Definitely Not A Cop said:

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Words of Brandon, Q&A spoilers, and Reddit musings in regards to your first spoiler text:

So the oathpact was only able to be broken once one of the Heralds gave in to their torture on Braize. The Everstorm being made makes that rule kind of weird, but let's hold off on thinking about it for now. From the flashbacks we have seen, there were already Voidspren crossing over to Roshar before Taln makes it back (seen in Venlis flashbacks from the last book.

Someone specifically has asked Brandon during a Q&A if Taln was the reason the oathpact failed this time. Brandon replied that Taln has still never given in. So the most popular theory is that another Herald died, went to Braize, and then gave in almost immediately.

Some people with less proof than belief also think that may have been Shallans mother. The idea is that their family is connected to basically every single secret organization on Roshar (radiants, ghostbloods, skybreakers, Hoid, etc.). We know Shallan was named after Shallash (apparently Ash's best friend was Chanarach, who had red hair), and years later, Shallan could still see her mother's "soul" glowing through the painting in their house with the hidden safe. It wouldn't be shallans deadeye blade, so could it have been a heralds blade still glowing? Brandon has also said that Chanarach has been seen in the books, even if her original name wasn't used.

Anyways, still a lot of theories and not a lot of answers. Can't wait for the next book.

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HummingbirdSaltalamacchia said:

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Definitely Not A Cop said:

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Words of Brandon, Q&A spoilers, and Reddit musings in regards to your first spoiler text:

So the oathpact was only able to be broken once one of the Heralds gave in to their torture on Braize. The Everstorm being made makes that rule kind of weird, but let's hold off on thinking about it for now. From the flashbacks we have seen, there were already Voidspren crossing over to Roshar before Taln makes it back (seen in Venlis flashbacks from the last book.

Someone specifically has asked Brandon during a Q&A if Taln was the reason the oathpact failed this time. Brandon replied that Taln has still never given in. So the most popular theory is that another Herald died, went to Braize, and then gave in almost immediately.

Some people with less proof than belief also think that may have been Shallans mother. The idea is that their family is connected to basically every single secret organization on Roshar (radiants, ghostbloods, skybreakers, Hoid, etc.). We know Shallan was named after Shallash (apparently Ash's best friend was Chanarach, who had red hair), and years later, Shallan could still see her mother's "soul" glowing through the painting in their house with the hidden safe. It wouldn't be shallans deadeye blade, so could it have been a heralds blade still glowing? Brandon has also said that Chanarach has been seen in the books, even if her original name wasn't used.

Anyways, still a lot of theories and not a lot of answers. Can't wait for the next book.

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Oh snap. Chana being Shallans mom would be bonkers Hadn't heard that one yet.

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Flatlander said:

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HummingbirdSaltalamacchia said:

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Definitely Not A Cop said:

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Words of Brandon, Q&A spoilers, and Reddit musings in regards to your first spoiler text:

So the oathpact was only able to be broken once one of the Heralds gave in to their torture on Braize. The Everstorm being made makes that rule kind of weird, but let's hold off on thinking about it for now. From the flashbacks we have seen, there were already Voidspren crossing over to Roshar before Taln makes it back (seen in Venlis flashbacks from the last book.

Someone specifically has asked Brandon during a Q&A if Taln was the reason the oathpact failed this time. Brandon replied that Taln has still never given in. So the most popular theory is that another Herald died, went to Braize, and then gave in almost immediately.

Some people with less proof than belief also think that may have been Shallans mother. The idea is that their family is connected to basically every single secret organization on Roshar (radiants, ghostbloods, skybreakers, Hoid, etc.). We know Shallan was named after Shallash (apparently Ash's best friend was Chanarach, who had red hair), and years later, Shallan could still see her mother's "soul" glowing through the painting in their house with the hidden safe. It wouldn't be shallans deadeye blade, so could it have been a heralds blade still glowing? Brandon has also said that Chanarach has been seen in the books, even if her original name wasn't used.

Anyways, still a lot of theories and not a lot of answers. Can't wait for the next book.

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Oh snap. Chana being Shallans mom would be bonkers Hadn't heard that one yet.

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I have actually been harboring a theory that Shallan herself is Chanarach. She fits the description, and her being a herald would definitely explain her mental condition.

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heddleston said:

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Shallan's mom died somewhere pretty close to the same time as Gavilar so that makes sense. Gavilar and the Stormfather's conversation confirm that Chanarach had 'fiery red hair', so thats a nother point in favor of it being her.
Also, do we really think its the actual Stormfather Gavilar is speaking with? Lots of stuff seemed way out of character for him and some redditor pointed out he was doing some stuff that the Stormfather had specifically said he couldnt do in RoW (like see inside buildings). Many are positing that its Ishar impersonating the stormfather, which makes sense that he'd be able to sense another Herald dying.

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HummingbirdSaltalamacchia said:

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Flatlander said:

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HummingbirdSaltalamacchia said:

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Definitely Not A Cop said:

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Words of Brandon, Q&A spoilers, and Reddit musings in regards to your first spoiler text:

So the oathpact was only able to be broken once one of the Heralds gave in to their torture on Braize. The Everstorm being made makes that rule kind of weird, but let's hold off on thinking about it for now. From the flashbacks we have seen, there were already Voidspren crossing over to Roshar before Taln makes it back (seen in Venlis flashbacks from the last book.

Someone specifically has asked Brandon during a Q&A if Taln was the reason the oathpact failed this time. Brandon replied that Taln has still never given in. So the most popular theory is that another Herald died, went to Braize, and then gave in almost immediately.

Some people with less proof than belief also think that may have been Shallans mother. The idea is that their family is connected to basically every single secret organization on Roshar (radiants, ghostbloods, skybreakers, Hoid, etc.). We know Shallan was named after Shallash (apparently Ash's best friend was Chanarach, who had red hair), and years later, Shallan could still see her mother's "soul" glowing through the painting in their house with the hidden safe. It wouldn't be shallans deadeye blade, so could it have been a heralds blade still glowing? Brandon has also said that Chanarach has been seen in the books, even if her original name wasn't used.

Anyways, still a lot of theories and not a lot of answers. Can't wait for the next book.

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Oh snap. Chana being Shallans mom would be bonkers Hadn't heard that one yet.

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I have actually been harboring a theory that Shallan herself is Chanarach. She fits the description, and her being a herald would definitely explain her mental condition.

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Thats really interesting... is your theory that her family, mother/father/brother werent really her family then? more like guardians? or perhaps something more akin to a prisoner considering her family's connections?

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Flatlander said:

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HummingbirdSaltalamacchia said:

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Flatlander said:

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HummingbirdSaltalamacchia said:

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Definitely Not A Cop said:

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Words of Brandon, Q&A spoilers, and Reddit musings in regards to your first spoiler text:

So the oathpact was only able to be broken once one of the Heralds gave in to their torture on Braize. The Everstorm being made makes that rule kind of weird, but let's hold off on thinking about it for now. From the flashbacks we have seen, there were already Voidspren crossing over to Roshar before Taln makes it back (seen in Venlis flashbacks from the last book.

Someone specifically has asked Brandon during a Q&A if Taln was the reason the oathpact failed this time. Brandon replied that Taln has still never given in. So the most popular theory is that another Herald died, went to Braize, and then gave in almost immediately.

Some people with less proof than belief also think that may have been Shallans mother. The idea is that their family is connected to basically every single secret organization on Roshar (radiants, ghostbloods, skybreakers, Hoid, etc.). We know Shallan was named after Shallash (apparently Ash's best friend was Chanarach, who had red hair), and years later, Shallan could still see her mother's "soul" glowing through the painting in their house with the hidden safe. It wouldn't be shallans deadeye blade, so could it have been a heralds blade still glowing? Brandon has also said that Chanarach has been seen in the books, even if her original name wasn't used.

Anyways, still a lot of theories and not a lot of answers. Can't wait for the next book.

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Oh snap. Chana being Shallans mom would be bonkers Hadn't heard that one yet.

---

I have actually been harboring a theory that Shallan herself is Chanarach. She fits the description, and her being a herald would definitely explain her mental condition.

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Thats really interesting... is your theory that her family, mother/father/brother werent really her family then? more like guardians? or perhaps something more akin to a prisoner considering her family's connections?

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Yeah, something like that. They are not actually her family; Shallan just believes they are because 'Shallan' is just one of her personalities that she has manufactured. Whether the family itself is guardian or prisoner, not sure, or even if they would know themselves. The Ghostbloods could have just said, 'Hey watch over this girl. She's important and a little looney; just play along.' But with this new revelation about a Herald dying around the same time her mother did, I can see how her mother being Chanarach makes a lot of sense. Although, can Heralds have children?

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DallasTeleAg said:

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Figured I'd post this here, but Sanderson just released new copies of signed leatherbounds for several of his books. I have been waiting to pick up a leatherbound copy of Warbreaker. I already have Way of Kings and Final Empire (though my Final Empire is not signed).

Edit: Looks like no Well of Ascension or Hero of Ages. I went ahead and also got the Elantris copy, for my collection.

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loma_vista78 said:

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I've heard a lot about Sanderson recently and am wanting to try out reading more fantasy. Would you say his series are good intro fantasy reading? Which book/series should I start with?

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MW03 said:

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loma_vista78 said:

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I've heard a lot about Sanderson recently and am wanting to try out reading more fantasy. Would you say his series are good intro fantasy reading? Which book/series should I start with?

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Sanderson's works are definitely "high fantasy." The places are pretty much characters all their own. In high fantasy, you get really, really rich world building, and they develop their own elaborate histories and mythos. Folks that love Sanderson love that kind of stuff. It's the same thing that most people love about Tolkien. There's a world (or in Sanderson's novels, a universe) that gets developed as you read about events that are happening in it. People besides the author will write 400 page books about a history that is never even fully fleshed out in the novel itself.

But it's dense. If you like worldbuilding, then you'll like Sanderson. I wouldn't necessarily call it "easy" fantasy writing even if it's easy to read because there's a lot to keep track of, and I think that can be off-putting to some readers that haven't jumped into high fantasy before.

Compare that against "low fantasy" or "soft fantasy" I tend to think of low fantasy as a fantasy novel that doesn't need world building, primarily because you are already familiar with the place. There may be rules to the fantasy elements (i.e., magic) but there is no real explanation or interest in explaining how the fantasy elements came to exist in the first place. Some may disagree, but I think Harry Potter is an excellent example of low fantasy. It happens on Earth, so there's no need to world build, except to explain how the wizarding world co-exists. There are rules to the magic (i.e., you're born with it or you aren't, and you have to learn the code words to use it) but there's no explanation of what makes someone born with it particularly magical.

Anyway, I think some folks who aren't into fantasy at all find low fantasy more approachable at first.

None of this is to deter you away from Sanderson; he's the best going right now at high fantasy. Just a bit of a heads up as to why each book is 900 pages.

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