Oathbringer

Oathbringer is an epic fantasy novel written by American author Brandon Sanderson and the third book in The Stormlight Archive series. It was published by Tor Books on November 14, 2017. Oathbringer consists of one prologue, 122 chapters, 14 interludes and an epilogue. It is preceded by Words of Radiance and followed by Rhythm of War.

As with its Stormlight Archive predecessors, the unabridged audiobook is read by narrator team Michael Kramer and Kate Reading.

Development
The third book was initially titled Stones Unhallowed with Szeth-son-son-Vallano as its focus, then Skybreaker, and eventually Oathbringer with the focus on Dalinar Kholin.

Prior to the release of Oathbringer, several chapters and interludes had been posted in blog posts, read in conventions and published in an anthology. Sanderson provided numerous updates on Reddit about his progress on the book. On December 9, 2016, three weeks after his fifth update, Tor announced that Sanderson had completed his first draft, coming in at 461,223 words. On March 15, 2017, Sanderson completed the third of five planned drafts, which totaled 514,000 words. On June 15, 2017, Sanderson completed the fifth and final draft and managed to cut it down to 450,000 words. On June 27, 2017, Tor posted a blog post detailing the process of beta reading for Oathbringer in which beta readers give their immediate reactions to any given point in the story and look for continuity. Due to the length of the book, Tor had to use a different press and bindery from the one that printed Words of Radiance.

After realizing the book took more time to work on than originally planned, Sanderson wrote a novella titled Edgedancer, following Lift; first published in Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection, an anthology of Cosmere short fiction, on November 22, 2016.

On March 16, 2017, Tor Books revealed the cover art for Oathbringer, painted by Michael Whelan. It shows Jasnah Kholin defending a city against an invasion. She reaches for a Shardblade while simultaneously soulcasting a large hole in the city wall made by a thunderclast. Three days later, Tor posted a blog post that discussed details of the cover and how it may relate to the book's plot. On July 14, 2017, Sanderson revealed the UK cover of Oathbringer on Twitter.

The hardcover version of the novel was published with endpapers which depict 4 of the ten heralds, two created by each artist Howard Lyon and Dan dos Santos. Reviewer Frannie Jackson described the art as "gorgeous."

On August 2, 2017, Tor Books revealed the dates and locations for the Oathbringer book tour. Tor.com released the prologue on August 22; and the first 32 chapters, three weekly, from August 29 to November 7.

Prologue
Six years ago, Eshonai and the Listeners visited Kholinar for the celebration of the peace treaty. She wanders alone in the palace and visits King Gavilar Kholin. Gavilar invited Eshonai for a private conversation and uncovered a Fabrial device that can trap a Spren in the Gemhearts. Much to Eshonai's horror, Gavilar reveals his plan to revive the Gods who deserted her people many years ago and gave her the dark Gemheart as a gift while instructing her to send a message to the council. Eshonai informs the five Listeners about the King's plans and decides to send an assassin to prevent Gavilar's actions. In the evening, Eshonai continues to perform her drum before fleeing the scene in tears.

Part One
Six days after arriving at Urithiru, Dalinar Kholin, with his Bondsmith ability, revisits the vision he experienced earlier with Stormfather's aid. He discovered that the Almighty, whom Odium killed, was the Shard Honor who had warned him about the upcoming Everstorm that would decimate Roshar. As Dalinar explores the ruins of Kholinar and experiences the Everstorm, he catches a glimpse of Odium summoning the nine corrupted shadowed Sprens known as the Unmade. Now awakened from his vision, Dalinar plans to continue his move on reuniting Roshar against Odium's actions. Having expressed his feelings over the loss of his first wife and his memory, Dalinar proposes a marriage with Navani where Stormfather declares his consent to them.

Kaladin visits his hometown, Hearthstone. Upon his arrival of reconciliation, Kaladin reunites with his parent and meets his youngest brother before revealing himself as a Radiant. Upon investigating the devastating effects of the Everstorm, Kaladin decides to venture out to several Alethi towns in ruins to learn more about the Parshendis. Kaladin tracks the escaped Parshmen and turns himself in to avoid conflict. Kaladin learned from Syl that the Everstorm had altered the Parshendi's physiques and intelligence allowing them to rebound with the Voidsprens. The Voidsprens are guiding the Parshendi to declare war against humanity and heading straight to Khonlinar. Upon arriving at Revolver, Kaladin exposes his Surgebinding to the Parshmen and flees upon learning about the Highstorm. As the Highstorm approaches, Kaladin helps the citizens to shelter from the Highstorm, and the two empowered Parshmen known as the Fused attack him. Kaladin quickly escapes and flies back to Urithiru following Syl's direction.

Shallan, having recovered her memory, visits the Kholin family to discuss further uniting Roshar. As Dalinar attempts to lose hope, Shallan unknowingly summons the illusion of Roshar as she touches the map with her Lightweaving combined with Dalinar's Bondsmith, thus revealing the location of Ten Oathgates. Intrigued, Dalinar decided to focus on Jed Keved, Thaylenah, and Azir to form a political alliance. Tension begins to run high following Torol Sadeas' murder, and his followers from Sadeas' war camp grow distrustful towards the Kholin family, by which Sadeas' wife Ialai promotes Amaram as the new Highprince. In response, Shallan began investigating several repetitive incidents with Adolin, to whom Dalinar entrusted. Despite this, Shallan felt traumatized by wielding a Shardblade for training with Adolin and decided to take an altered persona as Brightness Radiant to help accomplish her task. Upon meeting Sadeas' wife Ialai, Shallan confronts Mraize, who offers her information about her brother after she succeeds in her mission. Mraize reveals to Shallan that the dark force threatens society in Urithiru and encourages her to investigate. As she explored the city, Shallan spotted the shadowed Spren and lost track of it. Shallan devised her plan of tracking a Spren and followed it right toward an unexplored area. Joining up with Adolin, Renarin, and Bridge Four members, the group discovered an abandoned library in ruins where it was settled by an Unmade named Re-Shephir, also known as the Midnight Mother. The group began fighting against the Unmade's influence. Upon discovering its vulnerability to Lightweaving, Shallan repels Re-Shephir causing it to retreat. Following the incident, Shallan met an unexpected reunion of Jasnah Kholin.

As Dalinar begins his negotiation, he questions the Knight Radiants' betrayal through the Stormfather's refusal. Despite the emperor of Azir's and Queen Fen Rnamndi's refusal of Alethi's aid, Dalinar and his followers manage to gain contact with Taravangian who agree on Dalinar's plan. King Elhokar, having recovered from an assassination attempt, grew despondent of his kingship and planned to abdicate the throne to Dalinar. Instead, they agree to let Dalinar be the king of Urithiru and the Shattered Plains, forfeiting his Alethkar lands to his heir. Upon learning about the riot in Khonlinar, Dalinar advises his nephew to send scouts to investigate the riot and Elhokar's wife's behavior while sending Kaladin there to activate the Oathgate, encouraging Elhokar to restore the city. Dalinar learned from Stormfather that the only chance to stop Odium is to accept a challenge that Odium himself cannot deny. As Dalinar attends his meeting with the Irali queen, he challenges the ardent Kadesh to a duel while arguing about their religious faith in the Almighty. Dalinar ends the duel revealing himself as the Knights Radiant and Navani reports that the queen demands Adolin's armoured Shardplate due to her begrudging towards the Kholin family since arranged marriage. At that moment, Dalinar's memories of his former wife Evi are restored. At that time, Dalinar managed to recover Oathbringer and return it to Ialai Sadeas, despite her disapproval. Taravangian arrived at Urithiru for a visit and introduced Dalinar to a Dustbringer named Malata, the new member of Knights Radiant. During that time, Taravangian observed Dalinar's approach and questioned his moral views from The Way of Kings. As Dalinar and Stormfather discuss their situation, Stormfather reveals that he can send visions to anyone he chooses, which gives Dalinar a persuasive idea.

Meanwhile, in the Shattered Plains, Venli and her followers, with their new forms, were sent to recover Eshonai's Shardplate under the command of Odium's Voidspren, Ulim. While departing Eshonai's body, a grieving Venli encountered a Spren and ignored it.

Part Two
After persuading Fen about the Voidbringer's threat via Stormfather, Dalinar invites Jasnah and Navani to enter the vision where Aharietiam, The Last Desolation, takes place. As they explore the battle, Dalinar and Navani arrive at the site where nine Honorblades had settled. Stormfather reveals the shocking truth about the Voidbringers and the Heralds' departure by which Odium granted the former Voidbringers power, allowing them to resurrect themselves as Parshmen to become a Fused. Succumbed from their mental state following Honor's death, the nine Heralds abandoned their Oathpact out of despair; one Herald Talenal continued the fight while suffering through torture for over four thousand years. Dalinar realizes that the comatose madman he encounters is Talenal, and his blade is a regular Shardblade. Dalinar arrived at the war camp and discovered that Talenal was missing.

Despite their reunion, Shallan grew more discomfort with Jasnah's criticism. Still, as Veil, she managed to hire recruits Gaz and Red for basic training on infiltration and a new assistant named Ishnah to help infiltrate the Ghostbloods. Shallan receives a letter from Mraize about her brother during her break time. Mraize revealed that Heleran was recruited as a Skybreaker acolyte led by the former Herald of Justice, Nale. Nale sends Heleran to kill Amaram as a test for loyalty, resulting in his death by Kaladin. To maintain her frustration from Jashnah's teaching, Shallan plans to travel with Kaladin to Thalayena's capital, Thaylen City, to open the Oathgate and persuade King Elhokar for her volunteer permission to retake Kholinar. Upon her research, Jashnah began pondering knowledge on Urithiru while growing suspicious of Shallan's previous absences and Renarin's behavior of his Truthwatcher abilities. After she feuds with Amaram about her uncle, Renarin surprises everyone with his abilities upon discovering hidden contents within the library.

Throughout Bridge Four perspectives, Kaladin began training his friends to help achieve their Windrunnering ability before traveling to Kholinar for the upcoming battle. Each of Bridge Four began experiencing their lives before reaching their role of maintaining their status. Meanwhile, in the Frostlands, Moash, having fled from the Shattered Plains, was later ambushed by the Fused after he killed one of them and carried to Revolver for enslavement. Despite his captivity, Moash grew more attached to Parshmen and supported them in their upcoming battle with Kholinar. Having grown frustrated with Parshmen's plight and the Fused's cruelty toward lesser Parshmen, Moash demanded to consult with the leader and encounter the Fused named Leshwi, whom Moash killed during his capture. Leshwi explained that he spared him due to his passion for fighting and supporting them. Moash admitted that he had given up his faith in humanity and sought vengeance instead. Impressed, Leshwi informs him about the fused as he begins training the Parshendi to fight spears.

With his Bondsmith, Dalinar contacts Prime Aquasix Yanagawn (formally named Gawx) and informs him about the Voidbringers' threat but grows skeptical toward him. Despite his efforts, Lift, having contacted the Nightwatcher, manages to enter his vision and carries Gawx away, much to Stormfather's surprise. Upon arriving at the Recreace vision with Jasnah and Navani, Yanagawn visited Dalinar and discussed it privately. Yanagawn revealed the truth to Dalinar about the Azish viziers' paranoia of the Assassin In White and Lift's distrust towards Dalinar for his self-righteousness. As Dalinar explains more details, the vision is suddenly interrupted by a man covered in white and gold who reveals himself as Odium and approaches Dalinar by surprise. Upon divulging his motivation and passion to kill another Shard named Cultivation, Odium remains shackled and persuades Dalinar to release him by Intent, which the latter refuses. As Odium departs, Dalinar challenges Odium on his bravery upon experiencing Odium's influence of emotion. Having eavesdropped on Dalinar and Odium, Lift decides to convince Yanagawn to visit Urithiru before the visions fade.

Upon reviewing his Diagram, Taravangian devised his scheme to exploit Dalinar's weakness and sought to negotiate with Odium. Meanwhile, Venli and her eight followers volunteered and embraced their transformation from the Everstorm. However, the storm subsides her into Nimbleform and transforms others, including her mate Demid, into the Fused under the possession of former Voidbringers. The Fused named Hariel took possession of Demid and informed a pleading Venli that the transformation was undone, not even Odium could undo it. Before departing to Alethkar, Venli spotted the Spren and hid it from suspicion.

Part Three
After Shallan accessed the Oathgate to Thaylen City, Dalinar and Navani, along with Taravagian, visited Queen Fen Rnamdi upon witnessing the casualties caused by the Everstorm and Thaylen's distrust. Suddenly, Dalinar senses the voice pleading for help and invertedly uses his Bondsmith to his advantage as he successfully repairs the broken statue. With Fen finally accepting Dalinar's approval, Dalinar decided to use his radiant ability to good use and discuss forming a coalition. Dalinar then moved to Azir using the Oathgate and encountered the Azith scholars while sending Navani's essays and Fen's permit. Upon meeting up with Lift, the Azish scholars accept their accords. When Dalinar returns to Urithiru, he suddenly collapses upon learning of the tragic death of his wife, Evi. The flashback of Dalinar's past was revealed at the battle of Rathalas, also known as the Rift, where the resident rebelled against the Alethi kingdom when Dalinar reclaimed Oathbringer from his struggle with its former owner Brightlord Tanalan. Years later, Tanalan's son declares war for revenge and Evi opposes Dalinar's declaration. After being humiliated by betrayal, Dalinar decimated Rathalas unaware that Evi was held captive, and died in the flame trying to persuade the residents to surrender, which left Dalinar devastated by his actions.

Meanwhile, Elhokar's group arrives at Alethkar's capital Kholinar to help reclaim the city and open the Oathgate. As they enter the city using Shallan's illusion for disguise, the group deduces that the Unmade began manifesting its influence over the city's livelihood corrupting both people and Sprens. In contrast, the Voidbringer continues raiding the city, and the Highprinces who resided mysteriously disappear leaving the residents starved. Elhokar devised a plan for the group to split up and gather information before retaking the place by force: Shallan's group will infiltrate the Cult of Moments to gain access to the Oathgate Platform and Kaladin alone will investigate the mysterious high marshal of the wall guard named Azure.

Kaladin visits and befriends the wall guards who recruited him as their ally and he is surprised to see Azure in person. Kaladin learns from Azure that she has sent out Wall guards to prevent the Voidbringers' attack fearing that the army is planning to storm the city. Without hesitation, Kaladin managed to kill the Voidbringer and revealed himself to Azure as Elhokar's bodyguard. During their conversation, Azure revealed that she is helping the city's food supplies for the refugees using Soulcasters to provide storage and prevent Voidbringers from contacting them which explains why Spanreeds are cut off from the rest of the world. Able to trust Azure's determination, Kaladin reveals Elhokar's plan to attack the palace and reclaim the city.

During her infiltration at the palace, Shallan diverted her role as Veil to raid food supplies from Alethi highlords to gain the Cult's trust. However, her personality changes mentally whenever she uses her illusion as Veil and other persona. Suddenly, she heard strange voices from the Unmade's persuasion causing her to break free. After learning from Wit about the cult and palace guards' behaviors, Shallan arrived at the Oathgate platform within the Palace monastery and discovered that two of the Unmades named Sja-anat (The Taker of Secrets) and Ashertmarn (Heart of the Revel) are responsible for manipulating the Alethi residents and corrupting the Sprens. Sja-anat, however, persuades Shallan that Ashertmarn set up a trap for anyone who tried to access the gate causing her to retreat and warn King Elhokar. Upon meeting up with a young urchin named Grund she fed earlier, Shallan felt ashamed of herself upon seeing his death at the hands of street thugs. Arriving at the scene, Wit comforts her and advises her of the reality of failure.

After hearing from Shallan's report and Kaladin's recruitment with Highmarshal Azure, King Elhokar began storming the castle to retake Kholinar. However, the Voidbringer army summons the giant stone monster known as the Thunderclast to weaken the wall guard's defense. Having wasted no time, Elhokar's army overpowered the queen's corrupted guards and entered the palace. Splitting up, Kaladin and Elhokar went to the throne room to confront Queen Aesudan while Adolin and Shallan went to the monastery to open the gate. As Shallan tries to repel Ashertmarn from the gate, the Unmade quickly flees and Sja-anat persuades Shallan to take the alternative route before accessing the gate to the exact location.

Meanwhile, Kaladin and Elhokar arrived at the throne and discovered Queen Aesudan corrupted by the Unmade Yelig-nar and Ashertmarn. Kaladin manages to recover Elhokar's son Gavinor from Unmade's influence and convinces Elhokar to retreat. As they retreat, the Parshendi army storms the palace and injures Elhokar in the conflict. Upon recognizing their familiar faces, Kaladin remains horrified upon seeing both sides slaughtering each other in conflict. Within the climax of the fight, Moash arrives at the scene and kills Elhokar who is about to finish his first ideal. Having failed to protect the King and Kholinar under Voidbringers' control, Adolin retrieves a distraught Kaladin and Azure from the siege and retreats to the Oathgate just as Shallan summons her blade to open the gate sending them to Shadesmar.

After departing from the Fused, Venli follows Odium's instructions teaching her people and addresses their tribal names as Listeners. Upon arriving at Khonlinar, she felt shunned by Odium's negligence with Timbre, the Spren she bounded, comforting her.

Part Four
Somewhere at the Pure Lake, Szeth-son-Neturo continues training as a Skybreaker upon receiving Nightblood. Preparing to confront his people from Shinovar, Szeth masters his surge binding through improvement having used the blade for execution while struggling to control its power and bloodlust. As he prepares to speak his fourth ideal, Nale approaches Szeth and escorts him to a ruined courthouse of Marat revealing the truth about the Everstorm. Nale reveals to Szeth that he was warned by Ishar to prevent another desolation by eliminating the surge-binder but failed because of the Everstorm. He forms his own Radiant based on the fifth ideal he swore an oath and reclaimed his Honorblade until informing Szeth about his event during Aharietiam.

After escaping from Kholinar, Kaladin, Adolin, Azure, and Shallan along with their Sprens find themselves stranded within Shadesmar. The group discovers that the Unmade have corrupted the Oathgate Sprens and sabotaged their escape attempt which Sja-anat warned them about the Fused pursuit. On their journey to Horneaters Peak to seek the perpendicularity, the group travels south and stumbles upon a mysterious lighthouse where Kaladin encounters a lighthouse keeper named Riino, observing ship transportation. When he notices a gemstone, Kaladin sees a vision of Thaylen City overrun by Voidbringers and Dalinar surrounded by the Unmade. Shocked by what he saw, Kaladin suggest the group travel south to Thaylen City with Shallan, who can access the Oathgate and teleport them to the physical realm to rescue Dalinar. Upon arriving at the Spren's market city Celebrant, they notice the Fused detecting their presence at the cargo. Upon revealing herself as the fugitive from Shadesmar, Syl manages to gain Honorsprens' attention allowing the group to climb aboard the Honorspren ship known as Honor's path and escape the Fused's wraith. With Sly now captive, Kaladin tries to persuade the captain to release her as he inadvertently summons the Windsprens and surprises entire Sprens onboard while Shallan practices her fabrial ability on testing the beads she experiences from Kharbranth. Along the journey, Adolin confesses to Shallan that he killed Sadeas out of spite and betrayal.

Meanwhile, with Kholinar fallen and his memories restored, Dalinar grows remorseful by Evi's death and continues to doubt himself for his purpose while struggling to maintain his past alcoholism. With Dalinar's absence, Navani was left in charge of handling political meetings with Azish scholars from Azir with an alliance (Emul Tashikk, and Yezeir), Queen Fen of Thaylenah, and Taravagian of Jah Keved and Kharbranth with Bridgemen securing Jezrien's honorblade by swapping. Having learned the truth about the Thrill at Jah Keved and fear of his past trauma, Dalinar quickly fled in terror before falling unconscious upon seeing the vision of Nohadan. During that time, he slowly learns his entire events after Gavilar's funeral. With Elkohar's declaration of war against the Parshendi, Dalinar struggles to contain his mental state and decides to travel to Natanatan upon learning the rumors of an Old Magic that can heal him. After recovering from his experience, Dalinar returned to the meeting and tried to rearrange his absence leaving Queen Fen disapproved. As the entire meeting prepared to defend Jah Keved from Parshmens' attack, Dalinar discovered that Parshmen planned to access the Oathgate by attacking Thaylen City. With the city now suffering through massive damage by the Everstorm, Dalinar realized the Parshmen army was now settling at Marat for a navy battle after they raided ships to their advantage. Using Navani's knowledge of the tower, Dalinar managed to contact Venli with Stormfather stalling Odium's influence. Dalinar tries to form a peace treaty for Venli with the latter reluctant to accept by letting Parshmen take over Alethkar as their home. Odium manages to overpower Stormfather and interrupts their conversation causing Dalinar to be overwhelmed by his influence realizing the mistake he made. Upon realizing Dalinar's recovery, Taravangian devises a plan to leak the knowledge to Tashikk to discredit Dalinar.

Viewpoint characters
The primary chapters within the book are told from the viewpoint of several major characters, while the book's interludes are told from the viewpoint of other characters (not all of which repeat).

Audiobook
The audiobook version of the book was released on the same day as the hardcover version, and is read by narrator team Michael Kramer and Kate Reading, who also read The Way of Kings and Words of Radiance, and several other books written by Sanderson.

Sequel
The fourth book in The Stormlight Archive series is titled Rhythm of War and its publication date was November 17, 2020. It takes place a year after the events of Oathbringer.

Reception
Reception of the series was mostly positive. The A.V. Club reviewer Samantha Nelson describes the novel as both weighed down by its ambition and less complex than its predecessors. While reviews on Tor find the novel engaging, with Martin Cahill writing that "It is a triumph of a novel, and if you’ve enjoyed the first two, you’ll certainly enjoy Oathbringer." Publishers Weekly also described the novel in light of its relationship to other books in the series, writing, "Sanderson successfully balances introducing new elements and satisfactorily resolving some threads, leaving fans to eagerly await the next in the series." The review in Paste by Frannie Jackson compares the novel to the long-arc storytelling of Robert Jordan, describing the novel as "brimming with more than enough magic and mystery to tide readers over until the [fourth novel is published]."