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

wow factor

Sanderson's imagination is unbelievably impressive. he created a whole new world. I feel like i could relate with the characters (excellent character development)

you just have lots of details and I had to listen again to help me understand some things.

I didn't get the words of the dying at first and I had to refer to storm light Wikipedia for some information that were slightly confusing

Fantasy lovers prepare to be swept away

You just have to take the plunge and dive in. WARNING: Addictive. Some side effects include lack of sleep and seclusion from other humans because you CANNOT stop listening.

Great Book

I enjoyed the the two narrators. The changes in narration for the different characters was well done and made the listening experience more enjoyable.

An exciting wat story!

An exceptional sword and sorcery tale well presented and voiced
Male/Female roles very appropriate
Captvating

Great performance to an epic tale...

My only complaint is having to wait for the remainder puff the story tho come out. Truly an epic story, with enough twists and sub stories to force a person to have to focus so you don't lose where or with who in which time reference you are at. Anxiously awaiting the rest of the tale!

Well done!

Be patient in the beginning and you will be rewarded! This book is very well written!!

Great story telling and narration tag team

An epic story is unfolding, I'm super pumped for the second book. keep listening, Sanderson the author establishes the cosmere land scape and current rules for several chapters but you'll get into it and then obsess of over it.

Awesome book

it's been quiet a long time since a series has gripped me as much as this one has. I've recommended it highly to every reader I know.

Cosmere Love

After having read the original Mistborn trilogy, I fell in love with Brandon Sanderson’s work! Elantris took a bit to get through, Warbreaker was pretty entertaining, but this was amazing! I think Mistborn has a special place in my heart because of Kelsier and Sazed but this story was amazing! I can’t wait to continue onto the next two books that are out!

I love how much this has to do with the Cosmere as a whole than his other books have had. At least in its overtness. Shadesmar, Hoid, Worldhoppers, and so many other things kept me extra engaged and wanting more!

As far as the viewpoint characters, Shallan was pretty intriguing and not as straightforward as she seemed. The twists were great!

Kaladin (might be misspelling things since I listened and not read >_<) grew a lot and is pretty cool.

My favorite was Dalinar! What a beast! He’s the man I want to be! Stern but gracious. Can’t wait to see what’s coming!

great story

this is the second time I have listened to this book it Is Well worth it