Words of Radiance

The Stormlight Archive, Book 2

By: Brandon Sanderson

Narrated by: Michael Kramer, Kate Reading

Length: 48 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

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

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

Uneven and awkward narrative

The narrators, Michael Kramer and Kate Reading tackle numerous storylines and carry the tone and accents of a multitude of characters.

Halfway through the novel, I came to dread Kate’s narrative of Pattern and male characters even as her voice of Shalom (forgive me if I misspell) became the most authentic. Siri or some robotic facsimile took over Pattern while the men came out as forced blow bags.

Michael Kramer stayed true to many characters voices until their authenticity wilted under the weight of the novel’s resolution. They became figures in history Instead of protagonists and foils to bear witness to challenges to come.

Enough said. Great story carries too far afield in Iliad epic proportions. Narrators bearing the weight of an epic the best the could. Just not good enough to carry to the finish with gusto.

The absolute

BEST series I’ve ever read. So excited for the third book! The couple who narrates these are outstanding and I’ve started thinking my thoughts in their voice

Cool book with some reservations

The storyline naration and overall experience is enjoyable and consumimg. On the other hand, some parts were draging on too slowly. Especially Shallans track and flashbacks in particular. I had to listen in double speed at times which made it bearable. As in the first book, the last part is the best. I would say that the first book was slightly better but dedinitely no by much.
As you can read in other reviews the female voice is not great but I did not find it as anoying as others. May be it is the contrast with Kramer, who is outstanding.

Word of Radiance

This is Book 2 of the Storm Light Achieve. An epic adventure of fantasy in a kingdom with kings, enemies, wars, assassins, and how the people lived within this Novel.

Better than the first book

Really liked this book. So much better than the first.
Not that the first one was bad it was just very slow. A lot of world building in the first. The second has its share of it but the story moves on at a nice clip.
Was finding excuses to listen to it.

Narration was on point too. But then again I like both narratives in other books as well. The only criticism I have is that Michael can't do a cockney accent. :) but I didn't notice it too much in this book..

Great book. Can't wait to reserve next one.

Too many loose ends

The ending left me hanging. The author left too any voids. The verbiage at the onset of many chapters was confusing and had not connection to the chapter.

Brandon Sanderson can write! And that's no BS

This series is amazing... It's even better during a reread. Every reading brings something new to my attention.

Amazing book!

Kate forgot two of the voices and made them weird french accents. it was weird. everything else was great

Getting better!

I enjoyed this book much more than the first, finally getting into the motivations behind everything and also piecing the bigger picture together. Overall, it is becoming much more interesting!

enjoyed it

good story, great performance.....I did think the flashbacks were a little annoying but patience is a virtue i suppose