The Way of Kings Review: The Epic Story Everyone's Buzzing About!

Are you seeking an exciting story that brings you to a new world filled with adventure, difficult choices, and interesting characters?

Check out "The Way of Kings," the first book in Brandon Sanderson's popular Stormlight Archive series. This book is known for its amazing world-building and deep character development.

Readers can expect a rich mix of storylines, unique elements, and unforgettable people caught in a battle that could change their world forever. Whether you're experienced in reading fantasy or just starting, this book will grab your attention.

Imagine following a story full of honor, sacrifice, and the fight for power, all set in beautiful settings and exciting battles. As you read, you'll cheer for the heroes as they face tough challenges that test their courage and beliefs. Find out why "The Way of Kings" is so widely acclaimed and how it will keep you wanting to read more.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic journey!

The Way of Kings

Check Price on Amazon

Book Details and Content

For information on how I rate the content in books click here.

What is The Way of Kings About?

The Way of Kings is an epic fantasy novel set in the world of Roshar, where powerful storms and old wars shape everything, where three people’s lives are about to change.

Kaladin Stormblessed, a skilled soldier who’s been made a slave, struggles with his own pain while trying to protect others and become a true leader. Dalinar Kholin, a nobleman haunted by over-powering visions, wants to bring his people together and restore honor to his kingdom. Shallan Davar, a young woman with a risky secret, sets out to learn ancient knowledge that could save her family.

As they face their challenges, they become part of a bigger fight between good and evil. The Way of Kings is the start of an epic journey about finding the truth, becoming a hero, and battling for a better world.

My Spoiler-free review

First of all, thank you, Brandon Sanderson, for creating one of my favorite characters ever!

I’m unsure why I picked The Way of Kings as my entry point into the Cosmere, but I’m so glad I did. This was my first experience with Brandon Sanderson’s work, and I loved it.

I’m blown away by how Sanderson manages to keep track of every little detail and weave it all together so perfectly. Here’s what stood out to me:

The world-building: It's on another level—it’s detailed and pulls you right into the world of Roshar. I also loved all the extra illustrations and notes in the edition I read.

Characters: The variety of characters is amazing and makes you want to keep turning the pages.

The foreshadowing: This was spot on, so when the big events happen, they feel earned and satisfied.

But I have to admit, the book is long, and there were times when the pacing felt super slow. There were parts where I had to take a break because it felt like things weren’t moving forward. But looking back, I see why the book had to be this length.

That slow build-up allowed for a much richer world, more complex plotlines, and deeper character development. And those last 300 pages? They tied everything together in such an epic way that it made the entire journey worthwhile.

Kaladin Stormblessed and Brightlord Dalinar Kholin are my favorite characters, and I can’t wait to see where their stories go from here!

Favorite quote: “Life before Death. Strength before Weakness. Journey before Destination.”

My Overall Thoughts

The Way of Kings is a long and complex book, but it delivers a unique story with incredible characters and a world that feels completely real. As a new reader of Brandon Sanderson, I had no idea what I was getting into, but I’m so glad I started here. Let’s dive into what I loved and what I didn’t!

What I Liked:

The World-Building: Roshar is one of the most detailed and immersive worlds I’ve read about. Sanderson’s descriptions of the landscape, with its rocky terrain and raging high storms, really make the world come alive. Plus, the creatures and cultures he’s created—like the Parshendi and the Spren—are so unique. I also really appreciated the illustrations and maps in the edition I read. They helped me visualize the world and better understand the geography and setting of the story.

The Characters: Kaladin and Dalinar were the highlights for me. Kaladin’s story was so emotional. Seeing him go from a broken, hopeless slave to a leader of men was incredibly inspiring. I loved his bond with Syl, who adds a touch of humor and heart to his journey. Dalinar’s story, on the other hand, was all about honor and leadership. His struggle to stay true to his principles despite all the political drama around him was compelling. Watching these characters grow and change throughout the book kept me hooked, even when the plot slowed down.

Bridge Four: One of my favorite parts of The Way of Kings is the story of Bridge Four. At first, this group is just a bunch of slaves who have been forced into a dangerous job in the Alethi army. Their task is to carry bridges for the soldiers while getting shot at by the enemy. It’s a tough and hopeless situation, and many of the men feel like they’re just waiting to die.

However, when Kaladin becomes their leader, everything changes. He inspires the team to support one another and work together, turning them from a defeated group into a close-knit family. They start to trust each other, and through Kaladin’s encouragement, they come up with smart ways to survive their dangerous job.

The transformation of Bridge Four is one of the most inspiring parts of the book. It shows that even in really tough times, sticking together and helping each other can lead to strength and hope. Their journey is a great reminder of how powerful friendship and loyalty can be, especially when facing adversity.

The “Sanderlanche” Ending: I now understand why Sanderson’s endings are so hyped up. The last few hundred pages were non-stop action! Kaladin’s battle against the Parshendi and his decision to save Dalinar instead of seeking revenge were some of the best scenes I’ve read. All the buildup and slow plotting earlier in the book suddenly made sense as everything fell into place. The twists were satisfying and completely unexpected, making the journey feel worth it.

What I Disliked:

The Slow Pacing: As much as I enjoyed the world-building and character arcs, the pacing was an issue for me. There were several points in the story where it felt like everything just stopped moving except for the awesome action scenes. The book is over 1,000 pages long, and it sometimes felt like a struggle to get through the slower parts, especially when the focus shifted to Shallan’s storyline. I get that these slow moments were necessary to build the world and characters, but it was tough to stay engaged at times.

Too Many Characters: There were so many characters and shifting perspectives that I had a hard time keeping track of everyone. It’s easy to get confused when the story jumps from one person’s viewpoint to another, especially with characters that aren’t directly involved in the main plot. Shallan’s chapters, in particular, felt disconnected from the main storyline until much later in the book. I would have enjoyed it more if there was not a lot of switching back and forth between the main POV characters.

Info Dumps: While I love learning about the lore and magic of Roshar, there were times when it felt like Sanderson was dropping too much information at once. These info dumps sometimes slowed down the story and made it hard to follow along. The interludes, which introduce random characters and events, were also confusing because I wasn’t sure how they connected to the main story. I’m assuming they’ll be important later, but right now, they felt more like distractions than necessary parts of the book.

Final Thoughts:

Despite the slow pacing and occasional confusion, The Way of Kings is a fantastic start to an epic series. The way everything comes together in the end is incredibly satisfying and makes all the time spent building the world and characters worth it.

Would I recommend it as a Christian?

Yes, I would recommend The Way of Kings, but with a few considerations. The book is centered around themes like honor, sacrifice, and redemption, which are very similar to Christian values. Characters like Kaladin and Dalinar struggle with tough choices and strive to do the right thing even when it’s difficult. Kaladin, for example, battles with depression and bitterness but learns to rise above it to protect others, which can be inspiring. The book also touches on forgiveness and personal growth, which are important in the Christian faith.

In terms of content, The Way of Kings is pretty clean for a fantasy novel. There’s no sexual content or crude language. The violence is there, but it’s not over-the-top, and it serves a purpose in showing the harsh realities of the world rather than just for shock value. There are magic systems and different fictional belief systems in the story, but they aren’t portrayed in a way that would undermine Christian beliefs. Instead, Sanderson treats faith and spirituality with respect.

Overall, if you’re a Christian who loves deep themes, strong character development, and a unique fantasy world, I’d say this book is a great pick. Just be aware that it’s a long read, and some intense scenes might not be for everyone.

Plot Summary

The Way of Kings takes place on the continent of Roshar, a world constantly affected by devastating events called Desolations, which repeatedly set humanity back to primitive living conditions. In the Rosharan religion known as Vorinism, the Almighty sent ten Heralds to aid humans during these times. These Heralds established the Knights Radiant, a group of magical warriors that wield mystical swords (Shardblades) and suits of armor (Shardplates), to protect people from monstrous beings known as Voidbringers, who are responsible for the Desolations. However, over time, the Heralds and Knights are believed to have betrayed their oaths and abandoned humanity due to the endless cycle of war and suffering.

Thousands of years after the last Desolation, many people in Roshar are hesitant to believe that another catastrophic event might occur. Different characters from various backgrounds start to recognize the threat and develop the ability to use stormlight, a magical energy that allows them to perform incredible feats.

The story shifts between these characters as they gradually come together at the Shattered Plains, where the powerful Alethi nation is locked in a long conflict with the mysterious Parshendi people.

The plot thickens when Szeth, under orders from an unknown Parshendi, assassinates King Gavilar of Alethkar. This act devastates Dalinar Kholin, who vows revenge against the Parshendi. After years of futile fighting, Dalinar begins to question the war and the aggressive Alethi culture, inspired by an ancient text called The Way of Kings, which criticizes their way of life. He also experiences strange visions of ancient times that warn him of impending danger and push him to unite his people, complicating his political situation.

Meanwhile, Kaladin faces betrayal by his commander and ends up as a bridgeman—a soldier tasked with creating paths for the army while drawing enemy fire. Guided by a Spren, a magical being, Kaladin learns to be a better leader and find ways to protect his crew. He discovers he can absorb stormlight, granting him incredible powers, such as the ability to walk on walls. In a climactic moment, Kaladin and his bridge crew save Dalinar from a trap, earning their freedom as a reward.

On another front, Shallan seeks to win the trust of Jasnah Kholin, Gavilar’s daughter and a brilliant scholar who possesses a Soulcaster, a magical device that can transform materials. Shallan initially plans a daring theft of the Soulcaster to help her family avoid bankruptcy but ends up revealing her deception after being poisoned. This leads to a newfound friendship between Shallan and Jasnah, who teaches her that she, too, can perform magic. Together, they set off to the Shattered Plains to uncover the truth and prevent another Desolation from occurring.

Conclusion

For fans of epic fantasy, this book is not merely a read, but an invitation to become immersed in a world where heroes are forged through trials, and the lines between right and wrong are often blurred. Whether you are a seasoned fantasy reader or new to the genre, The Way of Kings promises to captivate your imagination and leave you eager for the adventures that await in this remarkable saga.