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

Fabulous book and I can't wait for the next one.

Would you consider the audio edition of Words of Radiance to be better than the print version?

I didn't read the print version

Who was your favorite character and why?

Shelon (sp) because she plays people so well while hiding all her abilities that she is aware of.

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

They knock this one out of the ballpark. The accents and personalities they give to these characters is stupendous.

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

I was hooked from the beginning with the story line. I laughed out loud more than once. Brandon Sanderson is just an exceptional writer that I will continue to follow.

It's a long book but fantastically read

If you make it through the first book which spends most of the time building up this fantastic fantasy world. This one is where the story really takes place. I can't wait for a sequel!

Can't wait for the third book to come out in 2017.

Loved the narrators. I hope they narrate book 3 or find someone(s) as good to read it. 😀

imaginative and inspiring

this is part of the most imaginative and well written story o have ever listened to or read.

simply enchanting

I've found myself wanting to listen to this tale more than I wanted to finish watching my TV series. I have a fond and vested interest in these characters and world and can not wait to continue their journey in book 3.

Great Story

After reading the first book of the Stormlight series, I thought I knew where the story was going. Words of Radiance was better than I could have ever expected. One of the best books I have read in a very long time.

He's done it again.

I have been through this book 4 times now. each and every time I've found something new and poignant to the overall story. I can't recommend this series of book enough.

great purchase

One of the best purchases I've made so far. Really interesting story that you don't want to end (so thankfully, it's over 40 hours long). Both the male and female narrators were excellent. A lot of female narrators go overboard when they try to produce what they think is a "masculine" voice and end up sounding ridiculous. These narrators did great. Looking forward to the next one!

Great Book That Could Have Been 1/3 Shorter

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

Sanderson has writing style that is enjoyable, and Kramer/Reading are terrific narrators.

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

One cannot help but think about the final few WOT volumes.

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

They are great narrators - an experienced team, and they deliver the goods.

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

LOL - no. Book is around 48 hours.

Any additional comments?

My only complaint is that the story could have been tighter. The book was too long, and some better editing could have cut out 8 to 16 hours. I enjoy a good long book, but the filler stuff can be a bit irritating. This was the only reason I did not give the book 5 stars.

Great series

One of the best series I've read (or listened to)! often the second book in a series looses my interest, but this was a wonderful sequel. My favourite Sanderson series and my second favourite fantasy series of all time, behind The Wheel of Time.