The Way of Kings
David Gemmell Legend Award 2010.
Widely acclaimed for his work completing Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time saga, Brandon Sanderson now begins a grand cycle of his own, one every bit as ambitious and immersive.
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.
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Brandon Sanderson
Few modern fantasy authors have reshaped the genre quite like Brandon Sanderson. Renowned for his intricate worldbuilding, innovative magic systems, and compelling character arcs, he has captivated millions of readers worldwide. His work blends epic storytelling with meticulous attention to detail, making his novels both immersive and intellectually engaging.
Breaking onto the scene with Elantris, he quickly gained recognition, but it was Mistborn: The Final Empire that solidified his place among the genre’s greats. The trilogy introduced a unique alchemical-inspired magic system, Allomancy, and a cast of unforgettable characters navigating a world of oppression and rebellion. His ability to craft deep, well-structured narratives continued with The Stormlight Archive, a sweeping epic that has drawn comparisons to some of fantasy’s most revered sagas.
The Stormlight Archive
An awe-inspiring journey into shattered landscapes, ancient magic, and epic battles, The Stormlight Archive stands as a cornerstone of modern fantasy. Set in the storm‑ravaged world of Roshar, this sweeping saga delivers a tale of war, destiny, and the fragile balance between power and honor.
At its heart, the series follows an intricate web of characters, each confronting their own struggles while shaping the fate of a fractured world. From a broken soldier seeking redemption to a scholar uncovering long‑buried secrets, their lives intertwine against the backdrop of a cataclysmic conflict. The mysteries of the legendary Knights Radiant, the binding force of magical oaths, and the power of the enigmatic Shardblades weave together to form an unforgettable tapestry of adventure and intrigue.
The Stormlight Archive consists of five primary books, and includes three additional books that complement the series but are not considered mandatory reads and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of five more books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Main series Cosmere
Book Reviews
I'm nobody's fangirl, so I’ll risk starting by saying that The Way of Kings is genuinely original: stormlight, soulcasting, bridges over chasms, and whatnot. The author of the book, this Brandon Sanderson fellow, must be an incredible writer and storyteller, right?
So, why not full marks? Slipped with the mouse?
It took me a few months to trudge through the book, which already says something. Especially the verb trudge, which describes my reading experience with unnerving accuracy. Most of the more than 1,100 pages went by at a snail’s pace.
The Way of Kings is an incredible start to Brandon Sanderson’s epic The Stormlight Archive. From the very first page, I was immersed in the vast, intricately crafted world of Roshar, a land constantly battered by storms. Sanderson’s world-building is absolutely brilliant, every detail, from the unique geography to the complex cultures and political systems, feels thoughtfully created, making Roshar come to life as a truly living, breathing world.
The novel follows three main characters, each of whom plays a significant role in the unfolding story. Kaladin, once a soldier with great promise, is now a slave, struggling with despair and trying to find redemption. Shallan, a determined young woman, seeks to apprentice under the renowned scholar Jasnah Kholin while hiding a secret of her own. Dalinar Kholin, a highprince of the realm, starts experiencing mysterious visions that challenge his understanding of honor and leadership.
I love these books so much I got a large bridge 4 patch tattooed on my shoulder