There’s oneStormlight Archivemoment I’m dying to see, but I imagine we’ll be waiting at least a decade for it.Wind and Truth’sendingoffered tons of fresh material to digest, between character arcs to mourn, new Cosmere knowledge, and predictions for arc 2. There are nearly 6,000 pages ofThe Stormlight Archiveto continue breaking down, and given how the last book turned out, I have a feeling there are plenty of clues for the series' future between the lines or written clearly in front of us.
Brandon Sanderson’s upcoming bookshave numerous Cosmere novels, including 2025’sIsles of the Emberdark, twoElantrissequels, a newMistborntrilogy, and hopefully more over the next six years. However,the author isn’t anticipating that the next volume ofThe Stormlight Archivewill be out until 2031. He’s acknowledged that the series is his opus, and that as much as he loves writing it, the process of orchestrating something of this magnitude is an exhausting one. The journey to the series' conclusion in book 10 is going to be a long one.
Kaladin’s Return Might Not Happen In Book 6
We Might Not See Kaladin Back On Roshar For A While
I’m not alone in saying that Kaladin is one of, if not my favorite, character inThe Stormlight Archive. In fact, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say he’s most readers' favorite character.The Way of Kingsmakes him out to be someone who’s simultaneously endearing, inspiring, and all-around epic. That’s why Kaladin’s return inThe Stormlight Archive’ssecond arc is such a highly-anticipated moment and why readers have already begun writing up their imagined descriptions of his arrival on Roshar. After becoming the King ofthe Heralds,Kaladin can come back more extraordinary than ever.
Kaladin likely won’t return to Roshar inStormlight 6, allowing Brandon Sanderson some time to show what Roshar looks like in its new age of darkness.
Kaladin’s return should rival moments like his rescuing of Dalinar inThe Way of Kingsand his decision to leap into the arena inWords of Radiance, something the subsequent three novels were unfortunately lacking. Readers have been waiting over a decade for a Kaladin scene to rival that degree of excitement, but they’ll probably be waiting quite a while longer. Kaladin likely won’t return to Roshar inStormlight 6, allowing Brandon Sanderson some time to show what Roshar looks like in its new age of darkness.
After Wind And Truth, These Are The 8 Best Stormlight Archive Theories About Arc 2
It’s going to be a long wait for the next volume of The Stormlight Archive, but there are already plenty of compelling theories to pass the time.
There’s going to be a ten-year age gap, buthaving Kaladin and the Heralds return from the get-go would draw too much attention away from Lift and any other new main characters. In the meantime, we could get glimpses of the events on Braize through interludes. So, if Kaladin doesn’t return in the 2031 volume, we could end up waiting until 2035 to finally see him back on Roshar, and that’s at the earliest.
Stormlight Archive Arc 2 Is Going To Be More About The Heralds
Shalash & Talenel Will Be Main POV Characters
Brandon Sanderson has revealed a number of details aboutThe Stormlight Archive’ssecond arc, including that the Heralds are going to be featured more prominently. We were introduced to them in sprinkles throughout the first few books, then more sufficiently inRhythm of WarandWind and Truth. Thefinal run ofThe Stormlight Archiveshould solve some major mysteries regarding these mythical characters, particularly in books 8 and 9, when Shalash and Talenel are meant to be the primary POV flashback characters. The full list can be seen below:
1.The Way of Kings
2.Words of Radiance
4.Rhythm of War
5.Wind and Truth
Kaladin’s Arrival On Roshar In Arc 2 Needs To Be Epic
I Miss The Kaladin We Saw In The Way Of Kings
There were plenty of complaints aboutWind and Truth, and while I loved reading the book all around, I definitely agree with some of them.The Way of Kingsis my personal favorite in the saga, given that it’s the most grounded and the most oriented around Kaladin, and I’ve really missed that version of him ever sinceWords of Radiance. I found his chapters to be fairly grueling and repetitive inOathbringer, and though I enjoyed him in hisDie Hardscenario inRhythm of War, it still wasn’t the same.
The Stormlight Archive’s Message Hasn’t Affected Anyone More Than This Iconic Cosmere Character
The Stormlight Archive offers rich symbolism and thematic exploration, and it’s affected one of Brandon Sanderson’s most important characters.
Wind and Truthhad my least favorite depiction of Kaladin, with the therapy concept being one of my personal gripes with the series. I didn’t entirely buy into him winning over Szeth, and even less so with Nale. I don’t mind him helping the Heralds in Braize, but when he returns to Roshar,I’m dying to see the leader and warrior we knew from the beginning. That’s the Kaladin who made me so invested inThe Stormlight Archiveto begin with, and I’ll be satisfied with a long wait if that’s the version we get.
