This week is week 7 of our Words of Radiance readalong.  This week our lovely host is Lisa from Overtheeffingrainbow.  I can’t believe how quickly this readalong is flying by.  To be honest – you’re probably a tad late to actually catch up now unless you read like a maniac – in which case jump on in, you’ll be in good company.  I will also give the obligatory spoiler alert – mischiefspren are throwing a spoiler party below and you’re all invited.

So there are people with Radiant powers appearing the world over… What do you think of Lift and her “awesomeness”? And what about “Darkness”? Do you think Lift’s part in the story will tie into the main plot at some point?

Oh yes!  If she can stay alive long enough I think Lift will play a part in the plot.  However, Darkness doesn’t seem like the kind to be easily put off and he seems to want her dead!  We’re seeing so much more about what the radiants can really do – imagine if you had an army of these – unbeatable hey?  Maybe!  I like Lift already.  She went back to save her accomplice in crime even though it meant putting herself at risk.

Szeth seems to finally be taking control of himself… Will this be good or bad for Kaladin, do you think? Not to mention those who’ve been controlling him until now…

I don’t imagine anything good coming from Szeth – but I think it might just be the fact that I’m not overly fond of him.  I’m half hoping that he decides he’s been used terribly and wants to come over to the ‘good’ side!  I’m definitely hoping that whatever he decides he doesn’t come back for a repeat assassination attempt whilst Kaladin is locked away!  And who has been controlling Szeth!?*

Eshonai is getting more and more dangerous in her new form. Do you think she’ll succeed with her plans? What about the dissenters who have escaped? Where do you think they’ll end up going – assuming they survive the next storm?

I’m kind of hoping that the escapees will either find a way of warning Dalinar about the oncoming attack or – perhaps they’ll go to this hidden/city that Shallan is looking for.  I don’t really know though.  I’m glad they’ve escaped and can’t believe Eshonai even had her own mother in the group and seemed unmoved by the fact.

Wit returns to pay Kaladin another visit, leaving him with an important thought… What did you make of the story? And now Wit has visited Kaladin and Shallan both. Do you think he sees some connection between them? If so, any thoughts as to what sort?

I so like Wit – I think he sees that Kaladin and Shallan are more than they appear, in fact I’m quite sure he knows of their abilities and potential.  He seems to be trying to guide them but in a way that allows them to think they’re guiding themselves.  The story seems to be about somebody keeping going despite incredibly bad odds.  I can’t say I enjoyed the ending to the story *gulps* but I’ve decided not to take that literally.  More that Kaladin has to aspire to the next level or let go of his old self and embrace the new – I dunno but I’m refusing to look at the whole ‘dead’ scenario.

Shallan’s continuing to develop her skills, but refuses to listen to Pattern’s advice about remembering what she already learned. It seems she’s almost afraid to, not that I blame her… Do you think she’ll change her mind on her own?

I think her memories are going to break through in spectacular and unexpected fashion.  I don’t know why I think that other than she is putting herself at risk and I think she’ll have a sort of breakthrough moment when she’s in most trouble and needs to find out what she can really achieve.  Then.  Bam!

Kaladin’s reaching a dangerous position regarding the King… Do you think he’ll really go through with some plan to kill Elhokar?  

I don’t like it – and I don’t see how Syl can stay with him if he continues to think like this and he follows these thoughts through.  Elhokar is a pain in the proverbial but you just can’t go around killing kings and not expect consequences.  Something else needs to happen to Elhokar, something that doesn’t make Kaladin compromise himself and his own sense of honour.  I can’t help wondering whether Moash’s accomplices might do something while Kaladin is out of the way.  Or maybe there’ll be some sort of attempt on the King’s life and Kaladin will, yet again, have to rescue him.

Lastly, what do you make of the snippets of the letter that start off each chapter? Who could be writing it, and who is it addressing?

I confess that I’m a bit clueless to be honest.  I really must go back and reread all of these.  Somebody chuck me a fricking bone here!!