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

When are we getting MORE?

If you could sum up The Way of Kings in three words, what would they be?

Delicious Mind Trap

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Way of Kings?

I especially enjoyed the bridge running sequences. Very unique. I found them to be great way to build the characters. I developed an emotion connection with the main character that I don't think I've ever felt before in reading or listening to a book.

Have you listened to any of Kate Reading and Michael Kramer ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Excellent performance that complimented the feel of the story. The book is excellent, and I don't think it would have been the same if performed by someone else. Perfect fit of performer and tale!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Quiet. Molten. Power...

Any additional comments?

I'm waiting on the follow-ups in the series. I see Sanderson has written several other books since penning the Stormlight Archives. What's the hold-up? This series is rich in detail and has laid the foundation for a huge series of developing tales. I love the unique magic principles and can't wait for the next installment.

Welcome to the Stormlight Archive

This is an Epic story in every sense of the word. This story is book 1 of 10 in this series, of which 3 full books have been completed at the time of this review. Starts out with a huge bang and just keeps on going! Like most fantasy books, there is a steep learning curve about mythos and names, but once you get the basic general principles of this world, it becomes a very detailed and engrossing plot. (and unlike other fantasy series, this happens rally fast). The characters are great, and their personal journeys have been the very best part of this book. 10/10 performances by Kate and Michael - no surprise or shock there, #TrueBards - if you are looking for a new fantasy series, and one that will take up 42+ hours each book, then look no further and enjoy!

wonderfun

I love brandon sanderson's books and Michael Kramer is a wonderful narrator to listen to

Excellent story!

Fantastic story, good read. Lots of plot twists I did not predict.

The reading was good until near the end of the story. The female reader did not pronounce a character's name in the same way that the male reader had throughout the tale. It took me several listens to understand who she was talking about due to the inconsistency. Surprising for such a otherwise professional read.

Good

Kinda slow at the start and confusing. Worth the wait tho as things come together.

Awesome!

First off both of the readers are awesome, 45+ hours and I still think this.

Secondly Brandon Sanderson creates amazing worlds, just phenomenal characters, a unique story with so much lore built in over the course of the book. I can't wait to push play on the second book

well written. great characters

I loved the characters!! the story was well delivered. I intended to get the entire series

Hard to start but worth it

Coming by off the Reckoner series into this made the story and narration hard to follow. But after the first two hours it got better. By the end I was hooked. The narration was OK and in the end grew on me.

Wonderful story, characters and narration!

This was quite simply the most enjoyable book I have heard since becoming a member of Audible. After listening to over 100 titles, this is the only one that I felt compelled to buy (in hardcover no less) after hearing it. It is also the only one I have listened to twice. It is the only book I have raved to my friends about and told them to listen to the first few chapters. Sells them every time. I am normally a closet audible listener.

Simply amazing story. Yes, there is a lot of build up in some of the plot lines, but it never goes flat. The action sequences are the best I have ever read. THIS is why I love fantasy! Big battles, big heros, big swords, valor, magic, and just pure "bad-ass-ness." Awesome! Lots of books claim to be epic in scope. This book delivers. The opening and closing chapters alone are worth the price. The book fires on all cylinders. I found myself listening to some passages, two, three or even four times, because they made such an impression. Way of Kings has what I always wished The Lord of the Rings to have. WoK doesn't nibble around the edges and hint at powerful beings and magic. It serves them up on a big platter and blows you away!

This would make such a great big budget movie or series. Actually it would have to be a series to cover all of the material.

Narration: Michael Kramer's deadpan delivery is perfect for the book. Kate Reading does a fine job as well.

I don't want to give anything away, so I'll end here.

Bottom line: If you don't like this, then you don't like fantasy!

MUST READ/LISTEN!!!!

There isn't a book I love more

I read this only a couple years ago. One thing about me: I eat fantasy/sci-fi book series for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dune, Harry Potter, Dresden Files, the Expanse, ASOIAF, Mistborn--Sanderson's other great series. I love them all and more. Seriously...

... But the Stormlight Archive. This series... This book... is special. I've never been more enthralled and invested in a fantasy world. Every wholely unique culture, the fleshed out world, lovable characters and their thoughts and fears and desires--everything laid bare to be explored and speculated. All wonderful.

Like I said, I only read this a couple years ago... But this series has easily become my undisputed favorite and most loved. It's not even finished. The 3rd book is only coming out later this year. So Sanderson: Bring. It. On.