Rhythm of War

Did You Know?

• The unabridged audiobook won the 2022 Audie Award for Fantasy.
• A 6-part GraphicAudio version was released between December 2020 and December 2021.
• The sequel, Wind and Truth, was released on December 6, 2024.

Development

The writing process for Rhythm of War began in January 2019, with a planned 2020 release. Its working title was The Song of Changes, which Sanderson stated was never intended as the final title. Originally the novel was to feature flashbacks solely from Eshonai's perspective, with Venli in the present-day timeline, but Sanderson eventually decided on mixed flashbacks from both characters. Sanderson noted that the Wit epilogue was something he had long anticipated. A time-jump occurs between the third and fourth books. The American cover was revealed on August 17, 2020.

Plot

The story is divided into five parts, each with multiple point-of-view characters. Dalinar gains the ability to ride highstorms with the Stormfather and formalizes a contest of champions with Odium, set for ten days, which will end the war; Odium plans to conquer more of Roshar and the Cosmere. Navani is captured in Urithiru by the Fused commander Raboniel but continues her research. She learns to manipulate Stormlight and Voidlight, discovering that Honor, Cultivation, and Odium each have associated Light—Storm, Life, and Void—which can be combined. She creates anti-light, capable of permanently killing Fused and spren. Navani bonds with Urithiru's spren, the Sibling, becoming a Bondsmith, and at Raboniel's request permanently kills her. Moash arrives to kill Navani and Kaladin; Navani permanently blinds him with light. Adolin also features in the narrative.