Includes MASSIVE SPOILERS for The Stormlight Archive through Wind and Truth.
Brandon Sanderson has set up a major protagonist for Wind and Truth's ending, it was a different character who created that moment.
After over two decades of expanding his Cosmere fantasy universe with various titles like Mistborn, Elantris, and The Stormlight Archive, the next few years should be relatively light on new releases, especially considering the volume of books that have released since the COVID-19 Pandemic. As per the annual State of Sanderson blog post, readers shouldn't expect the next installment of The Stormlight Archive until roughly 2031. The book is also meant to have an in-world time jump, picking up a decade after the events of Wind and Truth.
Talenel's Awakening Was Wind And Truth's Most Epic Moment
Talenel Defending Azimir Is One Of The Stormlight Archive's Most Powerful Scenes
As mentioned, Brandon Sanderson is a master at creating those "epic moments," where a character does something truly awe-inspiring and heroic at the perfect time. Readers will Kaladin leaping into the arena to defend Adolin in Words of Radiance, and Dalinar swearing his Third Ideal in Oathbringer. These are incredibly tough to rival, and while both of these characters had exceptional moments in Wind and Truth, it was Talenel, one of the Heralds of the Almighty, who stole the show with the most exciting scene.
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Talenel has spent much of The Stormlight Archive in a ruined state, with his mind damaged from over 4,000 years of torture in Damnation, suffering on behalf of his fellow Heralds. Aside for a brief moment in Oathbringer, where he gained consciousness from Dalinar swearing the Third Ideal, allowing him to express his selfless gratitude to Shalash for abandoning him in Braize to suffer torment alone. Despite all that happened to him, Talenel wasn't angered, but proud of the opportunity that he provided humankind on Roshar, ending the cycle of Desolations for a time.
Talenel rises to fight back against the invaders, killing dozens of Fused with his bare hands until eventually dying alongside Shalash in combat.
That leads to Talenel's epic moment in Wind and Truth, when Abidi the Monarch enters the Azish hospital with intent of slaughtering wounded soldiers. Talenel, stationed in that room, regains consciousness, standing tall to defend the helpless. Despite not having a weapon, Talenel rises to fight back against the invaders, killing dozens of Fused with his bare hands until eventually dying alongside Shalash in combat. It's a beautiful moment that demonstrates his profoundly unbreakable spirit, and luckily, a Herald dying isn't permanent. Talenel will return in arc 2.
What Talenel's Wind And Truth Moment Means For Stormlight Archive Arc 2
Talenel Will Be Back Along With The Heralds As A Hero Of Roshar
In 2017 (via WoB) Brandon Sanderson made a crucial comment about the Heralds, stating, "most Herald stuff is being saved for the second set of five." Readers have slowly become acquainted with several of the Heralds throughout the first five books, but it's only been in small doses. Now that Kaladin is the King of the Heralds, and will be working with them to regain their sanity so they can return to Roshar as heroes in a future book, they'll be allowed a more prominent role going forward. With Talenel being a fan-favorite, he's sure to have his time.
Brandon Sanderson is experienced enough to know what he's doing with his characters, and can tell what his readers are going to respond to. This moment with Talenel in Wind and Truth isn't just about defending Azimir, it's about setting up a character for the future that readers will know to root for. Talenel is a character that readers will be in awe of, and that they know they can follow. He's suffered more than anyone, and yet he had the bravery to stand tall and protect the weak, making a true warrior's sacrifice once again.
Talenel Will Be The Main Flashback Character For Stormlight Archive Book 9
Book 9 Should Be Talenel's Main Moment To Shine
It's crucial to set up Talenel as a character readers are fond of, as he's going to be the central flashback character for book 9. Each book of The Stormlight Archive has focused on one character for its flashbacks, corresponding to one of the Knights Radiant orders. Talenel is the Patron Herald of the Stonewards, meaning they'll have some representation in the penultimate book of the series. Book 9 is still years away, but Wind and Truth laid the foundation for each flashback character's story, so readers have some clues to what's coming.
Book Title |
Flashback Character |
Book Title |
Flashback Character |
|---|---|---|---|
1. The Way of Kings |
Kaladin |
6. Unknown |
Lift |
2. Words of Radiance |
Shallan |
7. Unknown |
Renarin |
3. Oathbringer |
Dalinar |
8. Unknown |
Shalash |
4. Rhythm of War |
Venli/Eshonai |
9. Unknown |
Talenel |
5. Wind and Truth |
Szeth |
10. Unknown |
Jasnah |
It's important to note that, despite arc 2 focusing more on the Heralds, only two of them will be POV flashback characters: Shalash and Talenel. The fact that they've been together for the past few books seems crucial to where their story is heading, with them both likely becoming prominent heroes in The Stormlight Archive's second half. It may take some time before the Heralds return to Roshar, possibly even the entirety of those first two books, but Shalash and Talenel will be the two to look out for in interludes, or however Sanderson decides to tell their story.
Brandon Sanderson Is Still Hiding One Major Talenel Detail
Why Did Talenel Try To Kill Cultivation?
The Stormlight Archive's first five books provided some crucial details about the Heralds, and Wind and Truth filled in some gaps readers had been waiting for. The scenes in the Spiritual Realm revealed that Talenel was a horse keeper, and Nale suggested that he become one of the Heralds as a representation for the common folk, and because he had interacted with a god before. Then a bit of compelling information is revealed about how he interacted with a god: he tried to kill Cultivation.
One Stormlight Archive Character's Fate In Wind & Truth Sets Up Brandon Sanderson's Biggest Challenge Yet
One important character ending in The Stormlight Archive book 5, Wind and Truth, sets up the potential for a crazy challenge in sequence 2.
This is a massive information drop about another character who's still rather mysterious in her role in the Cosmere. Sanderson reveals this tidbit, but doesn't explain why or how. Wind and Truth also mentions that Kalak gave Talenel a weapon, but that he lost it. Both bits of lore seem to be setting up something curious for Talenel's flashbacks in the back half of The Stormlight Archive, adding intrigue and complexity to one of the most exciting protagonists still to come.
The Stormlight Archive
- Created by
- Brandon Sanderson
- Character(s)
- Kaladin Stormblessed, Shallan Davar, Dalinar Kholin, Adolin Kholin, Jasnah Kholin, Szeth-son-son-Vallano, Navani Kholin
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.