Book three in the Stormlight Archive shares traits with both its predecessors in the series. Some are related to the plot and structure of the books. This book follows Dalinar in flashbacks whereas Kaladin and Shallan had the same treatment in Books one and two. There will be mention of the Edgedancer novella set between book two and this one. “Oathbringer is more of the same, but also different. Both in good ways and bad.

The Good, The Bad and The Cosmere

Fans of Brandon Sanderson’s shared universe called the Cosmere have no doubt already discovered these easter eggs. One involves a sword that makes an appearance from another book written early in Sanderson’s career. How it got from one planet to another, I may have missed, but it didn’t detract from the hype factor.

Because of the complexity and inextricable nature of a shared universe, some readers will feel lost. I watched countless summary videos after finishing the Graphic Audio version of “Oathbringer.” The whole ghostbloods plot with Shallan felt like what “Iron Man 2” or “Avengers: Age of Ultron” is to the Infinity Saga of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). That being setup for something larger without a lot of substance in the moment.

Unlike the first two books, Shallan’s point of view felt the least worked on. In fact, she’s tied with Kaladin in how much I enjoyed their sections. Since this is Dalinar’s book, I expected some of the focus to shift to him at the expense of other characters. Dalinar is a good character. Good in both his characterization and his morals. His present morals I should say.

The Blackthorn and Schizophrenic Shallan

Dalinar’s past and how he went from being called the Blackthorn with a reputation for his blood thirst is an interesting one. It borrows from mongol history and stories about Temujin (Genghis Khan). One Sanderson ripped wholesale from a historical text. While I didn’t make the connection the first time, my brain subconsciously remembered that flashback scene with the archer. As in previous stories in the Stormlight Archive, “Oathbringer” doesn’t pull its punches with the character it spends the most time on. You feel sorry for Dalinar Kholin after learning what he’s been through, both from his own actions and those of others.

While Kaladin feels like an afterthought, Shallon feels like a completely different character. There’s a reason for her personality shift. Those who’ve read the book know what I’m talking about. Why Sanderson goes the route he does I can only guess. It’s a dramatic shift I honestly could’ve gone without. Shallan was my favorite viewpoint character in “The Way of Kings.” Now, the scenes from her POV I probably would’ve skimmed if I were reading the book.

From Edgedancer to Oathbringer

I started listening to Edgedancer when I was about done with part three of six. To say it reinvigorated my interest would be an understatement. The tone of the two stories was like putting Deadpool in Zach Sanders Justice league. Whatever way you try and make it work, the sharp contrast would just not work. I also stopped Oathbringer at the right part. Not enough time had passed since the main character of “Edgedancers” introduction in “Oathbringer.” If I had listened ahead, I might have wondered where the character came from and how she knew all the main ones already. The edgedancer’s personality lies somewhere in between Wayne from the second era of Mistborn and Vin from the first trilogy. She has the humor of Wayne, but what she takes from Vin is a bit deeper. It was hard not to equate “luck” with Stormlight’s “awesomeness” as both terms were created by the user to describe their powers. In short, luck was allomancy for Vin. For Lift, what she calls awesomeness is known as lifelight. The fact they share the same voice actress in Graphic Audio’s stable of performers doesn’t help with debunking the theory.

8/10 Stars

SPOILERS for WORDS OF RADIANCE and OATHBRINGER

Near the end of “Words of Radiance,” Shallan learns she was responsible for her father’s death and she did so to protect her brothers from their father’s quick temper and wrath. While trauma is only to be expected in a situation like this, I don’t get how one goes from remembering the event to creating new identities. Especially when Shallan’s reasoning for creating her Veil persona is to gain information from a group called the Ghost Bloods.

Kaladin has a moment near the end that the music enhances much like in “Words of Radiance.” However, the emotion associated with the one in “Oathbringer” isn’t heroism. It’s of sadness and despair. Having not read the book, I imagine the addition of music in the Graphic Audio version was more impactful than reading would have been.

Overall, “Oathbringer” certainly feels like the middle book of Stormlight Archive’s first half. It has its ups and downs and unlike most of Sanderson’s endings, I not only felt confused by the end — I also became bored. Two emotions that when mixed together give an unpleasant experience.