Rhythm of War is officially done! Taking to Twitter over the weekend, Brandon Sanderson announced that he’s wrapped up the final draft of The Stormlight Archive Book 4, adding that fans can expect preview chapters soon:
And…done! As I wrap up my work tonight, I have finished the final draft of Rhythm of War, Book Four of the Stormlight Archive. Looking great! I'm excited to share it all with you. Book release is in November, but we will be doing preview chapters soon. Enjoy your weekend!
— Brandon Sanderson (@BrandSanderson) July 12, 2020
https://www.facebook.com/BrandSanderson/posts/10157259855745009
Meanwhile, in a comment on the Facebook announcement, the author revealed that the final word count is “roughly 460k” words, around the length of Oathbringer, and will consist of 112 chapters, plus differently numbered interludes, prologue, and epilogue.
This is the latest update following a June conversation between Sanderson and Christopher Paolini at TorCon, where the authors discussed Rhythm of War and To Sleep in a Sea of Stars. During the discussion, Sanderson revealed that Rhythm of War marks the near-end of The Stormlight Archive’s first five-book cycle, adding that a complete ten book count is “mythologically important” and that there will “be some character continuity between the two series.” He also said that he told Paolini either the final scene to the book or to the Cosmere as a whole (which the Eragon author said he’d take “to the grave,” so don’t bother asking), and gave a spoiler-free teaser:
There is a character moment that was one of the pillars of my outline from the very beginning. This scene that I was working on. There were only two or three scenes that were core pillars. My beta readers feel like it landed. There won’t be a moment like this again until Book 7 or 8.
While artist Michael Whelan is hard at work on the US cover, British book retailer Waterstones shared the UK cover back in April, prompting some fan speculation about the plot. Over on Reddit, some readers theorized that the character depicted is Shallan, which would make this the first time she’s appeared on a Stormlight cover. And if the last two books both showed pivotal scenes on their cover art, could this also be true for Rhythm of War? (SPOILERS at the link).
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Rhythm of War
Here’s the book’s official synopsis:
The Stormlight Archive saga continues in Rhythm of War, the eagerly awaited sequel to Brandon Sanderson’s #1 New York Times bestselling Oathbringer, from an epic fantasy writer at the top of his game.
After forming a coalition of human resistance against the enemy invasion, Dalinar Kholin and his Knights Radiant have spent a year fighting a protracted, brutal war. Neither side has gained an advantage.
Now, as new technological discoveries begin to change the face of the war, the enemy prepares a bold and dangerous operation. The arms race that follows will challenge the very core of the Radiant ideals, and potentially reveal the secrets of the ancient tower that was once the heart of their strength.
Book 4 of The Stormlight Archive, Rhythm of War, comes out November 17, 2020 from Tor Books. It’s available for pre-order now from your preferred retailer.
In the meantime, brush up on your lore with Drew McCaffrey’s Cosmere primer, explore three questions about the state of the Cognitive Realm with Vanessa Armstrong, and catch up on Sanderson’s plans for the Cosmere universe (and more) with last year’s State of the Sanderson update.
I’m confused…. So book 4 of the Stormlight Archives marks the end of the 5 book cycle? Is this a typo or is there a book I’ve missed? Does Edgedancer count as one of the first 5 then?
@1 I had the same question…
I am glad I didn’t get to Oathbringer until this year… didn’t have to wait too long for the next book!
Yeah, it’s a typo. Rhythm of War is the fourth, and the fifth book is outlined but not written. It’ll be fixed shortly.
Brandon Sanderson, the anti George R.R. Martin.
Thanks for reading my musings.
Andrew HB
aka the musespren
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH IM SO EXITED!!!!!
It actually says “Rhythm of War marks the NEAR-end of The Stormlight Archive’s first five-book cycle”, not just the end.
@8 Bruh, they obviously edited it
I literally had to fight to not let out a squeal of delight at “There won’t be a moment like this again until Book 7 or 8,” and there was nothing to do about the grin hidden under my hand
Pay heed, George R.R.! :-)
@9 – “there was nothing to do about the grin hidden under my hand.” No kidding! When he says something like that, the thrill is irresistible!
So happy. Mr. Sanderson no pressure now but the sooner you finish, the sooner those greedy sleezebags in Hollywood will get a clue and make some kind of series out of this emotional and thought provoking work of the Cosmere. Also. Can anyone clarify where/when Odium is lurking and whether or not Wax/Wayne series is before or after the stormlight books.
Wax/Wayne series should take place between Stormlight 5 and 6
Will TOR be posting the chapter excerpt from Brandon’s July newsletter? I soooooooooooooo want to talk about it.
@6 I couldn’t agree more.
I think I saw someone on Reddit say:
”The End”
-6 hours later-
“The next novella will be called Dawnshard”
It’s clear Brandon loves what he does, has a plan, and is executing said plan.
@6 Actually, a true anti-George R.R. Martin would be more like pirateaba, who’s spitting out The Wandering Inn at a rate of around 50k words per week! That’s one Rhythm of War every two months or so.
Hmm… forget sponsored walks, has anyone ever tried a sponsored write?
Do we know if there will be signed and numbered copies? Have I missed the announcement?
“Now, as new technological discoveries begin to change the face of the war,”
So it’s gonna be guns right? Seems like another way to reinforce the epic loss of life and the cost of war themes that have always resonated through the series. Looking forward to it, though parts of the last one bugged me…a lot.
I know there’s official releases and stuff that need to be upheld as well as printing to be done and cover art etc, but I sincerely wish that as I’m still on lockdown and burning through things to do, and only just picked back up reading as one of them, there was some way to expedite this latest from my favorite author. Just realized “The Burning White” book 5, and the final, from Brent weeks series I started while I was in rehab in 2013 has since released so I got that. And Mark Lawrence has a new Completed trilogy and a started trilogy, of which I haven’t visited his books since the same time. With quarantine happening however I finished “Oathbringer” last week in 4 days and this wait until November in this apartment/prison is gonna be so long. I really hope our favorite Author is careful with his plans on touring and book signings etc as at this rate who knows if November will even be safe to tour in the USA at least. Stay safe and stay sane Radiants, wear your war masks and bathe thy hands in the soap and sanitized water of your enemies.
@19
Having read those series I was a bit disappointed with the end of lightbringer while also appreciating it. As for Mark I had a good if dark time in his world. Love the thorn trilogy
@18 I believe this technology would be fabrial related.
@19 just imagine what I’ve been going through, having read Oathbringer the minute it came out. ;)
I am very happy to have Brandon Sanderson. Jim Butcher is back and released 3/4 of a book(I kid Jim) And PirateAba is still ridiculously cranking out chapters of Wandering Inn. But without Brandon and Pirate I would be… Googling the thorn of emberlain every 10 minutes.
@21
Sure, and how else do you think they’ll mass produce their terrifying death machines? I said guns, but it’s not gonna be black powder and wood. I mean I could be way off base, but ranged explosives would even the odds somewhat, and really change the nature of things for our Knights Radiant. What would it mean for their ideals? That kind of warfare is a very different beast.
Guess I better get my library hold in :)