Today is week 4 of the Words of Radiance readalong.  If you’re not joining us for this yet you’re still not too late to join in with all the goodness and discussions.  Or, if you’ve already read or are reading I hope you’ll feel comfortable enough to just jump in with your thoughts.  Everyone welcome.  The schedule is here.  Let’s get straight to it – the usual alert about spoilers applies of course – if you don’t want to know spoilers ahead of reading this then stop right here!  Gossipspren are jumping around like beans below:

1. Sadeas and Amaram are reunited on the battlefield in chapter 29.  Clearly the two are perfectly well aware of each other’s characters – why do you think Amaram has made an appearance at this point in the story?  Any thoughts on how he will affect the politics.  Clearly Kaladin has good reason to hate him – but everybody else thinks he’s wonderful!

That little chat between Sadeas and Amaram was interesting.  After all, there was still a very small (tiny) chance that although Amaram had wronged Kaladin so badly he’d maybe done so for reasons as yet unexplained.  Or maybe he wouldn’t be as bad as I thought.  That’s no longer a possibility.  I think that Sadeas probably uses Amaram almost like a spy.  People obviously trust and respect him and seek his advice and yet he isn’t who everyone thinks. It seems that Adolin listens to his counsel.  It will be interesting to see what happens if Dalinar begins to doubt Amaram.

2. Tyn – a rather short-lived character to say the least.  Who do you think she was working for and what is their interest in finding the hidden city on the plains?  Looking at the reveal regarding Tyn how did Shallan manage to call a Shardblade to her? I was also curious during this chapter about Shallan’s absent minded drawing – she thought a character she’s sketched looked like Yalb – what did you make of this, fanciful?

I was a bit shocked by the whole scene with Tyn.  Okay, we knew a little of her character but I never for a second suspected her or her colleagues to be the ones who attacked Jasnah.  I have to ask myself first why they would want Jasnah out of the way.  Was she getting too near to revealing something?  As there’s the obvious link with the hidden city maybe they thought Jasnah had more of an idea of it’s whereabouts – although if that was the case they would surely want her alive and maybe just follow her.  It’s a bit of a mystery.  I wonder whether they’re simply thieves and want to get to the city first?  As to Shallan’s drawing – perhaps it’s wishful thinking or perhaps she has some sort of ability to see things which she translates onto her drawing?  The Shardblade was a shock – she would have to have been bonded with the blade so clearly that happened some time ago.  Had she forgotten about it.  Is it all part of her repressed memories (I’m asking more questions than I’m answering right now!)

3.  Kaladin’s dream and in particular the stormfather – what is the implication about humans and the spren, the betrayal, more to the point why the stormfather thinks Kaladin will murder Syl?  Why did he warn Kaladin whilst at the same time calling him a little traitor??

Reading the short pieces at the start of each chapter – I’m thinking that spren are little pieces of a God?  It certainly seems that belief is what makes them live and as has already been explained they seem to have a symbiotic relationship with the person they link to where both parties gain something.  Perhaps when Kaladin achieves his full status he will no longer need Syl?  Maybe she will simply wane if he no longer needs her?  It did seem that the stormfather was helping Kaladin though and giving him a warning.  I also thought it was interesting that the spren were aware of Szeth’s approach.  Firstly, how does he manage to get around so easily in the middle of a highstorm, secondly although he doesn’t have a spren as such – maybe he has a spren inside him controlling him somehow?  Basically I don’t know.

4.  Finally Szeth makes an appearance and we find out who is actually on his hit list.  Why?  Why Dalinar and not the King?  The other deaths all seem to be Kings and Highprinces.  What did you make of Szeth’s confrontation with Kaladin – not only the fight but their conversation?

That scene was fantastic. I literally couldn’t read it fast enough.  The tension and excitement.  I was so scared that Dalinar’s number was up!  Not sure why the assassination attempt wasn’t for the king though – I’m beginning to wonder about the young King.  Plus he seems to have rather quickly let Dalinar take charge and practically take over ruling, although in fairness I don’t blame him for that.  The confrontation between Szeth and Kaladin was brilliant.  It’s finally been made clear to Szeth that he’s not the only one and it clearly made him panic a little.  I can’t figure out who the ‘they’ he talks about are.  ‘They told me I was a liar!’,  ‘They named me Truthless!’  Can’t wait to find out who exactly is behind all this.

5.  Eshonai – finally succeeds in getting a message to Dalinar with a meeting set up.  How do you think that’s going to play out now she’s released the captive spren – what do you think actually happened during that sequence??

Well unless Eshonai can somehow break free I don’t see this going too well.  It appears that her body and will have been taken over because she seems to be contained within – how horrible.  Whatever this ‘new’ entity/spren/whatever wants it seems to be a different agenda than the one originally envisaged.  it could spell trouble with a Capital T.

6.  Finally Shallan reaches the plains- what was your reaction to her first meeting with Dalinar and her second meeting with Kaladin?   She’s chosen to stay with Brightlord Sebarial – what are your first instincts about Sebarial??

I can’t believe how much Shallan has changed.  She’s still nervous deep inside but she’s playing the role to perfection.  The meeting with Navani and Dalinar felt almost a little bit disappointing.  Dalinar seemed dismissive and unimpressed and Navani, well, she was shocked about Jasnah so wasn’t really herself.  Shallan’s second meeting with Kaladin was hilarious and almost electric – these two definitely have sparks between them whether they know it or not!  It was interesting to see Adolin’s reaction – like a moth to a flame – he simply can’t resist a pretty face can he.  Shallan also seemed to like him although how long his attention would stay on her remains to be seen – or remains until the next pretty faced stranger walks into the room!  Brightlord Sebarial is a curious fellow.  He’s one of those people who now he’s reached a certain age will jolly well say what he wants.  Quite refreshing.  I’m sure he’s no sucker though so it will be interesting to see the part he will play.

Other bits and bobs:

The chapter where we were shown a little more of Shallan’s history.  Her father was questioned by Jushu – Jushu asked for witnesses, lighteyed witnesses and he mentioned that there had already been one willing to speak the truth who was no longer available – could that be Shallan’s brother?

Still hanging onto my, very slim, hope that Jasnah has pulled a fast one and is still alive somewhere!

And, as you can see I think I’ve generated more questions than answers this week.