The Stormlight Archiveis set to be one of the most sprawling epic fantasy series ever written, and it’savoiding one of the pitfalls ofGame of Thrones. Brandon Sanderson has quickly become one of the most beloved modern fantasy authors, known for his enormousCosmere book universe, which encompassesThe Stormlight Archive,Mistborn, and several other standalone novels. He’s also gained popularity for his dedication to fan interaction, often speaking his mind about various other media franchises, including the works of other notable fantasy authors.
Due toGame of Thronesbecoming a worldwide television phenomenon, speculation surrounding the unreleased sixth volume ofGeorge R.R. Martin’sA Song of Ice & Fireserieshas remained one of the most prevalent discourses about fantasy literature for over a decade.The Winds of Winteris infamously late, and almost every fan of the book series or TV show has some theory for why that might be. On an episode of his podcast in March 2024,Intentionally Blank, Sanderson had this to say about Martin’s series:
“It is one of those things, with epic fantasy. And you have to really watch the sprawl of the number of characters. George [R.R. Martin] is famously really good at this pacing beat, jump between characters, buthe eventually added so many characters that it threw off the whole pacing for him, and he had to write entire books without groups of characters. Otherwise the book wouldn’t pace like a novel. You wouldn’t have a beginning, middle and end.”
The Stormlight Archive Has A Massive Ensemble (But It’s Not Too Big)
The Stormlight Archive Manages Its Time Well With Its Large Ensemble
It speaks to Sanderson’s ability to plot ahead thatThe Stormlight Archivehas remained consistent in its releases, with a new volume out every few years since 2010. Audiences will get to read thefifth volume,Wind and Truth,when it’s released in December, which will cap off the first arc of the saga. While it’s not the series' ultimate ending, it’s importantly an ending to many of the narratives established in 2010’sThe Way of Kingsand should supply some catharsis for fans of the saga.
I’m Tired Of Fantasy Shows Copying Game Of Thrones, But It’s Exactly What The Stormlight Archive’s Adaptation Needs
Every modern fantasy show has copied Game of Thrones, and I’d like to see The Stormlight Archive be the first to take the right lessons from it.
Something that Brandon Sanderson has excelled at inThe Stormlight Archiveis character management. There are tons of prominent characters in the series, but it’s almost always clear which are the main characters, which are the antagonists, and which are the supporting figures. This allows for anatural balance in the flow of his stories, where almost every figure in the books has some sort of tangible, satisfying arc, yet it never feels too convolutedor messy of a web.
How Adding Too Many Characters Threw Off A Song Of Ice & Fire (& Game Of Thrones)
George R.R. Martin Split His Previous Volume Into Two Books
Only George R.R. Martin can say what the real issue withThe Winds of Winteris, but it seems apparent from the previous two volumes and from howGame of Thronesended what the issue might be. There are too many characters with too much significance. It’s not just an issue of the cast being too large; it’s thatthe cast is too large, and almost everyone wants the same thing: the Iron Throne. That means that a substantial portion of the ensemble is only there to be red herrings and to wind down the story, and they’ll have to be killed off in mass quantities.
But in the book series famous for the execution of Ned Stark, the Red Wedding, the Mountain and the Viper fight, and the murder of Tywin Lannister, an unsatisfying death sticks out like a sore thumb. Consider Littlefinger’s death in theGame of Thronesseason 7 finale. Audiences spent the entire series anticipating that he may have some master plan, and yet he was thwarted by somehow thinking Sansa and Arya would turn against each other. It doesn’t make sense, and it’s far below his capacities as a plotter.
Now he has to write a book where they all die to make room for those who are truly endgame while making each death fulfilling.
Ultimately, it’s understandable that Littlefinger had to die. He was always going to be a threat to the Iron Throne. But to kill Littlefinger in a manner that doesn’t befit his genius is a complete betrayal of his character. One of Martin’s problems is that he has several Littlefingers, be it Euron Greyjoy, Aegon, the Tyrells, or the Dornish. Now he has to write a book where they all die to make room for those who are truly endgame while making each death fulfilling. It’s an immense task.
What Brandon Sanderson’s Comments Mean For Wind & Truth
To Prepare For The New Stormlight Archive Era, Several Characters Might Need To Go
Brandon Sanderson has avoided Martin’s pitfall, and it seems likely that the first leg ofThe Stormlight Archivewill wrap up succinctly. Next, audiences will have to wait a while before Sanderson begins the next five-book arc for the series. The sequel series will supposedly occur ten years later in-world, which means much of the same cast will be present in some form. However, to designate that it’s a new series, new characters will have to take precedence.
With this in mind, it seems clear thatthere should be some major character deaths inWind & Truth. That may come as obvious, given that it’s the final volume, but with the intense emotional attachment readers feel for these characters, it may be harder to chew on than many anticipate. IconicStormlight Archivecharacters like Kaladin and Dalinar might have reached the end of the line one way or another.
The Stormlight Archive
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.
