History YMMV / RhythmOfWar

** In one of the last chapters, Shallan heavily implies that [[GreaterScopeVillain Thaidakar]], the leader of [[CovertGroup the Ghostbloods]], [[spoiler:is actually [[Literature/MistbornTheOriginalTrilogy Kelsier]].]] Confirmed by WordOfGod.

* MagnificentBitch: Raboniel, the Lady of Wishes, is a manipulative MadScientist who seizes Urithiru, disables the Radiants, tries to corrupt the Sibling, regularly tricks Navani, and [[spoiler:tries to permanently kill the Radiants and their spren]], but she does it with such style and charm that it's hard not to be in awe of her both in and out of universe.

* MagnificentBitch: Raboniel, the Lady of Wishes is a manipulative MadScientist who seizes Urithiru, disables the Radiants, tries to corrupt the Sibling, regularly tricks Navani, and [[spoiler:tries to permanently kill the Radiants and their spren]], but she does it with such style and charm that it's hard not to be in awe of her both in and out of universe.

** Gavilar crossed it once his treatment of Navani and the rest of his family was revealed. In previous appearances, he at worst started the end of the world as part of a poorly-thought-out plan to make a stronger kingdom, but he seemed like a pretty alright guy and those around him seemed to like and respect him. But alone with Navani, he reveals that all he cares about is his legacy, and despises his family. He considers [[InadequateInheritor Elhokar]] pathetic, [[RebelliousPrincess Jasnah]] a disobedient child, and Navani a GoldDigger with no real accomplishments--even though he keeps her too busy to tinker and discover by burdening her with organizing and running the kingdom, then making arbitrary decisions without her input. It's so bad that, years after his death, Navani doesn't believe herself to be a scholar, only a patron. Suffice to say, fans cheered when [[ForegoneConclusion Szeth killed him]].

* SomeAnvilsNeedToBeDropped: With the major theme of dealing with mental health issues in the series, this book finally touches on the idea of proper mental health treatment. To his dismay, Kaladin discovers that mental health patients are locked and isolated in dark rooms and nothing else. While he acknowledges he can't help everyone, he starts by forming a support group of men suffering from "battle shock" (what we would likely refer to as PTSD) in order to show that there are better ways to help people with mental ilnesses. With the series already touching on things like [[SplitPersonality Dissociative Identity Disorder]], [[HandicappedBadass physical disabilities]], and other health issues, having one of the main characters dedicate a significant amount of page time to exploring therapy and proper treatment of mental health issues is entirely on theme and quite appropriate.

* SomeAnvilsNeedToBeDropped: With the major theme of dealing with mental health issues in the series, this book finally touches on the idea of proper mental health treatment. To his dismay, Kaladin discovers that mental health patients are locked and isolated in dark rooms and nothing else. While he acknowledges he can't help everyone, he starts by forming a support group of men suffering from "battle shock" (what we would likely refer to as PTSD) in order to show that there are better ways to help people with mental ilnesses. With the series already touching on things like [[SplitPersonality Dissociative Identity Disorder]], [[HandicappedBadass physical disabilities]], [[SupernaturallyValidatedTransPerson transgender identity]], and other chronic health issues, having one of the main characters dedicate a significant amount of page time to exploring therapy and proper treatment of mental health issues is entirely on theme and quite appropriate.

** In one of the last chapters, Shallan heavily implies that Thaidakar, the leader of [[CovertGroup the Ghostbloods]], [[spoiler:is actually [[Literature/MistbornTheOriginalTrilogy Kelsier]].]]

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: With the revelation that [[spoiler: Cultivation was responsible for not just Dalinar's supposed Nightwatcher bargain but for Lift's and Taravangian's as well, there is now currently ''no'' true example of the Old Magic in the main story. A shame, since the Nightwatcher's boon-with-a-curse arrangement is interesting and evocative.]]