Warbreaker

Did You Know?

• Some concepts for Warbreaker originated in an unfinished 2001 manuscript called Mythwalker, which Sanderson found boring and never finished.
• Sanderson's decision to release the book for free was inspired by Cory Doctorow.
• A possible name for a second book in the same world is Nightblood, but Sanderson indicated in 2024 it is scheduled for after 2031.

Plot summary

The story follows two Idrian princesses, Vivenna and Siri. Vivenna was contracted through a treaty to marry the God King of rival nation Hallandren, but King Dedelin sends his other daughter Siri instead. Vivenna follows to Hallandren hoping to save Siri. There she meets Lemex, her father's spy, who dies and bequeaths his BioChromatic Breath to her.

Vivenna joins mercenaries Denth and Tonk Fah, launching guerilla attacks on Hallandren's supplies. Siri, after terrified nights, discovers the God King has had his tongue cut out by priests and is a figurehead with a childlike outlook. She teaches him to communicate by writing, and they fall in love. Siri believes priests plot to kill them if she produces an heir and fears war.

She finds a potential ally in the god Lightsong. Vivenna learns Denth and Tonk Fah were hired to instigate war, escapes, and is taken in by Vasher, a skilled Awakener wielding the sentient sword Nightblood. Together they work to undo Denth's damage and avert war.

Setting

The planet Nalthis is the main setting, inhabited by the shard Endowment, which influences the magic system Biochroma. Every human born on Nalthis has one Breath, the source for Awakening and Returning. Hallandren is a powerful kingdom where Tears of Edgli grow, in a jungle climate with sea trades. To its east lies an inland sea with islands; Hallandren controls at least a third of the coastline, with its capital abutting the water. The area suffers frequent earthquakes. The magic system, Awakening, allows bringing objects to life and provides benefits like perfect pitch and agelessness while holding BioChromatic Breath. Awakening drains color from surroundings.

Characters

Siri is the youngest daughter of King Dedelin, with a reputation for misbehavior, sent to marry the God King. Vivenna, the eldest and most beloved, was trained her whole life for that role. Susebron is the God King of Hallandren, a Returned ruler with more Breath than any living being. Lightsong the Bold is a Returned god of bravery who doubts his divinity. Llarimar is his devoted high priest. Treledees is the high priest of Susebron. Denth is an amiable, highly skilled mercenary employed by Vivenna. Tonk Fah is Denth's musclebound partner. Bluefingers is a moderately ranked servant of Pahn Kahl origins. Blushweaver is a beautiful Returned goddess and friend to Lightsong. Parlin is an Idrian friend of Vivenna. Vasher is a mysterious, powerful Awakener who wields the sentient sword Nightblood.

Reception

Orson Scott Card initially found the magic system disappointing for being too far-fetched, but accepted it when color draining was a symptom rather than the source. He praised the story's political intrigue, differentiated cultures, and believable motivations. Michael Moorcock commended the originality of character and plot, highlighting Vasher's relationship with his sentient sword, and called the novel a refreshing fantasy tale. SFFWorld described the book as well-wrought, intelligent, and surprising, noting it was a conspiracy novel with hints of 1984 wrapped in a fantasy package.