The Way of Kings
By Brandon Sanderson
- Release Date: 2010-08-31
- Genre: Epic Fantasy
Description
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.
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
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Reviews
Absolutely phenomenal
5By chrisg6492946Trying to initially understand Szeth’s abilities is a little difficult despite the abilities being spelled out for you. Wasn’t a bad part at all but my only not 10/10 experience reading the book.Just read it
5By AshsattSooo goodPersonal opinions rather than reviews
4By CorvelleThis book starts slow. Brandon Sanderson’s work usually does. Many viewpoints, dozens and dozens of proper nouns and concepts, and an unclear narrative thrust. The theme is less cohesive than his other work, the fantasy elements at once vague yet specific. But once the secrets like threads start pulling together, the tapestry taking shape, ahhh it’s as good as any of his best works.Worth it
5By lordlestibournesWhile I recommend reading the mistborn trilogy first, the Stormlight archive really is a recommendation to all fantasy fans. Yes, the book is over 1,000 pages long - but it pays off in the end. And if you immerse yourself in the world and follow the journeys alongside the characters, you’ll find yourself wanting more.Long but worth it
5By Marvin LomeliThis book is very long and takes a lot of time of works building. But it pays off at the end! It’s worth a read if you enjoy fantasy.Incredible
5By Blaurss45What a fun new world to dive into. 10/10 recommend.Must read
5By The thinker 96One of the best books I have ever readMm
5By BdjdishskshucjdIt goodGreat Series
4By Loyal Player14I did not say “Great BOOK” I said Great Series”. Now, please know that I’m NOT complaining about this book. This book specifically has kind of a slow build to it but gets better and better. When you meet “The Assassin In White”, you’ll love his story. You’ll love Shallan’s, Adolin, Dalinar, Navani (I personally don’t like her but I know that many other people do and that I’m probably the weird one) and Kaladin along with all there Spren. I love all the characters except Navani and sometimes I tolerate Shallan. I just feel like my favorite MAIN character (Kaladin) has such a SLOW build in this book. The rest of the books its not like that. You’ll feel all kinds of emotions reading this book and series. Again, I’m NOT whining about the book, I just feel like Kaladin’s story could have gone a little bit quicker. One of my most fun series that I would recommend to my friends.The way of kings
4By queenbeePFAwesome