Book Review of Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

This book review of Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson is part of my Cosmere Reading Quest.

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Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson was such a fun read! I’m giving it 5 stars without hesitation. This book has a little of everything, and with hints of Game of Thrones-esque intrigue sprinkled in. It has a really unique magic system that’s powered by color and breath and the Sanderlanches were spot on (never a disappointment!). On top of all that, Sanderson explores some really big themes like identity, choice, and freedom. But never in a way that feels heavy. I connected with several characters and felt invested in their journeys. But with all that said, let’s dive into the review.

Plot Summary

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson is a fantasy story about two sisters, Siri and Vivenna, who come from the kingdom of Idris. Their lives change when Siri is unexpectedly sent to marry the God King of Hallandren, a neighboring kingdom filled with magic and vibrant colors. This marriage was supposed to be Vivenna’s duty, and now she’s determined to rescue her sister from this unexpected fate.

The world of Warbreaker is unique. People in Hallandren use a magic called “Breath,” which allows them to bring objects to life and control them. Breath also affects colors, making the world around these people more vivid. Siri, Vivenna, and the God King are all caught up in complex politics, power struggles, and secrets in both kingdoms. While Siri learns to navigate her new role and the strange customs of Hallandren, Vivenna goes undercover, facing danger and discovering new sides to herself along the way.

Alongside their stories, there’s Lightsong, a god with his own mysterious past, and Vasher, a warrior with a magical sword who has his own reasons for staying hidden. As their paths cross, each character is challenged to question their beliefs and make tough choices. With twists, adventure, and layers of mystery, Warbreaker is about freedom, identity, and what it means to control your own life.

My Review

A World Bursting with Color and Magic

Imagine a world where people’s power depends on the colors around them, and where Breath—a part of the soul—can be bought, traded, and used as magic. Brandon Sanderson has this talent for taking a fresh concept and weaving it into the world so seamlessly that it feels completely real. He’s well-known for creating detailed, rule-bound magic systems, and here he delivers again with the concept of BioChromatic Breath. The idea that Breath can make objects come to life, or enhance senses, is unlike anything I’ve seen in fantasy.

From the start, I was intrigued by the contrast between the two main characters, Vivenna and Siri, sisters with very different personalities. Vivenna, the responsible older sister, has spent her whole life preparing to marry the God King of Hallandren. Meanwhile, Siri is wild, impulsive, and completely unprepared for court life. Sanderson’s choice to swap their roles—sending Siri to Hallandren instead—was unexpected and brilliant. The way these characters adapt (or fail to) is a big part of what kept me turning pages.

Characters that Grow (and Surprise)

Of all the characters, I probably loved Siri’s story the best. Siri started off reminding me of Sansa Stark, but eventually (like Sansa) she goes through a pretty profound character transformation as she confronts the realities of being throw into the God King’s court. I also really enjoyed following Vivenna as she works to save her sister in Hallandren’s shadowy underworld. The cast of characters she runs into involve mercenaries and treachery – her storyline is just really compelling. Her battle to balance her sense of obligation with her identity resonated with me. 

I also really liked Lightsong, the reluctant god who questions his own divinity. Whenever Lightsong’s story came to forefront, I wanted to just keep reading. His playful interactions were really entertaining at times. His development as a character who is both witty and sarcastic, but also obviously much deeper, was fun to follow along with, especially as he grasps with what bigger purpose he may have in life. Sanderson has this way of balancing humor with real emotional depth that gives Warbreaker real charm.

A Story that Twists and Turns

One thing Sanderson fans know to expect is plot twists. Warbreaker definitely delivers in this area. Just when I thought I knew where the story was headed, Sanderson threw in a twist. I won’t spoil anything, but let’s just say that the twists were quite unexpected. Sanderson builds suspense well, dropping hints here and there, but keeps the real story hidden until just the right moment. The man really knows how to keep you on your toes!

As with any new fantasy world with it’s own magic system, the setup can take some time. And it’s no different here. Some may say that the first part of the book is slower as a result, but I’ve learned that the payoffs for the building is totally worth it usually. And in this case, it definitely was.  While Sanderson spends a lot of time setting up the world and the political tensions, it felt so important that I didn’t lose interest. Some might not be gripped the same way, but I highly recommend pushing through if you do get stuck. The last half of the book, especially, is full of action and tension and the first half setup makes it totally worth it.

Themes of Power, Choice, and Freedom

Sanderson explores some really interesting themes, beyond the magic and the politics. He explores autonomy, identity, and the struggle to control one’s own life. Through the lives of a unique cast of characters, we see them wrestling  with questions of power and choice in a way that pulled me in. The growth of Siri and Vivenna and how they overcome immense challenges and regain their agency was some of Sanderson’s best storytelling that I’ve read so far. Even the God King, who seems like he’d be in total control, is caught in his own kind of prison.

I was also impressed with how Sanderson handled cultural conflict. Austre, a strict religion, contrasts starkly with the much more worldly Hallandren. With great deftness and agility, Sanderson avoids passing moral judgement on either, but instead lets the reader make judgements vicariously through the characters as they wrestle with these issues on their own. It was really nuanced, and I found myself making regular parallels to my own world and life through it.

The Downsides

No book is perfect, and Warbreaker has its flaws. For one, some of the explanations of BioChromatic Breath felt overly complicated. Sanderson is a master worldbuilder, but sometimes he’s so focused on the mechanics of his magic systems that it bogs down the story. 

And, some characters did ultimately come off as flat, in particular the villains. They felt like useful plot devices, not real people that fit as well in this complex world Sanderson created. It’s not a huge deal, and didn’t detract from completely loving this book,  but a little more depth with the antagonists would likely have made the tension go even higher.

Parting Thoughts

Ultimately, I gave Warbreaker 5 stars, primarily because of the characters. It’s also a world I find myself wanting to come back to and learn more about, and hear more stories from. Despite a few minor flaws, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy entry into Sanderson’s writing (though I would likely not recommend it as an entry point to the Cosmere). The humor, intrigue, and deep themes of freedom and identity give this story a lasting impact.

If you’re willing to wade through a few slow sections and complex magic mechanics, Warbreaker has a story worth reading. Sanderson proves once again why he’s a master of modern fantasy.

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Other Books You Might Enjoy

• Book review of White Sand by Brandon Sanderson
• Book review of The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

About the Author

Brandon Sanderson is an American fantasy author who’s made a name for himself with his complex worlds and inventive magic systems. Born in 1975 in Nebraska, he started writing while studying at Brigham Young University. His Mistborn series launched him to the top of the fantasy genre. With its gripping storylines, Mistborn cemented his reputation as one of the strongest voices in modern fantasy. One of his career highlights was finishing Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time series. A task that earned him significant respect in the fantasy world. Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive series has been hugely popular. It is praised for its complex characters and massive scope. He’s won the Hugo Award and the David Gemmell Legend Award. His books have sold millions of copies worldwide. Readers love how detailed and ambitious his stories are and there’s no denying his impact on the genre.