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

pretty solid

this was some solid fantasy. not only did it have great characters and a plot with direction and smart twists, but the setting has some fresh elements for an otherwise tired genre. like chulls! as arthropods go you get a lot of giant spiders in fantasy but giant crabs as mounts and mules? the closest thing i can think of would be the garthim in dark crystal but the skeksis never rode them, and admittedly they were the worst puppets, you could totally see the actors real feet..

Slow, but Steady

Really good story, but it went at a snail’s pace in the beginning. Couldn’t stop listening to it at the end. Good narration from both Kate and Michael. Moving right into the next book!

Loved it!

Incredible world building, amazing interwoven storylines with a variety of captivating characters, plus a great performance from the narrators! I would *definitely* recommend this book and this recording to any fantasy fans out there looking to become immersed in a story.

Absolutely Amazing

This book had me sitting on the edge of my seat. wanting to find out what happens next. A definite must read.

Not really a reviewer, but I’ll try

Things I liked:
The magic system
The characters have a lot of depth
It sets up the second book quite nicely
I like how characters that will be fighting for both sides (good and evil, or whatever) are all sympathetic. I know that Szeth is trying to kill Dalinar and (by association) Kaladin, but his existence is just as much a tragedy as anybody’s.

Things I liked less:
As the first book in a series, I can understand why the central plot was loose for much of the time. But yeah, it was loose. More a setup for the next book.
Narrators messes up a couple of times, which annoyed me. It’s a long book though, so I understand.
At times it sounded like they were explaining the rules of an RPG. Mostly in the beginning when you first meet Szeth and he’s running on walls and shit.

I’m at work, so that’s all I’ve got right now.

Sanderson Does Not Disappoint!

I started with Sanderson's Mistborne trilogy before learning about the Cosmere. I just started reading this series, and I must say that this book is incredible! I'm very much looking forward to what Sanderson has in store!

I also really like the voice of the readers, and I'm hoping the whole series is read my them as it makes for a very consistent experience.

Amazing story and excellent listen!

Great readers and great story, I am very much looking forward to the other books!

Amazing!

I bought this from the rating.. wow I was jot let down at all. Sanderson conveys emotion so we. he writes one Epic of a story with way of kings

Simply the best

I found my self stay up until 11:00 pm listening to it! I just couldn't put it down. Best book I've ever read... listened to... read or listened to!

Excellent!

This was a wonderful book and audiobook. I loved every minute of it. Definitely recommend for fantasy lovers!