Title: Oathbringer
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Epic Fantasy
Published: 2017
Pages: 1,233
Goodreads Rating: 4.6
My Rating: 9/10
“I will take responsibility for what I have done,” Dalinar whispered. “If I must fall, I will rise each time a better man.”
Oathbringer is the third book in a 10-book series by Brandon Sanderson. Always building upon the intensity of the prior book, Oathbringer continued to expand on the foundations set by The Way of Kings and Words of Radiance. From a plot perspective, the three initial books could be a trilogy on their own as The Way of Kings and Words of Radiance prepared us for the ultimate conclusion in Oathbringer.
While darker in tone, hope always manages to appear like a ribbon of light in utter blackness. I’m reminded of Dumbledore’s quote in Harry Potter though slightly altered… Hope “can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” This is especially true of the book’s main character focus, Dalinar, the Blackthorn.
Character Development: The theme of personal conflict and struggle is brought to the forefront in Oathbringer. Multiple main characters go through their own arc of unique and intimate difficulties and challenges. From Dalinar to Renarin, Shallan to Venli, they are at times dragged through their development journeys with some being more exhausting and strenuous than others. By the end of the book, you are left with a sincere appreciation of the characters and what they’ve gone through.
World Building: While in previous books we learned about the cultures and societies of Roshar, in Oathbringer we get to see and experience them firsthand. Many of them are suddenly woven together and different cultures and representatives clash and coordinate with each other in an elegant sequence of events. Oathbringer truly represents the magnificent world building skill that Sanderson brings to this series as he dives into extreme detail on every aspect of Roshar.
Climax: In line with the previous books, the last few hundred pages of Oathbringer brought us the most intense ending so far in the form of an epic battle at a grander scale. Not only was it the ending with the greatest amount of force, it was also told from the perspective of multiple POVs so you got every detail from every angle. You also get to experience the true power and might of the main characters as Sanderson brings a new light to his magic system.
If you are interested in detailed and complex world building, intricate and intense characters, epic fantasy, and a serious commitment to a 10-book series, this book series is perfect for you. Dive into the Stormlight Archive and learn about Roshar and all it has to offer. You will not be disappointed.
Caroline’s Library 