The Way of Kings: The Stormlight Archive

I have listened to over 100 Audiobooks, and this is the first time I really felt the need to write a review. I picked up a Brandon Sanderson book about two years ago, and was immediately impressed by his writing style. Too many fantasy writers forget how important it is that their worlds should also have rules and limits and plausible (if fantastic) magic. Every brilliant writer is an artist on his own, and should not be compared to another. Brandon Sanderson completed the Wheel of Time series, and I hope that he wouldn’t therefor mind being compared to Robert Jordan. An amazing story and a satisfying end, although I feel the itch of the addicted for the next book. The brilliant narration by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading (the narrators for the Wheel of Time) takes you right into the world and leave you hungry for more. I give this book my highest recommendation and my only wish is that I can have a selective memory loss so that I can enjoy this one again.

This book consumed my life for 3 weeks. Not a second of it was wasted.

All of the characters are interesting and real. Even the bit players stuck with me - Ishic the Fisherman in particular. I really hope that Sanderson will expand on some of those in the next books - I'm optimistic, from all reports he'll have plenty of pages to fill :). I keep trying to imagine what will happen when all of the characters eventually meet (for instance, I'm certain that Rock will fall head-over-heels for Shalan).

The glimpses you get of the 'magic' systems are intriguing, and I kept catching myself trying to put the pieces of it together when I really should have been doing other things (sleeping, for instance).

The environment is unique, the plants and animals are a mixture of the familiar and strange and hint at events that must have happened in the world's past ... and even as I write this, I'm putting more pieces together :) I think I may have to listen to it for a 5th time.

I would recommend listening to the whole book at least twice. Listening over it again with hindsight/foreknowledge of where the story is going lets you see events in a very different way, and the simple length means that even the most careful listener will miss some gems. I'm considering buying the hardcopy as well.

Epic, brilliant, extensive

Getting towards the end, I found every opportunity to listen.

Being such an epic this title begins by developing some backgrounds and history pertinent to the the overall story. In doing so the story takes a bit of time to form but when it does there is no disputing that this is an outstanding epic journey into a completely original culture and world. Initially I felt that Brandon Sanderson was, in a way, showing off his ability to create such a different society but after giving the title time to develop my opinion was utterly changed. Please stick with this book, you will be glad you did....

Double N

I've been looking for a good epic fantasy world since I've finished Sword of Truth and got as far as you can with Wheel of Time, and if this book is anything to go buy The Stormlight Archive is going to be an amazing Epic fantasy series.

It might just be because this book has the same narrators as the Wheel of Time but the writing style is very similar to Robert Jordan, this might be why he was asked to finish off the WoT series after Jordan's death.

The writing is great, the narration is great and the action scenes flow nicely enabling me to really visualise the story in my mind.

Love it, five stars isn't enough.

Thoroughly enjoyable! The 'special effects' are very interesting and imaginative. The story is well written and flows well from chapter to chapter. It is basically about the War of Revenge on the Shattered Plains, about tactics, chasm duty, bridge runners and the lives of the people caught up in military camps, strange cities and each other. It's not short on heroes or villains. The story is unusual and the most excellent narration of Michael Kramer and Kate Reading make this a pleasure to listen to from page one. Initially Michael Kramer tends to sound slightly monotonous but soon you become enthralled by the way he fleshes out the characters and makes them instantly recognizable. Spend the credit if you like fantasy :o)

Wow! Brilliant! One doesn't realise Brendan Sanderson's genius until you reach the end and can encompass the entire book. To write 40 hours of material with focus and and keeping the dialogues sharp and inventive is a unique talent.

This book had a great variety of characters. Some "critic" reviews on other sites have complained about characters lacking depth. But, I found all the characters were well rounded and had a variety of facets to their personality.

I would highly recommend listening to this book.

No, the audiobook and the print edition have different qualities.

The book is a very good bok in itself. With a nice plot, good characters that are not black and white, but flawed as well, and set in an interesting world. Add the that two very skilled narrators that bring the story to life, and you have a masterpiece.

I found this book fantastic value for a credit, I just hate waiting for the next ones to be written. This book does introduce numerous characters who I had difficulty remembering and did sometimes drag a little. However the storey evolves at a good pace, after the start, and the action and storey development is worth the wait. I admit I wasn't much a fan of the wheel of time but I found this much more palatable.

No,

no audiobook ever replaces the internal joy of creating and evolving characters for ones self but this is very enjoyable and the narrators are exceptional!

The depth of characterization

Probably "Kaladin" and of course "Syl" in addition

Many "laugh out loud" moments - both mirthful and ironic

the only questions you will be asking yourself after reading this book ( like the rest of us) is ...

" where & when can i get the next book !?! " & " will i have to Stab anyone to obtain a copy fast ? "
( no hesatating stab stab stab ) oh ...... lol ..... ..... ;-s