Warbreaker (Spoiler-Free & Spoiler Review)

In this episode of Next Chapter, we delve into Brandon Sanderson's standalone novel, 'Warbreaker.' Join us as we explore the vibrant world of Hallandren, filled with biochromatic magic, political intrigue, and complex characters.
We'll discuss Sanderson's unique magic system, compelling character arcs, and the intricate plot that makes 'Warbreaker' a standout in the fantasy genre. From the mysterious Returned gods to the powerful Breath magic, we break down the elements that make this book a must-read for fantasy fans.
Subscribe to Next Chapter for more in-depth book reviews and discussions on your favorite fantasy novels. Have you read 'Warbreaker'? Share your thoughts and favorite moments in the comments below.
#Warbreaker #BrandonSanderson #FantasyBooks #BookReview #NextChapter

[@unclearmirror6013]

6:12 Zahel is absolutely Vasher. The stormlight books confirm it with everything they say. (Also Vivenna shows up in Stormlight too) And he was always considered an average swordsman amongst his peers (including arsteel) but compared to those on Roshar, he’s significantly better than all but the best. Like many things is simply about perspective 😂

[@NextChapterYT]

Makes sense! Very excited to get back to rereading Oathbringer with the Warbreaker context!

[@teancumsjavelin363]

Also keep in mind that Vasher is over 300 years old. So while he wasn't as good as Denth, he still has TONS more experience that anyone with a normal length life. Think about it. Adolin is the best duelist amongst the Alethi, but he's only been sword fighting for 15ish years. Washer has been sword fighting for 18 times as long.

[@unclearmirror6013]

@@teancumsjavelin363 this is a great point i forgot about😂

[@Ms.Pronounced_Name]

6:40 The thing about being the worst swordsman among a group of 300+ year old people is that they're THREE HUNDRED years old. Under the best of circumstances a human can train for maybe 60 years, and the majority of that isn't at peak physical ability. So Denth and Vasher have 5 times the training of the greatest human Swordmaster, and are in peak physical condition, so when Denth says "Vasher isn't very good" he means as compared to another 300 year old demigod. Compared to any human, Vasher is amazing

[@NextChapterYT]

Very solid point! That would mark sense to me!

[@Ms.Pronounced_Name]

The "cost" of Breath is because of where it sits on the Availability-vs-Permanency scale. Stormlight is super available but extremely impermanent, while Breath is extremely limited in availability but extremely permanent.

[@NextChapterYT]

Interesting for sure… where does the ‘permanent’ breath go when someone dies? Back to Endowment? Feels similar (to me at least) to the scale of Stormlight where when it’s used up it comes back with the storm, but I think I see your point with the ‘recovery’ of breath after awakening!

[@teancumsjavelin363]

If someone dies without giving it to someone else, it returns to Endowment. It's also permanent in that it doesn't get "used up". An Awakener can animate an object and it stays animated until they recall the breath that was used to awaken it. It's a closed system, so to speak. The only thing that gets used up is the color. That powers the command not the actual breath itself.

[@spencerd6126]

The bond to a spren is called the “nahel bond,” Returned are seen as gods on Nalthis (especially Vasher) and spren are seen as Gods on Roshar. So his name, “Zahel” is a reference to his divine status, by changing one letter of the bond

[@NextChapterYT]

Very cool! Had no idea!

[@ApoMelon]

Correction: Sanderson wrote white sands first, even before elantris. But elantris was published first

[@NextChapterYT]

That's good to know!! Thanks for the correction!

[@Wordhopper1990]

The Returned thing is part of Lightsong’s plotline. His story is about finding his purpose for Returning. This is also alluded to when Lightsong remembers dying, then Endowment talks to him and sends him back. The epiphany he lands on is that his purpose was to use his Divine Breath to heal the God King. Whether healing someone is the purpose for Returned in general, we don’t know. Edgli/Endowment have some sort of plan, supposedly.

[@NextChapterYT]

Understanding the part about Endowment is definitely something I missed, but really helps fill that gap!! Thanks!

[@unclearmirror6013]

30:13 well, it’s all investiture. And if you’ll recall, there is now a system of measuring investiture that Brandon coined in The Sunlit Man Breath Equivalent Units (BEU) and they’re far more common/easily accessible on roshar than on Nalthis. This is mentioned in some of the pre post scripts to stories in Arcanum Unbounded as well as by Zahel and possibly others in the stormlight archive as well. (At least the ease and plenty of available usable investiture)

[@NextChapterYT]

Oh yeah!! I totally forgot to mention that to Jaden!

[@VituKi]

Wow, have not expected you guys to not like the graphic audio versions.Still glad you found an enjoyable version for you.

[@NextChapterYT]

I really want to! Jaden doesn’t like it at all 😂 I personally love all the clips from Stormlight on KZbin and such!

[@teancumsjavelin363]

Stormlight and Mistborn Era 2 are the best GA with Stormlight being number one for me. My only complaint about the Stormlight GA is the voice actress for Navani sounds like she's in her late 80s instead if her mid 50s. Really throws me off when she is trying to seduce Dalinar 😀

[@Wordhopper1990]

Glad you guys finally covered Warbreaker! Fingers crossed Brandon will get to the sequel at some point

[@NextChapterYT]

That would be awesome!! So many questions still ;)

[@OriginalMrocco]

Oh Shit y'all are almost at 1k subs!

[@OriginalMrocco]

10:18 reading while taking a bath is great! Honestly one of the relaxing things to do

[@NextChapterYT]

SO CLOSE! lol 🚀

[@serpentious]

Both Vasher and Arsteek are returned with divine breath, really really old. Even if Arsteel was better, Vasher is still older than all the mortals in SLA that he would outdo them in swordsmanship.

[@valliyarnl]

About pronounciations: yes I do know do an instance. Im world in Elantris both vowels of the Aons are stressed. So even tho we all colloquially call it Elantris, in world, it is called EE-LAY-ntris. Sarene is Sar-ee-nee. Kaise is Kay-ice. Sanderson said that in his head that’s how things are pronounced there but since we aren’t there it’s like we are reading almost a translation of that OG language/pronounciation so people IRL can pronounce it however they want :)

[@NextChapterYT]

Very cool take!

[@MrMoonCraft]

12:07 Just a bit of an added tidbit to Sanderson's whole "You can pronounce this character's how you want" There's a whole video where Sanderson goes into the details of this, but it boils down to his philosophy around what being a writer is and the role the reader has in the story being told. He views the stories he writes as 'not done' until someone has sat down and read the book. In this way, he says that the book is like a screenplay, and the reader is the director and actors and all the other things. Imagining up the action scenarios and character interactions / physical appearances. In the same way that the reader decides how a character looks like to them, they also decide how the character's name is pronounced. This is what he means when he says people can decide how they want to pronounce a character's name. I think it's a really awesome and humble mentality to have as an author.

[@NextChapterYT]

I agree! So cool for him to have that perspective as an author

[@Ms.Pronounced_Name]

17:30 something to know about this book is that Sanderson posted all of his rough drafts for people to read as he wrote them, and i suspect was taking at least some feedback from people who had read the roughs online. My conjecture is that all of that feedback screwed up his revision process in some way. Either he didn't do enough rewrites, or was taking to much feedback from people online, or it was just a pressure thing, but the writing quality was impacted

[@NextChapterYT]

That’s super interesting… I had no idea! Good lesson for other writers though big time

[@Ms.Pronounced_Name]

@NextChapterYT I'm not positive, but I think the rough copies might still be up on his website. I haven't looked for them in a while

[@RosemaryAllen]

The different pronunciation of character names in the same book IS a Sanderson book! It bugged me, too. Kate and Michael both pronounced "Sadeas" differently. Michale pronounced it "Sad-ey-as" and Kate pronounced it "Sad-EE-as"

[@NextChapterYT]

That’s probably it!

[@Wordhopper1990]

Guys, I think the color metaphors in Stormlight are on purpose, because Vasher and Vivenna are not from Roshar, so they don’t speak Alethi or whatever Rosharan language. So whatever Connection trick they’re using to translate their native language basically has “Google Translate” syndrome. As a result, the color-heavy idioms they use in their own language (which we get the regular English idioms for) get translated awkwardly into Rosharan languages. And Brandon uses these awkward idioms to showcase that.

[@NextChapterYT]

Ah that helps for sure… I think I was expecting them to be very specific in the Warbreaker version, like colours meant something in particular so that the ‘green like the grass’ and others would be super funny or relevant! Maybe that connection will be further explained in the sequel!

[@Wordhopper1990]

@@NextChapterYT Oh yeah, I get the expectation. But it doesn’t work if they have to explain their idioms all the time, so that we understand them too. I think the Vasher quote was “Don’t be green from the ground”. I think Brandon does use these to highlight how important colors are to Nalthian characters in a cultural sense. Colors are the basis for religions, the Invested dyes from the Tears of Edgli flowers are a big thing, and of course color is the fuel for Awakening with Breaths.

[@Moonadept]

I enjoyed the book. Not my favorite but it's a solid entry. Maybe I'd go about a 7.5, maybe a little higher. I'd definitely love to get the eventual sequel. I prefer this over Elantris. I 100% agree that Elantris is saved by the Sanderlanche, and it does help this one. THough I guess these comments are for next time. Color did seem important culturally; the capital is very colorful while those who do not believe they should use breath dressed with less color. Oathbringer read soon? Cosmere spoilery thoughts! It is interesting the influence this one has. Between the connections to Stormlight (OMG Nightblood) and the use of "BEUs" in Sunlit man come from here. I really want to know how many BEUs are in a stormlight-charged diamond chip. I looked at Vasher in the Coppermind wiki. According to the sources, he left to go to Roshar because investiture is much easier to get, which makes a lot of sense. I do want to know how Nighblood exchanged hands to a Herald. Speaking of, the Returned is interesting. And while watching this I made a connection: to Kelsier. I wonder how similar he is to a Returned now, though as someone who forced it, versus Endowment giving it (at least I assume). Does he need a new spike every so often... Remember Nightblood when you finally get to Yumi. I am also wondering about connections to Sixth of the Dusk, but that may be stretching.

[@NextChapterYT]

Very cool! Love the Cosmere connection thoughts! Yes starting Oathbringer probably in a couple months? Putting it off until it is a bit closer to Wind and Truth to keep it as fresh as possible as we get to the more recent books! Also to give us time to read through as much as on the rest of the Cosmere as well! So much to read and so excited for December!

[@Minecraft_and_Cats]

The shard of Warbreaker is Austre from Siri and Vienna religion. The shard of color.

[@aldan7812]

Endowment is the shard on Nalthis boys. Great vid btw, carry on :-)

[@NextChapterYT]

Thanks!! Seems like a very mysterious shard that I’m excited to learn more about in the next one (if it comes out)

[@mattpen]

Im one of those weirdos that prefers Elantra's to Warbreaker but it's still pretty good; the plotting and writing felt off in this one for me. Side note: I don't know how you read these long fantasys with an audiobook I refer back and flip around so much I can't imagine trying to follow it solely on audio, props to you.

[@NextChapterYT]

Honestly totally get you! That’s what I love about reading a physical copy, to be able to flip back, but that is also one of the reasons I am so slow at reading the physical copies of books!

[@LEOrgill]

I believe this is one of the books that Sanderson didn’t outline before he wrote it. I always feel his work is a bit better when he outlines it. Though it has some of my favorite characters

[@NextChapterYT]

That would make a lot of sense!

[@MrRafaztar]

The graphic audio was quite rough in this book but I really enjoyed it on most born and forth wing

[@NextChapterYT]

Haven’t tried those two… maybe I’ll have too after the bad taste from White Sands goes away lol ;)

[@ladero01]

I liked Warbreaker but I can't remember where in my Sanderson journey I read it. I can't give a real rating beyond liking it because it has been years since I read it.

[@happykaladin78]

Endowment is the shard on Nalthis. She is the only shard on the planet and little is known about her. Endowment is a morally grey shard and Nalthis is unique because of it. The returned are being "endowed" with new life. Why she does this is unknown. My guess is she does it because it is her shards intent. Same reason Preservation adored the Lord Ruler. The Lord Ruler wasn't a "good" person, but for the god named preservation the undying lord ruler was a massive success. I believe Vasher has a line in Oathbringer (maybe Rythym of War) where he references Endowment while he was talking to himself. If I recall correctly Vasher had a lot of hurt/longing on why "she" sent them back.

[@NextChapterYT]

Amazing! Excited get books about all these Shards some day!

[@MisterSketch4]

I loved Warbreaker. This novel was incredible. I would rate it about a 7.2 based on the characters and the sanderlanche. Lightsong was definitely the best character but Vivenna, Nightblood, and Vasher r all close. I’m excited for the prequel story of Nightblood’s creation by Vasher and Shashara.

[@NextChapterYT]

No way! I would love a prequel. Is that what the plan is or is it a sequel and a prequel?

[@MisterSketch4]

@@NextChapterYT I’m unsure what exactly the current plan is but at one point at least it was either a prequel dealing with Nightblood’s creation or a sequel with flashbacks to Vasher and Shashara creating the aforementioned sword. I believe the planned title is simply “Nightblood”. I think The Novel might also discuss the invention of the “ichor-alcohol blood” and the invention of the lifeless although this is unconfirmed and might just be my own wishful thinking.

[@Ms.Pronounced_Name]

12:08 i don't know of an official stance that he's stated, but my impression from things he's said is that he won't tell an audiobook reader how to pronounce something BUT he will answer inquiries from an audiobook reader if they go to the trouble of asking. He's also changed his pronunciation of a couple of characters based on either repeated fan pronunciation or an audiobook pronunciation, though which character's that happened with escapes me right now

[@tomchisholm9467]

Sorry in advance for the long comment! The shard on Nalthis (warbreaker world) is Endowment. That’s why everyone born there is given investiture at birth (their breath). Personally I think the purpose of the returned was explained well: they are people who die and are shown a vision of the future by Endowment before they pass on, they then decide to “return” and use their super charged breath to save someone in the moment they saw in the vision. This book is probably my favorite stand alone Sanderson book (though Sunlit Man might beat it out). The funny thing though is when I first read it I didn’t feel it was anything too special, but over the next week or so thinking back on it I realized how much depth these characters actually had if you thought about why they acted certain ways that at times seemed somewhat contrary to their initial demeanor. like despite how laidback lightsong is he probably has one of the greatest innate senses of duty out of an cosmere character other than Kaladin, he always listened to any petitioner that came to him, always reviewed gifts given to him, took it upon himself to solve the mystery happening in the city, was trusted with the codes to the army, and sacrificed himself to save susebron. Or Blushweaver being manipulative and power hungry all of which is true but acting that way to try to help people and genuinely caring about lightsong. The foil dynamic between Vasher and Denth is also great, where at the beginning Vasher definitely seems the sketchier person. Both of them are the oldest returned we have seen thus far and have handled immortality so differently but started in the same place as scholars wanting to understand what had happened to them,(kinda of weird to think of Zahel as starting off his life as a scholar right?). Vasher trying to set right the dangerous discoveries he let loose on the world holding to the ideals of trying to make the world better (him being Warbreaker The Peaceful) and Denth ultimately being selfish and only caring about revenge against Vasher. I think Vivenna and Siri character development is easy to see, but a fun thing to think about is why each of their personality traits flipped in usefulness depending on the society. In a small rural kingdom steeped in tradition and strict religion Vivenna the rule follower seemed like the perfect daughter and obvious choice to rule next but when she was brought into the harsh reality of an urban city and the grey morality found there she was thrown off balance and left flat footed at every turn. While Siri seen as wild and flighty in her homeland was well suited almost naturally to political intrigue of the city where her open mindedness allowed her to question decisions/rules Vivenna would have just accepted in her position. Not only could Vivenna not succeeded on Siri’s arc but I don’t think Siri could have succeed on Vivenna’s. I don’t think Siri has the same natural level of blunt force determination that lent to Vivenna picking up Awakening so quickly nor do I think Siri would have been able to develop the level of ruthlessness Vivenna had by the end of the book. P.S. 1. Brandon said Denth was created to show what Kelsier would be like if he wasn’t put into the role of a hero, that on a character level they are pretty close to the same just put into different situations. we still don’t know what 2. Vasher’s moment was that he was sent back to accomplish despite him being alive for so long I’m guessing it’s going to happen in Stormlight archive. 3. Can’t wait for you guys to read Oathbringer because there is another world hopper from Nalthis who appears in the story besides Zahel.

[@NextChapterYT]

Love the comment! I really like the perspective of how deep the story really was! Definitely changes my thoughts on it. Where did you learn about Endowment? That seems like a really cool piece! Also the Kelsier thing is really interesting!

[@tomchisholm9467]

@@NextChapterYT Endowment reveal was actually by Word of Brandon not explicitly stated in the book. Sorry! The part I thought mentioned her was when lightsong regains his memories right before healing susebron. In that section it only mentions lightsong once dead having a vision of a horrible war and then “a voice” gave him an offer to return. That voice was confirmed by Brandon to be endowment.

[@valliyarnl]

The Shard is Endownment

[@NextChapterYT]

Knew someone would know it thanks!

[@ApoMelon]

I disagree with your take on graphic audio. Warbreaker’s graphic audio is so great, probably the best in the cosmere. Vashers and nightbloods voice actors in the graphic audio are so good!! Furthermore, a voice actress from warbreaker shows up in the oathbringer graphic audio. Her Irish accent is so unique I was able to figure out which warbreaker character shows up in oathbringer! My only problem with graphic audio is that they sometimes skip sentences or paragraphs. But I read along with the graphic audio so I don’t miss anything. And sometimes the music or sound effects overpower the dialogue lol. As for white sands…White sands is just bad, and i both read and listened to it. but it’s not graphic audios fault lol. The comics is even worse than the graphic audio, because the graphic audio has more dialogue and words in general. But at least with the comics you can skim through it super faster

[@NextChapterYT]

Yeah tbh I had a reeeally hard time with White Sands… but the idea of reading along with GA is a good one!! Once I’ve cooled off from white sands maybe I’ll test it out again ;)

[@Ms.Pronounced_Name]

For me, the Lightsong not believing in his own religion wasn't the interesting part, but rather the fact that he was the only God who was HONEST about his lack of belief in the religion.

[@NextChapterYT]

That makes sense… there were a lot of sketchy beliefs even among the gods!

[@Jemethyy]

Spoiler warning for other series’s would have been appreciated. I came for Warbreaker review not Stormlight spoilers!

[@NextChapterYT]

Sorry about that!! We usually try to give spoiler warnings before spilling details, sorry we missed this one…

[@connorslocum9327]

👑KINGS👑

[@julianprofas]

It's a shame your discussions have cosmere spoilers. I've read the book but like many; I've read it before or after TWoK and before reading WoR. Please segment your cosmere spoilers for the end and clearly mark them.

[@NextChapterYT]

Thanks for the tip!

[@UnderBarrowBog]

What’s the point of even saying this is partially a spoiler free review😂

[@NextChapterYT]

😂😂 trying to find that balance we can add more nonspoiler next time if you want 😉

[@GentleGiantJason]

@@NextChapterYTmaybe just have a rating , thumbs up / thumbs down, good book / so so / didn’t like it.