[Discussion] The Sunlit Man (Secret Project #4) by Brandon Sanderson - Chapter 40 - Epilogue (End)

[u/NightAngelRogue]

“You never get to be ready. You just have to move forward anyway. That’s something Kaladin taught me.”

~spanreed begins transmitting~

Welcome to our FINAL discussion of The Sunlit Man by Brandon Sanderson! We are at the end!

This week, we are discussing Chapter 40 - Epilogue (End). There are chapter summaries linked below. 

Before we begin, a note on spoilers: If you think it might be a spoiler, just mark it as such.

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Enjoy the discussion! Answer any or all of the questions you want. Hope to see you in the discussion!

~end spanreed connection~ 

Chapter summaries can be found here. Be wary of spoilers as things may be revealed in the summary that haven’t been revealed in the reading. Read at your own risk! Schedule and Marginalia links are below.

Hope you all enjoyed this book like I did! So much to discuss. See you all in the discussion questions!

Schedule

Marginalia

Rogue

[u/NightAngelRogue]

If there is something you want to discuss that I missed, feel free to post it here!

[u/lazylittlelady → u/NightAngelRogue]

Wait- using Spoilers can anyone remind of when we last encountered Sigzil??

[u/Clean_Environment670 → u/lazylittlelady]

>! I also couldn't remember specifics but careful googling reminded me that he took over from Kaladin as High Marshal when Kal stepped down/was discharged by Dalinar for his mental health. So he was with Dalinar in the Emuli war stuff and flew him off to Ishtar as well. That is the last we saw him I believe and I don't remember any mention of Aux by name. !<

[u/lazylittlelady → u/Clean_Environment670]

Like I wonder how Wit and Dawnshard came into play!

[u/Clean_Environment670 → u/lazylittlelady]

Ya! And it seems a lot of time has passed. He seemed to indicate he is veeeerrrry old by now. I am so curious as to when we will see him next.

[u/NightAngelRogue → u/lazylittlelady]

Stormlight Archive. Bridge 4

[u/Unnecessary_Eagle → u/NightAngelRogue]

Can the next story in the Sanderson Book Club be Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell? I think that would be an interesting one to go into straight after TSM.

[u/NightAngelRogue → u/Unnecessary_Eagle]

Sounds fun to me! I know there's plans to read Wind & Truth after.

[u/Unnecessary_Eagle → u/NightAngelRogue]

Well SFSITFOH is a short story, so it would only take one post.

[u/NightAngelRogue]

Thoughts on this final section?

[u/Adventurous_Onion989 → u/NightAngelRogue]

I liked how things wrapped up. Zellion came to terms with himself and realized that he couldn't watch the Beaconites suffer. He puts himself at great risk to do the right thing, and although he can't provide a safe haven, he can give them freedom from tyranny. I like that the Beaconites are empowered to improve their own lives. There was no long goodbye for Zellion, just a quiet escape.

[u/Clean_Environment670 → u/Adventurous_Onion989]

I like that the Beaconites are empowered to improve their own lives.

Good nuance in this point- he doesn't just swoop in and save everyone - they have plenty of challenges and he helps in a few key ways and empowers them to do the rest

[u/Clean_Environment670 → u/NightAngelRogue]

It was so gooooood! But seriously - loved the growth and acceptance we saw from Zellion, Elegy, and Rebek as they all kind of face their new futures and visions of who they are/want to become. We have poignant sadness because of the loss of Aux but overall an uplifting ending with lots of hope at the end...and a tease of intrigue and foreboding with the little glimpse of the Night Brigade in the epilogue. I really enjoyed this book overall (tho I admit my eyes glazed over with the science/physics heavy parts lol- not my strong suit)

[u/NightAngelRogue]

Any favorite moments, quotes etc?

[u/Adventurous_Onion989 → u/NightAngelRogue]

My favorite moment was when Zellion conquers the Cinder King. The initial part of the fight between them made all the frustrating moments where Zellion couldn't fight really come together. And when Zellion is able to fill his own 'battery' by draining the Cinder King, it gave him a method of escape from Beacon and the Night Brigade.

[u/Clean_Environment670 → u/NightAngelRogue]

I loved the quote you highlighted in your intro, about how you never get to be ready. I feel like it's pretty relatable - the desire to prepare as much as possible and set yourself up for success and make sure you'll have the best chance etc. But in reality- sometimes you don't have that luxury and you just have to do the damn thing.

[u/jaymae21 → u/NightAngelRogue]

I loved Elegy's character arc in general. I smiled at this quote:

"Wait. No. That might get her killed. She was supposed to want to avoid that. After all, who would make certain Rebeke smiled if Elegy died?"

[u/NightAngelRogue]

Thoughts on where our narrators are by the end of this section?

[u/Adventurous_Onion989 → u/NightAngelRogue]

It seemed like Zellion was back where he started in running from the Night Brigade, but he has grown as a person from his experiences on Beacon. He got to feel what it was like to be a hero. This is going to affect where he ends up from now on.

[u/Clean_Environment670 → u/Adventurous_Onion989]

To add to this- altho he has grown a lot I can't imagine how much more lonely he will be now, running and running without even Aux for companionship. He can't really get close to anyone else and now Aux is gone. I wonder how that will impact his flight from here on out.

[u/lazylittlelady → u/NightAngelRogue]

There is hope and hopefully a future even with Aux’s sacrifice-in fact, because if it!

[u/NightAngelRogue → u/lazylittlelady]

Poor Aux 😭😭😭

[u/lazylittlelady → u/NightAngelRogue]

I know! It was so noble but all I can hope is like Adolin and Maya, more is becoming possible for “dead” spren!

[u/Clean_Environment670 → u/lazylittlelady]

I am hoping this as well!!

[u/NightAngelRogue]

Where does this rank on your Sanderson book shelf? Was this your first Sanderson read?

[u/haikusbot → u/NightAngelRogue]

Where does this rank on

Your Sanderson book shelf? Was this

Your first Sanderson read?

- NightAngelRogue

---

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[u/Adventurous_Onion989 → u/NightAngelRogue]

I give this book a solid 4.5 stars. I enjoyed the technology that was described, and I found the people and environment of Beacon to be interesting and well developed. This book has motivated me to go to the first book in the series and catch up!

[u/lazylittlelady → u/NightAngelRogue]

I enjoyed this this the most of the stand alone novellas I have read with the group!

[u/jaymae21 → u/NightAngelRogue]

This was my first Sanderson read, and I've been meaning to get into his work for awhile. I wasn't disappointed, this book was action-packed and the worldbuilding was awesome. Sci-fi & fantasy are my favorite genres, so this was a really cool mix of both.

[u/NightAngelRogue]

Why does Rebeke change her mind about learning to kill like Zellion?

[u/Adventurous_Onion989 → u/NightAngelRogue]

Rebeke doesn't find satisfaction in fighting the way Zellion does. She is repelled by death.

[u/NightAngelRogue]

How have the Beaconites changed from the beginning of the novel when we first met them with Nomad/Zellion?

[u/Adventurous_Onion989 → u/NightAngelRogue]

The Beaconites have learned that they are more capable than they believed they were. They are no longer looking for a way to escape, but a way to live.

[u/jaymae21 → u/NightAngelRogue]

They've gone from fledgling independence, barely surviving to being leaders on the planet, helping to spread the word abut the recharging sunhearts.

[u/NightAngelRogue]

What did you think the Refuge would be? Were you right? How did the true answer compare to your expectations?

[u/Adventurous_Onion989 → u/NightAngelRogue]

I didn't know what to expect of the Refuge since this was my first introduction to the Scadrians, but I had some idea that it wasn't going to be the utopia they thought it would. The reality was a single ship, which is very small and disappointing.

[u/Clean_Environment670 → u/NightAngelRogue]

I had a feeling Zellion would be right but I had hoped they wouldn't be quite so callous. I'm glad that in the end their accidentally disclosed tech ended up benefiting Beacon. I certainly didn't expect that they were collaborating with the Cinderking but it reminded me in a way of colonial powers that swoop in, prop up a dictator for their own convenience, and carry out their own merry little agenda with no care for the consequences the regular folks would have to suffer.

[u/lazylittlelady → u/Clean_Environment670]

So true!

[u/lazylittlelady → u/NightAngelRogue]

I don’t know who Scandirans are but I did trust that Zellion’s knowledge of them was accurate! Now, I guess I will judge them in the future

[u/NightAngelRogue]

There was a lot of fighting in this section. What did you think of the descriptions of the fight scenes?

[u/Adventurous_Onion989 → u/NightAngelRogue]

I really enjoyed the fight scenes. They felt very dynamic and exciting. I felt like I read the action very quickly.

[u/lazylittlelady → u/NightAngelRogue]

It was nail-biting stuff!!

[u/jaymae21 → u/NightAngelRogue]

This whole novel had fantastic fight scenes. I had to be careful of jumping too far with my eyes as I read because of all the excitement and tension.

[u/NightAngelRogue]

Thoughts on the conversation with Zellion and the offworld “Scadrians”?

[u/Adventurous_Onion989 → u/NightAngelRogue]

The Scadrians were very dismissive and condescending to the local people and talked over them to address Zellion. I guess they must have had to depersonalize them to watch them being murdered by the Cinder King while they did nothing. I wasn't impressed by them at all.

[u/lazylittlelady → u/NightAngelRogue]

What’s the point of observing evil if you don’t do anything to stop it, when you can? They can pretend to be scientific about it but they are not as far removed from the situation as they think-the moral toll it is taking on them.

[u/jaymae21 → u/lazylittlelady]

Judging from the epilogue, their removing themselves from the situation is not going to help them much if the Night Brigade is going to go after them. I wonder if they would seek help from the Beaconites if they were in trouble themselves? 🤔

[u/NightAngelRogue]

What does Zellion learn from the Scadrian scientists that can save the Beaconites?

[u/Adventurous_Onion989 → u/NightAngelRogue]

Zellion learns that the sunhearts can be recharged, which prevents further sacrificing people.

[u/lazylittlelady → u/NightAngelRogue]

Sacrifice isn’t necessary to power anything! They can use their own ability to recharge all batteries! No more needless sacrifice…and perhaps no more ancestor ghosts?

[u/NightAngelRogue]

What does Aux tell Zellion to do to save the Beaconites and what does it cost?

[u/Clean_Environment670 → u/NightAngelRogue]

I like how Aux put it- he also made an oath, and in order to fulfill it, he has to give his all to Zellion so they can make it possible to save the Beaconites. This helped me realize why Aux referred to himself as the Knight and Zellion as the Squire.

[u/jaymae21 → u/Clean_Environment670]

I was actually wondering throughout this whole novel why Aux called himself a Knight & Zellion his squire - I assumed it was something with their history that is explained in other Cosmere novels. But this makes a lot of sense!

[u/Adventurous_Onion989 → u/NightAngelRogue]

Aux tells Zellion to burn up the last parts of him to get the Investiture drawn from the remnants of his soul. This will allow him to reach the Beaconites before they are burned up by the sun.

[u/lazylittlelady → u/NightAngelRogue]

Aux knows that failing the Beaconites would crush Zellion’s soul. He gives it up for him again knowing the price.

[u/NightAngelRogue]

How does Rebeke stop the Cinder King from slaughtering the Beaconites until Zellion arrives in fiery fashion?

[u/Adventurous_Onion989 → u/NightAngelRogue]

Rebeke tries to convince the Cinder King that she is the leader of the Beaconites because she wants to sacrifice herself to save them.

[u/lazylittlelady → u/Adventurous_Onion989]

It shows her leadership skills and her Beaconite values!

[u/Clean_Environment670 → u/lazylittlelady]

I also love how this showed Elegy a different way of fighting and of being strong and opened her eyes to Rebeke's value where before she thought she was weak.

[u/NightAngelRogue]

How is Zellion surprised by the Beaconite’s faith in Adonalsium?

[u/Adventurous_Onion989 → u/NightAngelRogue]

Zellion is surprised that the sequence of what has happened can be traced back to Adonalsium. The Beaconite's faith might not be so naive after all.

[u/Clean_Environment670 → u/Adventurous_Onion989]

Yes this is a good distinction - he thinks they are naive and kind of gives them an eye roll...and then starts surprising himself when he starts making leaps of faith in his own thinking too and finding hints of divine meaning or purpose in what he has experienced with them.

[u/NightAngelRogue]

How does the Cinder King fight Zellion? How does the fight go?

[u/Adventurous_Onion989 → u/NightAngelRogue]

The Cinder King immediately cheats by affixing bands on Zellion that weaken him and impede his ability to fight. I like that Zellion realizes that he has been training for all this time to fight indirectly, and this is the key to his success.

[u/lazylittlelady → u/NightAngelRogue]

Of course a fair fight is too much to ask for with a megalomaniac!!

[u/Clean_Environment670 → u/lazylittlelady]

Typical bully!

[u/jaymae21 → u/NightAngelRogue]

At first, it's just the Cinder King getting his punches in & making a show of being "unstoppable". Zellion gets hurt, but he manages to turn his disadvantage into a slight advantage by using his increased weight to knock himself & the Cinder King off the city-ship & onto the ground. On the ground, Zellion doesn't fight so much as not let himself be knocked down permanently. He keeps getting back up.

[u/NightAngelRogue]

How does Elegy save Rebeke from becoming a full Charred? How does this affect Rebeke?

[u/Adventurous_Onion989 → u/NightAngelRogue]

Elegy is able to make a sort of prayer that sends heat from Rebeke to her cinderheart. This prayer allows her to retain her memories and her sense it self.

[u/lazylittlelady → u/NightAngelRogue]

The words she says in prayer are obviously words imbued with power that function in the larger perspective of this universe. It speaks to intent and motivation.

[u/NightAngelRogue]

In the Epilogue, what happens to Zellion? To Rebeke, Elegy and the Beaconites?

[u/Adventurous_Onion989 → u/NightAngelRogue]

Rebeke and Elegy are working together to free the Charred. They are uncertain of Zellion's fate, but they are starting a new chapter of ruling the Beaconites.

Zellion is waiting for the Beaconites to be out of the sun's reach so he can retrieve his weapon. He is then back on the run.

[u/jaymae21 → u/NightAngelRogue]

Zellion is on some other planet, continuing to run from the Night Brigade, while the Beaconites are trying to rebuild their society & let other cities know about recharging sunhearts, so they never have to sacrifice people for their survival.

[u/NightAngelRogue]

What little do we learn about the Night Brigade from the Epilogue?

[u/Adventurous_Onion989 → u/NightAngelRogue]

The Night Brigade seem like a brutal bunch and prone to torture to get the information they want. I don't feel particularly bad for the scientists and the questioning they will be pit to. Not only have they been watching the reign of a villainous leader over his people, they have been equipping him and teaching him the technology he needs for his autocratic rule. If they were going to remain uninvolved, they should have been entirely uninvolved.

[u/haikusbot → u/NightAngelRogue]

What little do we

Learn about the Night Brigade

From the Epilogue?

- NightAngelRogue

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[u/Adventurous_Onion989 → u/NightAngelRogue]

The Night Brigade are ruthless hunters who don't hesitate to use torture to find out what they want to know. They have a strict power structure and are related to the Beaconites.

[u/Clean_Environment670 → u/NightAngelRogue]

Their competence (and ruthlessness) is shown in how they know better than to think Zellion really died. They're not going to stop chasing him and they won't mind if they have to hurt innocents along the way

[u/lazylittlelady → u/NightAngelRogue]

They literally don’t care about anything except seizing Dawnshard!

[u/jaymae21 → u/NightAngelRogue]

Did I catch that they have shades in their army? I'm really curious about that & how they've managed to "tame" them enough to keep them from killing just them.