Vivenna, meanwhile, struggles to balance her privileged upbringing and myopic education with the stark reality of the world she flees to. Siri grows from a stubborn, wide-eyed rebel to a measured and critical thinker who uses her talents to her every advantage. Watching a bonafide god grapple with his own position of power is a real treat, and his segments showcase the political intrigue that powers much of Warbreaker ’s plot. Among them, Lightsong is my standout favorite. They each enjoy a personal journey fuelled by immense personal growth. They’re all wonderful additions to the inter-Cosmere cast, and I genuinely adore the entire cast. I’ve stayed hush-hush with details in my descriptions of each character above, and that’s completely deliberate. Finally, there’s Lightsong, a Returned god unsure of his own divinity, who begins to sniff out the behind-the-scenes machinations that could spark an all-out war between Hallandren and Idris. Then we have Vasher, a mysterious figure making his way to various contacts in T’Telir. Vivenna assumed she would be the one to marry the God King, but the last-minute switch left her directionless and fearful for her sister’s life. Vivenna, Siri’s sister, sneaks away to T’Telir to rescue Siri. Hallandren had expected to receive the king of Idria’s first-born daughter instead. She is sent to marry the God King and produce an heir in a semantically defiant act against Hallandren. First, we have Siri, the youngest daughter of the Idrian king. Sanderson treats us to four perspectives in Warbreaker. The two lands are on the brink of a new war, and it could destroy them both.

In nearby Idris, the royal family betrothed one of then king’s daughters to the God King, a peace offering intended to quell tensions caused by the Manywar, which caused Idris’ exile years prior. Without at least one Breath per week, they will die…again. These gods, the Returned, are nourished by Breath. The people of Hallandren worship the God King and his disciples, heroes who died and were reborn as gods. T’Telir, capital of Hallandren, is a colorful seaside city ruled by the God King. Warbreaker is a Brandon Sanderson novel, all right, and it’s a characteristically excellent one, to boot. My exploration of the Cosmere took me to the colorful world of Hallandren and Idris, where Breath brings objects to life and political strife could erupt into all-out war.

Another day, another Brandon Sanderson review from yours truly.

Brandon sanderson warbreaker series