The stuff after . . .

What disappointed you about Oathbringer?

Book 2 could have been made into a good ending. The majority of Book 3 felt like everything that happens after the credits roll. We know more small battles, politics, reunions and rebuilding will happen after the day is saved but i don't need to read a book about it. I was never given a reason to care about anything in this book.

Has Oathbringer turned you off from other books in this genre?

No but maybe other Brandon Sanderson books.

What character would you cut from Oathbringer?

Shallan didn't grow as a character and it felt like none of her filler mini quests added anything to the plot. Way back in the first book its establish that Shallan has issues so why is it still being shoved down my throat 120 hours later? Shallan started off strong but eventually her story just lost direction and purpose. The only problem with cutting Shallan would be getting rid of Kate Readings great narration.

Any additional comments?

I have grown to hate flashbacks.
Several side stories seemed to be dropped.
Loved the first two books.

38 people found this helpful

Ruined the series

Significant departure from what made the first books good (battles/glory) now Disneyfied with PG-13 politics/romance.

31 people found this helpful

Incredible Book

some of the best character development I've ever experienced. the complexity and detail of everything in this book is so good. It also explores some cool philosophies.

29 people found this helpful

Fabulous book series... I can't wait for the next

The characters just keep developing into more and more. I am very anxious to see what more comes of each of the radiants as they speak the next set of words in their oaths. The plot continues to build and deliver new twists and surprises as it unfolds to seemingly build even more. It has yet to get dull as most all long multiple book series tend to do at some point. Keep it up Mr. Sanderson... I'm a fan!

24 people found this helpful

Slow - Everybody is miserable

I couldn't get through it. It was slow , everybody is miserable, you know bad things are going to happen, and I lost all motivation to finish.

21 people found this helpful

Another great big book by Sanderson

I love Brendon Sanderson's books and this is no exception. you really feel like you get your money's worth with this book. There is a lot of content and all of it interesting. Looking forward to his best book. I feel this is the best one of the series so far.

18 people found this helpful

Such a long book.

Compared to the first two, this book seemed to drag for a while when they’re all just chilling in Urithiru. When they go to Kholinar it’s like “finally they’re doing something” and even that part drags while they’re there not to mention the infuriating death of a growing character. The end battle is exciting though. Shallan’s lone escapades get wearisome.... she’s much more interesting when interacting with the other main characters like Adolin and Kaladin.

16 people found this helpful

Hmmmm

I loved the first books and this one as well, but I felt it grew tiresome in the last third. The final few chapters reminded me of a Star Wars character wrap up with a teaser for the next episode. Great series overall. Narration was excellent. My favorite character is Wit. I would love a novella of his life.

9 people found this helpful

Tiresome

As a big fan of Sanderson, it pains me to say that this title was tough to get through. The first book in this series, The Way of Kings, was something I couldn't stop listening to. This book took me over a year to get through. The characters stalled, the story/battles where necessarily complicated, Shadesmar was a complete dud when the curtain was pulled back. The suffering never stopped for the main cast, yet you never believed that any of them would an untimely end (because Sanderson). The result was necessary torture for both the characters and the listeners. The characteristic crispness in Sanderson's storytelling and world-building was nowhere to be found in this title. Shame. I hope the 4th installment will rediscover the charm of this series.

17 people found this helpful

Strong Storytelling, will upset Kaladin fans

Oathbringer is book three of five. The first five books in the Stormlight Archive tell their own story. Later, another set of five will tell another story. Sometimes all the heroes win in the middle, sometimes they fail. In this book, we have both wins and losses. In one book, you have three small novels going on, with important points of view from many people.

Sanderson dives deeper into the cultures of Roshar and the conflicts that have nothing to do with the “bad guys.” Instead many of the conflicts are inside different characters own heads and hearts. This aspect of the story will be hard for many fans. This aspect of the story is important. Awareness of bias and of mental health issues is important. It’s rare to see them addressed so directly in an adventure fantasy.

But in this book, Kaladin, the hero of book one and book two – is not the star. He has growth, but not the awesome growth of power leveling up I think many fans were hoping to read. Instead, Bridge 4 as a whole, is given more points of view and room to grow. Sometime these are painful in heart wrenching ways, but in beautiful character development ways.

Dalinar’s flashbacks will make you look at him differently. It will be hard to see a hero in such a different light. Journey before destination everyone. His journey is a strong one.

The ladies of the Stormlight Archive are given more room to grow here. But at times it is a backward growth. At others it is wonderful to see them breaking the molds of Voirn culture.

Once you turn the page on Part 5, get ready for a rush of a ride. You will not want to put the book down for the final act.

Many important magical questions are answered in this volume of the Stormlight Archive, but it raises more questions. Some of the questions answered, were not the ones many fans were hoping to see addressed, including myself. I hope readers will appreciate the story that was written, for what was written. Not criticizes it because it was not the story they were expecting. I know I love the book, even if there are a few bits I wish were different. But the characters are not perfect people. They would be less interesting if they were.

I love that that the art is included even for the audio book. That is an extra special treat. Michael Kramer and Kate Reading do their typically awesome job narrating the books. I’m glad they kept the voices of the characters the same from the first two volumes of the books.

201 people found this helpful