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The Way of Kings

By: Brandon Sanderson
Narrated by: Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
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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
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Featured Article: 45+ Quotes About Writing from Famous Writers


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Editor's Pick: Best of the Decade

Here’s to another 10 years at the top
"My journey as a Brandon Sanderson fan began more than a decade ago. My brother and I discovered one of his very first published books, Mistborn, at a gas station rest stop in high school and both of us have been hooked ever since. But Brandon Sanderson, who started out as our little secret, has grown to be one of the biggest and most respected names in fantasy today. It’s been such a joy and delight to be his fan as he’s only gotten better and better at creating compelling, creative, and human stories over the years. Is it weird to say that I feel proud? There is no doubt in my mind that his epic series, the Stormlight Archive, deserves a spot as the best of the decade."—Melissa B., Audible Editor

What listeners say about The Way of Kings

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You can reread this book and still love it.

I love Kalinin (audiobook so i don’t know how to spell it). Dalinar is also amazing. You love and hate all the right people!! Enough mystery to NEED to read the next book.

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Worth the Buildup

The story takes a long time to build but it is worth the effort. The first 3+ hours are all foundation but you won’t be able to stop listening to the last 4-5 hours. Loved it and can’t wait to start the next book.

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Amazing beginning of an epic story

Brandon Sanderson is a great storyteller and world builder. And Michael Kramer and Kate Reading brings the story to life and character in a way few others can.

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Pretty good.

Not too bad. It got going after a bit, and I’ll probably check out the next one.

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Fantastic finale

Some of the character choices seemed forced by the author to further the plot. But the characters are interesting and relatable. The finale is amazing. I’m going to pick up the next one.

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WOW

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOW wow wow wow wow wow wow woooooow wow wow wow wow seriously just wow. 10/10

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Definitely Recommend!

I really like the story this book tells, and I highly recommend if you’re not hooked in the first or second chapter, KEEP READING! It gets really good once the foundation for each of the primary characters is established.

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Amazing!

Brandon Sanderson is an amazing author. His world building and story pacing are unmatched, and the narrators gave this book a life of its own through their fantastic performances.

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amazing voice over /reading

really intriguing story and thorough world building. couldn't stop myself from listening for some really intense scenes.

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Best read I’ve ever had

Absolutely amazing story with flawless storytelling and detail. Very intricate and loveable characters. Easily the best book I’ve ever read/heard. Brandon Sanderson is undoubtedly the GOAT

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