Today is week three of a 10 week readalong of Brandon Sanderson’s Words of Radiance arranged jointly by Dab of Darkness and Stainless Steel Droppings.   If you’re not joining in already you might want to think about it – it’s not too late!!  Alternatively, if you’ve already read this and just want to jump in with comments then that would be cool.  (The schedule is here).  This week’s questions have come to us from Susan at Dab of Darkness who you need to pay a visit to – mainly because she always has such wonderful insights!  So, without further ado:  (Oh, fyi – spoilers below, they’re like spren, if you read this they will pop up all over the place – mischievousspren!)

1) We have a new character on the scene: Zahel, a swordmaster. What do you think of his interest in Kaladin? 

It’s very curious isn’t it.  I like Zahel.  Maybe that’s because he wants to train Kaladin – and clearly he had a point as Kaladin very successfully displayed!  Although, part of me wonders if part of Kaladin’s success is his improvisation.  Anyway, I have mixed feelings – I like Zahel – but in a way it makes me sceptical because Kaladin’s first thoughts were to mistrust.  Okay, sitting on the fence here.

2) We learned a bit more about Shallan’s past. What do you think her brother Heralan was doing all those years ago, coming and going as he did, and where did his Shardblade come from? 

Again, this was very interesting.  Last week I was convinced Shallan hadn’t killed her mum, this week I’m mistrusting that initial thought.  I thought she’d probably witnessed it.  But, this week, she broke her silence to protect her dad which I wonder if she would have done that if he’d killed her mother?  Surely she’d hate him as much as her brother seems to do.  Perhaps he was protecting some sort of secret for Shallan.  I have no idea why Heralan has a Shardblade – I only hope he knows how to use it!

3) What do you think of Shallan’s recent actions with the caravans? How about her growing friendship with Tyn? And her first interaction with Kaladin? 

I was really impressed with her this week.  She took control of her situation and I think it was a learning curve for her.  It was interesting to here Pattern say that there are different truths.  Not sure what to make of Tyn yet, I like her to be honest.  Yes, she’s a bit of a con artist, but, I think the two could get along – she’s also free thinking – I loved her comment about she’d eat what she wants – damn straight!  She thinks she has Shallan sussed out and so she’s opening up in a way that she wouldn’t otherwise do.  The first meeting between Kaladin and Shallan was so funny!  It’s now got me thinking that those two would get on famously – I don’t think Adolin would take that well.

4) Kaladin took Syl’s advice and confided in Dalinar concerning Amaram. What do you think Dalinar will do with this information? 

Well, it will be good to watch this.  Knowing what he now knows, if I was Dalinar I would sit back in the shadows and watch how Amaram reacts to Kaladin when he believes nobody is watching him.  It seems to me that Amaram will either confront Kaladin or try to expose him in some bad way and Dalinar needs to keep a low profile and observe.  Clearly he can’t just out and out believe one man’s word against the other although I thought he took the revelation well – he didn’t blow up at Kaladin and become all indignant or self righteous so it feels like he’s giving Kaladin the benefit of the doubt.

5) There has been yet another attempt on the King’s life. Do you think this is another faked attempt (as Ehlokar did with the saddle girth in Book 1)? If not, who do you think is the most likely culprit? 

I can’t imagine Ehlokar making another fake attempt.  I’m a bit baffled to be honest.  Plus it’s somebody with a Shardblade – although clearly people let others use their blades so that’s not a definite pointer.  Because I dislike Sadeas so much I can’t help wondering if he’s behind it somehow – maybe pouring poison into somebody’s ear and allowing them the use of his blade.  Basically I don’t know!  And, the attempts seem too easy – like a distraction.

6) Gaz has returned to the story, after having mysteriously dropped out in Book 1. What do you think he isn’t telling Shallan? How do you think the men of Bridge 4 will react upon seeing him again? 

I don’t think the bridgemen will throw Gaz a welcome party, he was hardly nice to them after all!  Obviously he had his gambling debts but it seems to me he must have done something worse somehow.  It was curious to watch his reaction to Shallan, in one way he was admitting things almost in a resigned what difference will it make kind of way and then he just closed up.

7) Eshonai and Adolin had a brief chat on the Shattered Plains. What will come of it? How will the Parshendi ever get a messenger to Dalinar? 

I think it can be done and I really think Dalinar will want to have this conversation.  How will they get a message through?  Could one of the Parshendi who doesn’t have the armour perhaps sneak in as a parshman.  Or, maybe, they could use a spren?  ahhh – grasping at straws.

If you want more debate then here’s where to look: