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

great story but jumps around

really enjoyed the story but it felt disjointed because it jumped around a lot early

slow start but an amazing story

so amazing. once you meet the characters you won't be able to put it down. the beginning is slow because you are meeting not only new characters but a whole new world. stick with it, you won't regret it

Gripping story and the voice performance.

I want to rename my kid Kaladin. This book is that good.

I am very excited to break into the next book. I can't wait to see where this series goes.

Best fantasy book I've read in years! A must read

A must read for anyone that claims to even slightly enjoy fantasy books. This book contains something for every reader.

An epic tale that is off to a strong start

Any additional comments?

I listened to this immediately after reading all the Song of Ice and Fire books, and my initial impressions were colored by how much I enjoyed Song of Ice and Fire. The Way of Kings is much less graphically sexual, the violence is not as graphic, there is nowhere near as much cursing. Initially, it felt far less colorful and robust due to the stark contrast between the two series. However, before I knew it, I found myself deeply engrossed in Sanderson's universe and the storyline won me over.

Kaladin is a very sympathetic hero, even though his virtuous selfless nature seemed unrealistic. I wanted him to succeed, and felt bothered with every cruel twist of fate thrown his way. His perseverance in transforming the Bridge Crew into a motivated brotherhood of men was believable, largely due to the length of the book, as Sanderson was able to explore the intricate relationships within Bridge 4 and take his time fleshing out their transformation. Kaladin, too, transforms, taking to leadership like a bird to flight, rising out of resignation and depression.

The various cultures and ethnic groups were fantastic. It reminded me of everything I enjoy about playing video game RPG's - the best ones have unique locations to explore, with different language, clothing, culture and setting. The male narrator does a good job taking on the various voices of characters.

The way the story is written is very appealing. Just as I got a satisfying look at Kaladin and Bridge Team 4's progress, things would shift to side plots and other characters.

The complex stories of these "side" characters intrigued me as well. Shallan's story truly surprised me - I don't want to spoil it, but the relationship between her and a particular man did not turn out how I would have expected, and the surprise hit me hard and made me feel great respect for the author. Though the author must have known that a certain outcome was being rooted for by the readers, being unique and defying conventional story line developments was both brave and far more interesting. Jasnah and Shallan's relationship, too, had its share of surprising twists, and both feel like strong female characters despite the rigid gender roles of the universe they exist in.

Otherwise, the universe in general held many little touches I snjoyed - I loved the idea of Spren, of the Shard plate, of the King's Wit (I hope for far more Wit in the future, I loved him).

I can't wait for more of this series. This was an awesome introduction to Sanderson's writing for me. I am not easily impressed, and previous great works have set the bar and my expectations very high. This is a great series.

Pro bonus, Sanderson is young and appears healthy - I think he could easily live to finish this book series. I can't say the same for the aging author of Song of Ice and Fire, and obviously the author of the Wheel of Time series did not live to see his series' completion. This does matter to me, because I want the storyline to be neatly finished and tied up by the creator of the fictional universe I commit my time to.

Best book I’ve ever read to date

Kept me glued the entire time, amazing. It had me yelling at my car radio with excitement. Went through a Stephen King phase before this, and this blows away any Stephen King book I read to date.

Worth the 45+ hour investment

This book had been on my list awhile, but the length meant it kept getting pushed to the bottom. A few months ago, I decided to give the audio a try. So worth it! If you love epic fantasy, Brandon Sanderson has built a world that will capture your imagination. I love the characters, the multiple points of view, and the "magic." This is one of those books that makes you want to talk to everyone about it, but then you try and you realize that if they haven't read it, they won't understand. I can't say enough good things about this book. AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY

not for the faint of heart

Confusing and somewhat difficult to keep up with at first. Slow to start and it took quite some time to pick up but it was well worth the wait the story and events are amazing. Found myself feeling impatient for the story to continue on but extremely satisfied with the result. Was frustrated with the questions i had regaurding the story but everything was answered and explained eventually. I love when a writer makes the reader feel for the characters and this book does a great job of doing so. Highly recommended read.

Outstanding Epic Fantasy Series

The Way of Kings is the first book in one of the most outstanding fantasy series I have ever read. Sanderson presents a complex world through compelling characters and exciting action. AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY.

And it’s not even close...

My absolute new favorite book and it’s not even close. Not only is the story incredibly gripping with one of the most satisfying endings I’ve ever heard but it is also incredibly impactful and inspiring on a deeper level. I have no doubt that this book has changed my life forever.