on Roshar.
7Jasnah
Jasnah Has Highs & Lows Throughout Books 1-5
Jasnah Kholin is a terrific character and one that will be exciting throughout the remainder ofThe Stormlight Archive, andWind and Truthhas only just begun setting up the seeds of her long-term narrative. Starting with her story in book 5, Jasnah’s confrontation with Odium over Thaylenah forces her to reckon with her own ideologies, andher failure there will likely kick off a redemption arc that ends in book 10 when she’s the primary POV flashback character.
Jasnah is at her best inThe Way of KingsandRhythm of War. Her dynamic with Shallan is one of the best in the series, and it’s unfortunate that they barely have any scenes together after Jasnah fakes her death at the start ofWords of Radiance. InRhythm of War,the decision to pair her with Wit is a fascinating choice that speaks to her potential, and the trial by combat with Ruthar is one of the best sequences in the book. Overall, Jasnah suffers from prolonged absences and other characters taking priority.
6Szeth
Szeth’s Final Journey Weakens Him Slightly
“Szeth-son-son-Vallano, Truthless of Shinovar, wore white on the day he was to kill a king.” Those are words etched into the minds ofStormlight Archivefans that have remained some of Brandon Sanderson’s best work for over a decade. The opening line ofThe Way of Kingsinstantly makes Szeth a compelling character, with enough of a hook to invite the reader into a behemoth of a novel already wanting to know more.Szeth maintains this allure throughout the first four bookswhile he’s largely a supporting character.
Making Szeth, a character who once seemed to be larger-than-life, into a sympathetic figure is a great idea, but the growth feels like it happens too quickly.
Wind and Truthfeatures Szeth far more prominently, and in some ways, it’s effective, while in others, it demystifies what made him so fascinating. The idea of his story ending with him burying Kaladin, meeting a woman he goes on to marry, and then living out his days recovering is touching. However,it feels like expediting Szeth’s recovery for a narrative that only lasts ten days is somewhat contrived. Making Szeth, a character who once seemed to be larger-than-life, into a sympathetic figure is a great idea, but the growth feels like it happens too quickly.
5Venli
Venli’s Redemption Arc Is Exceptional
Venli is a character who tends to be hit or miss depending on the reader, and that’s generally because she’s not particularly likable. The fact that she’s working against the heroes for a significant portion of the narrative makes her harder to follow, but her story arc inRhythm of Warand, subsequently,Wind and Truth, is still one of the most beautiful that Brandon Sanderson has written.Venli parallels Dalinar in some crucial ways, though the reader meets her while she’s in the process of committing her terrible action rather than after she’s already become a better person.
With that in mind, it could be argued that the reader beginning to understand Venli more and more throughout the final two volumes is almost an equally compelling redemption arc. The dynamic between her and Eshonai becomes more clear over time, and Venli becomes easier to sympathize with. This makes her reunion with her mother all the more special. Venli’s arc is one of the most tangible in the series, growing from an immature young adult to a future hero of Roshar.
4Adolin
Adolin Subverts Early Expectations & Becomes A Loveable Hero
When Adolin is first introduced as an over-confident playboy and the son of a Highprince, it’s easy to imagine where his story might be headed. Luckily,Brandon Sanderson avoids practically every cliché with Adolin’s arc, transforming him into one of the kindest and easiest-to-love characters in the story. Adolin grows significantly in his relationship with Shallan, proving to be not only an outstanding romantic partner but also an outstanding human being.
10 Lingering Stormlight Archive Questions We Have After Reading Wind And Truth
The Stormlight Archive book 5, Wind and Truth, has answered plenty of questions while also opening up several new ones. Here’s our breakdown.
Adolin’s arcs inRhythm of WarandWind and Truthare some of the best, perfectly concluding his story in the first sequence. Refusing to become a Radiant for so long makes Adolin, a once prominent Shardbearer, practically outclassed in the True Desolation. Yet,he finds a way to carve his own place in the world through compassion and friendship, eventually becoming the first Oathless. Adolin’s new powers and companions will be exciting to see develop in future books.
3Shallan
Shallan’s Arc Suffers At Times But Is Still One Of The Best
Shallan is perhaps the protagonist with the most fluctuation in terms of how her arc pans out. She receives some flack for the often redundant nature of her arc, particularly inOathbringer. With that being said,Rhythm of War’sending proves how much of a hero she is, andWind and Truthcontinues to expand on the idea with her finally overcoming the Ghostbloods on Roshar. Placing her in Shadesmar suggests she might even become a character throughoutthe Cosmere universe, meaning more stories to come.
Shallan is one of the best characters inThe Way of Kingsand isarguably the best overall character inWords of Radiancewhen she’s allowed to truly shine with her flashback developmentand newly established chemistry with Adolin and Kaladin. If not forOathbringer, she might even claim a higher position, but there are some valid critiques of how she’s handled in that novel that damage her overall arc.
2Kaladin
Kaladin Is A Worthy Fan-Favorite
Kaladin is a fan-favorite in Brandon Sanderson’s books, and there’s no question why.His arc inThe Way of Kingsis arguably the best single book arc Sanderson has written, making Kaladin one of the most beloved and easy-to-root-for characters from the get-go. He’s also phenomenal inWords of Radiance, where he has some of the most epic moments in the entire series. Kaladin might claim the top spot, though his arc experiences a lull inOathbringerbefore picking back up again.
As for his role inWind and Truth, having Kaladin’sStormlight Archivearc with him becoming not just one of, but the king ofthe Heralds of the Almighty, is perfect. It’s hard to imagine a more epic conclusion for a character like him, and it’s even more exciting to imagine how jaw-dropping it will be to see his return in future books. Kaladin taking the steps to recover from his mental health struggles is beautiful and inspiring, and he only falls short of one other character.
1Dalinar
Dalinar Is Brandon Sanderson’s Best Character
Dalinar Kholin is Brandon Sanderson’s magnum opus, and given his role inWind and Truth, he’s a clear-cut favorite for the time being. Dalinar has the advantage of dying in the fifth volume, meaning his entire arc is already concluded and can be assessed more properly than other characters, but that shouldn’t take value away from theprofound journey readers witness fromOathbringer’sflashbacks to the contest of champions with Odium.
Dalinar is emblematic of everythingThe Stormlight Archiveis about. He was a man who committed terrible atrocities in his early years, then became a broken shell of his former self until his brother’s death ignited something in him. His journey from reading the in-world text ofThe Way of Kingsto connecting with the Stormfather to uniting the coalition and the newly formedorders of the Knights Radiantis the bestThe Stormlight Archivehas to offer. At least so far.
The Stormlight Archive
The Stormlight Archive is an epic fantasy series by Brandon Sanderson, set on the storm-ravaged world of Roshar. The series follows multiple characters, each with their unique storylines, as they navigate political intrigue, ancient prophecies, and powerful magic. Central to the story are the Knights Radiant, legendary warriors with magical abilities who must return to save their world from impending destruction. The series explores themes of honor, leadership, and the burden of power.
