Rhythm of War

Did You Know?

• The unabridged audiobook, read by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading, won the 2022 Audie Award for Fantasy.
• A 6-part GraphicAudio version was released between December 2020 and December 2021.
• The manuscript was approximately 460,000 words, slightly longer than Oathbringer.

Development

Sanderson began writing the novel in January 2019, targeting a 2020 release. The working title was The Song of Changes, which he stated was never intended as the final title. Originally, flashbacks were planned solely from Eshonai's perspective, with Venli in the present-day timeline, but Sanderson later decided on mixed flashbacks from both characters. The author noted that the Wit epilogue was something he had long anticipated. A time-jump occurs between Oathbringer and this book. The American cover was revealed on August 17, 2020.

Plot

The story is divided into five parts, each with multiple points of view. Dalinar gains the ability to ride highstorms with the Stormfather and formalizes a contest of champions with Odium, set in 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 under 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. Navani creates anti-light, capable of permanently killing Fused and spren. She bonds with the Sibling, the spren of Urithiru, becoming a Bondsmith, and at Raboniel's request permanently kills her. Moash arrives to kill Navani and Kaladin; Navani blinds him with light. Adolin's narrative is also present.