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The Way of Kings  By  cover art

The Way of Kings

By: Brandon Sanderson
Narrated by: Michael Kramer, Kate Reading
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Publisher's summary

According to mythology, mankind used to live in 'The Tranquiline Halls': heaven. But then the Voidbringers assaulted and captured heaven, casting out God and men. Men took root on Roshar, the world of storms, but the Voidbringers followed. The Almighty gave men powerful suits of armor and mystical weapons, the Shardblades. Led by 10 angelic Heralds and 10 orders of knights known as Radiants, mankind finally won (or so the legends say).

Today the only remnants of those supposed battles are the Shardblades, the possession of which makes a man nearly invincible on the battlefield. The entire world is at war with itself - and has been for centuries since the Radiants turned against mankind. Kings strive to win more Shardblades, each secretly wishing to be the one who will finally unite all of mankind under a single throne.

On a world scoured down to the rock by terrifying hurricanes, a young spearman is forced into the army of a Shardbearer, led to war against an enemy he doesn't understand and doesn't really want to fight.

©2010 Dragonsteel Entertainment LLC (P)2011 Orion Publishing Group Limited

What listeners say about The Way of Kings

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  • 5 out of 5 stars
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Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Staying with the rock.

First Impression

I just can't seem to care about the world and their characters. It's a too steep learning curve for me as well. I'm getting shot at with names, concepts and words that don't mean anything to me. It feels like I'm thrown into the water and I'm supposed to have the time of my life. However, I just realize that the current is too strong. The book tries to drag me along, but I want to hold on to the rock of ignorance. I just don't like the writing style, apologies.

Update 1

Alright, the beginning was really rather poorly done. However, I warmed up to the characters and I enjoy listening to it now. Still, I listened to better audio books.

Update 2

Finished the whole thing and it was epic! It's amazing how it started rather weak and transformed into such a great narrative.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

to god

jeg synes den var super god all skule prøve at hører den. jeg tror de har bøger bliver super gode

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Good, but too long in places

I enjoyed the story, but in almost every chapter I had a moment of "isn't this bit finished yet?" or "what's the point here, why isn't the story progressing?" If you enjoy long fantasy stories with lots of description, you'll almost certainly enjoy this. If you prefer your stories more punchy and less winding, perhaps give this a pass.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

No progression in the first 80%, exciting end.

The first four parts were downright glacial, with most of the pages being spent on every character navel gazing and angsting about past or future decisions and their own inability to do anything on and on for most of the book. Eventually I found that I was just not enjoying myself but it was better than nothing at work.

Fortunately the ending started to become exciting, but the entire book felt like a very stretched out origin story with minimal progression. Quite a bit of worldbuilding, which I love, but it was like the odd oasis in an ocean of philosophical pondering without conclusions or progression.

Hopefully the sequels will have more things actually happening.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love it.

Love the switching between these two awesome narrators. It works perfectly. I think I'm a little bit of better person after listening to this book.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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fantastic

mooie wereld schitterend beschreven en de karakters dage mij uit meer te weten te komen. heerlijk om eens twee stemmen te horen bij zon audioboek.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing

Loved every moment of this book, I am listing to this series while at work and it feels like it improved my performance.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing. A true masterpiece.

A masterpiece by Brandon Sanderson and the narration is flawless. A++ all across the board.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A must read...

Brandon Sanderson has created a beautiful high fantasy world that has made me want more. It's been a long time since I have seen such a rich universe along with a great story. Highly recommend it.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent story, hindered by narrator

The story is grand, detailed, and intriguing even if events sometimes unfold a bit slowly.
Michael Kramer is one of the best narrators I've come across, and he would get 6 stars if I could give them.
However, Kate Reading on the other hand is average at best, and her lackluster performance is contrasted bitterly by Kramer's brilliance. It seems they didn't even talk to each other regarding the characters, since they pronounce names differently sometimes.

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