The fifth main entry in The Stormlight Archive series left me begging for more. I love the characters that Sanderson has built throughout this series. Just when you think they can’t get any more complex or grow, they surprise you. This novel answered a lot of questions about the lore for the series, while also connecting more books in the Cosmere. It built off of narratives in the side stories (Dawnshard specifically) in ways that felt natural to the progression of the plot.

As for the plot, the Contest of Champions is looming over our heroes. There are ten days to prepare and their options for doing so are limited. Shallan still has to figure out what the Ghostbloods are planning and stop them, enlisting the help of Renarin and Rlain. Meanwhile, Odium’s forces are making moves on the different kingdoms. There’s a war on all fronts, and the humans have to try their best to defend as many as possible. This dispersion of forces leads to some interesting pairs. Adolin is sent to defend Azir with Yanagawn, Kaladin and Szeth head to Shinovar, Sigzil is given command of the armies at the Shattered Plains, Jasnah heads to Thaylenah with Fen while Dalinar and Navani plan for the confrontation with Odium. Every few chapters, the days count down. It emphasizes how dire the situation is and this tension kept me on the edge of my seat the entire novel. There are a lot of chapters regarding previous Gods and the Recreance, but all of these are sprinkled in at regular intervals that aren’t too frequent to draw attention away from the main story. Each group has their own dynamics and mission to accomplish in order to defeat Odium. Will they have enough time?

Let’s start with Kaladin and Szeth. Szeth is sent on a pilgrimage to his homeland of Shinovar to help rid it of “the darkness.” Dalinar instructs Kaladin to go with him and the Wind urges Kaladin to help Szeth in any way he can. During this journey, Kaladin (inventor of therapy) gives Szeth counseling and urges him to make his own decisions. We get chapters dedicated to Szeth’s life that further contextualize his struggles, further exemplifying his need for therapy. Getting to know Szeth was a treat as I initially never expected this character to ever be of importance after Kaladin had initially defeated him. His growing relationship with Kaladin really made me come around to him. They play off each other well and, let’s just say, the personal growth isn’t one-sided.

Sigzil also comes into his own in this story. He leads the battle at the Shattered Plains. His tactical mind comes in handy and he does well as a leader. While he doesn’t see himself as a commander, he rises to the role naturally. The overwhelming forces at the Shattered Plains make the situation look hopeless, but Sigzil develops a plan to try and hold until the contest takes place. My respect for Sigzil grew as he puts his head down and perseveres no matter the cost.

Jasnah works with Fen to figure out the best plan to defend Thaylenah. There’s not too many chapters on this battlefront, but it’s still a gripping section of the story. Her philosophies are explored more, which I really enjoy as her views are similar to mine.

Dalinar and Navani devise a plan to explore the spirit realm for information on what happened to Honor and to find another way to combat Odium. Their mission involves many visions of the past that help illuminate the more obfuscated areas of the lore. I really liked seeing them work together in this endeavor, despite the journey feeling a bit slow.

Adolin’s chapters are the most exciting. He is defending the Oathgate in Azimir, which happens to be in the center of the city. The enemy is flooding out of the oathgate and his soldiers are the city’s line of defense. Again, they are overwhelmed with forces, but Maya has a plan. She needs to traverse Shadesmar to gather spren for reinforcement. Adolin, reluctantly, lets her go to pursue her solo mission, hoping that she can make it back in time. Meanwhile he, and the soldiers of Azir, work together to hold the enemy back until the contest of champions. Adolin wrestles with his complicated emotions for his father and his perceived inadequacy. He comes to realize many things about himself which I loved seeing. His growth is easily one of the best parts of the story and the events on his battlefield are also the most compelling.

As with all Sanderson material I’ve read thus far, this novel is dense. There’s a lot of information here and some of it can get lost in the sea. This entry in the Stormlight Archives gives a lot of development to most of the main characters and backstory to the world as a whole. Events that have been mentioned many times are explored in more depth, providing some much needed context. There are still many questions that haven’t been answered and the ending to this novel makes me anxious for what lies ahead. It was absolutely crazy. Some may see this entry as being slow, which it is in some parts, but all the diverse perspectives keep anything from getting stale. While this storytelling style isn’t for everyone, if you’ve made it this far in the series, it’s likely not a dealbreaker for you. Overall, Wind and Truth further developed the characters and furthered the story in meaningful ways that will have ramifications for the rest of the series. I loved this story and am not excited to wait years for the next one. I need it now!