Wind and Truth (2024)

Wind and Truth is an epic fantasy novel written by American author Brandon Sanderson and is the fifth book in The Stormlight Archive series. It was published on December 6, 2024, and is the ending to the first half of the series. Sanderson has said that the latter half of the series will be written after he finishes writing the upcoming Era Three Mistborn trilogy and the two Elantris sequels, and he projects a completion date near the end of 2031.

As with Kaladin in The Way of Kings, Shallan in Words of Radiance, Dalinar in Oathbringer and the characters Eshonai and Venli in Rhythm of War, Wind and Truth contains a sequence of flashback chapters, this time from the perspective of Szeth, the Assassin in White.

The unabridged audiobook is read by narration team Michael Kramer and Kate Reading.

Development

The writing process for the book started in January 2022. The book was known under the working title Knights of Wind and Truth before Sanderson decided on Wind and Truth. In December 2023 Sanderson announced the completion of the first draft of the novel, which was later followed by the announcement of the publication date by his publisher Tor Books.

The synopsis of Wind and Truth that came with the announcement is as follows:

Dalinar Kholin has challenged the evil god Odium to a contest of champions, and the Knights Radiant and the nations of Roshar have a mere 10 days to prepare for the worst. The fate of the entire world - and the Cosmere at large - hangs in the balance.

Sanderson has stated that Dalinar Kholin would have a larger role in the book than he had in Rhythm of War. The planned ending of the novel is based upon the ending he planned out for an RPG in 1999, and has been in the outline of the series from the start. Sanderson hopes that it will land right with people and recontextualize many important moments in the story.

On June 4, 2024, Sanderson announced on his Twitter account that he had finished the last part of the novel, turning the book in at 491,000 words; this made Wind and Truth the longest book in the series.

Sanderson calls writing The Stormlight Archive novels "quite draining" and stated he would take a break from the project for a time while he works on sequels to Mistborn and Elantris. Sanderson's next projected release for part two of The Stormlight Archive story arc is 2031.

Plot

Prologue

Seven and a half years ago, King Gavilar sought immortality after bonding with the Stormfather. Upon learning of his arrogant nature, the Stormfather severed his bond with Gavilar, which led chronologically to Szeth's assassination.

Day One

Dalinar challenges Odium for the Contest of Champions, which may end the war. Kaladin and his Honorspren Sylphrena depart for Shinovar, seeking the Herald Ishar, who Dalinar hopes can aid him in restoring the Oathpact after Jezrien's death. Szeth joins Kaladin on his journey to Shinovar to fulfill his 4th ideal, which is the cleansing of Shinovar. They arrive at Azir and await the Highstorm. Shallan and Adolin plan to return to Urithiru. Shallan learns that Ba-Ado-Mishram had been imprisoned within the spiritual realm, and that the Ghostbloods are seeking power through Ba-Ado-Mishram. Shallan decides to thwart the Ghostbloods' plan. Shallan and Adolin discover an army of Singers preparing to attack Azimir. They meet up with Kaladin at Azir and return to Urithiru. Odium, with Taravangian as his vessel, arrives at Tu Bayla and witnesses the outcome of the battle.

Day Two

Adolin and Shallan return to Urithiru and part ways. Shallan goes to Narak, where the Ghostbloods have fled the tower. Adolin reports the threat at Azimir to his father. Cultivation reveals to Dalinar that Honor's power is hidden in the spiritual realm. Wit learns that loopholes had been inserted into the contract, allowing entire countries to be captured via their capitals, violating Rayse's promise not to exploit the wording of the contract. Jasnah departs to Thaylenah to aid Fen, Sigzil leads Bridge Four at the Shattered Plains, and Adolin departs to Azir to hold off Odium's forces. Dalinar and Navani open a portal that allows them access to the spiritual realm. Shallan arrives at Narak and learns that a former ally has captured Kalak. Mraize and Iyatil fled to Shadesmar and Sja-anat's spren using an Anti-Stormlight weapon. Shallan returns to Urithiru and seeks aid from Renarin and Rlain to stop the Ghostbloods. Shallan's group of Lightweavers and the Ghostbloods arrive at the spot where Dalinar and Navani open the perpendicularity. Mraize tosses the Anti-Stormlight dagger into the portal, breaking the perpendicularity, causing the portal to shut closed.

Kaladin and Szeth arrive at Shinovar. Szeth reveals that an Unmade, known as the Voice, has corrupted his people, and the Honorblades are kept within the monasteries after the Heralds abandoned their Oathpact. Ishar approaches Kaladin and Syl and tasks Kaladin with helping Szeth restore his homeland. El permanently destroys Jezrien's soul. Odium offers him to conquer the Shatter Plains and plans to unleash Dai-Gonarthis to ravage Dalinar's troops. He meets up with Cultivation and observes all the deities across the Cosmere before parting ways.

Day Three

Kaladin and Szeth arrive at Stoneward monastery and encounter a corrupted stone shaman, Rit-Daughter-Clutio, carrying Taln's Honorblade (which was swapped years ago before Taln arrived at the Shattered Plains). Szeth kills Rit and recovers Taln's blade, realizing Ishar's plan to lure him to Shinovar. After rescuing the civilians, they head to Kalak's monastery.

In Azimir, Adolin prepares for the first wave of Odium's forces at the Oathgate and chooses not to engage in the battle as he observes the Azish military, led by Commandant Zarb Kushkam, successfully banishing the first wave. Upon celebrating, Maya, who is slowly recovering from her Deadeye state, decides to travel to Shadesmar and persuades the Honorspren to join the fight, leaving Adolin to fend for himself without the Shardblade.