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.
88. Falling Star
bySanderson, Brandon
The chapter opens with Venli arriving at her sister Eshonai’s door during a violent storm, clutching a mysterious gemstone she has captured. Despite their mother Jaxlim’s distracted state, Venli is consumed by excitement, revealing that the gemstone contains a rare spren attracted by lightning. Eshonai, though intrigued, is wary of the dark, smoky glow within the gemstone, sensing its potential danger. Venli argues that their people, the listeners, must embrace this discovery to survive, challenging Eshonai’s reluctance to deviate from tradition.
Eshonai’s internal conflict deepens as she grapples with Venli’s proposal. She questions whether her resistance to change has hindered their people’s survival against the encroaching humans. The gemstone represents a possible path to power, but Eshonai fears it could cost the listeners their identity and freedom. Their debate escalates, with Venli accusing Eshonai of clinging to outdated traditions while Eshonai counters that some values are worth preserving. The tension between innovation and tradition is palpable, mirroring the storm’s fury outside.
Overwhelmed, Eshonai storms out into the tempest, seeking clarity. She confronts the storm itself, demanding answers from the mythical Rider of Storms, but receives only silence. Her soliloquy reveals her desperation to protect her people’s autonomy, even as she acknowledges the inevitability of change. The storm’s relentless force mirrors her internal turmoil, as she wrestles with the impossible choice between survival and cultural integrity.
The chapter concludes with Eshonai hearing an ominous sound—rock scraping against rock—as the plateau beneath her seems to shift. This unsettling moment underscores the precariousness of the listeners’ situation, both physically and ideologically. Eshonai’s journey reflects the broader struggle of her people, caught between the destructive advance of humans and the seductive but perilous power offered by Venli’s discovery. The chapter leaves readers questioning whether the listeners can navigate these forces without losing themselves in the process.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the gemstone Venli brings to Eshonai, and why is it controversial?
Answer:
The gemstone contains a rare and powerful spren that Venli captured during a storm, which she believes could unlock a new form called “stormform” for their people, the listeners. This discovery is controversial because Eshonai fears it could destroy their people, as it represents a return to the old gods and the loss of their independence. The spren’s dark, smoky appearance and unnatural glow suggest it is dangerous, possibly tied to the listeners’ ancient enemies. Venli argues that desperate times call for desperate measures, while Eshonai resists, valuing their freedom above survival.2. How does Eshonai’s internal conflict reflect the broader struggle of the listeners as a people?
Answer:
Eshonai’s turmoil mirrors the listeners’ existential crisis—whether to preserve their cultural identity or embrace risky solutions for survival. She resists Venli’s stormform, fearing it will enslave them to old gods, yet acknowledges their desperate situation against the encroaching humans. Her walk into the storm symbolizes this struggle: she defies the wind (tradition and pressure) but questions if fighting has been futile. The chapter highlights the tension between adaptation and integrity, as the listeners face annihilation if they remain unchanged but betrayal if they surrender their values.3. Analyze the symbolism of the storm in this chapter. How does it reflect the characters’ emotions and the story’s themes?
Answer:
The storm embodies chaos, transformation, and divine intervention. Venli’s triumph in capturing the spren during lightning strikes mirrors her disruptive ambitions, while Eshonai’s confrontation with the storm reflects her rage and helplessness. The tempest’s violence parallels the listeners’ societal upheaval—natural forces and external threats (humans, old gods) buffet them from all sides. The darkness and lack of response to Eshonai’s shouts underscore her isolation as a leader. Ultimately, the storm represents both danger and potential, much like Venli’s discovery.4. Why does Eshonai compare humans to rockbuds, and what does this reveal about her perspective?
Answer:
Eshonai likens humans to rockbuds because they initially seem soft and vulnerable but tenaciously root themselves into Roshar, becoming nearly unstoppable. This metaphor reveals her grudging respect for their adaptability and her frustration at the listeners’ inability to expel them. It also reflects her broader anxiety about human expansion—if they thrive everywhere, what space remains for her people? The comparison underscores her sense of displacement and the listeners’ precarious position as outsiders in their own land.5. How does the chapter use rhythm and music to convey listener culture and emotions? Provide specific examples.
Answer:
The listeners’ emotions are expressed through rhythms, which serve as a cultural and emotional language. For instance, Venli hums to Confidence when presenting the gemstone, showing her pride, while Eshonai responds with Betrayal to reject her sister’s idea. These rhythms replace tonal cues or facial expressions, emphasizing their alien biology and communal identity. The absence of rhythm in Venli’s silence after capturing the spren hints at her dissociation, while Eshonai’s attunement to the Rhythm of Winds during her stormwalk reflects her connection to nature amidst turmoil.
Quotes
1. ““Stormform,” Venli whispered. “Power.” […] “Dangerous power. This could destroy the listeners.””
This exchange captures the central conflict of the chapter—Venli’s discovery of stormform and Eshonai’s immediate recognition of its peril. The stark contrast between Venli’s awed whisper and Eshonai’s warning foreshadows the coming ideological clash about using dangerous power to save their people.
2. ““Eshonai,” Venli said to Reprimand, “our people are already being destroyed. Don’t you think that this time, instead of making a snap decision based on songs from thousands of years ago, we should at least try a different solution?””
Venli’s passionate argument represents the chapter’s core dilemma—whether to abandon ancient traditions to survive. Her use of the Rhythm of Reprimand adds emotional weight as she challenges Eshonai’s conservative stance, framing it as a matter of survival versus blind tradition.
3. ““What was a god who only made demands? Nothing but a tyrant with a different name.””
Eshonai’s internal monologue reveals her deep philosophical stance against returning to their old gods. This concise yet powerful statement encapsulates her entire worldview—that true divinity shouldn’t demand subjugation, and that freedom of mind is paramount.
4. ““Everything I’ve done,” she said into the wind, “has been to ensure we remain our own people. That’s all I want. I gave up my dreams. But I will not give up our minds.””
This climactic declaration shows Eshonai’s fundamental principle—that preserving their identity and free will matters more than survival or power. The storm setting amplifies her defiance as she reaffirms her life’s purpose despite the impossible choice before her.