Behold the gorgeous cover for Wind and Truth, Brandon Sanderson’s fifth Stormlight Archive novel

Behold the gorgeous cover for Wind and Truth, Brandon Sanderson's fifth Stormlight Archive novel

As a seasoned Cosmere explorer and long-time Sanderson fan, I must say, the reveal of the cover for Wind and Truth is like finding a hidden Shardblade in a field of Shardplate – utterly exhilarating! This fifth installment in The Stormlight Archive series is undoubtedly a momentous occasion for us readers. It’s akin to standing atop Urithiru itself, gazing out at the impending Everstorm, just as Dalinar does on this breathtaking cover.

Today marks a significant occasion within the Cosmere: the cover art for Brandon Sanderson’s fifth installment in The Stormlight Archive series, titled “Wind and Truth”, has been unveiled. While Sanderson is renowned for his swift storytelling pace, this book stands out even among his productive output. The Stormlight Archive series, set within the expansive Cosmere universe, represents a monumental, ambitious undertaking that matches the grandeur of any classic fantasy saga.

The epic series titled “The Stormlight Archive” is intended to span over ten volumes. In the middle of this extensive narrative, author Brandon Sanderson will momentarily step away from it to concentrate on other projects such as the upcoming “Mistborn” Era 3 and the long-awaited continuation of his first novel “Elantris.” The fifth book in the series, titled “Wind and Truth,” represents the culmination of the initial storyline within “The Stormlight Archive.”

Indeed, it’s quite exciting news for fans of Sanderson! Now, let’s unveil the cover for “Wind and Truth” without any more delay:

Behold the gorgeous cover for Wind and Truth, Brandon Sanderson's fifth Stormlight Archive novel

Wind and Truth is the last cover artist Michael Whelan will create for The Stormlight Archive

This image depicts Dalinar Kholin perched atop Urithiru’s tower, gazing out at the distance as the ominous Everstorm approaches. It aligns well with the cover designs of other books in The Stormlight Archive, and I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation envisioning it displayed alongside the initial four volumes of the series on a book shelf.

Should the book not be already esteemed, an additional factor contributes to its acclaim – this is the final cover design by celebrated artist Michael Whelan for the series. Michael Whelan, who has been creating cover art for fantasy and science fiction novels since the 1970s, adorned works penned by authors such as Anne McCaffrey, Stephen King, and even Barbara Hambly’s “Dragonsbane,” a book that sparked Brandon Sanderson’s lifelong passion for the genre and eventually led him to write within it.

Today, an engaging conversation with Michael Whelan was posted on Dragonsteel Entertainment’s site, offering a peek into the artistic-literary partnership that has been instrumental in The Stormlight Archive, starting from the debut of The Way of Kings in 2010. In this latest collaboration, Whelan is not only concluding his involvement in Brandon Sanderson’s series but also stepping away from designing book covers altogether as he concentrates on his individual artistic pursuits with Wind and Truth.

Whelan expressed that, after 50 years of productive work, he’s eager to break free from the relentless cycle of deadlines and find more freedom in his life. He considers himself lucky to conclude his commissioned body of work with a piece for a well-known author. Although he might still see some of his future personal works on book covers when appropriate, they won’t be specifically designed for any particular book.

It’s tough to envision how the upcoming installments of “The Stormlight Archive” will appear without Whelan; I struggle to think of more imposing footsteps to follow than his. This new chapter for the series promises an exhilarating journey! For those curious about the creation process behind the renowned cover art for “The Stormlight Archive,” a full interview with Whelan is highly recommended.

On December 6, the book titled “Wind and Truth” will be published by Tor Books. If you’d like to prepare early, the book “Reactor” is hosting a read-along of upcoming chapters from the book leading up to its release over the next few months.

2024-08-30 00:41