Review: Oathbringer

Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson

Book 3 of the Stormlight Archive

Time between Words Radiance and Oathbringer: 1351 days. This period gave me enough time to read or re-read all of Brandon Sanderson’s published “Cosmere” based novels.

I am a late comer to Sanderson’s books by way of his collaboration with the Jordan Estate to finish the Wheel of Time series. I had always been aware of the Mistborn series, but it’s YA slant has always been a bit of a roadblock for me. My first intro to Sanderson before his work with Wheel of Time are from Elantris and Warbreaker.

The Stormlight Archive is an big epic fantasy series planned by Sanderson to span 10 books right now. I love long series as long as the author can crank them out. And Sanderson has no match when it comes to cranking books out.

The latest Oathbringer is nearly 1300 pages. And the world is certainly coming alive in this iteration. The world building has reached a point where the readers would have a good mental model on the races and cultures. Now we can fast travel (Oathgate) around the map and make things happen.

If last book spent an agonizing amount of time on Kaladin’s character growth, this book it was Shallan’s turn. Her POV chapters are likely the slowest slog in the book, but it’s quite necessary.

By the middle of the book, the powerfuls (Radiants and Fused) are flying around and being “awesome” quick regularly. The last third of the book is an intense marathon through one climax to another. You get to see Dalinar becoming super awesome.

I could not put the book down once I started.

As with nearly all of Sanderson’s Cosmere books, the audiobook is performed by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading. They are just a wonderful pairing to bring this story to life. Even though I’ve read all of the Wheel of Time books (which are also read by them), they make me want to revisit the audiobook versions of the series.

Highly recommended for a Cosmere follower.