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

5 Stars.

This book has a unique, effective, and most importantly, entertaining way to tell the scene of the story. This allowed more time for the plot. A very good plot.

a perfect book.

I have never read a book that I have enjoyed more. it is worth the investment in time to be introduced to one of the most intriguing fantasy worlds i have ever encountered. it compels the audience forward as well as any fantasy series without feeling cheap or abusive like game of thrones.

The Way Of kings

Brandon Sanderson at his best. Complex and rich world, people with real feel, flaws and all. You flow with the the subjects, limited knowlege of the rules of the world, learn as they learn. Reader has to follow along and live as the subjects of the narrative. Putting the reader into the "world" is the mark of great fantasy. This is Epic Fiction for the Epic Fiction lover. No a simple adventure tale. Look forward to years of an unpredictable fatasy ride. Glad Sanderson took up Wheel of Time. Helped me find a new master of the craft (if!! he holds up to expectation and I think/hope he will).

Wonderful start to a great series!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Way of Kings to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print copy but the audio version is so well done that I am sure I would here the narrators’ voices in my head as a read the print copy.

What did you like best about this story?

This a great epic story with interesting characters. The surges are very cool and interesting to think about. The world seems so well thought out and developed, it adds to the sense of immersion.

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

Kate Reading and Michael Kramer bring the characters to life. They do a great job of using a different voice for each character and it is not jarring when one of the voices a character typically voiced by the other narrator.

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

There were several times listening to this book were I wanted to discuss this with someone. So many cool and interesting moments that you, just want to talk about them with someone else... great book!

great start to a great story

love the way this book was written. a couple good story lines going at once.

Best Book Ever

I love everything about this book and the narrators were incredible. I recommend this book to anyone who loves this genre. Brandon Sanderson is a genius.

Epic

So I normally do not read 1000+ page books, but after several rave reviews from friends, and previously liking Brandon Sanderson as an author, I decided to give The Way of Kings a try. I went back and forth between reading and listening to the book, which helped to get through it faster. The audio version also helped with pronunciation of many of the different strange names and words. I didn't LOVE the narrators' voices, but they did a fine job.

I have to say that I am surprised in this length of a book, I didn't get bored. That's not to say that it was a fast-paced, can't-put-it-down type book either (at least until the end and then I really couldn't put it down). But it kept me interested, all 1000+ pages. And while it took a bit to get into it and really know what was going on, once you did--it wasn't hard to follow. In typical Sanderson fashion, he builds a world and creates characters that you want to follow and see what they will do and what happens to them. You find yourself rooting for them, or wanting to shake them to their senses. You find the line between difficult choices hard to define and are not sure what even you would do in such situations. There is camaraderie, treachery, trust, companionship, loyalty, friendship, politics, ethical dilemmas, impossible situations and a few unexpected twists along the way. I look forward to continuing in the series!

Absolutely beautiful, just what I was looking for!

An absolutely fantastic story with wonderful readers that impressed me with their ability to change voices so well!

I well thought out story

I loved the character development, it makes such an impression at the end when someone actually keeps their word,t is because you know them so well you can feel their astonishment when a light eyes keeps their oath

Unbelievable. Fantastic.

This book opened up an entire world to me. The characters were fantastic, the locations were dynamic, and the storyline was complex and engaging. I found myself sitting in the car long after reaching my destination.