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  • The Way of Kings: Book One of the Stormlight Archive
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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
26,347 global ratings
5 star
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4 star
10%
3 star
2%
2 star
1%
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The Way of Kings: Book One of the Stormlight Archive

The Way of Kings: Book One of the Stormlight Archive

byBrandon Sanderson
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Top positive review

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Jamie Leigh Gagnon
5.0 out of 5 starsGood introduction to the Stormlight Archives!
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on November 28, 2022
This was the first Brandon Sanderson book I ever read, and I loved it. I immediately ordered the second book when I was about halfway through this one, and have now read all of his other works. Really great writer who creates dynamic worlds and interesting characters. If you like fantasy, you will love this book!
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Top critical review

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Russel McDonald
3.0 out of 5 starsYou might suffer as much as the main characters in the opening act just getting into this
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on October 3, 2020
I got this based on junk I read on the internet. I like space operas and other long form stories but I never got in to Got or the wheel of time or anything like it before. The people of the interwebs said this was this stuff. This is AMAZING ect... So I picked it up. It's big. When you finish it you can definly tell people how long it is and thst you've read it and that should be enough to impress your friends. As for the story I can't say that it's sunk it's claws into me. These things always take about 300 pages to get going. Alot of that time is spend just plodding along with 2 or 3 characters as they wait for some incident to occur where in they will be forced to spring into action. That or they are killed off and we don't need to care any more. Thats the thing about books they are like colors very personal when it comes to what works or attracts who. I could write a book tomorrow that could gain millions of followers and yet still 6 billion people wouldn't care, maybe Atleast 1 billion would declare they won't like it from the outset. But anyway get it if you looooovr Sanderson you wouldn't be reading this you would be rereading the way of kings or something like that. If your new to epic 900+ page fantasy books, brew some coffee and clear your calender if you want to get into it.
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From Canada

Jamie Leigh Gagnon
5.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction to the Stormlight Archives!
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on November 28, 2022
Verified Purchase
This was the first Brandon Sanderson book I ever read, and I loved it. I immediately ordered the second book when I was about halfway through this one, and have now read all of his other works. Really great writer who creates dynamic worlds and interesting characters. If you like fantasy, you will love this book!
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Melody
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Story, Bad Ink
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on November 28, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is my first Brandon Sanderson novel, and I'm enjoying the story and his writing style so far. Five stars for that. But there's a weird thing with the pages, where the ink rubs off onto my fingers, which I've never had happen with other books before.
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Melody
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Story, Bad Ink
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on November 28, 2022
This is my first Brandon Sanderson novel, and I'm enjoying the story and his writing style so far. Five stars for that. But there's a weird thing with the pages, where the ink rubs off onto my fingers, which I've never had happen with other books before.
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Dylan McFadyen
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant start to a brilliant series
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on December 18, 2022
Verified Purchase
I've never finished a book this long this quickly, and still been hungry for more.
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Rudyjuly2
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Classic Fantasy
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on August 15, 2014
Verified Purchase
(a few minor spoilers)

This is an epic and classic fantasy tale by Brandon Sanderson. This is not Game of Thrones. Outside of the violence in the book this would be rated PG as there is no swearing and no sex. I call it a classic fantasy as it has mystical elements, strange creatures, magic, gods, religion and the characters are largely black and white. The good guy IS a good guy, much like The Lord of the Rings. I don’t have a problem with this. While it’s not a gritty tale it’s a very interesting one. There are two things I desire when reading a fantasy book – interesting characters and mystery. This book has both while maintaining a good and believable story (within its context). While many characters seem unconnected initially you start to see the web as the book rolls on and the mysterious events start to make sense.

This book is long at just over 1000 pages but I wouldn’t have cut any of it. I don’t like it when a book feels rushed. There are plenty of action scenes and while there are large stretches without battles the interactions, characters and story were more than enough to intrigue me. I finished this book in two weeks and really enjoyed it. While there are plenty of characters I never felt confused like some large ensemble books can be.

So what is this book actually about? One set of characters (Dholin family) focuses on the assassination of their King, the vengeance with regards to his death and finding out why. One main character (Kaladin) details his life and how he is betrayed by a superior and forced to live out a miserable life while trying to realize his potential which is great. One girl (Shallan) is trying to save her family and stumbles into something she doesn’t expect – mystery, magic and scholarship with an interesting tutor (more interesting than Shallan actually). One man (Szeth) is an assassin who uses magic to kill with special powers (I envision Neo in the Matrix at times) against his will as he must follow his master’s orders. All the characters are interesting. The history and legends of the Gods and protectors of this world are intriguing and there is so much left to explore after this book despite a satisfying ending.

Magic system? There aren’t wizards running around with magic wands but some people have Soulcasters that allow them to change things from one form to another. There are magical swords and armour that have great power. Some people have the ability to absorb Stormlight which gives them greater strength and abilities to fight. This is secondary to the characters and plot themselves imo.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. While nothing completely blew me away I couldn’t stop reading. The second book is a must read for me.
4.5/5
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Chad E
5.0 out of 5 stars Just.... wow
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on August 12, 2019
Verified Purchase
I'm not going to go into the specifics of plot or characters or anything because this book is too dense to really get into it all... just know, I rarely ever get "hooked" on books. My short attention span means that unless the story is really something special, I generally lose interest pretty fast.

I've never read a Sanderson book before, never read Wheel of Time or anything. I've actually never read a book over 1000 pages before. But, as soon as I got 100+ pages in to "Way of Kings" I was completely and utterly hooked!! I read the entire thing in roughly a month, which is fast for me. I couldn't put it down.

Sanderson has a way of writing where every chapter has a payoff. You learn something interesting about the world, it's characters, and story every step of the way and I always want to know more. This world is so carefully thought out, and fascinating in the best ways. The story is incredibly epic, the characters are all very likable in their own ways, and this world feels alive and unique in a way that I haven't felt about any other Fantasy series in a long time. I'm already quarter of the way into the second book and I can't wait to find out more about the rich world of Roshar. I might even get started on some of his other book series too (since they all take place in the same universe). Do yourself a favor and give this book a try. I've been recommending it to everyone I know. I may have found my new favourite author! Two thumbs way up!
19 people found this helpful
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A. Soares
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Beginning
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on March 6, 2013
Verified Purchase
Having not picked up a Sanderson book since his debut with Elantris (which was a good first novel, but nowhere close to as good as "The Way of Kings"), I was pleasantly surprised at how much this author has developed.

The Way of Kings is the brilliant beginning to what could be the best epic of our generation if the focus, character development and quality of writing in this book are carried through this series. The Way of Kings is a hefty read at over 1000 pages, but I promise, once you begin you will not be able to put it down.

The chapters in Way of Kings are broken up by different character perspectives. We have Shallan, Kaladin, Szeth, Dalinar Kholin. Shallan is a young woman trying to do dubious things to save her family from ruin. Her father has died, but left them with great debt, and she begins the story, attempting to become princess Jasnah's protegee in order to steal something very important to restore her family. Kaladin is a brave, honorable, slave who was once a soldier, but was betrayed and sold into slavery. Szeth is a Truthless and is bound to serve whoever holds his oathstone. Dalinar, is uncle to the king (and Jasnah). An honorable man, he suffers from visions of the past.

It's difficult to summarize the plot of this novel. Once the "Radiants" served the people, protecting them from the voidbringers. Long ago they abandoned their roles and enough time has passed that the people believe the danger has passed. Now, only their armour and weapons (Shardplates and Shardblades) remain - magical weapons that are prized and fought over.

In the beginning of the novel, Szeth assassinates Dalinar's brother, the King. Now his son, the new King, and his high princes are at war to avenge his father. Dalinar, the former king's brother, suffers from visions that urge him to unite the people before it is too late. The desolation may be coming and, this time, there are no Radiants to protect the people.

5 stars. Everything is aligned in this novel. The characters are fascinating, the writing is excellent and the plot is intriguing. There is certainly enough material in this world for an epic series. In this, we get a glimpse into the history of the world and the history of the main characters (and are introduced to many more who may prove to be major players in later books). Brandon Sanderson - I want more of this and fast! I can't wait to see if the rest of this series lives up to the promise of the first.
5 people found this helpful
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Dan
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful read ! Highly recommend !
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on September 20, 2022
Verified Purchase
Cannot wait for the next instalment ! Very well balanced book , with plenty of highs and lows . Captivating.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely mind-blowing read!
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on October 8, 2018
Verified Purchase
So I just finished what was, in my humble opinion, arguably the greatest fantasy novel of all time. Perhaps even the greatest piece of literature written in the last decade.

(For perspective, it beats my childhood and also adult experience with Harry Potter, which was the book that sold me to reading as a child, by an absolute landslide.)

I don't often come away from a reading experience with this much praise, but this book absolutely blew my mind.

The Way Of Kings by Brandon Sanderson is a piece of pure literary gold.

The emotions that came over me while reading this book were overwhelming. The way the author was able to incorporate the grand spectrum of the morality of mankind into a book with such a grandeur of excellence in literally every element of a great novel was astonishing.

The first half of the book was a slow burn, but every moment later proved to have set the scene perfectly for the second half, in which the the plot was thrilling and enticing on every page.

The way in which the characters developed in the timeframe of the story was written flawlessly.

The author's talent to create such a unique and incredibly rich world for his characters was staggering.

I could go on and on about this brilliant literary experience, but I think I need to try to process the magnificence of the last approximately 100 pages in particular, which took me on the greatest roller coaster ride of a story that I've ever been on.

VERY HIGHLY recommend to anyone who likes high/epic fantasy...this book will blow your mind!!
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Sara P
4.0 out of 5 stars Slow at first but then the end is as mind-blowing as ever!
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on July 3, 2019
Verified Purchase
Brandon Sanderson is easily the best writer I've read in ages...maybe ever. He is a master of creating worlds and characters who are both unique, and realistic and dimensional. I started with the 6 Mistborn books and highly recommend them to everyone. My (usually non-fiction reading) husband is currently hooked and burning through them pretty fast! As a first book in a series, The Way of Kings took a lot longer to get me hooked than Mistborn The Final Empire did. Or even Warbreaker (also awesome). The first half (or more even) of Way of Kings is a lot of character development and world building, so I found the pace slow and honestly wasn't sure if I liked it or not. But I kept reading and slowly became more invested in the story and characters. Then the last quarter of the book has been truly mind blowing, as usual for one of Sanderson's books in my experience. Things that are mentioned in passing or seem insignificant in the beginning of the book, turn out to be anything but! Amazing writing... I'm in awe of this man's creativity and wisdom. I can't wait to read the next book now that I am fully into it. Can't wait to see where he goes with some characters like Hoid (and apparently I've read that Vivenna and Vasher may make an appreance? Not sure how, but I can't wait to see!) So...if you are finding the first half of this book hard to get through, keep reading...it may take a while to get hooked but with 5 twelve hundred page novels I figure he has time to get there!
7 people found this helpful
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Russel McDonald
3.0 out of 5 stars You might suffer as much as the main characters in the opening act just getting into this
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on October 3, 2020
Verified Purchase
I got this based on junk I read on the internet. I like space operas and other long form stories but I never got in to Got or the wheel of time or anything like it before. The people of the interwebs said this was this stuff. This is AMAZING ect... So I picked it up. It's big. When you finish it you can definly tell people how long it is and thst you've read it and that should be enough to impress your friends. As for the story I can't say that it's sunk it's claws into me. These things always take about 300 pages to get going. Alot of that time is spend just plodding along with 2 or 3 characters as they wait for some incident to occur where in they will be forced to spring into action. That or they are killed off and we don't need to care any more. Thats the thing about books they are like colors very personal when it comes to what works or attracts who. I could write a book tomorrow that could gain millions of followers and yet still 6 billion people wouldn't care, maybe Atleast 1 billion would declare they won't like it from the outset. But anyway get it if you looooovr Sanderson you wouldn't be reading this you would be rereading the way of kings or something like that. If your new to epic 900+ page fantasy books, brew some coffee and clear your calender if you want to get into it.
2 people found this helpful
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