let in SPOILERS for The Stormlight Archive ledger 1 - 4 , and for Wind and Truth ’s prologue .
Summary
I ca n’t wait for book 5 ofThe Stormlight Archive , especially after the prologue chapters seem to have confirmed one of my favourite theories . Wind and Truth , the fifth volume ofThe Stormlight Archive , is set to be released in December 2024 and will conclude the first electric arc of Brandon Sanderson ’s fancy heroic poem . Another five - novel arc will follow after , picking up the saga ’s outcome roughly a decade later on Roshar ’s timeline . For now , Wind and Truthshould see the mop up of several key storylinesestablished inThe Way of Billie Jean King .
My favored aspect ofThe Stormlight ArchiveandBrandon Sanderson ’s Cosmere universeis its characters . The author is renowned for his world - building and magic systems , but his characters and the deeply emotional arcs they undergo are what keep me reading . Shallan Davar has been at the center of this story since Koran 1 , at once becoming one of my ducky through her arc and connectedness with Jasnah Kholin inThe Way of B. B. King . While her fate inWind and Truthis far from certain , one theory seems certain to meafter the reveal prologue chapters .
Evidence Supports The Stormlight Archive Theory That Shallan’s Mother Is Chanarach
One of the most commonWind and Truththeoriesthat I ’ve discuss previously is the idea that Shallan ’s female parent is the Herald Chanarach ( viaReddit ) . If you ’re like me , and it ’s been a while since you ’ve readRhythm of War , here ’s a refresher course : Chanarach is one of the ten original Heralds , servant of the Almightywho are each consort with one of the Ten Essences . For chiliad of years before the events ofThe Stormlight Archive , the Heralds inhabit in purdah after give up their Oathpact with the Almighty .
Shallan ’s Radiant appearance inRhythm of Warhas a notably similar flavor to Chanarach ’s nontextual matter in theRhythm of Warbook .
So , damp down the evidence pointing toward Chanarach being Shallan ’s mother , readers have pluck up on some important detail . InWords of Radiance , Brandon Sanderson ’s good book , Shallan trace her mother as " dauntless , " which is one of Chanarach ’s Divine Attributes , tied to the Ten Essences . Shallan ’s effulgent appearance inRhythm of Warhas a notably similar look to Chanarach ’s art in theRhythm of Warbook .
Custom image by Yailin ChaconOriginal cover art for The Way of Kings, Oathbringer, andRHYTHM OF WARby Michael Whelan
The most crucial evidence base on the late novel , perhaps , is thatShallan ’s mother plain rifle into a fury after discovering Shallan was a Surgebinder , even trying to murder her . The only sensible account for this is that she was a Herald , as they were lead to believe that the rejoinder of Surgebinders was a mansion of a new Desolation . The Herald Nale has even been traveling the world , shoot down possible Surgebinders .
I’m More Positive This Stormlight Archive Theory Is True After Wind & Truth’s Prologue
RHYTHM OF WARby Michael Whelan
Throughout writingWind and Truth , Brandon Sanderson shared some other chapters with readers . In March 2022 , he shared the prologue for the 5th mass , a POV chapter center on around Gavilar Kholin in his final moment before he ’s assassinated , and there are some major reveals . During a conversation with Gavilar , the Stormfather reacts to the fact that a Herald has just died , give away this crucial man of selective information for the first time . We know that Shallan ’s incident with her female parent occurred around the same time fromWords of Radiance .
In self - defense , Shallan wipe out Chanarach , by the way starting the Desolation .
Fan art byartofkatiepayne
With all of this in psyche , we can more concretely tie events together . Chanarach happen upon Shallan was a Surgebinder and tried to kill her . In self - defense , Shallan kill Chanarach , apropos starting the Desolation . Six geezerhood later , Chanarach and Taln both yield from Braize ( bring up to as eternal damnation in Vorin ) . It ’s of import to note that the prologue was from 2022 and was still a study - in - progress at the time . However , all of these divisor are still important and seem highly plausible .
How Shallan’s Mother Being Herald Chanarach Could Impact Book 5
If Shallan is truly Chanarach ’s daughter , it could have serious implications for her overarching narrative . Much of Shallan ’s story in the first spark ofThe Stormlight Archivehas been about coming to terms with herself and her yesteryear . She ’s grown significantly through acknowledge her " truths , " similar to how Dalinar and Kaladin have sworn oaths . I could seeher last Sojourner Truth being her acknowledging that by killing her mother , she caused the Desolationand the events ofThe Stormlight Archive , allow her to get along into her own as a full Lightweaver to avail save the world .
The Stormlight Archive is an larger-than-life phantasy series by Brandon Sanderson , place on the violent storm - ravaged earthly concern of Roshar . The series follows multiple characters , each with their singular storylines , as they sail political intrigue , ancient prophecies , and powerful thaumaturgy . primal to the story are the Knights Radiant , legendary warrior with wizard ability who must retrovert to save their humanity from impending destruction . The serial publication explores themes of honor , leaders , and the burden of king .
RHYTHM OF WARby Michael Whelan
Fan art byzoethatcher_art
The Stormlight Archive is an epic fantasy series by Brandon Sanderson, set on the storm-ravaged world of Roshar. The series follows multiple characters, each with their unique storylines, as they navigate political intrigue, ancient prophecies, and powerful magic. Central to 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.
