The cover forThe Stormlight Archivebook 5,Wind and Truth, has been revealed, and a small detail might indicate how Dalinar can beat Odium.The end ofRhythm of Warsaw Dalinar and Odium agree to a Contest of Champions, which offers a fairly straightforward ending to the conflict Brandon Sanderson has spent multiple novels crafting. Nothing is ever as simple as it seems in Sanderson’s world, and fans have spent the years since the last novel examining how this confrontation could play out.Wind and Truth’sreleaseis imminent, but there’s still room for more discussion.
Wind and Truthwill be the final book of the first arc ofThe Stormlight Archive.Then, events on Roshar will pick up again in another five-book arc, following a 10-year in-universe time jump.The Stormlight Archiveis part ofBrandon Sanderson’s larger fictional universe, the Cosmere, where it shares the stage with other books likeMistbornandElantris. Therefore, this installment should have some major reveals for the larger schemes of Sanderson’s universe.
Dalinar Is Holding The Way Of Kings On The Cover Of Wind And Truth
The Way Of Kings Is The Foundation Of Dalinar’s Character Growth
Fans may have noticed thatDalinar Kholin is featured on the cover ofWind and Truth, with the beautiful art showing him standing at the pinnacle of, presumably, Urithiru, surrounded by an assortment of colored gemstones. Atop the tower, he holds his hand out to the sky, where a storm rages in the distance. In his other hand,he’s holding a large tome, which is likelyThe Way of Kings, the in-universe book that’s essentially laid the foundation for his character arcfollowing the death of his brother, King Gavilar Kholin.
As Dalinar has grown throughoutThe Stormlight Archive, the knowledge fromThe Way of Kingshas remained with him, guiding his actions as he’s risen from High Prince of Alethkar to King of Uritihiru, leading the people of Roshar in the war against Odium. As per usual, the covers ofThe Stormlight Archivebooks don’t pertain to one particular scene in the novels, but they do have some importance to the narrative, symbolizing events to come.Wind and Truth’scover symbolizes the dramatic showdown between Dalinar and Odiumand how Dalinar can pull through.
The Way Of Kings Is Still Dalinar’s Greatest Weapon In Stormlight Archive Book 5
The Way Of Kings Gave Dalinar The Wisdom To Unite The People Of Roshar
Dalinar Kholin reformed the Knights Radiant, drastically shifting the balance of power in Roshar and giving humanity a fighting chance in the war. But between Kaladin, Szeth, Jasnah, and all the other immense assets Dalinar has fighting on his side,his greatest weapon is stillThe Way of Kingsand the values he’s retrieved from it. At the end of the day, this in-universe book, the wisdom Dalinar has gained, and his proceeding arc are the epitome of what Brandon Sanderson’s fantasy epic is all about, and it’s the biggest indicator of where the story is heading.
Dalinar’s goal was to “Unite them,” and that’s what he did.
Thematically, the first arc ofThe Stormlight Archiveis about a set of characters who have suffered great tragedies in their lives. Dalinar, Kaladin, and Shallan are three individuals who have done or experienced terrible things. Yet, upon taking responsibility for their actions, they’re able to move forward, become better, and strive to help others. Take this section from the in-universeThe Way of Kingsas an example ofThe Stormlight Archive’sdeeper meaning:
You must find the most important words a man can say.
Those words came to me from one who claimed to have seen the future.
‘How is this possible?’ I asked in return. ‘Have you been touched by the void?’
The reply was laughter. ‘No, sweet king. The past is the future, and as each man has lived, so must you.’
‘So I can but repeat what has been done before?’
‘In some things, yes. You will love. You will hurt. You will dream. And you will die. Each man’s past is your future.’
‘Then what is the point?’ I asked. ‘If all has been seen and done?’
‘The question,’ she replied, ‘is not whether you will love, hurt, dream, and die. It is what you will love, why you will hurt, when you will dream, and how you will die. This is your choice. You cannot pick the destination, only the path.’
This started my journey. And this begins my writings. I cannot call this book a story, for it fails at its most fundamental to be a story. It is not one narrative, but many. And though it has a beginning, here on this page, my quest can never truly end. I wasn’t seeking answers. I felt that I had those already. Plenty, in multitude, from a thousand different sources. I wasn’t seeking ‘myself.’ This is a platitude that people have ascribed to me, and I find the phrase lacks meaning. In truth, by leaving, I was seeking only one thing.
A journey.
Considering Dalinar’s flashbacks inOathbringer, it’s breathtaking to experience his growth and maturation through the series. Dalinar was nearly ostracized by the High Princes of Alethkar when he began reading fromThe Way of Kings. Dalinar was rejected by nearly every leader in Roshar when he first began to assemble the Coalition of Monarchs.By sticking to his values at great risk, he’s pulled through and given humanity its only chance at survival. Dalinar’s goal was to “Unite them,” and that’s what he did.
I’m More Certain About 1 Stormlight Archive Theory After Reading Wind & Truth’s Prologue
The Stormlight Archive book 5’s prologue is available to read, and it bolsters one of the top character theories heading into Wind and Truth.
How Dalinar Can Defeat Odium In Wind And Truth
Dalinar Has United The People; Now He Has To Unite Honor
While that’s all touching as a thematic exploration of the novels, strong morals and powerful friendships won’t win a war against someone like Odium, especially now that Taravangian is his vessel. Taravangian represents a form of utilitarianism, which the many conversations inOathbringerandRhythm of Warexamined as being antithetical to Dalinar’s values. Odium will be willing to make moves that Dalinar won’t, and he already seems to have found a loophole in the Contest of Champions.
Death or other means of sacrifice seem to be in the cards for Dalinar in some capacity before this story is over, as it seems vital that he remains true to the words ofThe Way of Kingsuntil the bitter end, whatever that may be. The best way forward seems to be thatDalinar should reform the splintered Shard, Honor, and become its vesselbefore the first arc ofThe Stormlight Archiveis over, thus completing his arc from destroyer to unifier.
