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.
16. An Unknown Song
bySanderson, Brandon
Navani Kholin examines a mysterious dark sphere, comparing it to a Voidlight-infused diamond. She notes the sphere’s unique properties, including its strange purple-on-black glow, which defies conventional understanding of color. The Voidlight sphere dims the surrounding air, but the new sphere exhibits an even more unsettling effect, warping the air and evoking a sense of disorientation. Navani is troubled by the implications, especially since her late husband, Gavilar, possessed similar spheres years before the Everstorm, raising unanswered questions about their origin.
The chapter shifts focus to Szeth, the Assassin in White, who remains imprisoned but armed with a dangerous Shardblade that leaks black smoke. Despite Navani’s reservations, Dalinar insists on leaving the weapon in Szeth’s possession, believing it the safest option. Szeth, now sworn to Dalinar as his “Ideal,” explains his past actions as a Truthless, obeying without question. Navani finds his blind loyalty unsettling, viewing him as an unpredictable threat despite Dalinar’s faith in redemption.
Navani presses Szeth for details about the night he killed Gavilar, seeking clarity about the mysterious sphere. Szeth recounts Gavilar’s dying moments, revealing that the king entrusted the sphere to his assassin rather than his allies—or even Navani herself. This revelation stirs buried anger and betrayal in Navani, forcing her to confront unresolved emotions about her husband’s secrets and the trust he placed in a stranger over his own wife.
The chapter underscores Navani’s dual struggle: unraveling the enigma of the sphere’s nature and origin while grappling with personal grief and mistrust. Her scientific curiosity clashes with emotional turmoil, and Szeth’s presence serves as a constant reminder of unresolved violence and unanswered questions. The narrative leaves tensions simmering, hinting at deeper mysteries surrounding the spheres, Gavilar’s past, and Szeth’s precarious role in the unfolding events.
FAQs
1. What are the key differences between the Voidlight sphere and the unknown sphere Szeth provided, as observed by Navani?
Answer:
Navani notes that while both spheres exhibit a distinctive purple-on-black coloration—described as a “hyperviolet” by Rushu—the unknown sphere has additional disturbing properties. Unlike the Voidlight sphere, which simply dims the surrounding air, the unknown sphere warps the air around it, creating a disorienting sensation and an undefined sense of “wrongness.” This suggests the unknown sphere contains a more potent or corrupted form of Voidlight, or perhaps an entirely different energy source. Navani’s confusion about Gavilar possessing Voidlight years before the Everstorm further underscores the mystery surrounding these spheres and their origins.2. How does Szeth’s current mindset and allegiance differ from his state when he assassinated Gavilar?
Answer:
When Szeth killed Gavilar, he believed himself to be “Truthless,” bound to obey whoever held his Oathstone without question. Now, he has abandoned the Oathstone’s authority and instead sworn allegiance to Dalinar as his “Ideal,” committing to fulfill Dalinar’s wishes. However, Szeth’s loyalty remains precarious—he admits he hasn’t considered what he would do if Dalinar died, revealing his lack of deeper ideological conviction. This shift from blind obedience to a chosen master highlights his unstable nature, which Navani views as dangerously unpredictable.3. Why does Navani distrust Szeth, and what does this reveal about her character and priorities?
Answer:
Navani distrusts Szeth because of his history of unchecked violence (including Gavilar’s murder) and his current lack of a moral compass beyond serving Dalinar. She believes he is a “fire burning unchecked” and criticizes Dalinar’s leniency, wishing Szeth had been executed. This reflects Navani’s practical, security-focused mindset—she prioritizes stability and consequences over redemption. Her lingering anger at Gavilar for trusting Szeth over her also reveals unresolved personal wounds, showing how her judgment is influenced by both rationality and emotion.4. Analyze the significance of Gavilar entrusting the unknown sphere to Szeth instead of his own allies. What might this imply about Gavilar’s secrets?
Answer:
Gavilar’s decision to give the sphere to his assassin rather than his allies suggests deep distrust within his inner circle. He feared certain unnamed individuals would misuse the sphere, implying he was involved in clandestine dealings or factions he didn’t fully control. This moment also foreshadows larger mysteries: Gavilar’s early access to Voidlight and the sphere’s unknown purpose hint at his hidden knowledge of the Everstorm and Odium’s forces. The act underscores the theme of betrayal and secrecy in the chapter.5. How does the chapter use light and darkness as symbolic or functional elements in the narrative?
Answer:
Light and darkness serve both practical and thematic roles. The Voidlight and unknown spheres emit unnatural, darkness-expanding glows, symbolizing the corrupting influence of Odium. Conversely, Szeth’s cell is flooded with light to “banish all shadows,” reflecting his fragile grasp on sanity and morality. Navani’s study of these lights parallels her quest for knowledge amid political shadows. The contrast mirrors the broader conflict between Radiants (light) and the Fused (void), reinforcing the chapter’s exploration of power and perception.
Quotes
1. “The Voidlight sphere had a strange glow to it. A distinctive purple-on-black, which Rushu described as a hyperviolet—a color she claimed existed in theory, though Navani didn’t know how a color could be theoretical.”
This quote introduces the mysterious nature of Voidlight, highlighting Navani’s scientific curiosity and the chapter’s exploration of unknown phenomena. It sets up the central mystery of the strange sphere’s properties.
2. “It warped the air around it. Looking at the sphere for too long was a distinctively disorienting sensation. It evoked a wrongness that she couldn’t define.”
This passage captures the unsettling, almost unnatural qualities of the unknown sphere, emphasizing its significance as something beyond ordinary Voidlight. It foreshadows deeper revelations about Gavilar’s secrets.
3. “‘I thought I was Truthless,’ Szeth said. ‘That status required that I do as my master commanded. Without question.’”
This quote reveals Szeth’s psychological state and the rigid belief system that drove his actions. It provides crucial insight into his character and the cultural forces that shaped him as the Assassin in White.
4. “‘He trusted his own murderer more than those who surrounded him.’ Including me, Navani thought.”
This powerful moment exposes Navani’s lingering personal wounds and the complex legacy of Gavilar’s secrets. It underscores the chapter’s themes of betrayal and the hidden truths behind past events.
5. “‘I have sworn to an Ideal instead: the Blackthorn. Whatever he wishes, I will make reality.’ ‘What if Dalinar dies?’ ‘I… will seek another Ideal, I suppose. I had not considered it.’”
This exchange highlights Szeth’s dangerous, fanatical devotion and lack of independent moral compass. It raises important questions about his current role and future potential as an unstable weapon.