I liked Warbreaker more than I originally expected. Each arc started slow, but it pulled together after certain points. For Siri, it was when Susebron was revealed to have no tongue. For Vivenna, it was when Parlin died. Lightsong's arc was always fantastic, even though it started slow. His personality, arc, relationships, intrigue, and twists made him my favorite character in this book.
I wish Vivenna and Vasher's POVs had slightly faster pacing and more insight into their headspaces. Especially Vasher. But I think Brandon did a great job getting the ball rolling once they intersected. Their arcs had me emotionally invested by the end. Nightblood is there for terrifying but adorable comic relief, so that's fun.
Siri and Susebron. Great characters, loved their arcs, and their relationship is so lovely. If I could praise Sanderson for one thing, he knows how to write bonds and character progression.
Blushweaver and Llariimar are lovely side characters. RIP Blushweaver, who was a prick that one time but I loved her desire to protect Hallandren. RIP Treledees, even though you were a butthole. Tonk Fah was funny and Jewels was interesting. But I wanted to spend more time with them, especially Jewels. I'm confident Clod is the animated corpse of Arsteel.
I’m mixed about the ending. The revelations, twists, and dynamics coming together were fantastic! As always, the sanderlanche slaps. But I think Brandon should have extended the aftermath by a chapter or two. So we get a proper goodbye to Siri and Susebron, and see how Llarimar is doing. I'm sure the murder of priests and one Returned, the betrayal of scribes, a God King that speaks, and the release of Kalad's Phantoms would impact whatever Hallandren becomes.
Lightsong should especially be significant in the aftermath IMO. He gave up his Breath to create something unseen among God Kings - one with a tongue. That is very significant for the world.
Peacegiver is so much of a god that the God King calls him "lord," and he meets that lord. The core characters certainly wouldn't reveal Vasher's significance to the public. But I think they, and possibly Llarimar, should come together to discuss his past IMO. Vasher is both Kalad AND Peacegiver. The one who transformed the jungle and mountains in two major ways that have persisted for centuries. I am shocked Sanderson just… moved on from that. I've never had that impression from his endings so far, not even for Elantris.
I wanted to see the Phantoms fry the Lifeless. I needed to see Siri and Vivenna saying goodbye, Siri and Susebron processing what just happened to Hallandren, or Llarimar processing his brother's death and reason for Returning. I would give this book 4/5 stars. The ending was rushed. Most of the characters and arcs could have used more meat. The pacing could have been better. I still like it a lot. But I think everything about Nightblood, Awakening, the intrigue of Vasher and Denth, and the Returned kept me sticking around. But I'm sure that's because I read all of Mistborn before this. I don't know how it would hold up as someone's introduction to the Cosmere, or something read right after the Mistborn Trilogy.
