Contains SPOILERS for books 1-4 of The Stormlight Archive and the prologue of Wind and Truth.
Summary
- “Wind and Truth,” the fifth volume of the Stormlight Archives, scheduled to be released in December 2024, concludes the first story arc of Brandon Sanderson’s epic.
- There is evidence that Shallan’s mother may be the herald Chanarach, giving her a key role in the devastation.
- If true, Shallan’s identity as Chanarach’s daughter could have significant implications for her story and her influence on the world.
I can’t wait for book 5 The Stormlight Archiveespecially after the prologue chapters seem to have confirmed one of my favorite theories. Wind and Truththe fifth volume of The Stormlight Archive, is scheduled to be released in December 2024 and will conclude the first story arc of Brandon Sanderson’s fantasy epic. A further story arc of five novels will follow and pick up the events of the saga about a decade later in Roshar’s timeline. For now Wind and Truth should represent the culmination of several important storylines founded in The Way of Kings.
My favorite aspect of The Stormlight Archive and Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere universe are his characters. The author is known for his world building and magic systems, but his characters and the deeply emotional arcs they go through are what keep me reading. Shallan Davar has been the focus of this story since book 1 and instantly became one of my favorites through her arc and her connection with Jasnah Kholin in The Way of Kings. While their fate in Wind and Truth is anything but certain, one theory seems certain to me after the revealed prologue chapters.
Evidence supports the Stormlight Archives theory that Shallan’s mother is Chanarach
One of the most common Wind and Truth One of the theories I’ve discussed before is the idea that Shallan’s mother is the Herald Chanarach (via Reddit). If you’re like me and it’s been a while since you’ve read Rhythm of WarHere’s a refresher: Chanarach is one of the ten original heralds, servants of the Almighty each of which is associated with one of the Ten Essences. Thousands of years before the events of The Stormlight ArchiveThe heralds lived in solitude after they had given up their oath with the Almighty.
Shallan’s radiant appearance in
Rhythm of War
bears a striking resemblance to Chanarach’s artwork in
Rhythm of War
Book.
After analyzing the evidence suggesting that Chanarach is Shallan’s mother, readers have discovered some important details. Words of charismaBrandon Sanderson’s best book, Shallan describes her mother as “brave,” which is one of Chanarach’s divine qualitiesconnected with the Ten Essences. Shallan’s radiant appearance in Rhythm of War bears a striking resemblance to Chanarach’s artwork in Rhythm of War Book.
Perhaps the most important evidence from the previous novels is that Shallan’s mother apparently went into a rage when she found out that Shallan was an assault rifle shooterand even tried to murder her. The only reasonable explanation for this is that she was a Herald, as she was led to believe that the return of the assault rifles was a sign of new devastation. The Herald Nale has even traveled the world killing would-be assault rifles.
After the prologue of Wind & Truth, I am more confident that this theory about the Stormlight Archives is correct
RHYTHM OF WAR by Michael Whelan
While writing Wind and TruthBrandon Sanderson has shared some early chapters with readers. In March 2022, he shared the prologue to the fifth volume, a POV chapter that focuses on Gavilar Kholin in his final moments before his murder and contains some important revelations. During a conversation with Gavilar The Stormfather reacts to the death of a Herald and reveals this important information for the first time. We know that Shallan’s incident with her mother happened around the same time, Words of charisma.
In self-defense, Shallan kills Chanarach, thereby causing devastation.
Keeping all of this in mind, we can tie events together more concretely. Chanarach discovered that Shallan was an assault rifle fighter and tried to kill her. In self-defense, Shallan kills Chanarach, incidentally unleashing the devastation. Six years later, Chanarach and Taln both return from Braize (referred to as Damnation in Vorin). It’s important to note that the prologue is from 2022 and was still a work in progress at the time. However, all of these factors are still important and seem very plausible.
How Shallan’s mother being the Herald of Chanarach might affect Book 5
If Shallan is indeed Chanarach’s daughter, it could have serious implications for her overarching narrative. Much of Shallan’s story in the first story arc of The Stormlight Archive was about coming to terms with herself and her past. She has grown considerably by acknowledging her “truths”, similar to how Dalinar and Kaladin swore oaths. I could see Her final truth is her admission that she caused the devastation by killing her mother and the events of The Stormlight Archivewhich allows her to develop into a fully-fledged light weaver and help save the world.
The Stormlight Archive
The Stormlight Archive is an epic fantasy series by Brandon Sanderson set in the storm-torn world of Roshar. The series follows several characters, each with their own storyline, as they navigate political intrigue, ancient prophecies, and powerful magic. At the heart of the story are the Knights Radiant, legendary warriors with magical abilities who must return to save their world from impending destruction. The series explores themes of honor, leadership, and the burden of power.
- Created by
- Brandon Sanderson
- Character(s)
- Kaladin Stormblessed, Shallan Davar, Dalinar Kholin, Adolin Kholin, Jasnah Kholin, Szeth-son-son-Vallano, Navani Kholin
Summary
The Stormlight Archive is an epic fantasy series by Brandon Sanderson set in the storm-torn world of Roshar. The series follows several characters, each with their own storyline, as they navigate political intrigue, ancient prophecies, and powerful magic. At the heart of the story are the Knights Radiant, legendary warriors with magical abilities who must return to save their world from impending destruction. The series explores themes of honor, leadership, and the burden of power.
