The Way of Kings cover art

The Way of Kings

The Stormlight Archive, Book 1

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The Way of Kings

By: Brandon Sanderson
Narrated by: Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
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About this listen

 The groundbreaking first book of an epic series that has changed the face of fantasy. The Way of Kings begins The Stormlight Archive.

Speak again the ancient oaths:

Life before death.
Strength before weakness.
Journey before Destination.
Return to men the Shards they once bore.

The Knights Radiant must stand again.

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.

Readers love The Way of Kings:

'A masterpiece series in epic fantasy' Novel Notions
'It's multi-POV, action-packed, heartfelt, exciting, thrilling' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'The story is mind-blowing' Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'[It's] elevated the art of storytelling to a different league' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'Introduces a series that will change the history of Fantasy' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
'I really wish I could give The Way of Kings a sixth star' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Other books by Brandon Sanderson

The Cosmere

The Stormlight Archive
The Way of Kings
Words of Radiance
Edgedancer (Novella)
Oathbringer
Rhythm of War
Wind and Truth

The Mistborn Saga
Mistborn
The Well of Ascension
The Hero of Ages
The Alloy of Law
Shadows of Self
The Bands of Mourning
The Lost Metal©2010 Dragonsteel Entertainment LLC Action & Adventure Coming of Age Epic Fantasy Genre Fiction Historical Metaphysical & Visionary Fiction War Royalty

Critic Reviews

The Way of Kings is epic in every sense
I loved this book. What else is there to say? (Patrick Rothfuss)
Sanderson has created a fascinating world here, one that deserves a sequel
An epic worthy of the name - and a real treat for fantasy fans
The Way of Kings is the very definition of epic
There is truly something enchanting, majestic, and magical about this series
Brandon Sanderson's reputation is finally as big as his novels
Brandon Sanderson is the most immersive fantasy writer I've ever encountered
This is a story of the indefatigable human spirit. It is an empathetic tale of courage, compassion, loyalty and honour
Sanderson creates the most intricate and fleshed out magic system I've read since The Wheel of Time
All stars
Most relevant
When I first started listening to this I didn't realise it was the beginning of a 10 part series. It felt slow and there is a lot of history in the book so it jumps back and forth through time.I started to tire of leaning about of the people, locations and strange landscapes and artefacts of this world. I just wanted to get into the story. But once I realised how many more books where to come I felt like it was quite justified. The story is set in a world with weird creatures and landscapes and it does need a bit more time to set the scene then many other fantasies I've read.

In the beginning I also found some of the characters frustrating and a boring because they seems a bit 2D or simple. I really wasn't sure how much I was going to enjoy this book but then suddenly everything picked up! Things happened, characters developed and now I am hooked. There where a few nights I stayed up way to late because I just had to know what happened next.

Compared to other audio books I've listened to I found the narrators rather flat and this was very disappointing. I was also a bit confused at one point because they pronounced one of the characters names differently and it took me a moment to realise.

Looking forward to starting the next book

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I loved this sooooo much, characters are well developed, are all different enough to add to an exciting read and despite it's very long read/listen, it's worth every second. Brandon Sanderson has quickly become one of my faves.

LOVED IT!!!

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The book was wonderful when I read it and the audiobook was magnificent - great writing by Sanderson and top narration by Kramer and Reading. It will stay with you - this book, Bridge 4. “Life before Death. Strength before Weakness. Journey before Destination.”

Magnificent!

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Really great story. Can't wait to listen to the rest of the series. Out of the two I did prefer Michaels narration, it felt a bit weird when the two of them Pronounced certain names completely differently. Aside from that I couldn't stop listening. Would definitely recommend!

Great Fantasy Epic

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Would you listen to The Way of Kings again? Why?
Yes, I would. For a couple of reasons, 1) It is the most fantastic fantasy tale I have ever read/listened to 2) Michael Kramer and Kate Reading are just brilliant narrators; they bring the story to life. 3) Brandon Sanderson is just brilliant! The world and the universe he has created is unbelievable.


What did you like best about this story?
The Way of Kings was magical from start to finish. The size of the book might be daunting (or the length of the audiobook), but I can assure you, it will be of the best things in your life! From the complex story to the incredible world-building, to the colourful cast of characters! Brandon Sanderson wrote every inch of this book with heart.

One of the best fantasy books out there!!

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