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b_silver's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Reviewing this book is so hard. I want to give it a 5 star. But I can’t. Because the first 500 pages of this book were such a slog to get through.
I was bored by Dalinar’s and Shallan’s chapters. I thought the whole war plot with the Parshendi felt generic and boring. I was so tempted to put the book down and move on. But the one thing that kept me going was Kaladin.
Kaladin is one of the most compelling fantasy characters I’ve ever seen. His backstory is heartbreaking. He has so much depth. He’s just so likable. I had to know where his story ended up. And thats what kept me going.
By the time I got to the end of Part 3 (which is around the 700 page mark), I was hooked. My opinion on Dalinar and Shallan flipped. And I binge read to the end.
I know people say you have to give this book a chance to hook you in, and it takes time to get into. But it shouldn’t take 700 pages to do so. That’s why I can’t give this book a perfect score. But it was still incredible, and I’m fully invested in the story now. Can’t wait to dive into book 2. 4/5
I was bored by Dalinar’s and Shallan’s chapters. I thought the whole war plot with the Parshendi felt generic and boring. I was so tempted to put the book down and move on. But the one thing that kept me going was Kaladin.
Kaladin is one of the most compelling fantasy characters I’ve ever seen. His backstory is heartbreaking. He has so much depth. He’s just so likable. I had to know where his story ended up. And thats what kept me going.
By the time I got to the end of Part 3 (which is around the 700 page mark), I was hooked. My opinion on Dalinar and Shallan flipped. And I binge read to the end.
I know people say you have to give this book a chance to hook you in, and it takes time to get into. But it shouldn’t take 700 pages to do so. That’s why I can’t give this book a perfect score. But it was still incredible, and I’m fully invested in the story now. Can’t wait to dive into book 2. 4/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Slavery, and War
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Child death
mattiedancer's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Writing: 5⭐️/5
I think Sanderson’s writing is outstanding. Rich descriptions, beautiful dialogue, and stunningly crafted characters all twine together in this novel to create some truly decadent writing. Even the fight scenes were wonderfully written, as Sanderson has a way of describing the action without the details becoming tangled in the movement.
Characters: 5⭐️/5
Sanderson could write a spin-off about probably any character in this series, and I would care enough to read it. Every character feels real in this book.
Plot: 5⭐️/5
The plot and the world in this novel are stunning. I loved learning about the world, and I loved the stories that were explored throughout. It’s a long novel, and yet the pacing is perfect, taking the time to explain each moment that needs explaining. Ugh, I just want to dive into it again.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Someone looking for a remarkable high-fantasy series
- Someone who likes Brandon Sanderson
- Readers looking for a fantasy series with stunning writing
Content Warnings?
- War, violence, blood, slavery, mental illness, suicide, suicidal thoughts, classism, grief, murder, injury, injury detail, vomit
Post-Reading Rating: 5⭐️/5
Love, love, love. Where has Sanderson been all this time?
Final Rating: 5⭐️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Child abuse, Violence, Suicide, Death, War, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Physical abuse, Stalking, Blood, Slavery, Gore, Murder, Child death, Gaslighting, Vomit, Colonisation, and Emotional abuse
theinkwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
That was… a lot. Definitely not an instant favorite, but still a worthwhile read. I have to say, there’s so much worldbuilding for such a large world that I got so confused at times and honestly felt kind of stupid (and still do). I liked our three main POVs, although Dalinar and Kaladin kind of feel like alternate universe versions of the same character, especially with their internal struggles. I also kind of feel like most of the interludes (except for Szeth’s) were kind of unnecessary and made the worldbuilding more confusing because they draw in narratives from different parts of Roshar other than the ones that relate to the main plot and don’t really seem to connect to or add anything to our main storyline. But it also may just be a bit of an issue with adjustment to Sanderson’s writing style, since it’s the first book of his I’ve read. I think I’ll probably continue with this series (since I have basically no idea what to expect in the next books), although maybe not until all the books are out so I won’t have to take a couple months of rereading each time a new book comes out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and War
Minor: Mental illness
jeffjk's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A solid fantasy epic that feels like a puzzle box you can untangle with enough careful attention. The characters are people I want to know or be, just exceptionally well-made lil people.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Grief, Violence, Suicide, War, Death, Classism, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Slavery, Colonisation, Alcohol, Trafficking, Mental illness, Blood, Abandonment, Suicide attempt, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, and Genocide
misuk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Genocide, Mental illness, Death, and Gore
rkeith94's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Mental illness, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Classism, and War
Minor: Self harm
squawna's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, Slavery, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Blood, Suicidal thoughts, War, and Racism
jillustrations's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Slavery, War, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Self harm, Xenophobia, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Mental illness
Minor: Vomit
empressofbookingham's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"That's something very few people are willing to do. They stumble along, hoping, dreaming, pretending. That doesn't change a single storming thing in life. You have to stare the world in the eyes, in all its grimy brutality. You have to acknowledge its depravities. Live with them. It's the only way to accomplish anything meaningful."
~
To say I enjoyed this book is an understatement of the year because I deeply, truly was gripped and thrilled by it.
Things get better: characters that in book one I disliked ended up being my fave as Sanderson went in deep humanizing them with their backgrounds, their past and feelings.
The plot is much more fast paced than the prequel and it gets more tense, exciting, profound. While the world is still being built so easily and vividly. It reached a point I'd forget I was in Kenya reading a book. All else faded and Words of Radiance was radiating with life.
Still enjoy the subliminal commentary Sanderson makes about class, mental health, slavery, religion, love.
There has been room for humorous banter for comic relief, a bit of love that adds so much spice. And uuh the adventure filled my heart up with joy.
I laughed, cried, learnt as the characters learnt about their world, even threw the book during that battle.... Now that's the mark of a GREAT book.
Did I mention the writing style and how he describes his world? Aaargh
And that cliffhanger....
Eh no words can explain the experience I had. Only you reading the books. And only if you want too.
~
To say I enjoyed this book is an understatement of the year because I deeply, truly was gripped and thrilled by it.
Things get better: characters that in book one I disliked ended up being my fave as Sanderson went in deep humanizing them with their backgrounds, their past and feelings.
The plot is much more fast paced than the prequel and it gets more tense, exciting, profound. While the world is still being built so easily and vividly. It reached a point I'd forget I was in Kenya reading a book. All else faded and Words of Radiance was radiating with life.
Still enjoy the subliminal commentary Sanderson makes about class, mental health, slavery, religion, love.
There has been room for humorous banter for comic relief, a bit of love that adds so much spice. And uuh the adventure filled my heart up with joy.
I laughed, cried, learnt as the characters learnt about their world, even threw the book during that battle.... Now that's the mark of a GREAT book.
Did I mention the writing style and how he describes his world? Aaargh
And that cliffhanger....
Eh no words can explain the experience I had. Only you reading the books. And only if you want too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Classism, Colonisation, Death, Suicidal thoughts, War, Addiction, Mental illness, Slavery, and Violence
bookishhaunt's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved this book. Some POVs felt a bit boring until it got to the end, but one POV in particular has me speeding through it. That one POV was 5 stars for me, because it made me feel so many things. I'd give it 4.5 overall. I got through it way faster than I thought I would.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Medical content, Slavery, Mental illness, Gore, Death, War, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Child death