Words of Radiance

The Stormlight Archive, Book 2

By: Brandon Sanderson

Narrated by: Michael Kramer, Kate Reading

From number one New York Times best-selling author Brandon Sanderson, Words of Radiance, audiobook two of the Stormlight Archive, continues the immersive fantasy epic that The Way of Kings began.

Expected by his enemies to die the miserable death of a military slave, Kaladin survived to be given command of the royal bodyguards, a controversial first for a low-status "darkeyes". Now he must protect the king and Dalinar from every common peril as well as the distinctly uncommon threat of the Assassin, all while secretly struggling to master remarkable new powers that are somehow linked to his honorspren, Syl.

The Assassin, Szeth, is active again, murdering rulers all over the world of Roshar, using his baffling powers to thwart every bodyguard and elude all pursuers. Among his prime targets is Highprince Dalinar, widely considered the power behind the Alethi throne. His leading role in the war would seem reason enough, but the Assassin’s master has much deeper motives.

Brilliant but troubled Shallan strives along a parallel path. Despite being broken in ways she refuses to acknowledge, she bears a terrible burden: to somehow prevent the return of the legendary Voidbringers and the civilization-ending Desolation that will follow. The secrets she needs can be found at the Shattered Plains, but just arriving there proves more difficult than she could have imagined.

Meanwhile, at the heart of the Shattered Plains, the Parshendi are making an epochal decision. Hard pressed by years of Alethi attacks, their numbers ever shrinking, they are convinced by their war leader, Eshonai, to risk everything on a desperate gamble with the very supernatural forces they once fled. The possible consequences for Parshendi and humans alike, indeed, for Roshar itself, are as dangerous as they are incalculable.

©2014 Dragonsteel Entertainment, LLC (P)2014 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

2015 Audie Audiobook of the Year Winner, Winner

2015 Audie Award Finalist, Short-listed

2014 Audible.com Best of the Year, Long-listed

2014 Apple iBooks Best of the Year, Long-listed

Amazing

I was concerned about this book - Sanderson does so much writing, how could this one be as good as WOK - but it did an amazing job of recapturing my interest in this amazing world.

I found the humor at times in this book to be simply delightful - I often found myself chuckling or laughing at something and then having to explain to others what was so funny.

I have read some other reviews that found some of the smaller scenes from completely new characters were silly or strange, but oddly I found they added to the entire story to create a very well rounded listen.

As always Michael Kramer and Kate Reading do just a staller job - this book started out great but their work made it simply amazing.

EPIC!

Hard to accept that we have to wait for book 3, but the first two are classics already. Story is big, and although long, it never drags. A good book is never too long, and this is a story that only leaves you wanting more. Narration is superb. If you like fantasy even just a smidgen, the Radience books don't disappoint. Sanderson has created a fascinating world with big players involved in monumental drama. Can't wait for the next installment.

Absolutely fantastic!

What made the experience of listening to Words of Radiance the most enjoyable?

Everything.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I cannot pick just 1, they are all wonderful.

What does Michael Kramer and Kate Reading bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I cannot put into words what these two people have contributed to the story. They are truly at the top of my list. Artist of the highest caliber. Fantastic!

Great Story driven by intriguing characters

What did you love best about Words of Radiance?

Characters drove the story, the plot and other events all tie to the characters and how they have to grow/change/learn to succeed

What was one of the most memorable moments of Words of Radiance?

The Dual, I'd love to say more but I don't want to spoil the excitement.

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

This one is on par with previous performance by these two, The Wheel of Time prepared me for the back and forth of readers. Although as with that series I do wish these 2 had sat down before starting to agree on how to pronounce some of the names. A few times it took a second to figure out who they are talking about.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Made me laugh a few times, and want to cheer others.

Any additional comments?

I can't wait till book 3, although if it can be as good as this one I am willing to do so.

Don't END!!! What am I supposed to listen to next?

Brandon Sanderson has created a rich world full of interesting people and intriguing artifacts. The character development is well done and carries very well from the first book. While is does drag a bit in places, be sure to pay attention, because it all comes around and is relevant. I did not want this one to end, and it is one of the few books that I would continue to make excuses to listen to, even when I should have been paying attention to something else!
For the love of the Stormfather!!! Please don't make me wait too long for the next book.

Kate Reading is awful

Just a terrible narrator and hard to listen to. But she got better as the story went on I suppose. I'd be very pleased to not see her return for book 3.

The New Master, Brandon Sanderson!

I have just completed my second and most enjoyable listen of this superb sequel, it is without doubt one of the best works of fantasy yet written. I have been reading and listening to the "masters" for over 70 years and I am certain that Brandon's work is among the very best, he has become one of the "great" writers.

The narration is, as always, by Kate and Michael, superb and to those critics who find this work less than satisfying, well, keep enjoying your particular best and with luck you will eventually learn to appreciate that which is truly inspired, well crafted and a "masterpiece".

Mindblown!!!

Where does Words of Radiance rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Words of Radiance really ranks in my top 5 books of all time. I really enjoyed The Way of Kings, but this book is even better.

What other book might you compare Words of Radiance to and why?

I'm not sure what to compare this book to. So, maybe i can mention some books that i think this book belongs next to in my experience. (beside The Way of Kings of course)
I loved the KingKiller chronicles, Dune (the first book),and The Warded Man, and although these books are very different than the Stormlight Archives,i found this series to be just as captivating and amazing.

I liked the Mistborn trilogy, But i found the Stormlight Archives to be way more captivating and interesting. Partially because i found Vin in Mistborn to be very annoying and obnoxious (insufferable woman!). I really wanted her to just trip down a stair case and just die or something.

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

I have listened to The Way of Kings and the Mistborn Trilogy. Kramer's performance has always been unbelievable. His range of voices is just unreal.
I'm not a huge fan or Reading though. She tends to end her sentences in a weird tone, that i find kind of weird and annoying. I must say though, her performance in Words of Radiance was a bit more tolerable. Shallan and Pattern's voices were really good. And her Lift and Wyndle voices were a pure joy. But her masculine voices weren't good at all. She should never even attempt doing Dalinar Kholin's voice. It was horrible and traumatizing.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wish i could. But the breaks between chapters were a tiny bit slower, that i didn't mind pausing.

Any additional comments?

The characters, the ride and adventure that awaits you in this series will not disappoint.
Brandon Sanderson really didn't spare any effort or action despite this being just the second book in a 10 book series.

Will Be An All Time Classic

I have been thinking about this review for awhile. It is a grand book and I felt it deserved a grand review. But to give a complete review of this book would take another book to do it justice. I have decided to keep it simple.

I have read a lot of books, a listened to quite a few since joining audible. The only other series that has come close to The Stormlight Archive for me would be The Wheel Of Time by Robert Jordan. The two series have many similar plot lines, but are also very different. I know there are other reviews here comparing the two works, and it is only natural considering that Sanderson finished the WOT books. But I noticed something when listening to Sanderson's books in the series compared to Mr. Jordan's. As much as I loved all the books in the WOT series, once Sanderson took over, the pacing of the books were much improved. Whereas Mr. Jordan would have long and often time meandering chapters, sometimes staying with one character for a quarter of a book, Sanderson breaks things down into smaller chapters, keeping the flow of the book exciting, and having the reader want more, not wondering when you are going to move on. In the end, I think that is what will make this series be considered one of the best ever when it's completed. Maybe the best.

There is one other comparison between these two series. Mr. Sanderson is a prolific writer, however he currently has several projects going at the same time. If he continues on the Stormlight Archive at his current pace of approximately one book every 3 to 4 years, you have to wonder if he will suffer the same fate as Mr. Jordan and never complete this series rumored to be at around ten books. I am now in my 40s, and I wonder if I will be around to complete the series even if Mr. Sanderson succeeds.

Overall, an awesome book and excellent addition to the series. The narration is excellent as always. I will continue on whether I make it to the end or not.

Very long with not much progression

After 90 hours of listening between the first two books we have only moved the story along a bit at a time. The main characters are still fighting the same issues with not much development. One would think he would progress the characters just so he could stop having to write the same emotional content. This is not a first listener experience. You need stamina to stick in there with this story.