Timewaster's Guide Archive

He hit #7 on the New York Bestsellers  list as per http://www.brandonsanderson.com/blog/916/The-Great-Hunt-Update

Congratulations and may it stay on the list for more than one week!

Quote from: Munin on September 06, 2010, 06:51:13 PM

Quote from: Chaos2651 on September 06, 2010, 06:43:09 PM

Reading it again, it seems like Taln just collapsed. That doesn't mean he died.

Well, it depends. If Dawnblades vanish when their wielder dies, then he's still alive. If they act like Shardblades and vanish when you go unconscious, and clatter down next to your body when you die, then he's a goner.

Here's the relevant quote, from the prelude (page 16):

Quote

Seven magnificent swords stood proudly here, driven point-first into the stone ground.  Each was a masterly work of art, flowing in design, inscribed with glyphs and patterns.  He recognized each one.  If their masters had died, the blades would have vanished.

I guess I assumed too soon that Telanel had died. Him collapsing combined with saying that he had failed seemed to indicate to me that he was dead (the Desolation had come before and that didn't mean the Heralds had failed). But since the sword didn't vanish, he's probably still alive.

I don't know if I completely missed something in the discussions or if no one cares about them, but I just reread the Prelude and now I'm interested in what has happened to the Heralds.

I know that nine of the ten abandoned the Oathpact, but what does that mean? They were immortal, so does that mean that they still live on Roshar, but just decided to stay out of the problems of the world? Or did they become mortal when they gave up their swords and they're 4500 years dead.

The one Herald who didn't betray the Oathpact, Talenel, died once again at the end of WoK, so now Roshar is completely on its own. His sword did not vanish at the end, so I assume that means he's out of the cycle of life, death, hell, life.

Does whoever picks up his sword take his place as a Herald or did they just win a Shardblade 2.0 with no responsibilities?

Those kinds of covers are really popular now, I guess. A white background with one character in a close up and a splash of color somewhere. I guess maybe they sell more.

Here's one that kind of has the same style. http://www.amazon.com/Way-Shadows-Night-Angel-Trilogy/dp/0316033677/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1281995144&sr=8-1

And one that surprised me when I saw it because it looked so similar. http://www.amazon.com/Innocent-Mage-Kingmaker-Kingbreaker-Book/dp/0316067806/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1281995274&sr=8-1

Three new chapters were put up at Tor.com today, so if you haven't yet, check them out now at http://www.tor.com/stories/2010/07/the-way-of-kings-chapters-4-5-and-6

They don't have the text available(only audio), and I was a bit disappointed because I prefer reading to listening. Since I am a visual learner, that way I will have the character's names more ingrained in my brain and I can go at my own pace. I was pleasantly surprised by how well the chapters were read, though. So kudos to Kate Reading and Michael Kramer.

Honestly, I'm not really that interested in Shallan's character right now. I know once the story progresses she'll probably get into some trouble and her character will become interesting, but she's not there yet for me. That whole "I'm going to steal her stone" thing at the end of her storyline so far probably was supposed to be a big plot twist that makes your mind go "Wow!" or "Oh no!" or some strong emotion, but I just thought "Ok. Good for her. She might get interesting soon"

I really got invested in Kaladin's character in these chapters, though. Especially when he became a bridge carrier. At that point the story started to get really interesting for me.

Anyway, I know I haven't done any speculating or much discussion of new character development, but that's what this thread is for, so... Discuss!

Also, on the subject of the orders, what do you guys think that means?  Ten orders, like ten things someone told him to do?  Orders, like ten groups of people?  The first time I read it, I thought about it meaning the latter, but the second time, I assumed the former.  What do you guys think?

From the summary on amazon,

"It has been centuries since the fall of the ten consecrated orders known as the Knights Radiant, but their Shardblades and Shardplate remain: mystical swords and suits of armor that transform ordinary men into near-invincible warriors. Men trade kingdoms for Shardblades. Wars were fought for them, and won by them." 

So that pretty much confirms that they are not word orders, but group orders. Though you probably already knew that.

You really should find a different abbreviation for Amyrlin Seat. AS for both Aes Sedai and Amyrlin Seat doesn't work.