Stormlight Archive Book 5: Wind and Truth
Brandon Sanderson’s Wind and Truth is the fifth novel in the epic fantasy series The Stormlight Archive. Published in December 2024, it brings the first major arc of the saga to a dramatic conclusion, returning readers to the storm-lashed world of Roshar for a confrontation that could change its future.
A race against time
The story follows the events of Rhythm of War, as the conflict between Roshar’s human kingdoms and the forces of Odium reaches a critical point. Dalinar Kholin faces a decisive challenge: he must prepare for a contest of champions that may determine the fate of the world. With only ten days before the reckoning, old alliances are tested and the consequences of past choices become harder to escape.
Meanwhile, Kaladin and Szeth embark on a dangerous mission, while Shallan pursues the truth behind the Ghostbloods and the mysteries surrounding them. Their journeys take the characters into new territory, both physically and emotionally, as the novel explores what it means to act with courage when certainty is out of reach.
The end of an era — and the start of another
Wind and Truth is a major milestone for the series, but not the end of The Stormlight Archive as a whole. Sanderson has planned a ten-book saga divided into two five-book arcs. This novel concludes the first arc, bringing several long-running storylines to a turning point while leaving the wider world open for further exploration.
That structure gives the book a dual purpose: it offers readers the payoff of years of character development and world-building, while also setting the stage for what comes next. Roshar’s history, its magic and the struggle between its people and powerful supernatural forces remain central to the story.
Who is the book for?
Readers who have followed the series from The Way of Kings will find familiar characters, sweeping battles and the intricate mythology that have become hallmarks of Sanderson’s work. The novel is best approached after reading the earlier books, as its conflicts and revelations depend heavily on what has come before.
For long-time fans, Wind and Truth offers the culmination of the first chapter of a vast fantasy epic. For anyone considering starting the series, it is a reminder of the scale of the journey ahead: begin with The Way of Kings, and watch Roshar’s story unfold one storm at a time.
Unveiling the Mysteries of Stormlight Archive Book 5: Key Questions Answered
- Why did people not like Wind and Truth?
- Is Wind and Truth the last book?
- Is Stormlight 5 the end?
- How many books will be in The Stormlight Archive?
- Will there be a Stormlight Archive book 6?
- Is there LGBTQ in Stormlight Archive?
- When did Brandon Sanderson start writing Stormlight 5?
Why did people not like Wind and Truth?
Some readers were disappointed by Wind and Truth because its enormous length and shifting points of view can make the pacing feel uneven, with some storylines receiving more attention than others. Others felt that certain character choices or revelations did not deliver the payoff they had hoped for after years of build-up, while the book’s tone and ending divided opinion. These reactions are subjective, though: many fans enjoyed the ambitious scope and emotional moments, and criticism does not mean the book was universally disliked.
Is Wind and Truth the last book?
No, Wind and Truth is not the last book in The Stormlight Archive. It is the fifth novel and concludes the series’ first major arc, but Brandon Sanderson has planned a second arc of five books, bringing the main series to ten novels in total. The next book is expected to begin that new arc, with a time jump and a fresh focus on Roshar’s characters and conflicts.
Is Stormlight 5 the end?
No, Stormlight Archive book 5, Wind and Truth, is not the end of the series. It concludes the first five-book arc, bringing several major storylines to a turning point, but Brandon Sanderson has planned a second arc of five more books. So while Wind and Truth offers a significant conclusion, Roshar’s story is set to continue.
How many books will be in The Stormlight Archive?
Brandon Sanderson has planned The Stormlight Archive as a ten-book series, divided into two five-book arcs. Wind and Truth is the fifth book and concludes the first arc; five further novels are planned to complete the saga.
Will there be a Stormlight Archive book 6?
Yes. Brandon Sanderson has planned The Stormlight Archive as a ten-book series, divided into two five-book arcs. Book 5, Wind and Truth, concludes the first arc, while book 6 is intended to begin the second. Sanderson has indicated that the next five books will feature a time jump and a somewhat different focus, though they will continue the wider story of Roshar.
Is there LGBTQ in Stormlight Archive?
Yes. The Stormlight Archive includes LGBTQ+ characters, though their identities and relationships are generally part of a much wider story rather than its sole focus. For example, Drehy is openly gay, and later books explore a growing romantic connection between Renarin and Rlain. These elements are woven into the series’ broader themes of identity, belonging and acceptance.
When did Brandon Sanderson start writing Stormlight 5?
Brandon Sanderson began writing the fifth Stormlight Archive novel, Wind and Truth, in January 2022. He worked on the book over the following years, completing its first draft in December 2023 before revising it for publication.
