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.
50. Queen
bySanderson, Brandon
Two days after thwarting Taravangian’s betrayal, Dalinar strategizes with his coalition in the war tent, preparing for the larger conflict against the singers in Emul. Accompanied by Szeth in disguise, Dalinar reflects on his evolution from a frontline warrior to a strategic leader who now sees war as a necessary but unexciting duty. His focus shifts from battlefield glory to the broader question of achieving lasting victory, as he reviews troop movements and supply logistics on the war table. The chapter highlights his growing detachment from the thrill of combat and his deeper commitment to a higher purpose.
Dalinar receives reports from his generals detailing the successful containment of Taravangian’s traitors. The coalition’s forces avoided significant losses thanks to Dalinar’s foresight, with Thaylen ships supporting retreats and blockades neutralizing Veden threats. The Mink and Jasnah commend his leadership, while Azish representatives acknowledge their misjudgment of Taravangian’s loyalty. Despite these victories, Dalinar remains unsettled, sensing something amiss in Taravangian’s abrupt and uncharacteristic capture. The chapter underscores the tension between outward success and Dalinar’s lingering suspicions.
As Dalinar studies the war table, he questions Taravangian’s motives. The Veden highprinces’ quick alignment with the singers and Kharbranth’s neutrality suggest a calculated move rather than a collapse. Dalinar wonders why Taravangian risked his carefully built empire for a seemingly futile betrayal. Meanwhile, updates from Urithiru via Navani’s messages reveal ongoing challenges, including a mysterious device suppressing Radiant powers. The chapter builds suspense around Taravangian’s true intentions and the broader implications for the coalition’s survival.
The chapter concludes with Dalinar’s internal speculation that Taravangian’s betrayal may have been a desperate gambit to destabilize the coalition, allowing the singers to exploit the chaos. Despite holding Taravangian captive, Dalinar recognizes the need to interrogate him directly for answers. The narrative leaves readers pondering the hidden layers of the conflict and Dalinar’s role in navigating both military and political complexities. His leadership is tested not just on the battlefield but in deciphering the deeper game at play.
FAQs
1. How did Dalinar’s perspective on warfare evolve throughout his life, as revealed in this chapter?
Answer:
Dalinar’s relationship with warfare has undergone three distinct phases. Initially, as a young warrior, he preferred direct combat—wielding his Shardblade on the front lines, where he could personally influence battles (as noted when he “wanted to be on the battlefield, Blade in hand”). Later, he grew to appreciate large-scale strategy, logistics, and troop movements, recognizing their greater impact on outcomes. By this chapter, he has entered a third phase: war no longer excites him, as he now seeks a “greater duty”—a sustainable, permanent victory beyond temporary battlefield advantages. This reflects his maturation from a brute-force fighter to a strategic leader and, ultimately, a visionary concerned with lasting solutions.2. What strategic advantages did Dalinar’s coalition gain from thwarting Taravangian’s betrayal?
Answer:
The coalition mitigated near-catastrophic losses through Dalinar’s foresight. Their troops in southern Alethkar avoided encirclement by retreating through fortresses to Karanak, preserving their forces. The Thaylen navy blockaded Veden ports, preventing naval reinforcements. On the Emul front, Taravangian’s forces were nearly eliminated instead of destroying supply dumps or rescuing him. These successes are attributed to Dalinar’s preemptive warnings and battlefield leadership. However, the chapter hints at lingering vulnerabilities: Kharbranth’s neutrality complicates medical access, and the Vedens’ quick alignment with the singers suggests deeper instability. The coalition’s gains are thus tactical rather than decisive.3. Why does Dalinar find Taravangian’s sudden, clumsy betrayal suspicious? Analyze the possible strategic miscalculations.
Answer:
Dalinar questions why Taravangian—after months of subtle maneuvering—would risk a poorly executed betrayal that collapsed his power base overnight. Key inconsistencies include: the Veden highprinces’ indifference to his capture, their rapid alliance with the singers, and Kharbranth’s swift disavowal. Dalinar speculates that Taravangian may have aimed to trigger chaos, allowing the singers to overrun the coalition (as imagined in Dalinar’s “version of events”). Alternatively, the betrayal might be a diversion for a larger plan, given Urithiru’s ongoing isolation via the mysterious device. Taravangian’s silence during interrogations deepens the mystery, suggesting unresolved layers to his strategy.4. How does the chapter contrast physical and abstract tools of leadership (e.g., maps vs. Shardblades)? What does this reveal about Dalinar’s growth?
Answer:
The chapter juxtaposes tangible weapons (like Shardblades) with abstract tools (war maps, logistics reports) to highlight Dalinar’s evolution. Initially, he dismissed maps as “frustrating” abstractions, preferring visceral combat. Now, he values the war table’s marked-up papers, which “spoke to him” by synthesizing collective wisdom. This shift mirrors his broader transition from individual prowess to collaborative leadership. Notably, he still misses Shallan’s illusory map, showing his adaptability to new tools. The contrast underscores his growth: where he once sought control through force, he now seeks understanding through analysis—a necessary shift for unifying a fractured coalition.5. Evaluate Navani’s role in the chapter. How does her problem-solving approach differ from Dalinar’s, and why might this be significant?
Answer:
Though offscreen, Navani’s efforts to maintain communication from Urithiru via perilous mountain-face messengers exemplify her resourcefulness. While Dalinar focuses on battlefield strategy, Navani tackles systemic obstacles: she investigates the power-disabling device and tunnel collapses, prioritizing knowledge and infrastructure. Her approach is iterative (noting the search “would take weeks”) and adaptive, contrasting with Dalinar’s decisive maneuvers. This duality is crucial—Navani’s persistence in solving technical problems complements Dalinar’s grand strategy, suggesting that the coalition’s survival depends on both macro-tactics and micro-innovations. Her role hints at the growing importance of technology in the conflict.
Quotes
1. “When in such a state, detachment is enviable. I have learned that my greatest discoveries come when I abandon lesser connections.”
This epigraph from Rhythm of War sets the philosophical tone for the chapter, reflecting Dalinar’s introspective journey as he moves beyond battlefield glory to grapple with larger strategic and moral questions of war.
2. “Then he’d begun to see the armies behind the little squares on the sheets of paper. Begun to truly grasp how the movement of troops—supplies, logistics, large-scale tactics—was more important than winning a given battle in person.”
This marks Dalinar’s evolution from warrior to strategist, showing his growing understanding that true leadership extends beyond personal combat prowess to encompass the broader theater of war.
3. “Somehow he’d moved beyond that now. War—and all its facets—no longer excited him. It was important, and it was a thing he would do. But he had discovered a greater duty.”
A pivotal moment where Dalinar transcends even strategic thinking, recognizing war as a necessary burden rather than a source of excitement, hinting at his developing moral philosophy about conflict.
4. “How do we win? Truly win, not merely gain an advantage for a time?”
This existential question encapsulates Dalinar’s central struggle in the chapter—moving beyond tactical victories to seek a lasting resolution to the conflict, reflecting his maturation as a leader.
5. “After the elderly king’s careful posturing over the years, how had he let his empire collapse practically overnight? Why? Why risk it now?”
This persistent questioning reveals Dalinar’s strategic depth and suspicion, highlighting the chapter’s mystery about Taravangian’s true motives and the chess-like nature of their conflict.