Read-Along: The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson, Part 4

It's time for the fourth post about Brandon Sanderson's The Way of Kings. Questions this week were provided by Lunar Rainbows, and cover up through chapter 27.  Keep in mind that there are spoilers of the book through chapter 27 below!

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?

I am not sure what’s fueling his power, though my best guess is the “Radiant Reborn” idea.  I think they’ve always been pretty much this strong, from what we’ve heard.  He felt the ‘magic’ the first time he picked up a staff, and he was far more amazing and unkillable as a soldier than someone with his training was expected to be. 

Also, I could be misreading it, but I think Kaladin is implying he killed a Shardbearer, which is a remarkable feat for an ordinary soldier.  My theory from what we currently know of his situation is that he killed the Shardbearer we last saw in his first chapter, but then Amaram sold him into slavery instead of letting him keep the Shards and become a lighteyes.  We’re slowly working our way through Kaladin’s life, so I hope we get to that chapter soon!

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?

My first impression is that she is probably going to be Dalinar’s love interest.  Dalinar clearly still has a thing for her, though he might be conflicted by the fact that she’s his brother’s widow.  In their history, he comments that they both always knew she’d pick Gavilar (I assume because he was the heir).  I can’t help but wonder if that love triangle existed because she wanted to pick Dalinar, and just felt she couldn’t.  Things might be different now.  In short, I think she’ll be an ally.

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?

That was a clever twist, and it was really frustrating to see that Elhokar didn’t even notice. He can’t even recognize maneuvering when it happens right in front of him, but he obsesses over a broken strap.  He is such a rubbish king.  Anyway, I still think (hope!) Sadeas is trying to assassinate Elhokar, and the advice is aimed at getting Dalinar the throne.

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?

It was very nice to get to know some of the bridgemen!  I wasn’t especially surprised when Rock said he could see the spren.  We know this world has some wide diversity, since the Alethi and Parshendi seem so biologically different, so it makes sense that other races have different ways of seeing the world.

It was great seeing Kaladin slowly winning the group over, not through intimidation but through making their lives worth living.  I kind of dread the next bridge run, because now that they’re actually becoming a team, the next wave of deaths is going to hit them hard.  I’m hoping that Sadeas decides they’re a ‘problem crew’ and gifts them to Dalinar, to teach him how to use these bridges.

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 Dalinar'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 think Adolin is wrong, but I can’t fault him for his perspective.  He really should have talked to his dad more privately, but I think Dalinar was the one who was preventing that from happening.  I respect that he cares enough about his dad to talk to him that way, rather than just quietly scheming to get him out of power.  I think Adolin will believe him when the Desolation starts to come, but maybe not before.

I don’t know if the outburst shook Dalinar’s faith in his visions, but I think he did bring an important point to his attention.  The war might be a stupid trophy-winning game, but no one will listen to Dalinar unless he has his own stack of trophies.  He has no hope of uniting the highprinces unless he works within the framework of the things they value.

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?

Come on Sadeas, give Dalinar Bridge Four!  That’s what I hope will happen, anyway.  I think it would be great if Dalinar can find a decently moral way to up his speed, based on the previous idea of gaining the respect of the other highprinces.  If he ends up taking Kaladin on as a soldier, and giving him Shardplate and blade, I think that might be enough to turn the tides in favor of his house.

Other Notes:

What has happened to Shallan and Jasnah?  It seems like we haven't seen their storyline for a few hundred pages, and I miss the break from all the war stories.

At least we're starting to get a tiny bit of information about the Parshendi.  Apparently they grow their own armor exoskeletons!