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| Categories | Action & Adventure |
| Author | Brandon Sanderson |
| Publisher | Tor Books; Reprint edition (March 4, 2014) |
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 1008 pages |
| Item Weight | 2 pounds |
| Dimensions |
6.2 x 1.75 x 9.1 inches |
I. Book introduction
The Way of Kings is an epic fantasy novel written by American author Brandon Sanderson and the first book in The Stormlight Archive series. The novel was published on August 31, 2010, by Tor Books. The Way of Kings consists of one prelude, one prologue, 75 chapters, an epilogue, and nine interludes. It was followed by Words of Radiance in 2014, Oathbringer in 2017, Rhythm of War in 2020 and Wind and Truth in 2024. A leatherbound edition was released in 2021.
The story rotates between the points of view of Kaladin, Shallan Davar, Dalinar Kholin, Adolin Kholin, Szeth-son-son-Vallano, and several other minor characters, who lead seemingly unconnected lives. In 2011, it won the David Gemmell Legend Award for best novel. The unabridged audiobook is read by narrator team Michael Kramer and Kate Reading.
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.
About the Author (Brandon Sanderson)
Brandon Sanderson (Brandon Winn Sanderson, born December 19, 1975) is an American author of high fantasy, science fiction, and young adult books. He is best known for the Cosmere fictional universe, in which most of his fantasy novels, most notably the Mistborn series and The Stormlight Archive, are set. Outside of the Cosmere, he has written several young adult and juvenile series including The Reckoners, the Skyward series, and the Alcatraz series. He is also known for finishing Robert Jordan’s high fantasy series The Wheel of Time. Sanderson has created two graphic novels, including White Sand and Dark One.
A New York Times best-selling author, Sanderson created Sanderson’s Laws of Magic and popularized the idea of “hard magic” and “soft magic” systems. In 2008, Sanderson started a podcast with author Dan Wells and cartoonist Howard Tayler called Writing Excuses, involving topics about creating genre writing and webcomics. In 2016, the American media company DMG Entertainment licensed the movie rights to Sanderson’s entire Cosmere universe, but the rights have since reverted back to Sanderson. Sanderson’s March 2022 Kickstarter campaign became the most successful in history, finishing with 185,341 backers pledging $41,754,153.
II. Reviewer: The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
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1. SEAN GIBSON reviews The Way of Kings
So, a buddy of mine has been trying to get me into Sanderson for some time (figuratively speaking, I should note…he has not, as of yet, physically tried to jam me inside the poor man, for which, I’m sure, Mr. Sanderson is quite grateful). At my friend’s suggestion, I started with Mistborn, which–and don’t freak out on me here, Sandersonites–I thought was solid, but didn’t exactly salt my pickle (is that a thing?). So, he proceeded to give me The Way of Kings as a gift–his polite way of forcing me to read it.
It’s been some time since I’ve plunged into the first volume of a truly door-stopping fantasy series, so it felt a bit like a slog at first. I started to think to myself, “Self, maybe Sanderson just isn’t for you…I mean, you don’t have to like EVERY epic fantasy author, you know.” But I kept reading. And then Kaladin started doing awesome things, and I was impatient to get back to his chapters. Only then Dalinar and Adolin started to get compelling. And then I started figuring out what the hell a spren was. And then I started to drool in slack-jawed wonder at the awe-inspiring skill and sheer brainpower involved in conceiving of a world this fully realized. And then there was a little too much focus on jam and bread, but that made sense later. And then, somewhat distractingly, I kept hearing a woad-faced, Scottish-accented Mel Gibson yelling, “Unite us! Unite the clans!” every time Dalinar had a flashback. But, I got over that, though I may have giggled on the Metro once or twice (hardly my first brush with inappropriate public giggling in the midst of judgmental commuters). And then crazy, massive, epic things happened, and Big Things were hinted at, and I was hooked.
All told, one hell of a ride. I’ll be back for more. I just might need a little breather before the second book (even on a Kindle, I almost got a hernia lugging this thing around).
Well played, Sanderson–you’ve won this round.
2. FELICIA reviews The Way of Kings
WOW. Ok, so I actually cried during this book (it was a stressful day, but I’m usually not a weeper). This book captures the epic grandiosity and scope that I remember as a kid reading Eddings and Feist and Jordan. I didn’t know what was going on all the time, but I was keenly aware of the great plot, the secrets, and the depth of world building and character in this book.
Yes, it’s REALLY long, and yes, it lags a bit from time to time under all the philosophy, but honestly I was just staggered by the scope of what this book is, and what the rest of this series has the potential to me. I’ve read most of Sanderson’s books (save the Wheel of Time which NEED TO BE READ) but he has really outdone himself with this. BIG FAN TO SAY THE LEAST!
If you like big epic fantasy you have to read this.
3. KIM reviews The Way of Kings
It’s official, I’m not a Sanderson virgin anymore!
It’s been years since I read a really big book. I think It by Stephen King was by far the biggest one I ever read when I was in my early 20’s and that was also probably the last one. I don’t often pick them up because they intimidate the hell out of me. Another thing: I like fantasy, but sometimes I feel like I am too dumb to always understand what’s going on (and English is not my first language) so I’m always itching to read fantasy but often I choose something light and easy instead. So I decided I should change that and I chose the biggest fantasy labeled book in my collection. Seriously, you could kill somebody with it, that’s how heavy it is.
I can’t believe it took me 5 months to read this. I have the attention span of a kitten, so I am a bit surprised I kept picking this up again and again at first. But the story is just that good and because of the slow pace I could remember what was going on, even if they mentioned something I read weeks ago.
When I’m reading a book I usually like it when things are fast paced and stuff is happening all the time. This book is nothing like that. This book takes it’s time. You feel like you are travelling the same long road certain characters are on and nothing about their journey is easy. They all struggle, they all have an interesting story and they all feel genuine and real. I ran through a lot of emotions with this one (especially with the major revelations) and it was glorious.
Some of the charachters were less interesting than others (but probably an important piece of the huge puzzle so fingers crossed I’ll start care for them more as they evolve), but Kaladin and Szeth (who I hope to see more of in the next book) were by far my favorites.
I love-love-love this book and I hope you do too if you decide to read it. Seriously, read it. Be like me, face your fears!
4. JAVA JOHN reviews The Way of Kings
An Unlikely Journey: How ‘The Way of Kings’ Hooked a Fiction Skeptic
I’m not usually a fan of fiction, but Brandon Sanderson’s “The Way of Kings” really hooked me in. This first book in The Stormlight Archive series is a real treat, even for someone like me who doesn’t often dive into fantasy. Set in the unique world of Roshar, where magical storms are the norm and ancient legends come to life, this book is all about epic adventures and unforgettable characters.
The story unfolds through the eyes of several characters, each bringing their own flavor to the tale. Sanderson does a fantastic job of developing these characters, making you care about their struggles and triumphs. You’ll find yourself rooting for them as they face all sorts of challenges, both big and small.
One of the coolest things about this book is the magic system. It’s original and deeply woven into the story, adding a layer of excitement and mystery. The action scenes are thrilling and the pacing keeps you hooked from beginning to end.
The themes of honor, sacrifice, and power struggles add some depth to the story, making it more than just a fun read. Sanderson’s writing style is engaging and easy to follow, so even if you’re new to his work, you won’t have any trouble diving into this world.
All in all, “The Way of Kings” is an epic start to The Stormlight Archive. Whether you’re into fantasy or not, you’ll love the adventure and magic Sanderson brings to the table. This book sets the stage for an incredible series that you won’t want to miss.
5. CAROL reviews The Way of Kings
Made a Great Decision
I wasn’t sure where to start with Brandon Sanderson’s books, specifically looking at The Way of Kings or the Mistborn trilogy. I read a review that if you had read WoT series, go with this saga. Yep. They were right. A really fun and exciting read, though after some revelations at the end, I need to go back and read the notes at the beginning of the chapters. I really grew to love the characters and book one was wrapped up so well I didn’t feel like I was left hanging. Instead, I’m really excited to go on to the next book. Hope it’s as well written and fun as this book was!
6. JESSICA PLAYFORD reviews The Way of Kings
Best book I’ve ever read
I cant express how amazed I am with brandon sandersons writing! The way he world builds while also telling a compelling story filled with in depth characters just blows me away. This is part of a series called the stormlight archives, which is apart of a universe called the cosmere! The characters we meet in this first installment really resonated with me especially kaladen, he must he protected at all costs, I will personally go find brandon himself if anything does. If you’re interested in reading the cosmere I’d look up a comprehensive reading guide on where to start!
7. MAURO A MEJIA reviews The Way of Kings
Trust the process
Slow start. A hard middle. But it all pays off in a great way. Very good moments. Very well orchestrated piece of work. Way better than Mistborn. It takes time to get into it. And parts are frustrating because of the contrast of the personal interest between characters. Like things getting intense with my boy and then bam, have to read a whole chapter from another character I’m not that much invested in. Many times I put the book down, as it became a task to read at times. But it all comes down smoothly in a chaotic last 10% of the book.
In other words, trust the story. It’s a satisfying book to read. Not hard at all to grasp or follow. At first it’s a little disorienting but that’s to be expected from big story like this one.
On another note, I ordered a new book and got a used book. I then bought book one of the split version and was never able to buy part two. I cancelled my order for the used book and got my money back and Amazon told me to not return it. So I guess I just grabbed the used book and finished it where the other cuts out. So that was inconvenient but I guess can’t complain because at least I got a book worth reading, even though I’m pretty sure I paid for the new version but whatever. Just ordered the second and got it today and it is indeed a new one, so I’m happy! Need more…
8. KRYSTA reviews The Way of Kings
”Sometimes the prize is not worth the costs. The means by which we achieve victory are as important as the victory itself.”
Dalinar carried the first 650+ pages on his back alone and no one thanked him.. the audacity 🚶♀️
i knew reading this would be a bit of a journey for me and it took around 60-70% for me to even get invested in what was going on and i don’t think this book warranted the 1,000 page count tbh. the 4 povs: Kaladin, Dalinar, Adolin and Shallan did have enough variety to bring something new each time it switched to one of their chapters though. the magic system is great but that can be said for any of his books, so it’s basically a given for me. Dalinar is my favorite— everything about what he was dealing with was so intriguing. Kaladin and Adolin are interchangeable at the moment, with Shallan being my least favorite cause i find “scholarly” type narratives kinda boring. i can’t even say i know what’s going on fully since there’s so much setup and it’s only the beginning, but by the end i did enjoy myself so that’s all i could really ask for. this is by no means a standout of the books I’ve read from Sanderson but i still plan to continue eventually cause the potential is definitely there once i get fully immersed in the series and the world building as a whole.
9. GILLIAN reviews The Way of Kings
4.5 stars!
“Life before death. Strength before weakness. Journey before destination.”
This book was great! This was an epic and action-packed fantasy about power, the effects of war, bravery, honor and friendship. The War of Kings follows Kaladin, Adolin, Dalinar and Shallan as they each go on a different journey and face many battles.
The pacing was slow at first but once it picked up I was completely immersed in this epic and detailed world. The plot was very interesting and I was engaged for most of tue book. The world building in this book is fantastic, the author created such an original world with a unique language, history, people and culture. I loved how the author weaved the past and present together through the characters narration, it flowed very well. The magic such as the magical swords, armor and magical spirits were very awesome, but i wished the author spend a bit more time explaining the spreen (magical spirits). The writing was so descriptive, engaging and cinematic. I felt like I could hear and smell the battles and events as they were happening. The characters were all so complex and detailed. I love Kaladin, he is brave, strong, resilient, intelligent, a leader and protective of the people he cares about. Kaladin’s character development was excellent, he grow so much from hesitant and unsure of himself to a great leader and confident. I also loved all the Bridgeman, they are unique characters and I loved their dynamics with Kaladin and each other. I really like Dalinar, he has grown a great deal as a character and I’m glad that he could see the errors in his ways and was able to make things right. I liked Adolin, he’s a charming and brave character but I’m hoping to see a bit more character development in the next book. Shallan is a relatable character especially when she was second guessing her decisions and being worried about the consequences of her decisions. I liked how she changed throughout the story and realized that being honest is important. I appreciated that the author was able to highlight important topics such as PTSD, anxiety, and more. The ending was very shocking and action-packed. I’m so excited to read the next book!
I recommend this book to anyone who loves epic fantasy, fantastic world building, awesome characters and great writing.
10. JONAH reviews The Way of Kings
This holds up spectacularly on a reread!! So many iconic scenes and moments in just this first volume of Stormlight. I caught a ton of foreshadowing and references to other Cosmere works that I missed the first time around.
I love this cast and this world so so so much. Being back in Roshar is the best feeling. There isn’t anything that makes me pump my fist as much as this series. It’s just awesome.
Absolutely fantastic fantasy. There’s a reason it’s so popular.
III. The Way of Kings Quotes by Brandon Sanderson
The best book quotes from The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
“The purpose of a storyteller is not to tell you how to think, but to give you questions to think upon. Too often, we forget that.”
“But expectations were like fine pottery. The harder you held them, the more likely they were to crack.”
“Sometimes we find it hardest to accept in others that which we cling to in ourselves.”
“Life before Death. Strength before Weakness. Journey before Destination.”
“And so, does the destination matter? Or is it the path we take? I declare that no accomplishment has substance nearly as great as the road used to achieve it. We are not creatures of destinations. It is the journey that shapes us. Our callused feet, our backs strong from carrying the weight of our travels, our eyes open with the fresh delight of experiences lived.”
“Sometimes the prize is not worth the costs. The means by which we achieve victory are as important as the victory itself.”
“To lack feeling is to be dead, but to act on every feeling is to be a child.”
“Expectations were like fine pottery. The harder you held them, the more likely they were to crack.”
“Somebody has to start. Somebody has to step forward and do what is right, because it is right.”
“Just because I do not accept the teachings of the devotaries does not mean I’ve discarded a belief in right and wrong.”
“But the Almighty determines what is right!”
“Must someone, some unseen thing, declare what is right for it to be right? I believe that my own morality — which answers only to my heart — is more sure and true than the morality of those who do right only because they fear retribution.”“Strength does not make one capable of rule; it makes one capable of service.”
“In the end, all men die. How you lived will be far more important to the Almighty than what you accomplished.”
“Ah, the outdoors,’ Shallan said. ‘I visited that mythical place once.”
“We follow the codes not because they bring gain, but because we loathe the people we would otherwise become.”
“Authority doesn’t come from a rank.,” Kaladin said, fingering the spheres in his pocket.
“Where does it come from?”
“From the men who give it to you. That’s the only way to get it.”“This world, it is a tempest sometimes. But remember, the sun always rises again.”
“Too many of us take great pains with what we ingest through our mouths, and far less with what we partake of through our ears and eyes.”
“Brightness…I believe you stray into sarcasm.”
“Funny.I thought I’d run straight into it,screaming at the top of my lungs.”“Overcome your guilt. Care, but not too much. Take responsibility, but don’t blame yourself. Protect, save, help- but know when to give up. They’re precarious ledges to walk. How do I do it?”
“Ignorance is hardly unusual, Miss Davar. The longer I live, the more I come to realize that it is the natural state of the human mind. There are many who will strive to defend its sanctity and then expect you to be impressed with their efforts.”
“An excuse is what you make after the deed is done, while a justification is what you offer before.”
“Those candle flames were like the lives of men. So fragile. So deadly. Left alone, they lit and warmed. Let run rampant, they would destroy the very things they were meant to illuminate. Embryonic bonfires, each bearing a seed of destruction so potent it could tumble cities and dash kings to their knees.”
“A man’s emotions are what define him, and control is the hallmark of true strength. To lack feeling is to be dead, but to act on every feeling is to be a child.”
“In the end, I must proclaim that no good can be achieved of false means. For the substance of our existence is not in the achievement, but in the method.”
“Too many scholars think of research as purely a cerebral pursuit. If we do nothing with the knowledge we gain, then we have wasted our study. Books can store information better than we can–what we do that books cannot is interpret. So if one is not going to draw conclusions, then one might as well just leave the information in the texts.”
“Szeth-son-son-Vallano, Truthless of Shinovar, wore white on the day he was to kill a king […] White to be bold. White to not blend into the night. White to give warning. For if you were going to assassinate a man, he was entitled to see you coming.”
“If I should die,” Dalinar said, “then I would do so having lived my life right. It is not the destination that matters, but how one arrives there.”
“The Codes?”
“No. The Way of Kings.”
“That storming book.”
Excerpted from The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
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