The Way of Kings

The Stormlight Archive, Book 1

By: Brandon Sanderson

Narrated by: Kate Reading, Michael Kramer

Length: 45 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

From number one New York Times best-selling author Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings, book one of the Stormlight Archive, begins an incredible new saga of epic proportion.

Roshar is a world of stone and storms. Uncanny tempests of incredible power sweep across the rocky terrain so frequently that they have shaped ecology and civilization alike. Animals hide in shells, trees pull in branches, and grass retracts into the soilless ground. Cities are built only where the topography offers shelter.

It has been centuries since the fall of the 10 consecrated orders known as the Knights Radiant, but their Shardblades and Shardplate remain: mystical swords and suits of armor that transform ordinary men into near-invincible warriors. Men trade kingdoms for Shardblades. Wars were fought for them and won by them.

One such war rages on a ruined landscape called the Shattered Plains. There, Kaladin, who traded his medical apprenticeship for a spear to protect his little brother, has been reduced to slavery. In a war that makes no sense, where 10 armies fight separately against a single foe, he struggles to save his men and to fathom the leaders who consider them expendable.

Brightlord Dalinar Kholin commands one of those other armies. Like his brother, the late king, he is fascinated by an ancient text called The Way of Kings. Troubled by over-powering visions of ancient times and the Knights Radiant, he has begun to doubt his own sanity.

Across the ocean, an untried young woman named Shallan seeks to train under an eminent scholar and notorious heretic, Dalinar's niece, Jasnah. Though she genuinely loves learning, Shallan's motives are less than pure. As she plans a daring theft, her research for Jasnah hints at secrets of the Knights Radiant and the true cause of the war.

The result of more than 10 years of planning, writing, and world-building, The Way of Kings is but the opening movement of the Stormlight Archive, a bold masterpiece in the making.

Speak again the ancient oaths:

Life before death.

Strength before weakness.

Journey before destination.

And return to men the Shards they once bore.

The Knights Radiant must stand again.

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

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2010 Dragonsteel Entertaiment, LLC (P)2010 Macmillan Audio

Can't get enough of Stormlight Archive!

I've relistened to this book four times now. Every time there is something new to find. Live this series! Can't wait for the new book to come out in November!

great book

loved it I finished it in a week. it was hard to follow at first but now im hooked

Just hang in there!

The story is very complex so the first ten hours or so are almost a bit overwhelming with the amount of information provided regarding the world and characters but once you get to know everyone it’s a wonderful listen. Highly recommended!

Sanderson has created something incredible.

Sanderson's craft had taken an amazing leap forward since Mistborn (which was spotty imo).

Consistently interesting. The world feels alive and you feel the triumphs and pains of the characters.

You'll also feel as if you're part of something great that's forming. Something epic for the ages.

Amazing

The story, the battle scenes, the humor, the storyline, the characters. Truly an amazing series. Highly recommend.

Excellent!

This is not the kind of book that I normally choose to read. I asked my brother for a suggestion and this is what he picked. He told me that the beginning is difficult to get in to as they set up the society, but to hang in there and I would love it. As he said, I started reading and got bored and put it down and didn't go back for a few months. He asked if I had finished it and when I said no, he said "do yourself a favor and get through the 1st chapters". So I did and it was more than worth it!!! I need more!!!

Above average book thats a little monotonous.

After the 1st 100 pages I got hooked. Really feel for the 2 main character struggles. And the flashbacks help the reader understand there plight. The book did have some obvious issues with Characters going through the same daily routine which felt like 3/4 of the book. Eventhough the characters thinking and emotions change the situation didn't. all in all i would recommend this to a friend

First Audiobook

My first ever audio book. Went in skeptical but was instantly hooked. I never thought I could pay attention enough to listen to a story. I haven't given up books but what a way to "read" more than ever before.

Excellent world

Excellent world building, excellent character building and growth, excellent plot. I was slightly put out by having two different narrators but quickly grew to really enjoy the differences. Excellent work.

Brandon has written a masterpiece

Starts slow, but hooks a reader with an enthralling and mythical story. Highly recommend.