Meet New Books
Meet New Books
Book Cover

Words of Radiance

Book 2 in the series:The Stormlight Archive

Save:
Find on Amazon

'Words of Radiance' is a thrilling and epic sequel to 'The Way of Kings' in 'The Stormlight Archive' series by Brandon Sanderson. The story continues to build upon the richly textured fantasy world of Roshar, following the lives of characters like Kaladin, Shallan, Adolin, Dalinar, and more. The book is praised for its intricate plot development, character growth, and world-building, keeping readers immersed in a world filled with politics, mysteries, religions, and magic.

Readers are drawn into a tale of honor, betrayal, heroism, and self-discovery as the characters face challenges, make tough decisions, and navigate through a world on the brink of turmoil. Sanderson's writing style captivates readers with its ability to create tension, deliver unexpected twists, and keep them engaged from beginning to end.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, displaying growth and complexity, each facing personal struggles interwoven with the main narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and humorous, effectively balancing rich descriptions with plot-driven dialogue.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot builds on previous conflicts while introducing deep character development and intertwining story arcs that culminate in significant events.

Setting:

The setting of Roshar is richly detailed, emphasizing its unique ecological and cultural attributes.

Pacing:

The pacing effectively balances slower character development with a thrilling climax, maintaining reader engagement throughout.
Shallan pinched the thin charcoal pencil and drew a series of straight lines radiating from a sphere on the horizon. That sphere wasn’t quite the sun, nor was it one of the moons. Clouds outlined in c...

Notes:

Words of Radiance is the second book in Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive series, following The Way of Kings.
The story expands on the magic system introduced in the first book, particularly the concept of Surgebinding.
Shallan Davar becomes a prominent character in this book, with her backstory explored more deeply than in the first installment.
Kaladin Stormblessed struggles with his responsibilities and his emotions, highlighting a darker side of his character.
The book builds tension as the characters face off against the mysterious Assassin in White, Szeth, and the approaching Everstorm.
The narrative includes multiple points of view, enriching the story with various character arcs and interactions.
The novel emphasizes themes of morality, leadership, and the complexities of good versus evil.
Sanderson's writing style is praised for its ability to weave humor into dramatic situations, especially through witty character dialogue.
Readers appreciate the intricate world-building, which includes detailed cultures, histories, and social classes.
Interludes in the book provide insights into different characters and perspectives, adding depth to the story’s overarching conflict.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book has medium content warnings related to violence and discussions surrounding traumatic themes, such as war and personal loss.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance, particularly between Shallan and Adolin, and hints of potential romantic interests involving other characters.

From The Publisher:

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.

Ratings (226)

Incredible (129)
Loved It (72)
Liked It (18)
It Was OK (3)
Did Not Like (1)
Hated It (3)

Reader Stats (267):

Read It (231)
Currently Reading (3)
Want To Read (22)
Not Interested (11)

6 comment(s)

Incredible
4 weeks

amazing payoff to some character's arcs

 
Incredible
1 month

Awesome

 
Incredible
2 months

I loved this. This was amazing and fantastic!

 
Incredible
5 months

Absolutely loved this book!

There wasn’t a boring moment, and the characters were developed even more than they had been in the first book. Everything about this book is interesting and engaging.

I look forward to reading the next book, and every other one after that.

 
Incredible
5 months

Again, these books are comically long, but it makes the payoff that much better when all of the loose ends and mysteries come together in incredibly satisfying ways.

 
Loved It
8 months

Having just finished the second book in the series, I'm somewhat struck by the sheer length of these books.

Sometimes it feels like the story almost drags a bit, but it's not for lack of action. I think it's something different that I'm unable to put my finger on.

The characters are rich and three dimensional and have flaws. The 'villains' are just the right mix of dislikeable and relatable.

Still, things seemed to move along a little slow.

 

About the Author:

Brandon Sanderson grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. He lives in Utah with his wife and children and teaches creative writing at Brigham Young University. He is the author of such bestsellers as the Mistborn® trilogy and its sequels, The Alloy of Law, Shadows of Self, and The Bands of Mourning; the Stormlight Archive novels The Way of Kings and Words of Radiance; and other novels, including The Rithmatist and Steelheart. In 2013, he won a Hugo Award for Best Novella for The Emperor's Soul, set in the world of his acclaimed first novel, Elantris. Additionally, he was chosen to complete Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time® sequence.

 
Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.