Words of Radiance

Book Two of the Stormlight Archive

By: Brandon Sanderson

Narrated by: Michael Kramer, Kate Reading

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson, Words of Radiance, Book 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

Critic reviews

“I loved this book. What else is there to say?” —Patrick Rothfuss, New York Times bestselling author of The Name of the Wind on The Way of Kings

“This is a great choice for fans of Robert Jordan and Terry Brooks.” —Voice of Youth Advocates on The Way of Kings

“The best part…is the compelling, complex story of Dalinar, Kaladin, and Shallan as they struggle though emotional, physical, and moral challenges. Fans and lovers of epic fantasy…will eagerly await the next volume.” —Library Journal on The Way of Kings

the end makes it

glad the pace has finally taken a hold. the ending was marvelous and look forward to rest of series

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.

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.

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.