The Way of Kings

The Stormlight Archive, Book 1

By: Brandon Sanderson

Narrated by: Kate Reading, Michael Kramer

Length: 45 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

From number one New York Times best-selling author Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings, book one of the Stormlight Archive, begins an incredible new saga of epic proportion.

Roshar is a world of stone and storms. Uncanny tempests of incredible power sweep across the rocky terrain so frequently that they have shaped ecology and civilization alike. Animals hide in shells, trees pull in branches, and grass retracts into the soilless ground. Cities are built only where the topography offers shelter.

It has been centuries since the fall of the 10 consecrated orders known as the Knights Radiant, but their Shardblades and Shardplate remain: mystical swords and suits of armor that transform ordinary men into near-invincible warriors. Men trade kingdoms for Shardblades. Wars were fought for them and won by them.

One such war rages on a ruined landscape called the Shattered Plains. There, Kaladin, who traded his medical apprenticeship for a spear to protect his little brother, has been reduced to slavery. In a war that makes no sense, where 10 armies fight separately against a single foe, he struggles to save his men and to fathom the leaders who consider them expendable.

Brightlord Dalinar Kholin commands one of those other armies. Like his brother, the late king, he is fascinated by an ancient text called The Way of Kings. Troubled by over-powering visions of ancient times and the Knights Radiant, he has begun to doubt his own sanity.

Across the ocean, an untried young woman named Shallan seeks to train under an eminent scholar and notorious heretic, Dalinar's niece, Jasnah. Though she genuinely loves learning, Shallan's motives are less than pure. As she plans a daring theft, her research for Jasnah hints at secrets of the Knights Radiant and the true cause of the war.

The result of more than 10 years of planning, writing, and world-building, The Way of Kings is but the opening movement of the Stormlight Archive, a bold masterpiece in the making.

Speak again the ancient oaths:

Life before death.

Strength before weakness.

Journey before destination.

And return to men the Shards they once bore.

The Knights Radiant must stand again.

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

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2010 Dragonsteel Entertaiment, LLC (P)2010 Macmillan Audio

New favorite

Granted, I’m late to the party here, but this book has instantly become one of my favorites ever, and certainly favorite in the fantasy genre.

Came to Sanderson after recently finishing the Wheel of Time series, and so excited to have his other works to look forward to.

Some plot points are probably predictable, but not so much that I felt it detracted from the experience. If anything, in those situations I was excited to see “how” the outcome would be reached.

Book for lovers of political/supernatural intrigue

i absolutely loved this book it was little slow to pick up after the initial action which doesnt last long but the world building is fantastic and the way the characters are portrayed with such depth is incredible id give this book six stars if i could. if i had to pick a favorit part in the book its got to be the meeting between dallanar and calladen towards the end it gives a real sense of honor and respect between men who have been through some things and finally find others they can trust. overall great read it took me 2 seconds to go pick up book two when i finished book 1

Extremely Long, but very good. Worth it.

I had a difficult time in the beginning keeping all the characters straight since I was listening and not reading while driving. This book is very detailed with important information everywhere making it difficult to passively listen to. However, it is very good. The philosophy, the struggles of morality, the emotional storms, the religions, the physics integrated in the magic of the world all combined with lovable deeply flawed characters makes this one of my favorite books ever. Michael Kramer's performance is stellar yet again.

My Review of Way of Kings

SPOILER FREE

Wow… wow… wow! What a book!

Synopsis:
This book had me laughing, crying, and even angry at times. Brandon Sanderson knows how to reel in his readers. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found myself wanting to read when I was unable to. Toward the end of the book, things began ramping up and the plot twisted in a way that no one could have guessed. I found myself hooked to the point where I read 12 chapter in one sitting. This book is a must read!

Character development:
One of the main characters developed in such a beautiful way. He makes major strides while growing as a person. However, after certain events take place, he is tempted to go back to the man he once was. Once he overcomes negative emotions and learns of strange abilities, he takes even bigger steps in growth and becomes a true warrior.

Other characters are developed beautifully as well. Sanderson ties most questions regarding his characters together by the end of the book, leaving the reader anxious to continue their endeavor in better learning and walking with these characters throughout the series.

Plot:
What. A. Plot. As I noted above, the plot twists in a way that no one could have guessed. Things excel rapidly and dramatically changing the entire plot moving forward and perfectly setting up book 2.

Setting:
The Cosmere! What an interesting place. Sanderson beautifully describes the environment in each chapter, leaving the reader with no questions regarding setting.

Conflict:
The conflict is rather advanced. There is no possible way that anyone could fully grasp the conflict in the first book alone, which is what makes this book and series even better! “Give me more!” This is my internal feelings after reading book one.

If you are looking for a banger, The Way of Kings is your answer! I truly believe this book can hook seasoned and new readers. Enjoy!

Personal issue

My one singular issue is that the male narrator's voice is at a low register, so while driving or if there's any background noise whatsoever, I have to max out the volume to understand him.

A Way of Awesome!

Truly epic! Absolutely riveting dialog, intriguing storyline, and a remarkable ability to suspend disbelief. I was injected into the story and, yes, 45 hours may seem a bit winded; it was not. Every word was necessary. Perfection!

Stick with it... you'll be happy you did.

What a great work. Starts off somewhat slow but once if picks up you won't wanna stop listening.

Impressive

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. In the second half it really picked up, and I could not stop listening. The only thing I wish was different is that the author was more creative with gender roles. Fantasy is a great opportunity to move away from sexism and patriarchy, but alas.

exceptional story and beginning

male narrator was excellent as others have noted, the female narrator tends to accentuate words in a lilting manner that is strange however, the story is most exceptional, so overall, five stars

This is a very think boy but it’s well worth it.

This book was my first Brandon Sanderson story. Even though looking at the daunting task of reading over 1200 pages seemed overwhelming at first glance. Honestly the minute I first opened the book all the way to the end kept me wanting more. At several moments thought the story I was very confused about events and even people. Still this story just has this way of making me want more it made the villains charismatic and understandable while at the same time making hero’s have depth and flaws. Oh in the best part of the whole thing is how the story just connected and somehow all just make so much since at the end while still leaving me more question. I love this book and recommend it to all.