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

World building is phenomenal

This book was amazing to listen to as the readers brought voice and body to characters. The story was unpredictable and the magic system is flawless.

Character Arcs, Plot, World Building, Action

Very difficult to put down, excited to start the next book. I really enjoyed the pacing, it may be too slow for some in the beginning but it’s worth it.

Is 10 out of 10 my favorite book

Is so immersive and big and makes you feel like you’re in the world with the characters

A perfect pace and a perfect introduction.

Recommendation after recommendation I have FINALLY begun my Cosmere journey proper with The Stormlight Archives. What can I say about The Way of Kings... Books have always been a difficult medium for me. Once I locked in with this book, I locked in hard. Way of Kings made me feel in ways that only my favorite media has. No other book has caused me to laugh, cheer, shout, or cry in this way before. That is so deeply special to me. Beyond that - the world, magic system, characters, and story are crafted with so much care.

This story is already so full and this is just the introduction! I can see the threads being placed and knowing that we are still building up has me so excited for more Stormlight.

If you love rich worldbuilding, complex and masterfully written characters, and delicious mysteries to sink many hours pondering, then please read Way of Kings.

A BOOK!!!!

BOOK!!!! BOOK!!!!!! ABOOOOOOK!!!!
















Also, I must say, that while BOOK!!! MOTHER FUCKING BOOK!!!!!! the attention if the reader the deeper (potential) meaning sorted out by the reader (or by this reader as i dont speak for the other heathens WAS ALSO WHEN CALLIDEN AND GAVALAR STARTED MAKING Out! Now. Get out. Now. Honestly. Trying to write a review here and you turning into some fan fiction, slut. No velocity DONT YOU START ACTING LIKE SOME PHYSICIST CRITICIZING BRAND I was not and had no intention till you decided to hijack the review and make a joke when sincerity is what impacts in the best possible manner. I AM BEING SINCERE. I WAS SAYING THAT IF YOU LOOK UP BOOK IN THE DICTIONARY, THE ENTIRETY OFBS's TWOKS' TEXT WOULD BE NEXT TO IT. YOU'RE THE ONE WHO HIJACKED THE REVIEW. Yes. You are correct. Well then, my apologies.

BOO- no you ruined it. UH. NO. THATS YOU STILL. PUNK. YOU WANTING TO RUIN IT IS WHAT SEEMS TO BE THE GOAL. KNOCK IT OFF.


BOOK!

The descriptions of the citys and shattered plains.

the world is immense and well thought out. the characters have depth and are well thought out. The battle scenes are amazing and I feel like I am experencing the world as the characters do.

Slow to start . . . But well worth the patience

Brandon Sanderson is a master storyteller. He excels at building worlds and universes that go well beyond a single story or book. It sometimes takes a bit of time for him to build that backstory/world/universe but when it’s built it is rich, vibrant and breathes life into the characters that inhabit it literally for years to come and dozens of books.

A 3rd reread (2nd re-listen) and still thrilling!

I’d love to write a witty or insightful review but Hoid wasn’t available and I’m in a rush to start book 2 on Audible as I cram in prep for Dec 6 release of 5.

Just get this, the performance is great and the series (so far all of Sanderson I’ve read) is great and this is one of the best.

I’d recommend the Kindle for the cool illustrations and maps and just listen along or listen on later rereads if you become a big fan. You pickup a lot you wouldn’t first time on rereads and it is rewarding.

Enjoy!

Outstanding

This story seems slow at first. Just stick with it as it gets increasingly better. By the end, you’ll be ready for book two, I am.

Stormfather… What a story!

An absolute masterclass of novel writing. The in depth examinations of society, adversity, morals, purpose, leadership, injustice, revolution, betrayal, greed, spirit, destiny, among numerous other subtle aspects of life, explored through the incredibly rich universe and characters allows Sanderson to craft one of the most memorable and enjoyable novels ever.

Although this universe feels massive and the story takes a bit to grasp, I really appreciated the patient pace and the level of detail included. Sanderson was not in a hurry to tell the story and expose major plot points. There is considerable foreshadowing throughout, but never quite enough information, keeping the reader shrouded in mystery until the precise moment he intends. No important details are left unaddressed by the end, leaving you feeling completely fulfilled with this story. However just enough is revealed about where the story might be headed to keep me completely sucked in and ready for the next book in the series.

An instant classic, and new favorite, it’s safe to say I’m well on my way to becoming a major Brandon Sanderson fanboy.