Introducing “Dawnshard,” an enthralling novella by Brandon Sanderson, the acclaimed author behind the #1 New York Times bestselling Stormlight Archive series, including the monumental fourth installment, “Rhythm of War.” Set between the events of “Oathbringer” and “Rhythm of War,” this weighty tale, much like its predecessor “Edgedancer,” grants often-overlooked characters their moment in the spotlight.
When a haunted vessel surfaces, its crew presumed deceased after a futile attempt to reach the storm-veiled island of Akina, Navani Kholin must dispatch an expedition to ensure the island has not fallen into enemy hands. Since Knights Radiant who venture too close experience a sudden depletion of their Stormlight, the journey must be undertaken by sea.
Rysn Ftori, owner of the ship, has been deprived of the use of her legs but has gained the extraordinary companionship of Chiri-Chiri, a winged larkin capable of consuming Stormlight—an exceptional creature believed to be extinct. Now, Rysn’s cherished companion is ailing, and the only hope for Chiri-Chiri’s recovery lies within the ancestral abode of the larkin: Akinah. Teaming up with Lopen, the Windrunner who once had just one arm, Rysn must embrace Navani’s mission and embark on a treacherous voyage into the relentless tempest from which no one has returned alive. Should the crew fail to unravel the enigmas of the concealed island city before the wrath of its ancient guardians descends upon them, the destiny of Roshar and the entire Cosmere hangs perilously in the balance.
I’ve been eagerly anticipating this moment for so long that I held off on reading and listening to “Rhythm of War” until I completed this book. Honestly, though, I found this book quite boring. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely adore Rysn as a character, but for a significant portion of the book, it felt like I was just witnessing her struggle with her disability. I understand that it’s a new challenge for her and it explores how she copes with it, but I believe it was excessively emphasized. To a large extent, it didn’t even feel like a fantasy book. It was more like a story about a girl unable to walk on a boat.
There was minimal action throughout, except for the final 30 minutes. Now, that may sound harsh, but in the case of Kaladin or Shallan, there were always external events unfolding while they grappled with their inner conflicts. Here, nothing of the sort happens. It’s simply a girl on a boat, as I mentioned before. I truly hope we delve deeper into Rysn’s character in future books because in “Oathbringer,” she was undeniably captivating. However, in this book, I lost all interest in her.
Another peculiar aspect was The Lopin. In the main series, I really enjoy The Lopin. He brings humor and is one of my favorite characters, providing comedic relief while remaining cool. But in this book, he felt forced, overwhelming, and annoying, as if he was pushed to serve a specific purpose in the end. When the story finally began to pick up momentum towards the end, I yearned for more, so much more.
And just when I was getting truly engaged, it abruptly concluded. To be honest, this book failed to live up to Brandon’s usual writing standards. It was a complete disappointment, in my opinion. (This may not be the best analogy, but in one of the James Bond movies, there was a whole plot centered around a poker game, and it managed to keep you captivated throughout. I believe if Brandon had crafted an entire book around a high-stakes deal or the pursuit of a coveted objective, it would have been truly epic.)
