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

Wot fans this is prime Jordan!

Wow just wow this serves as a perfect reminder that real epic fantasy still exists. In a sea of teeny bopper bs this is a bright light ima sea of darkness.

A constant flowing of intrigue and action that culminated in a avalanche of revelation! so excited to read the next one!

Shallon-idk the spelling-had an intriguing story arch but she could be a bit annoying and dense at times.

The first book was a little slow to get interesting.

As well as the first book laid a great foundation of back story and really fleshed out the characters. This second book …. Wow! All I can say is wow. Great character development and many interesting ways the narrator conveyed emotion and depth. By far my favorite book in awhile.

YES!!! YES!!! YES!!!

Mint! Just read the stinking books, you will thank yourself later.
Cannot wait to start the third book.

‘I am a Stick!’

Performance and story are fantastic. The voices really give life to the words. Both animated and involved to such a delightful degree.

What??!!

Probably the most satisfied I have been after an Audible purchase! The whole book I felt like I was just exclaiming “What??!!”. So good I started to annoy people around me by constantly bringing it up in conversation lol

Epic!

Sets up for even more and has a couple of scenes that will stick with me for the rest of my life a la Falme and Dumai’s Wells. So worth it.

Book !!; no let down- "Words of Radiance" shines

In the first book, “The Way of Kings,” we were introduced to the world of Roshar. It is a world of magic and aliens where hurricane-like storms lay savage to the world every few days and all of its inhabitants must adapt their lives accordingly. It is a world at war between the human armies led by High prince Dalinar Kholin and the Parshendi, a humanoid species. We were introduced to Jasnah, who is a renowned scholar and the niece of the High Prince Dalinar Kholin, her student Shallan, and Kaladin, a slave that by the end of Way of Kings is beginning to become the world’s first Knight’s Radiance in centuries.
If you haven’t read/listened to ”The Way of Kings,” I would strongly recommend that you do before going on to this second book, “Words of Radiance.” If you have read/listened to the first book I would recommend a review of TWOK before going on since it has been over four years and the second book starts off right where “The Way of Kings,” left off.
At 48 hours and 15 minutes this is a long book, in fact Brandon Sanderson posted on his blog that he wrote the manuscript under the working title “the Book of Endless Pages.” He was referring to the endless learning set forth in his first book but it seemed appropriate given its length; but don’t let the length of this book deter you as I listened the hours seemed to fly past. This is an amazing book.
“Word of Radiance” focuses on four characters: Kaladin, Shallan, Dalinar, and Adolin. In TWOK Kaladin was the main character and is still very prevalent but this book reveals more about Shallan. Like “The Way of Kings,” Sanderson interlaces the present with the past, developing the background on the main characters’ while moving the plot forward.
This is only book two in a ten part series and even though I can’t wait for the next book I found the ending satisfactory.
I word about the narrators, I’ve always been a big fan of Michael Kramer and Kate Reading and I thought they gave another great performance.

Sleep....Work...Yea Whatever!

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

Words of Radiance was simply one of the most amazing listens I have had since I started with Audible years ago. Michael Kramer and Kate Reading truly bring to life Brandon Sanderson's world. I am ready to listen to it from the begging once again.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Character? I have to choose one.Syl is easily the most astounding little lady. You can almost see her eyes roll each time she speaks. However, Shallan's growth was enthralling. I found myself staying awake past my bedtime just to listen to her story

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

What do they bring to the story? They are the story, the world itself comes to life with each and every word. Brandon Sanderson's world is amazing and well thought out, Kramer and Reading are the icing on the cake.

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

There were several time I laughed out loud. Scared one of my employees one morning when I laughed so loud it startled her. Yes I was listening at work. I could not put the darn book down.

Brilliant!!!!!!

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

With an author like Sanderson its easy to take it for granted how difficult it is to write such a complex story with so many deep characters and dialogue that is not strained and obvious in its mission to build or fill in story line gaps . The many moving, and invented parts of this story work perfectly like a clock for another dimension. Some parts are predictable and just before you get cocky about it, you're swept up in a pleasant roller coaster of surprise. i found myself immediately invested in the characters and can't wait to see where and what life brings to them in this world of turmoil. If you make a movie, I want to play Wit. Oh and nice cover on the bonding of shard blades;) barely noticed.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Wit. He's ambiguous. you want him to be a good guy and he projects himself a little more than a fool but you know anyone that brash is dangerous. Love him one minute frustrated the next, his complex role is well written and i can't wait for that trap to be sprung.

Which scene was your favorite?

too many great scenes

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

yes. several deep moment of self discovery.

Any additional comments?

I banged through this audio book in a couple of days. i could not stop. Very well performed.