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The Way of Kings

Book 1 in the series:The Stormlight Archive

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'The Way of Kings' in 'The Stormlight Archive' series by Brandon Sanderson is an epic fantasy novel that introduces readers to a world filled with unique magic systems, intricate world-building, and deep character development. The plot revolves around multiple main characters, each with their own complex storylines that eventually intertwine. The magic system in the book is innovative and tied to gems that capture stormlight, which powers magical armor and various other elements in the world. The writing style is described as engaging, with a mix of slow-paced world-building and action-packed sequences that keep readers hooked throughout the 1000+ pages of the book.

Characters:

The characters are deeply developed, each dealing with their own struggles and growth, enriching the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is straightforward and descriptive, focusing on character development with some overly detailed sections.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot is complex, exploring the lives of several characters during a prolonged war, intertwining personal struggles and deeper themes.

Setting:

The setting is a richly designed fantasy world called Roshar, characterized by its unique ecology and political complexities.

Pacing:

The pacing starts slow but builds momentum, especially in the second half where action intensifies.
“You’ve killed me. Bastards, you’ve killed me! While the sun is still hot, I die!” —Collected on the fifth day of the week Chach of the month Betab of the year 1171, ten seconds before death. Subject ...

Notes:

The Way of Kings is the first book in The Stormlight Archive series, projected to have ten volumes.
The book has 1,252 pages, making it a significant read for fantasy enthusiasts.
The main kingdoms in the story are part of a class system based on eye color, with lighteyes at the top.
The setting is characterized by rocky terrain and devastating highstorms that influence both the environment and people's lives.
Sanderson has created a complex and unique magic system connected to gemstones called Stormlight, which powers magical abilities and is used as currency.
The narrative follows multiple characters: Kaladin, a surgeon turned soldier; Shallan, an artist with ulterior motives; and Dalinar, a highprince with visions that challenge his sanity.
The book explores themes of trauma, depression, and personal growth, particularly through Kaladin's character arc.
Sanderson's characters are known for their depth and relatability, dealing with issues such as mental health and personal struggles.
The story features interludes that give insights into different cultures and races in the world of Roshar, adding to the richness of the narrative.
The book is noted for its strong worldbuilding, with detailed descriptions of flora and fauna, many of which are crustacean-like, reflecting the harsh conditions of the world.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for The Way of Kings include themes of depression, PTSD, war violence, slavery, and substance abuse.

From The Publisher:

From #1 New York Times bestselling 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 ten 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 ten 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 over ten 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.

Ratings (543)

Incredible (252)
Loved It (166)
Liked It (77)
It Was OK (21)
Did Not Like (16)
Hated It (11)

Reader Stats (961):

Read It (548)
Currently Reading (19)
Want To Read (288)
Did Not Finish (11)
Not Interested (95)

14 comment(s)

Hated It
4 weeks

There is romance in this book people pair up and there is a lot of talk about love etc

 
Incredible
1 month

Characters: 9

Atmosphere: 10

Writing: 7

Plot: 10

Intrigue: 10

Logic: 10

Enjoyment: 9

9.28 = 5 Stars

 
Incredible
1 month

Slow read but absolutely amazing. Magic system is cool but the characters are truly fantastic.

 
Incredible
1 month

This was an excellent read - I was hesitant to read this one for the mere size of this made it feel, not so much a daunting task, but like a self-indulgence of world building as most door stopper novels could be. I can not think of a chapter that is not needed in this tome though.

True to Brandon Sanderson's style, he does have an interesting world built, and described in bits and pieces so that you are not trying to take the entire world in at once.

The main through line is an interesting story, with segments of backstory to fill in how he got to where he is, and each chapter brings something new to the character.

The side stories blend into the world and though they are not directly tied to the main through-line, they are interconnecting making for a much larger picture, which is how life works. Your task effects someone else, though you may not see it.

The use of interludes in-between the 'books' within make for another interesting way to fill in gaps of the world with other people's actions.

All in all, this was a fun read, and worth all 1000+ pages of text.

 
Incredible
1 month

This was a behemoth. I consider it something of a slow burn since it took so long for anything to happen. It built up to it, though. And it makes me want to read the next book, but not for a while. I don't think I can stomach another 1200+ page book right now. It took way too long.

 
Loved It
2 months

4.5*

 
Loved It
3 months

Has Sanderson's characteristic length, complexity, and twists, but

The Way of Kings has something more. We follow many characters through the book, and he tells one of their stories (Kaladin) through flashbacks as well as current events. The reason for that becomes clear by the end of the book - we need to know what Kaladin has been through to understand what he's meant to do (although there are still a few secrets in his past). There are some really great fight scenes with visuals I can actually follow (I got a little lost in some of the Mistborn fight scenes). Even though this is a cool 1000 pages, it really only serves as an introduction to this world, its people, and its major problems. Sanderson has such depth of imagination I bet he would write twice as long if his editors let him.

 
Incredible
5 months

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this. I had placed my library hold quite a while ago and didn't even remember what the description was. Considering that this is an adult fiction book, I wasn't sure I'd enjoy it all that much. Admittedly, it did take me a while to become immersed in the story, but I persevered and found myself genuinely enjoying this book.

The world building for this book is absolutely mind-boggling. To think of all the work that went into developing the races, religions, creatures, and political structures of multiple kingdoms completely astounds me.

The different POVs shown throughout the book gave a broad and diverse view on the world these characters live in.

The plot moved very well, and I never felt as though I was being dragged along. Many of the plot twists had me absolutely shocked, which is always a delight. I love it when a character I thought I had figured out does something to change my perspective.

An absolutely wonderful read, and I can't wait to get the next one!

 
Incredible
5 months

Second Read Review: Can I give this book more than five stars? This might be my favorite work of fiction. There’s so much to love here. Yes it’s long, but don’t let that deter you! It’s so worth it.

Original Review: I’ve read a lot of Sanderson, but I put off reading this series because I assumed it would be overly-complicated and stuffy classic fantasy. I was wrong. The books are long, and there’s definitely a lot of world-building, but the characters and stories are phenomenal. I just read 1258 pages over two weeks, and it seemed to fly by. Can’t wait to start the next one.

 
Did Not Like
7 months

It was really slow

 
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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.

 
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