Wind and Truth
 First edition book cover | |
| Author | Brandon Sanderson |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Michael Whelan |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Stormlight Archive |
| Genre | Epic fantasy |
| Publisher | Tor Books |
Publication date | December 6, 2024 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (hardcover and paperback), audiobook, e-book |
| Pages | 1344 |
| Preceded by | Rhythm of War |
Wind and Truth is an epic fantasy novel written by American author Brandon Sanderson and the fifth book in The Stormlight Archive series. It was published on December 6, 2024,[1] and is the ending to the first half of the series. Sanderson has said that the latter half of the series will be written after he finishes writing the upcoming Era Three Mistborn trilogy and the two Elantris sequels and projects a completion date near the end of 2031.[2]
As with Kaladin in The Way of Kings, Shallan in Words of Radiance, Dalinar in Oathbringer and the characters Eshonai and Venli in Rhythm of War, Wind and Truth will have a sequence of flashback chapters, this time from the perspective of Szeth, the Assassin in White.
The unabridged audiobook is read by narration team Michael Kramer and Kate Reading.[3]
Development
[edit]The writing process for the book started in January 2022.[4] The book was previously known as Knights of Wind and Truth before Sanderson decided on Wind and Truth. In December 2023 Sanderson announced the completion of the first draft of the novel,[5] which was later followed by the announcement of the publication date by his publisher Tor Books.[6]
The synopsis of Wind and Truth that came with the announcement was as follows:
Dalinar Kholin has challenged the evil god Odium to a contest of champions, and the Knights Radiant and the nations of Roshar have a mere 10 days to prepare for the worst. The fate of the entire world - and the Cosmere at large - hangs in the balance.
Sanderson has stated that Dalinar Kholin will have a larger role in the book than he had in Rhythm of War. The planned ending of the novel is based upon the ending he planned out for an RPG in 1999, and has been in the outline of the series from the start. Sanderson hopes that it will land right with people and recontextualize many important moments in the story.[6]
On June 4, 2024, Sanderson announced on his Twitter account that he finished the last part of the novel, turning the book in at 491,000 words; this made Wind and Truth the longest book in the series.[7]
Sanderson calls writing The Stormlight Archive novels "quite draining" and will take a break from the project for a time while he works on sequels to Mistborn and Elantris. Sanderson's next projected release for part two of The Stormlight Archive story arch is 2031.[8]
Viewpoint characters
[edit]The primary chapters within the book are told from the viewpoint of several major characters, while the book's interludes are told from the viewpoint of other characters (not all of which repeat).
Pre-publication content
[edit]- In March 2022, Sanderson did a reading of the first draft of the prologue on his YouTube channel.
- At FanX in 2022, Sanderson did a reading of the first part of Kaladin's first chapter from the first draft of the novel.
- At New York Comic Con in 2022, Sanderson did a reading of the first draft of Szeth's first chapter.
- During Dragonsteel 2022, Sanderson did a reading of the remainder of Kaladin's first chapter as well as his second chapter.
- Also during Dragonsteel 2022, Sanderson did a reading of Szeth's third flashback chapter.
- At Tampa Bay Comic in 2023, Sanderson read from a Jasnah chapter.
- During Dragonsteel 2023, Sanderson did a reading of an interlude.
- At C2E2 in 2024, Sanderson did a reading of the first two Shallan chapters.
- Starting at July 29, 2024, two chapters of the finished book were released each week for free until the book's full release in December.[9]
Audiobook
[edit]The audiobook version of the book was released on the same day as the hardcover version and is read by narrator team Michael Kramer and Kate Reading, who also read The Way of Kings, Words of Radiance, Oathbringer, Rhythm of War and several other books written by Sanderson.
References
[edit]- ^ Sanderson, Brandon. Wind and Truth: Book Five of the Stormlight Archive. Tor Books. ISBN 1250319188.
- ^ "State of the Sanderson 2022". December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- ^ "Amazon.com: Wind and Truth: Book Five of the Stormlight Archive (Audible Audio Edition): Brandon Sanderson, Kate Reading, Michael Kramer, Macmillan Audio: Books". www.amazon.com.
- ^ Horne, Adam (January 10, 2022). "Starting Stormlight Five!".
- ^ Escamilla, Octavia (December 26, 2023). "Stormlight 5 Finished! + Weekly Update".
- ^ a b Armstrong, Vanessa (December 19, 2023). "Brandon Sanderson's Fifth Stormlight Archive Book Gets Publishing Date". Reactor.
- ^ https://x.com/BrandSanderson/status/1797791128688984452
- ^ Papadopoulos, Charles (2024-12-24). ""Savor It": Brandon Sanderson Just Confirmed Our Biggest Fear About The Next Stormlight Archive Book". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
- ^ Reactor (2024-07-16). "Read Brandon Sanderson's Wind and Truth Here on Reactor, Starting in July". Reactor. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
External links
[edit]- The Stormlight Archive series listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
- The Stormlight Archive at the Internet Book List
- The Stormlight Archive. Mormon Literature & Creative Arts Database.
- The Complete Spren Catalogue at Tor.com
- A Field Guide To Roshar at Tor.com
- The series page on the Coppermind, the Brandon Sanderson wiki