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

AMAZING! This book sucked me right in.

I was amazed at how much I enjoyed this book, I was introduced to Brandons work by a friend who told me it was the best series they ever read, even better than my favorite The Dark Tower, (Gunslinger) I have to say, I became a fan of Brandons forever with this book. "The Thrill" was reading this book. You will fall in love with Kaladin, root for the Radiants and hope that next book is available immediately. I have relistened to this audiobook 5 times, and each time I find a new clue as to what is coming next. WORTH A CREDIT ABSOLUTELY!!

Absolutely Amazing!

I have listened to this book two times and now read it two times! I cannot recommend this book enough! The story building... shoot the world building is second to none! You will laugh, you will cry, you will be amazed! Brando just doesn't miss!

Fantastic Book!! Cannot wait to read the whole series!!

This was an amazing first installment in the series. Loved every second of it. Cannot wait to dive into the rest!!!

Breathtaking, I almost wish this was a TV series

This is my second Brandon Sanderson novel and he really has a way of painting a scene very well and explaining the actions of the characters to a degree that is cinematic. Before finishing this audiobook, I purchased the four books set in hardcover because I want to be able to see the pictures. I’m looking forward to more of this series

Life Changing

Coming off from a totally non professional or subjective stance, this is my favorite book I’ve ever read in my whole life.

Incredible characters, an amazing world, and prose that keeps you hooked.

The narrators are a class above the rest and give such clean, yet emotional performances.

If you’ve ever been curious at all please give this one a try. It’s such an epic tale.

Amazing characters!

I love the world building and the characters in this first book of the series. I’m starting book 2 right now and I can’t wait to see how the epic continues to play out.

A lot of battles to wade through!

I enjoy these stories, and the storyteller. I am especially interested in Yasna and her ward, and look forward to more of that storyline. But I respect the honor of Calidon and the general (sorry, hard to remember names without seeing them!). All of the stories were lengthy and complicated, which makes this a great listen!

Very slow beginning to a very good story.

I hated this book through the first seven chapters or so. once the character development was complete and they got into the story I really enjoyed the book.

World Building

Overall this is some of my favorite fantasy I’ve ever read. The world building and magic system are so interesting and the gender dynamics are super unique. Also, the characters are excellent and their stories are absolutely captivating. Can’t wait to read the rest.

the depth

a little on the explanation side back situations and such, but it still is a wonderful ride