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    Rhythm of War (9781429952040)

    by Sanderson, Brandon
    “Rhythm of War” is the fourth installment in Brandon Sanderson’s epic fantasy series, The Stormlight Archive. Set on the planet Roshar, the novel continues the conflict between Dalinar Kholin’s coalition of Knights Radiant and the forces of Odium, a malevolent god seeking dominion. The story delves deeper into the psychological and emotional struggles of key characters, including Kaladin, Shallan, and Navani, as they grapple with war, trauma, and the mysteries of ancient magics. Themes of resilience, identity, and the cost of power are explored amidst intricate world-building and high-stakes battles. The book expands the Cosmere universe, revealing new layers of lore and setting the stage for future confrontations.
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    Rhythm of War (9781429952040)

    91. Worth Saving

    by Sanderson, Brandon

    The chap­ter opens with a haunt­ing reflec­tion on mor­tal­i­ty and the con­se­quences of med­dling with unknown pow­ers, set­ting a somber tone. Teft, a cen­tral char­ac­ter, awak­ens dis­ori­ent­ed and ini­tial­ly assumes he has relapsed into his old addic­tion, only to real­ize he has remained sober for sev­en months—a per­son­al mile­stone. His self-loathing begins to fade as he sees the joy in his friends Dab­bid and Rlain, rein­forc­ing his com­mit­ment to his oaths. Despite phys­i­cal pain, Teft finds strength in the love and sup­port of those around him, vow­ing to uphold his promis­es for their sake.

    Teft’s resilience is test­ed as he learns the grim state of their world: the queen is cap­tive, Radi­ants have fall­en, and the tower’s spren is near­ly cor­rupt­ed. His friend Kaladin is also strug­gling, hav­ing lost his spren, Syl, and grap­pling with dimin­ished Surge­bind­ing abil­i­ties. The group’s ini­tial joy at reunit­ing damp­ens as they con­front the dire cir­cum­stances. Teft, how­ev­er, refus­es to suc­cumb to despair, draw­ing strength from his sworn Ide­al and the bond he shares with his com­pan­ions, includ­ing his hon­or­spren, Phen­do­rana.

    The dynam­ics among the char­ac­ters reveal deep­er lay­ers of their rela­tion­ships. Dab­bid, who has cho­sen silence, is respect­ed for his auton­o­my, high­light­ing the group’s accep­tance of indi­vid­ual strug­gles. Lift, a young Radi­ant with unique heal­ing abil­i­ties, pro­vides Teft with Storm­light, sym­bol­iz­ing hope amidst adver­si­ty. The chap­ter under­scores the theme of per­son­al bat­tles and the impor­tance of cama­raderie, as each char­ac­ter nav­i­gates their own chal­lenges while sup­port­ing one anoth­er.

    The chap­ter clos­es with a sense of grim deter­mi­na­tion. Despite the over­whelm­ing odds, Teft and his friends con­tin­ue to per­se­vere, find­ing small com­forts in shared meals and fleet­ing moments of warmth. The arrival of Lift and Rlain brings a brief respite, but the shad­ow of their col­lec­tive strug­gles looms large. Teft’s resolve to stay strong for his friends and uphold his oaths encap­su­lates the chapter’s cen­tral mes­sage: even in the dark­est times, bonds of loy­al­ty and per­son­al growth can pro­vide a path for­ward.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What significant personal achievement does Teft reflect on in this chapter, and why is it meaningful to him?

      Answer:
      Teft reflects on being seven months clean from moss, which marks the longest period of sobriety he’s maintained in thirty years since joining the army. This achievement is deeply meaningful because it represents his progress in overcoming self-loathing and addiction—a struggle that has defined much of his life. The chapter highlights how Teft’s bond with his friends in Bridge Four and his Radiant oaths have strengthened his resolve. Notably, he contrasts this success with his past failures, acknowledging that his recent collapse wasn’t due to relapse but external circumstances (“For once… it hadn’t been due to his own weakness”). This realization reinforces his growing self-worth.

      2. How does Phendorana’s advice to Kaladin about Syl’s disappearance reflect the nature of spren bonds in this world?

      Answer:
      Phendorana suggests that Syl (the “Ancient Daughter”) may be nearby despite being lost, as spren instinctively stay close to their bonded Radiants even when separated in the Physical Realm. She confirms that Kaladin’s retained Surgebinding abilities prove their bond remains intact. This highlights key mechanics of spren bonds: they persist unless completely severed, and spatial proximity matters for a spren’s manifestation. The advice also underscores the fragility of spren in the Physical Realm—they exist “fully” with difficulty, which explains why Syl might be disoriented or hidden. Phendorana’s guidance implies that rebuilding the connection requires active effort from the Radiant to “find” their spren again.

      3. Analyze how Teft’s perspective on Dabbid’s silence demonstrates Bridge Four’s ethos.

      Answer:
      Teft defends Dabbid’s choice to remain silent, framing it as a personal battle rather than deceit (“They each fought their own personal Voidbringers… That was what it meant to be Bridge Four”). This reflects Bridge Four’s core ethos of unconditional support for members’ struggles, prioritizing trust and shared resilience over conformity. Teft’s acceptance mirrors his own journey—just as his moss addiction wasn’t judged, Dabbid’s silence isn’t pathologized. The group values actions over words, as shown by Teft emphasizing Dabbid’s loyalty during crisis (“When it had come time to face the storm, Dabbid had done right by them”). This ethos creates a space where individuals heal at their own pace.

      4. What contrasting emotional states do Teft and Kaladin exhibit in their reunion, and what might this reveal about their characters?

      Answer:
      Teft shows cautious optimism—he’s physically weakened but mentally resilient, focusing on his sobriety streak and friends’ care. In contrast, Kaladin appears hollow and haunted, fixated on Syl’s absence (“Wish I could hear hers…”). This dichotomy reveals their coping mechanisms: Teft draws strength from community (noting Rlain and Dabbid’s joy), while Kaladin internalizes loss, even refusing the bench as self-punishment. Teft’s growth is evident in his ability to acknowledge progress (“His self-loathing was… fading”), whereas Kaladin’s trauma response—withdrawal and hyper-responsibility (“Your bench”)—shows his ongoing struggle to accept support. Their dynamic underscores how shared burdens affect individuals differently.

      5. How does the chapter’s opening epigraph connect to the broader themes of the narrative?

      Answer:
      The epigraph’s ominous tone (“I’ll die… your knife”) introduces themes of power misuse and unintended consequences—mirroring the chapter’s events where characters grapple with forces beyond their control (e.g., the tower’s corruption, Syl’s disappearance). The “gemstone in your knife” metaphorically parallels the gemstone-based magic system, warning of hubris (“idiot for playing with powers you presume to understand”). This foreshadows the chapter’s crises: the Radiants’ bonds faltering, the tower spren’s corruption, and Lift’s unexplained abilities—all consequences of meddling with ancient powers. The epigraph’s accusatory voice also echoes Teft’s self-reproach, tying personal failures to larger systemic dangers.

    Quotes

    • 1. “Then he’d seen Dabbid and Rlain. When he saw their joy—more heard it in Rlain’s case—Teft knew he couldn’t truly hate himself. This was where the oaths had brought him. His self-loathing was, day by day, fading away. Sometimes it surged again. But he was stronger than it was.”

      This quote captures Teft’s pivotal moment of self-acceptance and the power of camaraderie in overcoming personal struggles. It represents the chapter’s theme of redemption and the ongoing battle against self-doubt.

      2. “For once in his storming excuse for a life, he had been kicked to the gutter and woken up with a headache—and it hadn’t been due to his own weakness.”

      This powerful statement marks Teft’s realization that not all his suffering is self-inflicted, a breakthrough in his personal journey. It challenges his long-held narrative of self-blame and signifies growth in his character arc.

      3. “They each fought their own personal Voidbringers, and they each chose their own weapons. When it had come time to face the storm, Dabbid had done right by Teft and Kaladin. That was what mattered. That was what it meant to be Bridge Four.”

      This quote beautifully encapsulates the chapter’s core message about personal battles and the meaning of true companionship. It defines the ethos of Bridge Four - acceptance of individual struggles while maintaining loyalty to the group.

      4. “Grim days he’d awakened to. Almost wished they’d left him in a storming coma. What good was he at fixing any of this?… No, he wasn’t going to be down on himself. He’d sworn an Ideal.”

      This passage shows Teft’s internal conflict between despair and commitment to his oaths. It demonstrates the chapter’s tension between overwhelming circumstances and personal resolve, highlighting Teft’s hard-won resilience.

    Quotes

    1. “Then he’d seen Dabbid and Rlain. When he saw their joy—more heard it in Rlain’s case—Teft knew he couldn’t truly hate himself. This was where the oaths had brought him. His self-loathing was, day by day, fading away. Sometimes it surged again. But he was stronger than it was.”

    This quote captures Teft’s pivotal moment of self-acceptance and the power of camaraderie in overcoming personal struggles. It represents the chapter’s theme of redemption and the ongoing battle against self-doubt.

    2. “For once in his storming excuse for a life, he had been kicked to the gutter and woken up with a headache—and it hadn’t been due to his own weakness.”

    This powerful statement marks Teft’s realization that not all his suffering is self-inflicted, a breakthrough in his personal journey. It challenges his long-held narrative of self-blame and signifies growth in his character arc.

    3. “They each fought their own personal Voidbringers, and they each chose their own weapons. When it had come time to face the storm, Dabbid had done right by Teft and Kaladin. That was what mattered. That was what it meant to be Bridge Four.”

    This quote beautifully encapsulates the chapter’s core message about personal battles and the meaning of true companionship. It defines the ethos of Bridge Four - acceptance of individual struggles while maintaining loyalty to the group.

    4. “Grim days he’d awakened to. Almost wished they’d left him in a storming coma. What good was he at fixing any of this?… No, he wasn’t going to be down on himself. He’d sworn an Ideal.”

    This passage shows Teft’s internal conflict between despair and commitment to his oaths. It demonstrates the chapter’s tension between overwhelming circumstances and personal resolve, highlighting Teft’s hard-won resilience.

    FAQs

    1. What significant personal achievement does Teft reflect on in this chapter, and why is it meaningful to him?

    Answer:
    Teft reflects on being seven months clean from moss, which marks the longest period of sobriety he’s maintained in thirty years since joining the army. This achievement is deeply meaningful because it represents his progress in overcoming self-loathing and addiction—a struggle that has defined much of his life. The chapter highlights how Teft’s bond with his friends in Bridge Four and his Radiant oaths have strengthened his resolve. Notably, he contrasts this success with his past failures, acknowledging that his recent collapse wasn’t due to relapse but external circumstances (“For once… it hadn’t been due to his own weakness”). This realization reinforces his growing self-worth.

    2. How does Phendorana’s advice to Kaladin about Syl’s disappearance reflect the nature of spren bonds in this world?

    Answer:
    Phendorana suggests that Syl (the “Ancient Daughter”) may be nearby despite being lost, as spren instinctively stay close to their bonded Radiants even when separated in the Physical Realm. She confirms that Kaladin’s retained Surgebinding abilities prove their bond remains intact. This highlights key mechanics of spren bonds: they persist unless completely severed, and spatial proximity matters for a spren’s manifestation. The advice also underscores the fragility of spren in the Physical Realm—they exist “fully” with difficulty, which explains why Syl might be disoriented or hidden. Phendorana’s guidance implies that rebuilding the connection requires active effort from the Radiant to “find” their spren again.

    3. Analyze how Teft’s perspective on Dabbid’s silence demonstrates Bridge Four’s ethos.

    Answer:
    Teft defends Dabbid’s choice to remain silent, framing it as a personal battle rather than deceit (“They each fought their own personal Voidbringers… That was what it meant to be Bridge Four”). This reflects Bridge Four’s core ethos of unconditional support for members’ struggles, prioritizing trust and shared resilience over conformity. Teft’s acceptance mirrors his own journey—just as his moss addiction wasn’t judged, Dabbid’s silence isn’t pathologized. The group values actions over words, as shown by Teft emphasizing Dabbid’s loyalty during crisis (“When it had come time to face the storm, Dabbid had done right by them”). This ethos creates a space where individuals heal at their own pace.

    4. What contrasting emotional states do Teft and Kaladin exhibit in their reunion, and what might this reveal about their characters?

    Answer:
    Teft shows cautious optimism—he’s physically weakened but mentally resilient, focusing on his sobriety streak and friends’ care. In contrast, Kaladin appears hollow and haunted, fixated on Syl’s absence (“Wish I could hear hers…”). This dichotomy reveals their coping mechanisms: Teft draws strength from community (noting Rlain and Dabbid’s joy), while Kaladin internalizes loss, even refusing the bench as self-punishment. Teft’s growth is evident in his ability to acknowledge progress (“His self-loathing was… fading”), whereas Kaladin’s trauma response—withdrawal and hyper-responsibility (“Your bench”)—shows his ongoing struggle to accept support. Their dynamic underscores how shared burdens affect individuals differently.

    5. How does the chapter’s opening epigraph connect to the broader themes of the narrative?

    Answer:
    The epigraph’s ominous tone (“I’ll die… your knife”) introduces themes of power misuse and unintended consequences—mirroring the chapter’s events where characters grapple with forces beyond their control (e.g., the tower’s corruption, Syl’s disappearance). The “gemstone in your knife” metaphorically parallels the gemstone-based magic system, warning of hubris (“idiot for playing with powers you presume to understand”). This foreshadows the chapter’s crises: the Radiants’ bonds faltering, the tower spren’s corruption, and Lift’s unexplained abilities—all consequences of meddling with ancient powers. The epigraph’s accusatory voice also echoes Teft’s self-reproach, tying personal failures to larger systemic dangers.

    Note