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.
71. Rider of Storms
bySanderson, Brandon
Dalinar Kholin reflects on his transformed relationship with highstorms, no longer fearing them as he once did. Instead, he feels a surge of excitement and energy during storms, a stark contrast to his past anxiety. The Stormfather confirms their shared connection, explaining how the storm energizes Dalinar while tiring him. Despite this newfound clarity, Dalinar grapples with mounting concerns about Navani and the situation at Urithiru, sensing something is amiss despite her reassuring letters. His frustration grows as he contemplates limited options to intervene, including a risky expedition through Shadesmar.
Dalinar struggles with his inner conflict, torn between his duty as a Bondsmith and his lingering desire for the Thrill of battle. He acknowledges his past bloodlust and the danger of reverting to old habits if he returns to combat. To avoid temptation, he forces himself to stay in Laqqi, focusing on strategic solutions rather than physical confrontation. His thoughts drift to his Bondsmith powers, wishing he could access a shared map with Shallan to uncover the truth about Urithiru. The Stormfather, however, warns that even this might not reveal the tower’s secrets due to an unknown force suppressing their abilities.
The Stormfather offers Dalinar a unique opportunity: to ride the storm’s front and witness the land from a divine perspective. Intrigued, Dalinar prepares for the experience, instructing his scribe Martra to assist him. As he settles into a chair facing east, he merges with the storm, his consciousness soaring across the landscape. The view is overwhelming yet exhilarating, revealing unfamiliar terrain and the storm’s immense shadow. This transcendent experience contrasts sharply with his earlier frustrations, offering a momentary escape from his earthly concerns.
The chapter culminates in Dalinar’s awe as he embraces his role as the Stormrider, symbolizing his growth and acceptance of his Bondsmith destiny. His journey reflects both personal and cosmic scales—balancing his human struggles with the divine power he wields. The storm becomes a metaphor for his turbulent emotions and the broader conflicts facing Roshar. By the end, Dalinar’s perspective shifts, hinting at new possibilities for understanding his powers and the challenges ahead, particularly the mystery of Urithiru and the war’s unfolding stakes.
FAQs
1. How has Dalinar’s relationship with highstorms evolved in this chapter, and what does this reveal about his bond with the Stormfather?
Answer:
Dalinar no longer fears highstorms, marking a significant shift from his earlier trauma associated with them. Instead, he feels excitement and heightened alertness during storms, which he attributes to his bond with the Stormfather. The Stormfather confirms this connection, explaining that their shared experience energizes Dalinar while tiring the Stormfather. This evolution highlights the deepening symbiotic relationship between them, where Dalinar’s emotional growth and acceptance of his Radiant role allow him to embrace—rather than dread—the storm’s power. The chapter underscores how their bond transcends mere functionality, becoming a source of mutual strength and perspective.2. What internal conflict does Dalinar grapple with regarding battle, and how does it parallel his past struggles with addiction?
Answer:
Dalinar wrestles with a powerful craving for the Thrill of battle, acknowledging that part of him still yearns for the violent euphoria it provides. He compares this longing to his past struggles with alcoholism, recognizing both as addictive behaviors that offered temporary fulfillment at great moral cost. The chapter reveals his self-awareness—he refuses to blame the Thrill entirely for his past atrocities, accepting personal responsibility. His decision to avoid the battlefield demonstrates hard-won discipline, mirroring his sobriety journey. This conflict highlights the ongoing tension between his reformed identity and the lingering shadows of his brutal past.3. What strategic dilemma does Dalinar face regarding Urithiru, and what limitations complicate his potential solutions?
Answer:
Dalinar suspects something is wrong at Urithiru due to Navani’s uncharacteristic letters and communication delays. His proposed solution—leading a Shadesmar expedition to create a perpendicularity near the tower—is fraught with uncertainty: he doesn’t know if his Bondsmith powers will function there due to the same suppression affecting Shardblades and Radiant abilities. Meanwhile, clearing the rubble-blocked basement entrance would take weeks. This dilemma emphasizes the tactical constraints of their supernatural warfare, where even a Bondsmith’s capabilities can be neutralized by unknown forces, leaving Dalinar feeling powerless despite his elevated role.4. How does the “storm riding” experience expand Dalinar’s capabilities as a Bondsmith, and why is this significant for his character development?
Answer:
The Stormfather grants Dalinar a transformative experience—merging his consciousness with the storm’s advance to survey the land. Unlike Windrunner flight, this perspective offers vast, godlike comprehension of the terrain. This ability not only provides potential strategic advantages (like scouting Urithiru) but also symbolizes Dalinar’s growing harmony with his role. Where he once resisted the Stormfather’s visions, he now actively seeks this connection, demonstrating trust in their bond. The moment marks his transition from reluctant participant to willing partner in their shared destiny, embracing the Stormfather’s power as an extension of his own purpose.5. Analyze the epigraph’s thematic connection to Dalinar’s journey in this chapter.
Answer:
The epigraph’s meditation on Light having Intent mirrors Dalinar’s struggle to align his actions with higher purpose. Just as the speaker questions how to interpret divine will, Dalinar wrestles with understanding his role as Bondsmith—whether to act as a warrior (his instinct) or a leader (his duty). The Investiture-as-deity concept parallels how Dalinar channels the Stormfather’s power while retaining his own agency. His storm-riding experience literalizes this duality, becoming a “voice” for the storm’s perspective while maintaining his identity. Both texts explore the tension between mortal choice and cosmic forces, central to Dalinar’s arc.
Quotes
1. “Dalinar no longer feared highstorms… Indeed, when Elthebar listed the time of today’s storm, Dalinar felt a little surge of excitement. He realized he felt more awake on highstorm days. More capable.”
This marks a profound character transformation for Dalinar, showing how his bond with the Stormfather has changed his relationship with the storms that once terrified him. It illustrates the symbiotic nature of their connection.
2. “If I speak for the Lights, then I must express their desires. If Light is Investiture, and all Investiture is deity, and deity has Intent, then Light must have Intent.”
The epigraph introduces a crucial metaphysical concept about the nature of Investiture and divinity in the Cosmere. This philosophical musing about Light having Intent foreshadows deeper revelations about the sentience of magical forces.
3. “He couldn’t blame everything he’d done on the Thrill… If he let himself go out and fight again, he knew he’d realize a part of him still loved it.”
This shows Dalinar’s hard-won self-awareness about his violent past and ongoing struggles. The quote powerfully captures his internal conflict between redemption and the lingering attraction to battle’s addictive thrill.
4. “I have given others this privilege on occasion… It is like the visions that Honor instructed me to grant, only it is now. Come. See.”
The Stormfather’s invitation to “ride the storm” represents a significant expansion of Dalinar’s Bondsmith abilities. This moment transitions into a visionary experience that offers new narrative possibilities for perceiving the world.
5. “He became the storm.”
This terse, powerful statement marks the climax of the chapter where Dalinar transcends physical limitations. The transformation encapsulates the chapter’s central theme of unity with natural forces and foreshadows greater cosmic awareness.