It’s been three long years since the release of OATHBRINGER, the third volume of Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive. The wait is finally over, as RHYTHM OF WAR, weighing in at a hefty 1,200+ pages, has landed to feed our fantasy-reading souls.

After the standard prologue, which details varying elements of the assassination of King Gavilar, RHYTHM OF WAR opens approximately one year after the Battle of Thaylen Field, the finale of OATHBRINGER. Instead of beginning right where the last novel left off, this decision by Sanderson foregoes a lot of adjustment and planning following the battle and instead launches readers directly into frenetic action, which works like a charm.

"These characters, all of them flawed or broken in some way, are easily accessible and recognizable, which makes it so much easier for readers to empathize with them, even if they don’t exactly behave as you would hope or expect."

It is no easy feat trying to review RHYTHM OF WAR. The last thing I would want to do as a reviewer is to spoil any of the story contained within. That is for the reader to discover and embrace.

Spreading out over five parts, the storyline and multiple arcs weave an engrossing tale, and the flashbacks featuring Venli and Eshonai, while certainly not as dynamic as those of Shallan or Kaladin from previous books, do provide some quality insights.

The story arc for Adolin and Shallan is nothing short of marvelous, brimming with tension throughout, and Kaladin remains an unstoppable hero in the face of his own demons and damage. Also of great interest is Navani Kholin and her scientific explorations. Navani really shines, and don’t even begin to overlook Raboniel, the Fused. She is extraordinary.

These characters, all of them flawed or broken in some way, are easily accessible and recognizable, which makes it so much easier for readers to empathize with them, even if they don’t exactly behave as you would hope or expect. Couple this with the astonishing world that Sanderson has created --- a world that sees some beautiful expansion here --- and you have a tried-and-true mixture that has elevated him to the very peak of the fantasy genre.

As with each previous Stormlight Archive novel, you hope that Sanderson will be able to equal the high quality of the work that preceded it. Point of fact, he always has. That is no less true here. RHYTHM OF WAR is the top of the mountain, with a final two parts that are truly jaw-dropping, serving as a monumental buildup for the forthcoming fifth volume, which will serve as the finale of the first arc of the Stormlight Archive.

What is next for the world of Roshar and our cast of heroes? Unfortunately, we’re back to waiting. It will be grueling, but once book five arrives, we will be gifted with a treat courtesy of the current master of fantasy. I, for one, cannot wait.