Rhythm of War (9781429952040)
I‑2. Sja-Anat
by Sanderson, BrandonSja-anat, the Unmade known as the Taker of Secrets, revels in her role of collecting and hoarding knowledge—even from Odium himself. Existing between the Physical and Cognitive Realms, she moves as a shadowy presence, barely perceived by singers or Fused. Unlike other Unmade, she avoids manifesting fully, preferring her liminal state. She dreams of a realm perfectly suited for her and her “children”—the spren she transforms, which humans mistakenly call “corrupted.” Sja-anat views her actions as enlightenment, granting spren new possibilities, though this defiance risks Odium’s wrath.
The chapter explores Sja-anat’s self-awareness as neither the cleverest nor the most mindless of the Unmade. She acknowledges Odium’s intellectual superiority but still schemes against him, carefully hiding her true intentions behind layers of deception. The Everstorm’s arrival revitalized her, allowing her to plan despite Odium’s dominance. Her philosophy mirrors nature’s harsh laws: sacrificing some children to protect others. This is exemplified when she sends an enlightened spren to bond with a human, Mraize, as a distraction while shielding her more valuable creations.
Tension escalates as Odium confronts Sja-anat, his presence overwhelming. They engage in a delicate dance of lies: she pretends loyalty, while he feigns ignorance of her rebellion. Their dynamic reveals deeper cosmere lore, hinting at Odium’s dual nature as both Vessel and Shard, with conflicting desires. Sja-anat’s defiance is subtle—she saved Shallan’s life in Kholinar, an act Odium suspects but cannot prove was deliberate. Their interaction underscores her precarious autonomy, balancing obedience and subterfuge.
The chapter concludes with Sja-anat embracing her identity as Odium’s creation yet asserting her independence. She manifests as a smoky figure with white eyes, embodying his essence while hinting at her evolved will. The final exchange with Odium—a veiled interrogation about her “corrupted” spren—reinforces their mutual deception. Sja-anat’s resilience and strategic sacrifices position her as a rogue element in Odium’s forces, setting the stage for future rebellion.
FAQs
1. What is Sja-anat’s unique relationship to secrets, and how does this reflect her characterization among the Unmade?
Answer:
Sja-anat is uniquely characterized as the “Taker of Secrets” among the Unmade, a title she embraces because it implies active acquisition rather than passive reception. Unlike other Unmade who might simply overhear or discover secrets, Sja-anat claims them as her own, hoarding them even from Odium and the Fused (p. 286). This reflects her dual nature: she is both intelligent (capable of strategic planning) and cunning (willing to deceive Odium by hiding truths behind decoy secrets). Her relationship with secrets underscores her autonomy and rebellion—traits that distinguish her from more mindless Unmade like Nergaoul or overtly conniving ones like Ba-Ado-Mishram (p. 287).2. How does Sja-anat’s existence between realms shape her abilities and limitations?
Answer:
Sja-anat exists simultaneously in the Physical and Cognitive Realms, though she is fully bound to neither—a state imposed by Odium (p. 286). This hybrid existence grants her unique advantages: she can move stealthily (seen only as fleeting shadows in the Physical Realm) and manipulate space differently in each realm (e.g., flowing up steps in one while barely moving in the other). However, it also limits her; both realms appear “shadowy” to her, and she longs for a place where she truly belongs (p. 286–287). Her duality also mirrors her conflicted loyalty—physically tied to Odium’s will but cognitively yearning for independence.3. Analyze the significance of Sja-anat’s “Enlightened” spren. How do they challenge human perceptions of corruption and transformation?
Answer:
Sja-anat’s “Enlightened” spren—whom humans label “corrupted”—represent her subversion of traditional hierarchies and ideals. She frames her alterations as enlightenment, offering spren new paths and agency (p. 287–288). This clashes with human hypocrisy: while they revere Transformation as a religious ideal, they reject spren who embody it (p. 288). The greater Enlightened spren (like the one sent to Mraize) further symbolize Sja-anat’s defiance; they carry her will but are encouraged to choose their own bonds, reflecting her belief in growth beyond Odium’s control (p. 288). Their sacrifice as distractions also highlights her ruthless pragmatism, a “godly” trait she embraces (p. 288).4. How does the chapter portray the complex power dynamic between Sja-anat and Odium?
Answer:
The chapter reveals a tense, performative relationship: Sja-anat and Odium engage in mutual deception, each pretending ignorance of the other’s true intentions (p. 288–289). Odium questions her about the spren she sends away, feigning suspicion, while Sja-anat disguises her rebellion as obedience (e.g., saving Shallan “accidentally”). Their dynamic reflects Odium’s limitations—bound by ancient laws and unable to fully control his Unmade—and Sja-anat’s strategic cunning. She exploits gaps in his omniscience, leveraging his distraction with the Everstorm to plan (p. 287). Ultimately, their interplay underscores her evolution from Odium’s creation to an entity with independent desires (p. 289).
Quotes
1. “She didn’t simply hear secrets; she took them. She made them hers. And she kept them. From the other Unmade. From the Fused. From Odium himself.”
This opening quote establishes Sja-anat’s core identity as the Taker of Secrets, highlighting her agency and defiance even against her creator, Odium. It sets the tone for her rebellious nature and the chapter’s exploration of her autonomy.
2. “She dreamed that somewhere a place existed that was completely right for her and her children.”
This poignant line reveals Sja-anat’s yearning for belonging and her maternal instincts toward her Enlightened spren. It humanizes her as more than just an Unmade, showing her capacity for hope and care.
3. “You sacrificed some of your children so others could live. It was a law of nature. Humans didn’t understand it. But she did.”
This quote captures Sja-anat’s difficult philosophy of survival, where she must make painful choices to protect her most precious creations. It reflects the moral complexity of her position under Odium’s rule.
4. “She did not corrupt. She Enlightened them, showing them that a different path was possible.”
This statement is key to understanding Sja-anat’s self-perception and her challenge to human prejudices. It represents her transformative power and her belief in change as a positive force.
5. “But as with all children, she had become more.”
This closing line beautifully summarizes Sja-anat’s growth beyond her origins as one of Odium’s Unmade. It suggests her potential for independent thought and action, hinting at her possible future evolution.