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.
53. Compassion
bySanderson, Brandon
The chapter opens with Venli reflecting on her past choices, particularly the moment she hid a gemstone from her sister and mother out of fear of losing glory. Despite her initial selfish motives, she now lives the destiny meant for her sister, becoming a Radiant and surviving against the odds. As she moves through the tower, she observes the logistical challenges of occupation, including the need to relax confinement for humans running low on supplies. Raboniel’s strategic leniency in sparing Radiants surrendered willingly hints at her deeper, unsettling plans—possibly tied to her infamous attempt to exterminate humanity.
Venli’s role as a Voice grants her authority among the singers, and she collects reports on the tower’s occupation. The discovery of unconscious Radiants hidden by humans reveals a tension between Raboniel’s stern justice and Timbre’s horror at the executions. Venli suspects Raboniel’s leniency is strategic, as she likely needs the Radiants for experiments. This foreshadows a darker purpose behind Raboniel’s actions, echoing her ruthless reputation. Venli’s internal conflict grows as she balances her loyalty to Raboniel with her hidden allegiance to Leshwi.
A critical revelation emerges when Venli learns of a human surgeon—likely Kaladin Stormblessed—who killed a singer and fled with an unconscious Windrunner. The Pursuer’s involvement and the surgeon’s Stormlight-infused escape suggest Kaladin’s unique resilience amid the tower’s occupation. Venli recognizes the urgency of informing Leshwi, hinting at her divided loyalties. The chapter underscores the escalating stakes as both sides maneuver for control, with Venli caught between her duties and her conscience.
The chapter closes with a chilling disclosure: the Pursuer plans to interrogate and exact revenge on Kaladin’s family, who are locked in a nearby clinic. Venli’s muted reaction and Timbre’s silent dread highlight the moral weight of the situation. This impending confrontation sets the stage for further conflict, emphasizing the brutal realities of war and the personal toll on Venli as she navigates her precarious position. The chapter masterfully blends introspection, political intrigue, and looming violence, deepening the narrative tension.
FAQs
1. What internal conflict does Venli experience regarding her past actions, and how does this relate to her current situation?
Answer:
Venli grapples with guilt over her past selfish motives when she hid the gemstone from her sister and mother, fearing she would lose glory. Ironically, she now lives the destiny she tried to steal—becoming Radiant and bonding Timbre—which she views as a cosmic mistake. This internal conflict highlights her unresolved shame and the unexpected consequences of her actions. Her current position as a Voice among the singers contrasts with her secret Radiant status, creating tension between her past ambitions and present reality (p. 658-659).2. How does Raboniel’s handling of captured Radiants reveal both her strategic pragmatism and her morally ambiguous nature?
Answer:
Raboniel demonstrates pragmatism by offering leniency to humans who surrender Radiants willingly, ensuring cooperation, while executing those who hide them—a stern but efficient tactic. However, her moral ambiguity is evident in her history of attempting to exterminate humans and her current experiments with Radiants, suggesting she views them as tools rather than individuals. Venli suspects Raboniel has ulterior motives for sparing them, tying to her reputation as the “Lady of Wishes” who prioritizes results over ethics (p. 659).3. Analyze the significance of Kaladin Stormblessed’s reported presence in the tower. Why does this discovery alarm both Venli and Timbre?
Answer:
Kaladin’s presence is alarming because he is the only conscious Windrunner when others are comatose, defying the singers’ expectations. For Venli, this threatens her covert loyalties to Leshwi, as his survival could disrupt Raboniel’s plans. Timbre’s worry pulses reflect the danger to Kaladin and his family, especially with the Pursuer seeking vengeance. The report also hints at Kaladin’s resilience (glowing with Stormlight), suggesting he may rally resistance, which could upend the singers’ control (p. 660).4. How does the theme of “compassion” manifest in this chapter, despite the oppressive setting?
Answer:
Compassion emerges subtly through Venli’s dread at the Pursuer’s threat to Kaladin’s family, contrasting with her usual Derision toward humans. Timbre’s silent concern also symbolizes a Radiant’s innate care. Even Raboniel’s “leniency” (sparing surrendered Radiants) carries a twisted compassion—though self-serving, it avoids indiscriminate slaughter. The epigraph’s call to view humans as “cousins” underscores the chapter’s tension between inherent empathy and systemic cruelty (p. 658, 660).5. Evaluate Venli’s dual role as a singer leader and secret Radiant. What risks does this duality pose?
Answer:
Venli’s duality is precarious: she must maintain her authority among singers (receiving their Praise) while hiding Timbre and aiding Radiants. Her note to Leshwi about Kaladin risks exposing her allegiances if discovered by Raboniel. Additionally, her internal conflict—viewing Radiant executions as “just” while bonding a spren—could lead to recklessness. This juggling act makes her vulnerable to both singer suspicion and Radiant mistrust, threatening her survival (p. 659-660).
Quotes
1. “I am led to wonder, from experiences such as this, if we have been wrong. We call humans alien to Roshar, yet they have lived here for thousands of years now. Perhaps it is time to acknowledge there are no aliens or interlopers. Only cousins.”
This epigraph challenges the long-held division between humans and singers on Roshar, suggesting a radical shift in perspective toward kinship. It frames the chapter’s exploration of compassion and shared history between the two peoples.
2. “Venli could tell herself all she wanted that her motives had been noble. She knew the truth. She’d kept that secret because she’d been afraid of losing the glory of discovering a new form to her sister.”
This introspective moment reveals Venli’s self-awareness about her past selfishness and jealousy. It highlights the theme of personal accountability that runs through her character arc in this chapter.
3. “Venli had lived. These were proof that the cosmere made mistakes.”
This stark statement captures Venli’s survivor’s guilt and existential questioning. The blunt phrasing powerfully conveys her belief that her survival was cosmically unjust compared to her sister’s fate.
4. “She wants these Radiants for something… Something to do with her plans, her experiments. Venli had not forgotten what had earned the Lady of Wishes her terrible reputation: an attempt long ago to create a disease that would end the war by exterminating all of humankind.”
This reveals both Raboniel’s ominous intentions and Venli’s growing suspicion of her. The reference to biological warfare adds tension and foreshadows potential future conflicts in the narrative.
5. “Timbre pulsed worryingly.”
This simple sentence carries significant weight as it shows the spren’s reaction to learning about the Pursuer’s involvement. The understated description effectively conveys the growing danger and emotional stakes of the situation.