This is my second read through and this book still holds a special ace in my heart. I would call The Way of Kings "Epic Philosophical Fantasy", and this book feels somewhat similar to the ponderous nature of that book, except I'd say this book is philosophical fantasy for us introverts out here!

This book was a beautiful exploration of what it means to be human. Both Yumi and Nikaro learned from eachother and learned from themselves, how hard it is to interact with other people,

to care so deeply for others that you when you let them down you become paralysed and stumble for a way out.

Then there's also how we can get lost in our devotions and responsibilities, whether it be for our job or some role we believe we have, and forget to look around and smell the roses and see the beauty of existence.
Then there is also responsibility itself.

Nikaro's friends unfairly placed all their hopes and dreams upon his success, making their very futures his responsibility,

Yumi being a traditional Yuki-Hejo and having no sense of self and feeling as if there is no choice but her duty and responsibilities.

I will say this, this was Sanderson best example of romance. I do believe his use of romance is often weak, it's usually cringey, one-dimensional and lacking in depth and nuance. But this book, this was great romance, because it was about two people thrust into an unknown situation and in unknown worlds and trying to understand eachother and growing closer emotionally.
Im a big sucker for romance being all about mutual understanding and the emotions, instead of just being about sex or having nothing in common and not even having any chemistry.
There was decent chemistry here and it was just so charming and heartwarming.

But yes, it's not perfect, the ending was definitely a big ol exposition dump delivered by Hoid, which is an illegal writing move Sanderson and you should know better after all this time 🧐

But the book was so relatable, impactful, beautifully written and evoked so much emotion and intrigue that I'm not gonna dock any points from my review.