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.
32. Of Three Minds
bySanderson, Brandon
Adolin and Zu, a Stoneward with scouting skills, observe a persistent Tukari caravan following their group through Shadesmar. Despite the uneven terrain making tracking difficult, the Tukari maintain a steady pace without overtaking them. Zu suggests confronting the group, leveraging her abilities, but Adolin hesitates due to their dwindling Stormlight reserves. The chapter highlights their strategic dilemma and Adolin’s cautious leadership as he balances risk and resource management.
Adolin reflects on their dwindling Stormlight, a critical resource in Shadesmar, as their borrowed gemstones begin to dim. He considers the Tukari’s behavior, noting their lack of aggressive pursuit, and consults Notum, an honorspren, who advises vigilance but no immediate action. Adolin’s leadership is further emphasized as he organizes the group’s march, checks on Maya—a deadeye spren cared for by his horse, Gallant—and seeks out Shallan, showcasing his multifaceted responsibilities.
Shallan, meanwhile, grapples with her own challenges, focusing on Beryl, a suspected spy within their group. Under the guise of mentoring her in Lightweaving, Shallan observes Beryl’s struggles and apparent sincerity, which conflict with their suspicions. Veil, one of Shallan’s alternate personas, doubts Beryl’s guilt due to her convincing demeanor, while Radiant suggests further interrogation of Beryl’s spren, Ornament. The internal conflict underscores Shallan’s psychological complexity and the ambiguity of their evidence.
The chapter weaves together Adolin’s external struggles with the Tukari and resource scarcity, and Shallan’s internal conflict over Beryl’s loyalty. Both narratives explore themes of trust, leadership, and the tension between perception and reality. The juxtaposition of their challenges enriches the chapter’s depth, leaving readers questioning the true nature of the threats they face—both seen and unseen.
FAQs
1. What evidence suggests that the Tukari caravan following Adolin’s group may not be an immediate threat, despite their persistent presence?
Answer:
Adolin observes several key details that suggest the Tukari aren’t actively hostile: they maintain a consistent distance without pushing to catch up, avoid marching at night (despite Shadesmar’s lack of true darkness making nighttime travel feasible), and show no overtly aggressive maneuvers. Additionally, the honorspren Notum confirms their presence isn’t illegal. These behaviors imply surveillance rather than confrontation, though Adolin remains cautious due to their unknown motives and the dwindling Stormlight reserves of his team (pp. 421–422).2. How does Shallan’s internal conflict regarding Beryl reflect her psychological state and the challenges of leadership?
Answer:
Shallan’s “three minds” (herself, Veil, and Radiant) debate whether Beryl is truly a spy, showcasing Shallan’s fractured psyche and self-doubt. Veil admires Beryl’s acting skills and begins questioning their initial suspicion, while Radiant advocates for further investigation. This mirrors Shallan’s broader struggle to trust her judgment as a leader. The tension between her desire for Beryl to be guilty (simplifying the problem) and her growing uncertainty highlights the complexity of leadership decisions when evidence is ambiguous (pp. 423–424).3. Analyze the significance of Stormlight depletion as both a practical and symbolic challenge for Adolin’s team in Shadesmar.
Answer:
Practically, dwindling Stormlight limits their combat capabilities (e.g., Zu’s Stoneward powers) and survival resources, forcing conservative strategies like avoiding confrontation with the Tukari. Symbolically, it represents their vulnerability as outsiders in Shadesmar—unable to replenish this Rosharan resource—and foreshadows a looming crisis. Adolin’s hesitation to “give it a last hurrah” underscores the tension between pragmatism and defiance, mirroring broader themes of resource scarcity and adaptation (pp. 421–422).4. How does the dynamic between Zu and her spren, Ua’pam, contrast with traditional Radiant-spren relationships, and what might this reveal about Stonewards?
Answer:
Zu’s playful teasing of Ua’pam (e.g., winking after suggesting reckless combat) deviates from the solemn bonds seen in other Radiant orders. Her bravado seems designed to “unnerve” her spren, suggesting Stonewards may prioritize boldness and spontaneity over caution. This aligns with Zu’s combat-focused mindset (“make clothing into weapons”) and hints that Stonewards embrace chaos or testing limits, with spren acting as moderating forces rather than strict guides (p. 422).5. Evaluate the reliability of Shallan’s methods for identifying Beryl as a spy, considering both the evidence and her psychological state.
Answer:
Shallan’s approach—relying on behavioral observation and Ornament’s potential slip-ups—is flawed due to her confirmation bias (wanting Beryl to be guilty) and dissociative identity disorder. While Beryl’s flawless acting and lack of “tells” raise doubts, Shallan’s fractured perspective (Veil’s skepticism vs. Radiant’s persistence) undermines objectivity. The chapter subtly questions whether the “damning confirmation” earlier was reliable, emphasizing the dangers of investigative work when the investigator’s psyche is unstable (pp. 423–424).
Quotes
1. “Unfortunately, as proven by my own situation, the combination of Shards is not always a path to greater power.”
This opening line sets a key thematic tone for the chapter, introducing the idea that combining forces (like Shards or minds) doesn’t automatically lead to improvement. It foreshadows the challenges of unity that will be explored through Adolin’s, Shallan’s, and Beryl’s storylines.
2. “It will run out soon anyway. Might as well give it a last hurrah! A new experience for the One.”
Zu’s reckless philosophy contrasts with Adolin’s caution, highlighting the tension between conservation and bold action. This quote encapsulates the Stoneward’s character while touching on the chapter’s themes of dwindling resources and making meaningful use of what remains.
3. “The last few weeks, Shallan had been of two minds—well, three, technically—on how to use the information that Beryl was a spy.”
This meta-commentary on Shallan’s fractured psyche directly ties to the chapter’s title while advancing the spy subplot. It humorously yet poignantly illustrates her internal conflict and the challenges of decision-making with multiple competing perspectives.
4. “She’s an extremely good actor. I couldn’t spot any sign of a tell. I swear, either she hides her true emotions marvelously, or we have the wrong woman.”
Veil’s observation about Beryl raises crucial doubts about their investigation, showcasing the chapter’s psychological tension. This quote exemplifies the theme of deception versus truth that runs through all three character threads (Adolin’s pursuit, Shallan’s personas, and Beryl’s potential betrayal).