Words of Radiance

The Stormlight Archive, Book 2

By: Brandon Sanderson

Narrated by: Michael Kramer, Kate Reading

Book two of the Stormlight Archive.

From the best-selling author who completed Robert Jordan's epic Wheel of Time series comes an original new creation that matches anything else in modern fantasy for epic scope, thrilling imagination, superb characters and sheer addictiveness. Return to a planet swept by apocalyptic storms, a world tipping into war as aristocratic families move to control the shard blades and shard plates, ancient artifacts from a past civilisation that can win wars.

As the world tips into a war for control of the mythical artifacts of power made from Shard, characters are swept up into new dangers which will threaten their integrity and their lives. Huge ideas-filled, world-spanning fantasy from a master of the genre.

©2014 Dragonsteel Entertainment, LLC (P)2014 Macmillan Audio

As real an unreal world as I've ever visited.

Peoples and customs of great number and variety. Effortless complexity, much like our own world.

Enthralling

Would you listen to Words of Radiance again? Why?

Absolutely. As I got near the end of the book I had a little anxiety attack at the end of each chapter fearing the words "This is the end of book two"

What was one of the most memorable moments of Words of Radiance?

The rescue of Delenar from the assassin in white. Predictable and a bit cliché, but glorious, triumphant and perfect.

What about Michael Kramer and Kate Reading ’s performance did you like?

What a great team, I enjoyed listening to them both in The Wheel of Time saga, and they do the same brilliant job of giving each character their own voice and life.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Stupid question.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book, a must listen for any fantasy fan.

Im hooked!<br />

Im new to Brandon Sanderson's work but am so glad to have discovered this series. While discovering a new world can be a bit daunting at times, I love the characters and feel quite invested in their lives. I listen for the two hours every day that I travel to work so I can visit the Shattered Plains. 😉

Brilliant story!

Would you consider the audio edition of Words of Radiance to be better than the print version?

No audio book is ever better than a real book, what a silly question is that.

What other book might you compare Words of Radiance to and why?

Paksenarion. One of my all time fave books, and written with pure ferfect brilliance. this series comes very close so far!

What does Michael Kramer and Kate Reading bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Different ways to pronounce names. Luckily there was no (wrongly) anoying pronounced Sadius for Kate in this book I think yay.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yep, went on alot of xtra runs just to read more of it :D

Any additional comments?

Great book and story, can highly recommend this series!

Improves on the first book. Go for it.

PROS:
- Satisfying and thoroughly enjoyable continuation of the first book. Fans of Brandon Sanderson's work will be thrilled.

- Characters grow in substantial ways.

- The narration is top notch for the most part. My ears never got bored and fell asleep on me.

CONS:
- The pacing drags in the middle, but stick with it because the payoff at the end is very much worth it.

- Kate Reading, one of the narrators, puts on comical and ear grating accents for some of the characters and I couldn't help feeling a bit annoyed and pulled out of the narrative every time she did.

An excellent start to the story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

At 40 hours long some might say it's a bit long winded but I was gripped right to the end.

What did you like best about this story?

The lead characters development from hero to slave and back to hero

Which character – as performed by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading – was your favorite?

Kaladin

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When, despite the prejudice he suffered from Eihokar and his peers, he puts himself in danger to save his life

Any additional comments?

Can't wait for the next book in the series

Brilliant, engaging and hilarious

As always Brandon Sanderson has managed to enthral me with his detailed descriptions and witty dialogue. If you're looking for a series that has it all, this is it.

Not the best point of view

The ideas behind the stormlight archive are really interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series. I was very excited to read this one as well and am eagerly looking forward to others. Each book is written from the point of view of several characters with one of those characters being the pre-eminent one in the book. In the first book that was Kaladin and in this one it is Shallan.

I found Shallan to be an unimpressive character - overly self absorbed and tiresome coming across somewhat pathetic. I was continually waiting for the sections from her point of view to conclude so I could become enthralled again in what Kaladin was up to. Perhaps the female narrator didn't help to make her seem worthwhile.

The story is awesome and well worth reading for anyone who enjoys fantasy. The world is rich and complex and well thought out. So much so that even though the sections of Shallan leave a lot to be desired, the rest of the book more than makes up for it.

Strapped in for the long haul

I like the vibrance of the world, the intricacy of the magic system, and the wonderful character development. The story is intriguing and I could definitely feel the build up of tension and anticipation. If you aren't a very patient reader, this series probably won't be for you. There are quite a few characters to keep track of, and the pace is slow and steady. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook as it's easier to absorb the story and keep up with what's happening. Don't rush this story, ride it like a Wind Runner.

Lives rent-free in my mind

The first two books in this series ruined me for any other level of storytelling. The plot is captivating, the characters are multidimensional and interesting, and the world building is just *chef's kiss*

While it took a while to become immersed in this new world, the second you arrive where Brandon has been leading you all along, there's no escape. I think about The Stormlight Archive in the shower, while I'm driving, on my daily walks, and while I attempt to read anything else. Very few books can compare. Can't wait to start Edgedancer!