Wind and Truth

Wind and Truth is an epic fantasy novel written by American author Brandon Sanderson and the fifth book in The Stormlight Archive series. It was published on December 6, 2024,^[1] 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 projects a completion date near the end of 2031.^[2]

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.^[3]

The writing process for the book started in January 2022.^[4] The book was previously known as 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,^[5] which was later followed by the announcement of the publication date by his publisher Tor Books.^[6]

The synopsis of Wind and Truth that came with the announcement was 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.^[6]

On June 4, 2024, Sanderson announced on his Twitter account that he 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.^[7]

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 arch is 2031.^[8]

Seven and a half years ago, King Gavilar revealed his true nature on seeking immortality as he secretly delved into Rosharan history after bonding with Stormfather. During his research, Gavilar started to distance himself from his royal family, consulted with the former Heralds Kalak and Nale, conversed with Amaram and Taravangian, and had his last encounter with Thaidakar, the leader of Ghostblood, who promised him to trade Kalak. Upon learning of his arrogant nature, the Stormfather severed his bond with Gavilar upon sensing another Herald's death, which led to Gavilar’s death.

Dalinar challenges Odium for the Contest of Champion, which could end the war, and they have only ten days to prepare for the final battle. After bidding farewell to his family and Bridge Four, Kaladin and his Honorspren Sylphrena depart Urithiru on his journey to Shinovar. Determined to return to his homeland and restore his people, Szeth joins Kaladin on their journey to find Ishar and restore the Bondsmith. They arrived at Azir, the capital of Azimar, to wait for the Highstorm's arrival at night to take a quick route.

After learning about the Contest of Champion, Shallan and Adolin plan to depart Shadesmar on their way to Urithiru and decide to stop by at Azimir. Before leaving, Shallan manages to bond with Deadeye Cryptic Testament after recovering her childhood memory. Upon questioning Kalak why the Ghostblood wanted him, she learned that the Unmade, Ba-Ado-Mishram, was imprisoned in the Spiritual Realm during the False Desolation, and the Ghostbloods are determined to seek power. Shallan decides to find the Unmade to thwart the Ghostbloods' plan. Upon arriving at the capital city of Azir, Shallan and Adolin discover that the army of Singers is planning to conquer Azimir, and Oathgate sprens corrupted by Sja-anat allow the army to enter the city. They meet up with Kaladin and bid their farewell before returning to Urithiru.

In the first interlude, Odium, with Taravangian as his vessel, arrives at Tu Bayla and becomes devastated upon witnessing the outcome of the battle by his predecessor and Cultivation's perceived lack of teaching in bearing his Shard.

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).

There are a variety of major Viewpoints, each with different plotlines involved

• Kaladin and Szeth in Shinovar
• Shallan, Rlain, Renarin in the Spiritual Realm searching for Ba-Ado-Mishram
• Dalinar and Navani in the Spiritual Realm experiencing visions of the past
• Adolin holding out a war in Azimir
• Sigzil and Venli fighting for the Shattered Plains
• Jasnah in Thaylenah

• In March 2022, Sanderson did a reading of the first draft of the prologue on his YouTube channel.
• At FanX in 2022, Sanderson did a reading of the first part of Kaladin's first chapter from the first draft of the novel.
• At New York Comic Con in 2022, Sanderson did a reading of the first draft of Szeth's first chapter.
• During Dragonsteel 2022, Sanderson did a reading of the remainder of Kaladin's first chapter as well as his second chapter.
• Also during Dragonsteel 2022, Sanderson did a reading of Szeth's third flashback chapter.
• At Tampa Bay Comic in 2023, Sanderson read from a Jasnah chapter.
• During Dragonsteel 2023, Sanderson did a reading of an interlude.
• At C2E2 in 2024, Sanderson did a reading of the first two Shallan chapters.
• Starting at July 29, 2024, two chapters of the finished book were released each week for free until the book's full release in December.^[9]

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 , Words of Radiance , Oathbringer , Rhythm of War and several other books written by Sanderson.

• The Stormlight Archive series listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
• The Stormlight Archive at the Internet Book List
• The Stormlight Archive. Mormon Literature & Creative Arts Database.
• The Complete Spren Catalogue at Tor.com
• A Field Guide To Roshar at Tor.com
• The series page on the Coppermind, the Brandon Sanderson wiki

• The Stormlight Archive
• Fantasy novel series
• Novels set on fictional planets
• Tor Books books

• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata