I’m a bit behind getting this week’s questions answered due to much extra business at school, but I’m still having tons of fun with the read-along. I can’t wait to listen to more on my drive to ALA! This week’s host was Micheline at Lunar Rainbows. As usual for read-alongs, this post contains spoilers.
1. We seem to be getting more and more proof that there is some ”luck” or magic at play when it comes to Kaladin’s safety, survival and his skills – especially during those battle scenes. Even when performing that Kata in the Chasm, there was something incredible about his movements according to the rest of the crew. Initially the blade seemed to be the source of his skills (to me at least) , what do you think might be fueling his powers? Do you think they’re getting stronger?
Everything about Kaladin makes me want to know more about how the magic in this world works! What are spren? How do the relate to the storm energy Kaladin uses and which might power Dalinar’s visions? Could Syl somehow be helping Kaladin out? Does his natural fighting ability have something to do with wind spren? So, basically, I have no idea what’s going on here, but I can’t wait to find out.
2. We were introduced to Navani, King Gavilar’s widow and the current King Elhokar’s mother. What was your initial impression of her? There seems to be some complicated history between her and Dalinar, do you think she might end up being an ally or an eventual hindrance?
Oh man, she seems like trouble! I feel like she’s too ambitious and could lead Dalinar to do something rash. I like her though! She seems like a very intriguing character.
3. What did you make of Sadeas’ maneuver against Dalinar to gain the King’s favor by being named the High Prince of Information? How do you reconcile his actions with the advice Dalinar received ”to trust” Sadeas?
I’m really not sure about this. I like to think that Dalinar’s visions are helpful and that things will work out well for him as a result, but things aren’t looking to good for Sadeas. It’s possible he somehow thinks not presenting a united front with Dalinar will be beneficial politically, for himself or the king. However, with the way he treats bridgemen, it’s hard to give him the benefit of the doubt!
4. Where you surprised when Rock admitted to Kaladin that he was seemingly born being able to see the Spren and therefore could see Syl following Kaladin around? That led to a pivotal point for Kaladin, gaining Rock’s favor and then Teft’s. What were your thoughts on that whole scene? Can you speculate as to why some people are able to see the spren when others can not?
I was very surprised. I suppose it could be a matter of belief, with Rock expecting to spren and therefore being able to see them, but I think there’s more to it than that. I’d be surprised if Rock had similar abilities to Kaladin’s though and I can’t think of another explanation. My biggest reaction to this scene was excitement that things are finally starting to go Kaladin’s way. It’s so exciting and different to see someone in an epic fantasy making a difference on such a small scale. It just seems so admirable.
5. We got to see Adolin confront his father Dalinar because of his visions and lay all his cards on the table. Clearly Adolin thinks his father is losing it and his words seemed to shake Dalina’s own convictions as well. Do you think this will have a lasting effect on Dalinar’s belief in his visions? Not to mention his acting on them? Moreover, do you think Adolin will ever be convinced that there is more to Dalinar’s visions any time soon?
I’m concerned that Dalinar should believe in his visions, but will stop following their lead because of Adolin’s concerns. I do think Adolin will come around eventually, because I expect Dalinar’s visions to eventually have a huge impact on events in the present. However, I don’t think that will be any too soon.
6. As if in further indication of Dalinar and Kaladin’s collision course towards one another, Dalinar has agreed to train a bridge crew – without putting them directly into assault or harm’s way (of course, love these two!!) do you think their joined efforts might be enough to change the way the the other High Princes go about things during battle? Especially Sadeas?
I cannot wait for these two guys to meet! It’s going to be epic. It might change the way some high princes do things, if the bridge crews are demonstrably faster and Dalinar doesn’t lose more of his trained soldiers than Sadeas. I think Sadeas will only change what he’s doing if he starts losing gem hearts to Dalinar, since he’s certainly in no hurry to lose as few bridgemen as possible.
I’ve read several other Sanderson books, but this book seems to have the most complex magic system. I too have all sorts of questions about spren, the spheres that seem to drain of stormlight, Szeth’s lashings, etc.
Maybe Sadeas needs to rise higher before he can fall, and that is why Dalinar’s vision said to trust him. Sadeas may well hang himself with his arrogance.
I’m glad that now both Rock and Kaladin can be seen to talk to thin air as they converse with Syl. At least there will be two addle-headed men in the crew.
Good point that Sadeas is unlikely to change his ways as long as he is winning so many gemhearts. Dalinar needs to give him some serious competition and a reason to change.
nrlymrtl recently posted…The Broken Kingdoms Read Along Part IV
I’m loving the world building so much! It makes me want to read more by Sanderson right away.
What a clever idea! It would be very interesting if the voice wasn’t telling Dalinar to trust Sadeas because he’s trustworthy, but because that will lead to the best outcome.
Unfortunately, I think something that affects Sadeas’s success is pretty much the only thing that’s going to get through to him. He clearly doesn’t place a high value on human life.