Oathbringer

In this third installment of Sanderson's projected ten-volume fantasy epic (after Words of Radiance), fearsome Voidbringers and a new destructive storm have been unleashed on the world of Roshar. Leader Dalinar Kholin struggles to unite humanity against the threat while haunted by resurgent memories of his past as a ruthless warlord. Shallan Davar grows in power as a Lightweaver but -habitually fractures herself into distinct personae with little connection to one another as a coping mechanism. -Kaladin Stormblessed, the most prominent of the new Knights Radiant, has a major crisis of faith. Antagonist Odium, largely backgrounded in previous books, has a much more prominent role. Sanderson moves these and a host of other characters forward while expanding on the culture and history of Roshar, which, in a trademark Sander-sonian twist, turns out to harbor an axis--tilting secret. With many moments of connection and plenty of action, humor, and magic, Sanderson's latest brings everything to a dramatic and satisfying crescendo. Perhaps only the exceptional vocal talents of narrators Kate Reading and Michael Kramer could make a 55-hour odyssey in audio form pass so pleasantly, but all signs point to Sanderson generating hit after hit until this massive project is complete. -VERDICT A satisfying installment in a series that delivers on all its promises. The author recommends reading the shorter installment Edgedancer (also available in audio) before tackling this volume.-Anna Mickelsen, -Springfield City Lib., MA © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.