Wind and Truth

Did You Know?

• The unabridged audiobook is read by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading.
• A 5-part GraphicAudio version was released between June 2025 and March 2026.
• Sanderson hopes the ending will recontextualize many important moments in the story.

Development

Sanderson began writing the novel in January 2022 under the working title Knights of Wind and Truth before settling on Wind and Truth. The first draft was completed in December 2023, and Tor Books later announced the publication date. The synopsis states that Dalinar Kholin has challenged the god Odium to a contest of champions, with the Knights Radiant and Roshar's nations having ten days to prepare. Sanderson indicated Dalinar would have a larger role than in Rhythm of War.

The ending was based on a plan Sanderson made for an RPG in 1999 and had been part of the series outline from the start. On June 4, 2024, Sanderson announced he had finished the last part of the novel at 491,000 words, making it the longest book in the series. He described writing Stormlight Archive novels as draining and said he would take a break to work on Mistborn and Elantris sequels, with the next Stormlight installment projected for 2031.

Plot

The prologue, set seven and a half years earlier, shows King Gavilar seeking immortality by bonding with the Stormfather, who severs the bond due to Gavilar's arrogance, leading to Szeth's assassination. On Day One, Dalinar challenges Odium to the Contest of Champions. Shallan learns Ba-Ado-Mishram is imprisoned in the Spiritual Realm and decides to thwart the Ghostbloods' plan. Shallan and Adolin discover a Singer army preparing to attack Azimir, meet Kaladin at Azir, and return to Urithiru.

Odium, with Taravangian as his vessel, arrives at Tu Bayla. On Day Two, Adolin and Shallan part ways; Shallan goes to Narak, where the Ghostbloods have fled. Cultivation reveals Honor's power is hidden in the Spiritual Realm. Wit learns loopholes in the contract allow countries to be captured via capitals.

Jasnah departs to Thaylenah, Sigzil leads Bridge Four at the Shattered Plains, and Adolin goes to Azir. Dalinar and Navani open a portal to the Spiritual Realm. Shallan learns a former ally captured Kalak. Mraize and Iyatil flee to Shadesmar using an Anti-Stormlight weapon.

Shallan seeks aid from Renarin and Rlain. Mraize tosses an Anti-Stormlight dagger into the portal, breaking the perpendicularity and closing it.

Pre-publication content

In March 2022, Sanderson read the first draft of the prologue on his YouTube channel. At FanX 2022, he read part of Kaladin's first chapter. At New York Comic Con 2022, he read Szeth's first chapter. During Dragonsteel 2022, he read the remainder of Kaladin's first chapter, his second chapter, and Szeth's third flashback chapter. At Tampa Bay Comic 2023, he read a Jasnah chapter. At Dragonsteel 2023, he read an interlude. At C2E2 2024, he read the first two Shallan chapters.