Rhythm of War (9781429952040)
“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.
106. A Hundred Discordant Rhythms
bySanderson, Brandon
The chapter opens with Kaladin in a state of profound despair, clinging to Teft’s lifeless body as his sense of purpose shatters. He reflects on his repeated failures to protect those he loves, from Tien to Bridge Four, and concludes that his identity as “Kaladin Stormblessed” was always a lie. Overwhelmed by numbness and self-loathing, he succumbs to the void of hopelessness, lacking even Adolin’s intervention to pull him back. Syl’s silent presence underscores the gravity of his emotional collapse, marking this as a pivotal moment of personal reckoning.
Meanwhile, Navani engages in a deadly confrontation with Raboniel, using a pain-inducing device to incapacitate the Fused before stabbing her. Though initially believing she’s succeeded, Navani is shocked to find Raboniel still alive, barely clinging to consciousness. Their exchange reveals Raboniel’s true motive: she seeks to end the eternal war, regardless of which side prevails. Despite Navani’s betrayal, Raboniel admires her cunning and urges her to flee with a notebook containing revolutionary research on permanently killing Fused—a key to ending the conflict.
Navani realizes the notebook’s significance: it could tip the balance of the war by making death permanent for both Radiant spren and Fused. As she grapples with the moral weight of her actions, Raboniel’s unexpected camaraderie adds complexity to their adversarial relationship. However, their tense moment is interrupted by the arrival of Moash, who strikes Navani with a throwing knife before advancing with his Shardblade. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, with Navani wounded and Kaladin’s fate ominously declared as “dead,” leaving their survival in question.
The chapter masterfully intertwines two character arcs—Kaladin’s emotional disintegration and Navani’s desperate gambit—against the backdrop of war’s relentless brutality. Themes of failure, betrayal, and the cost of conflict are explored through intimate, high-stakes moments. The parallel crises highlight how both characters, though separated, are pushed to their limits, setting the stage for transformative developments in the narrative.
FAQs
1. Comprehension Question
What is the significance of Kaladin’s internal monologue about “Kaladin Stormblessed” being a lie?
Answer:
Kaladin’s realization that “Kaladin Stormblessed was a lie” reflects his profound crisis of identity and purpose. Throughout the chapter, he grapples with the weight of his failures—particularly his inability to protect those he loves, like Teft and Tien. The “Stormblessed” persona symbolized hope, protection, and resilience, but his repeated losses shatter this self-image. The numbness and hollow darkness he experiences (page 1125) underscore his despair, suggesting he now sees himself as a destructive force rather than a savior. This moment is pivotal, as it marks his complete emotional collapse in the absence of Adolin’s support.2. Analytical Question
How does Navani’s betrayal of Raboniel complicate the theme of trust in the chapter?
Answer:
Navani’s calculated betrayal—using a painrial trap and dagger to attack Raboniel—initially appears as a ruthless but necessary act of war. However, Raboniel’s unexpected reaction (“You tricked me well… Well done”) subverts expectations (page 1126). Her admiration for Navani’s cleverness, even while dying, highlights a twisted mutual respect. This complicates trust by showing that even enemies can recognize each other’s worth. Navani’s subsequent guilt (“An unexpected pain pricked her at the betrayal”) further blurs moral lines, suggesting that trust and deception are intertwined in war, where survival often overrides allegiance.3. Application Question
If you were Navani, how would you prioritize the notebook versus escaping the tower, given Raboniel’s warning about Vyre?
Answer:
The notebook contains a method to permanently kill Fused, which could end the war (page 1126). However, Vyre’s imminent arrival poses an immediate lethal threat. As Navani, I would prioritize the notebook—its strategic value outweighs personal survival, as its contents could save countless lives. I would attempt to hide it or transmit its knowledge (e.g., via spanreed) before fleeing. Raboniel’s urgency (“The war must end”) justifies this risk. Practical steps might include memorizing key formulas or tearing out critical pages to ensure the information survives even if captured.4. Critical Thinking Question
Compare Kaladin’s and Navani’s responses to failure in this chapter. What do their differing reactions reveal about their characters?
Answer:
Kaladin succumbs to nihilism (“Kaladin Stormblessed was a lie”), paralyzed by guilt over failing to protect others (page 1125). In contrast, Navani, despite her guilt over betraying Raboniel, channels her remorse into decisive action—seizing the notebook and planning to end the war (page 1126). Their reactions highlight core traits: Kaladin’s self-worth is tied to saving others, so failure devastates him, while Navani, a scholar, focuses on solutions. Both characters are morally complex, but Navani’s pragmatism contrasts with Kaladin’s emotional collapse, underscoring how trauma manifests differently in leaders.5. Thematic Question
How does the chapter’s title, “A Hundred Discordant Rhythms,” reflect its key events?
Answer:
The title metaphorically captures the chaotic, dissonant emotions and conflicts in the chapter. Kaladin’s shattered identity, Navani’s conflicted betrayal, and Raboniel’s dying words (“I cannot hear rhythms”) all represent “discordant” states—emotional, moral, and physical (page 1126). Even Raboniel’s goal to end the war, though noble, clashes with her allegiance to the singers. The “hundred” rhythms evoke the scale of these tensions, from personal (Kaladin’s pain) to cosmic (the war’s endless cycle). The title thus mirrors the chapter’s exploration of harmony versus chaos in human (and immortal) struggles.
Quotes
1. “Kaladin Stormblessed wasn’t dead. He’d never existed. Kaladin Stormblessed was a lie. He always had been.”
This devastating realization captures Kaladin’s existential crisis as he grapples with his perceived failures. The quote represents the chapter’s exploration of identity and self-worth, showing how trauma can dismantle one’s sense of self.
2. ““I’m sorry,” Navani said through gritted teeth. “I’m… sorry. But next time… try… not… to be… so trusting.””
This moment showcases Navani’s ruthless pragmatism in her confrontation with Raboniel. The quote is significant as it reveals both the cost of war and Navani’s willingness to betray trust for what she believes is the greater good.
3. ““Live… as long as I… and you can appreciate… anything… that still surprises you.””
Raboniel’s dying words to Navani offer profound insight into her ancient perspective. This quote encapsulates the chapter’s theme of finding value in unexpected places, even amidst betrayal and violence.
4. “Navani felt sick, now that she’d gone through with it. An unexpected pain pricked her at the betrayal.”
This moment reveals the emotional complexity behind Navani’s strategic actions. The quote is significant as it shows that even necessary betrayals carry psychological weight, adding nuance to the chapter’s exploration of morality in war.
5. “Highmarshal Kaladin was dead.”
This stark declaration serves as both a literal and symbolic death knell. The quote represents a key turning point in the chapter, marking the apparent end of one character’s arc while setting up major consequences for others.