With Wind and Truth now released, the first sequence of The Stormlight Archive and their character arcs are concluded. Brandão Sanderson's latest fantasy novel offers readers the culmination of several narratives established in the 2010s. The Way of Kings while laying the groundwork for five other Storm Archive books. While it may not be the final ending, it is an ending for now and for years to come The Stormlight Archive book 6 hits stores, there's plenty of time to look at the existing characters and what their journeys really meant.
The Stormlight Archive features a huge set of characters, so this will mostly focus on the main POV flashback characters from each book, as well as the other members of the Kholin family that feature 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 towards Wind and Truth climactic ending.
9
Navani
Navani is well-crafted and nuanced, but doesn't have enough time to shine
Navani Kholin is a spectacular supporting character, and while her arc is not flawed in any particular aspect, she rarely gets the opportunity to take center stage like many others do. Rhythm of War is the novel that spends the most time examining her, and she is easily one of the best parts of the book, proving that she is capable of heroism, just like Kaladin or Adolin. The novel also further explores her relationship with the late King Gavilar, demonstrating the emotional abuse he subjected her to on his journey to power.
Navani is a strong-willed mother and wife, with Brandon Sanderson importantly demonstrating how powerful a couple can be when they communicate and listen to each other.
Throughout all five books, Navani is a strong-willed mother and wife, with Brandon Sanderson importantly demonstrating how powerful a couple can be when they communicate and listen to each other. It's not hard to imagine why she is the queen, as she is a person someone could easily look up to and look up to. And still, Sanderson expertly crafts her POV chapters to show the insecurities she feels about her relationships and her professiondemonstrating the nuances of even the strongest people. If she had more to do in Wind and Truth climax, it can occupy a higher place.
8
Renarina
Renarin's best moments are yet to come
Renarin is another character who simply hasn't received enough attention despite being Dalinar's son. There are long stretches of Storm Archive books where Renarin is absent and its fascinating powers have barely been explored. This is mainly because Renarin will be the main character in the flashback of The Stormlight Archive book 7, so Sanderson is probably saving his most compelling character-related material for later. That said, it still has some narrative aspects worth praising in the first five volumes.
Renarin's duality with Adolin, particularly as it is explored in Oath flashbacks, it's fascinating, though it's mostly used to demonstrate Dalinar's arc. Wind and Truth I just started to show how being Blackthorn's son affected Renarin in the long run. Joining Bridge Four and finding acceptance is a beautiful idea, and it's fantastic that it led to a romantic partnership with Rlain. Once again, it will be exciting to see this narrative developed in the future, especially considering what their union means for the broader world of humans and singers on Roshar.
7
Jasnah
Jasnah has ups and downs throughout books 1-5
Jasnah Kholin is an incredible character who will be exciting throughout the rest of the season. The Stormlight Archiveand Wind and Truth it has just begun to sow the seeds of its long-term narrative. Starting with her story in book 5, Jasnah's confrontation with Odium over Thaylenah forces her to consider her own ideologies, and her failure will likely begin a redemption arc that ends in book 10, when she is the main point-of-view flashback character.
Jasnah is at her best in The Way of Kings and Rhythm of War. Her dynamic with Shallan is one of the best in the series, and it's a shame that they barely have any scenes together after Jasnah fakes her death at the beginning of Bright words. In Rhythm of War, the decision to pair her with Wit is a fascinating choice that showcases her potentialand 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.
6
Szeth
Szeth's final journey weakens him slightly
“Szeth-son-son-Vallano, Truthless of Shinovar, wore white on the day he would kill a king.“These are words engraved in the minds of Storm Archive fans that remain some of Brandon Sanderson's best work for over a decade. The opening line of The Way of Kings instantly makes Szeth a compelling character, with enough hook to invite the reader into a giant novel who already wants to know more. Szeth maintains this fascination throughout the first four books although he is largely a supporting character.
Transforming Szeth, a character who previously seemed grandiose, into a sympathetic figure is a great idea, but it feels like the growth happens too quickly.
Wind and Truth it features Szeth much 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 will marry, and then living out his days in recovery is moving. However, it seems that accelerating Szeth's recovery for a narrative that only lasts ten days is somewhat contrived. Transforming Szeth, a character who previously seemed grandiose, into a sympathetic figure is a great idea, but it feels like the growth happens too quickly.
5
Venli
Venli's redemption arc is exceptional
Venli is a character who tends to be hit or miss depending on the reader, and this is usually because she is 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 is in Rhythm of War and, later, Wind and Truthis still one of the most beautiful that Brandon Sanderson has ever written. Venli parallels Dalinar in some crucial waysalthough the reader meets her while she is committing her terrible deed, and not after she has already become a better person. With that in mind, it could be argued that the reader begins to understand Venli more and more over the course of the final two volumes is almost an equally compelling redemption arc. The dynamic between her and Eshonai becomes clearer over time, and it becomes easier to sympathize with Venli. This makes his reunion with his mother even more special. Venli's arc is one of the most tangible in the series, going from an immature young adult to a future hero of Roshar.
4
Adolin
Adolin subverts initial expectations and becomes a lovable hero
When Adolin is first introduced as an overconfident playboy and son of a High Prince, it's easy to imagine where his story could lead. Happily, Brandon Sanderson avoids pretty much every cliché with Adolin's arcturning him into one of the kindest and easiest-to-love characters in history. Adolin grows significantly in his relationship with Shallan, demonstrating that he is not only an excellent romantic partner, but also an excellent human being.
Adolin's arcs in Rhythm of War and Wind and Truth are some of the best, perfectly concluding their story in the first sequence. Refusing to become a Radiant for so long causes Adolin, a once-prominent Shardbearer, to be practically outclassed in True Desolation. Yet, he finds a way to carve out his own place in the world through compassion and friendshipeventually becoming the first Oathless. It will be exciting to see the development of Adolin's new powers and companions in future books.
3
Shallan
Shallan's arc sometimes suffers, but it's still one of the best
Shallan is perhaps the most fluctuating protagonist in terms of how her arc develops. She receives some criticism for the often redundant nature of her arc, particularly in Oath. With that said, Rhythm of War the ending proves how much of a hero she is, and Wind and Truth continues to expand on the idea with her finally overcoming the Ghostbloods on Roshar. Placing her in Shadesmar suggests she could even become a character throughout the Cosmere universe, meaning more stories are to come.
Shallan is one of the best characters in The Way of Kings and it is arguably the best overall character in Bright words when she can really shine with her flashback development and newly established chemistry with Adolin and Kaladin. If it weren't for Oathshe may even claim a higher position, but there are some valid criticisms about how she is treated in that novel that detract from her overall arc.
2
Kaladin
Kaladin is a worthy fan favorite
Kaladin is a fan favorite in Brandon Sanderson's books, and there's no doubt why. Your bow in The Way of Kings is arguably the best single book arc Sanderson has writtenmaking Kaladin one of the most beloved and easy to root for characters from the start. He is also phenomenal at Bright wordswhere he has some of the most epic moments of the entire series. Kaladin can claim the top spot, although his arc will take a break Oath before picking it up again.
Regarding its role in Wind and Truthhaving Kaladin Storm Archive The arc with him becoming not just one, but the king of the 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 steps to recover from his mental health issues is beautiful and inspiring, and he falls short of only one other character.
1
Dalinar
Dalinar is Brandon Sanderson's best character
Dalinar Kholin is Brandon Sanderson's masterpiece, and given his role in Wind and Truthhe is a clear favorite for now. Dalinar has the advantage of dying in the fifth volume, that is, his entire arc is already completed and can be evaluated more appropriately than other characters, but this should not take away from the value of the profound journey that readers witness from Oath flashbacks to the champion fight with Odium.
Dalinar is emblematic of everything The Stormlight Archive is 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. Your journey from reading the text into the world of The Way of Kings connecting with the Stormfather to unite the newly formed coalition and orders of the Knights Radiant is best The Stormlight Archive has to offer. At least until now.