Words of Radiance

The Stormlight Archive, Book 2

By: Brandon Sanderson

Narrated by: Michael Kramer, Kate Reading

Length: 48 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

From number one New York Times best-selling author Brandon Sanderson, Words of Radiance, audiobook two of the Stormlight Archive, continues the immersive fantasy epic that The Way of Kings began.

Expected by his enemies to die the miserable death of a military slave, Kaladin survived to be given command of the royal bodyguards, a controversial first for a low-status "darkeyes". Now he must protect the king and Dalinar from every common peril as well as the distinctly uncommon threat of the Assassin, all while secretly struggling to master remarkable new powers that are somehow linked to his honorspren, Syl.

The Assassin, Szeth, is active again, murdering rulers all over the world of Roshar, using his baffling powers to thwart every bodyguard and elude all pursuers. Among his prime targets is Highprince Dalinar, widely considered the power behind the Alethi throne. His leading role in the war would seem reason enough, but the Assassin’s master has much deeper motives.

Brilliant but troubled Shallan strives along a parallel path. Despite being broken in ways she refuses to acknowledge, she bears a terrible burden: to somehow prevent the return of the legendary Voidbringers and the civilization-ending Desolation that will follow. The secrets she needs can be found at the Shattered Plains, but just arriving there proves more difficult than she could have imagined.

Meanwhile, at the heart of the Shattered Plains, the Parshendi are making an epochal decision. Hard pressed by years of Alethi attacks, their numbers ever shrinking, they are convinced by their war leader, Eshonai, to risk everything on a desperate gamble with the very supernatural forces they once fled. The possible consequences for Parshendi and humans alike, indeed, for Roshar itself, are as dangerous as they are incalculable.

Other Tor books by Brandon Sanderson:

• The Cosmere
• The Stormlight Archive
• The Way of Kings
• Words of Radiance
• Edgedancer (Novella)
• Oathbringer

The Mistborn trilogy:

• Mistborn: The Final Empire
• The Well of Ascension
• The Hero of Ages

Mistborn: The Wax and Wayne series:

• Alloy of Law
• Shadows of Self
• Bands of Mourning
• Collection
• Arcanum Unbounded

Other Cosmere novels:

• Elantris
• Warbreaker

The Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series:

• Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians
• The Scrivener's Bones
• The Knights of Crystallia
• The Shattered Lens
• The Dark Talent

The Rithmatist series:

• The Rithmatist

Other books by Brandon Sanderson:

• The Reckoners
• Steelheart
• Firefight
• Calamity

©2014 Dragonsteel Entertainment, LLC (P)2014 Macmillan Audio

Book !!; no let down- "Words of Radiance" shines

In the first book, “The Way of Kings,” we were introduced to the world of Roshar. It is a world of magic and aliens where hurricane-like storms lay savage to the world every few days and all of its inhabitants must adapt their lives accordingly. It is a world at war between the human armies led by High prince Dalinar Kholin and the Parshendi, a humanoid species. We were introduced to Jasnah, who is a renowned scholar and the niece of the High Prince Dalinar Kholin, her student Shallan, and Kaladin, a slave that by the end of Way of Kings is beginning to become the world’s first Knight’s Radiance in centuries.
If you haven’t read/listened to ”The Way of Kings,” I would strongly recommend that you do before going on to this second book, “Words of Radiance.” If you have read/listened to the first book I would recommend a review of TWOK before going on since it has been over four years and the second book starts off right where “The Way of Kings,” left off.
At 48 hours and 15 minutes this is a long book, in fact Brandon Sanderson posted on his blog that he wrote the manuscript under the working title “the Book of Endless Pages.” He was referring to the endless learning set forth in his first book but it seemed appropriate given its length; but don’t let the length of this book deter you as I listened the hours seemed to fly past. This is an amazing book.
“Word of Radiance” focuses on four characters: Kaladin, Shallan, Dalinar, and Adolin. In TWOK Kaladin was the main character and is still very prevalent but this book reveals more about Shallan. Like “The Way of Kings,” Sanderson interlaces the present with the past, developing the background on the main characters’ while moving the plot forward.
This is only book two in a ten part series and even though I can’t wait for the next book I found the ending satisfactory.
I word about the narrators, I’ve always been a big fan of Michael Kramer and Kate Reading and I thought they gave another great performance.

Sleep....Work...Yea Whatever!

Where does Words of Radiance rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Words of Radiance was simply one of the most amazing listens I have had since I started with Audible years ago. Michael Kramer and Kate Reading truly bring to life Brandon Sanderson's world. I am ready to listen to it from the begging once again.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Character? I have to choose one.Syl is easily the most astounding little lady. You can almost see her eyes roll each time she speaks. However, Shallan's growth was enthralling. I found myself staying awake past my bedtime just to listen to her story

What does Michael Kramer and Kate Reading bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

What do they bring to the story? They are the story, the world itself comes to life with each and every word. Brandon Sanderson's world is amazing and well thought out, Kramer and Reading are the icing on the cake.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

There were several time I laughed out loud. Scared one of my employees one morning when I laughed so loud it startled her. Yes I was listening at work. I could not put the darn book down.

Brilliant!!!!!!

What made the experience of listening to Words of Radiance the most enjoyable?

With an author like Sanderson its easy to take it for granted how difficult it is to write such a complex story with so many deep characters and dialogue that is not strained and obvious in its mission to build or fill in story line gaps . The many moving, and invented parts of this story work perfectly like a clock for another dimension. Some parts are predictable and just before you get cocky about it, you're swept up in a pleasant roller coaster of surprise. i found myself immediately invested in the characters and can't wait to see where and what life brings to them in this world of turmoil. If you make a movie, I want to play Wit. Oh and nice cover on the bonding of shard blades;) barely noticed.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Wit. He's ambiguous. you want him to be a good guy and he projects himself a little more than a fool but you know anyone that brash is dangerous. Love him one minute frustrated the next, his complex role is well written and i can't wait for that trap to be sprung.

Which scene was your favorite?

too many great scenes

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

yes. several deep moment of self discovery.

Any additional comments?

I banged through this audio book in a couple of days. i could not stop. Very well performed.

Wow! Sanderson delivers...

In his second MASSIVE installment of the Storm Light Archive Sanderson delivers and even tops the first book in the series. It is, I must say, a bit strange to hear my old friends Michael Kramer and Kate Reading portraying male and female characters (respectively) just like in the old days when I listened to the WOT Series by Jordan on CD pre-audible.

Sanderson was determined from the first to deliver a fantasy world completely unique and different from any other multi-series fantasy. It is easy to see Jordan's influence on Sanderson- his wide sweep, huge and long existing world (with glimpses and partial explanations - sometime NO explanation of long past events and myths- this is a compliment). This is HIGH fantasy all the way around- if you are a Martin addict or can only read the dark low fantasy Black Company series or something like the Prince of Thorns Series then this is not for you.

StormLight Archives, despite is unique setting (and I mean unique SF "other worldly" like setting) is a the son of Wheel of Time and a grandson of LOTR. Told from a multi character perspective- SLA incorporates long flowing narratives offset with rapid and well paced action scenes reinforce. Be forewarned that "Good is Good" ala Tolkien/Jordan- if a good character is doing something bad it is because a) we don't understand then or b) they made a mistake from which they will repent. Hardly any shades of gray- you are either one of Kalladan's stalworts that ends up worshipping him- or you are a scum evil doer. I exaggerate to some degree- but this is so in the main.
To be clear : I am not complaining- a good vs evil, black vs. white story is just the thing occasionally and the SLA is that simply that. Take it or leave it.

The plot revolves around four main characters- and I like all four of them- they are great. Jordan excels in plotting mysteries- and setting clues- the chapter heads were leading me around in circles but at the end they all circle home- along with the many plot lines for one of the best climaxes in fantasy. The ending is superb-and outdoes the great one in the previous book. I must say the scenes and story lines with Kalladan fighting his way back without Storm Light were some of the best written by any fantasy reader anywhere. I listen to these books whilst working our and running- and there were a few times I just kept going at my work out long past quitting time so a scene would resolve itself.

Note I did have to go back and listen to book one- which was a pleasure after three years absence. My guess is trying Words without a warmup from Book 1 would not be a good idea. Three years is simply to long. The set up for book three is there- and the characters are well done and crafted.

Despite his debt to Jordan Sanderson does not meander aimlessly- well at least not for long. Occasional cul de sacs do occur-but they are enjoyable.

A great series and a great start! One can only hope that he does not suffer from George Martin Syndrome (no sign of it in any of his books so far) whereby he just starts writing aimless pages of rubbish for some reason- and we can only hope that Sanderson does not start wandering aimlessly for books and books like Jordan did in books 7.5-10 in the WOT series whereby he hopelessly lost the mojo of the original 6 books.

I can only hope now that he has the final WOT completed that Sanderson will start releasing a book every 12 -18 months. PLEASE!

But at this point- this is the WOT of the 21st Century...even better perhaps. Well done Mr Sanderson.

This book is TOO SHORT!!!!

If you could sum up Words of Radiance in three words, what would they be?

So good that i just wanted it to go on and on....

What other book might you compare Words of Radiance to and why?

The Way of Kings

Which scene was your favorite?

Too many to mention.... its a 1008 pages of great story.

Definatly worth getting.

If you could sum up Words of Radiance in three words, what would they be?

Fantastic, Funny and Exciting.

What other book might you compare Words of Radiance to and why?

I can't help too compare them whit Wheel of time, but thats probobly because of the Narrators being the same, and Sanderson finishing the series.

Which character – as performed by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading – was your favorite?

Kaladin! Always Kaladin, im always sad when the narrative switches perspective.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Many of them, mostly whit Kaladin.

Any additional comments?

This is about as perfect as a book can get. For me there is just one thing wrong whit the book, and that is compared too Kaladin all the other characters fall short too me, even tough I love them, its just he is my favourite and the others can't compete. Had any of the major characters other then Kaladin had their own books i would have loved them and read them all, but when he is there he just outshines them all (literaly in this case)

Best epic Fantasy series out.

Better than first (yes thats possible). Contends for best Epic fantasy ever written. Eat your heart out Tolkien

Great characters!

Having a different narrator for female and male characters really brought this story to life. I love how much depth the characters show.

long and captivating

A familiar Sanderson pattern, the characters are often frustrating for their obtuse stubbornness, but the tension and uncertainty that creates drives an excellent story.

Not as strong as WoK, but still good

Overall lighter tone than WoK, with some slapstick moments that feel forced. Lulls in the middle but the ending makes it worth getting through the slower parts. Narrators' Theilan accents (basically french) are a little goofy but overall well performed.