Scan barcode
sab7800's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, Religious bigotry, Death, and Slavery
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Grief
lilifane's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
The Way of Kings, Part 1 and 2
First of all: This book as a whole is way too long. The plot basically doesn't exist in the first half. Which is 600 pages. And I understand why. The focus is on characters and world building. Not only for this book, but for the entire epic series (of what? 10 planned books?). I understand this, but I was bored and depressed. Because this is a depressing story, and the first half is the most depressing thing I've read. I mean, how many horrible things can happen to one character?!
But. BUT. I trust Sanderson. And I knew it was worth it. So, I didn't give up. And I was rewarded in the second half. The second half is perfect, once again. The pacing is there, the plot, the characters, the emotions (I wasn't expecting to cry this much) and the twists! But then you reach the very end and it's so frustrating to have suffered through 1200 pages just to get these super intriguing glimpses of what is to come in future books on the last 40 pages. Come ON!
Characters 10/10
There are a lot of characters. And I mean A LOT. Still, the 3 main characters are extremely fleshed out. You know them, you understand them, you understand all of their decisions, no matter how bad they are. There are several outstanding side characters. And so many extras that still get names at least.
Atmosphere 10/10
I hated the atmosphere of 80% of the book. Because that's how much time we spend on a realistically described battlefield of an extremely violent war. It is brutal, it is bleak, it is unfair, and it is done so well that I felt sick reading about it. The rest of the book is just great world building with amazing and unique locations. I loved it. And the illustrations of flora and fauna throughout the book add such a nice touch. Everything felt so real.
Plot 6/10
As I said, it's too long. There were flashbacks that were too long, political intrigue that wasn't very intriguing, and a philosophical discourse I wasn't interested in at all. But then there were found family aspects, mysterious visions, cool action scenes that were played out in my head like movies, character development at its best. And I loved how all the puzzle pieces fit together neatly in the end. Also, the plot twists. Whoa. I didn't see them coming. I see plot twists coming, that's my thing. Yet, Sanderson managed to surprise me with the twistiest of twists in every single book I've read by him so far. And I respect him for that. Because the hints are there. You just don't see them, no matter how closely you look. These hints are there for the rereads and for the rereads only.
First of all: This book as a whole is way too long. The plot basically doesn't exist in the first half. Which is 600 pages. And I understand why. The focus is on characters and world building. Not only for this book, but for the entire epic series (of what? 10 planned books?). I understand this, but I was bored and depressed. Because this is a depressing story, and the first half is the most depressing thing I've read. I mean, how many horrible things can happen to one character?!
But. BUT. I trust Sanderson. And I knew it was worth it. So, I didn't give up. And I was rewarded in the second half. The second half is perfect, once again. The pacing is there, the plot, the characters, the emotions (I wasn't expecting to cry this much) and the twists! But then you reach the very end and it's so frustrating to have suffered through 1200 pages just to get these super intriguing glimpses of what is to come in future books on the last 40 pages. Come ON!
Characters 10/10
There are a lot of characters. And I mean A LOT. Still, the 3 main characters are extremely fleshed out. You know them, you understand them, you understand all of their decisions, no matter how bad they are. There are several outstanding side characters. And so many extras that still get names at least.
Atmosphere 10/10
I hated the atmosphere of 80% of the book. Because that's how much time we spend on a realistically described battlefield of an extremely violent war. It is brutal, it is bleak, it is unfair, and it is done so well that I felt sick reading about it. The rest of the book is just great world building with amazing and unique locations. I loved it. And the illustrations of flora and fauna throughout the book add such a nice touch. Everything felt so real.
Plot 6/10
As I said, it's too long. There were flashbacks that were too long, political intrigue that wasn't very intriguing, and a philosophical discourse I wasn't interested in at all. But then there were found family aspects, mysterious visions, cool action scenes that were played out in my head like movies, character development at its best. And I loved how all the puzzle pieces fit together neatly in the end. Also, the plot twists. Whoa. I didn't see them coming. I see plot twists coming, that's my thing. Yet, Sanderson managed to surprise me with the twistiest of twists in every single book I've read by him so far. And I respect him for that. Because the hints are there. You just don't see them, no matter how closely you look. These hints are there for the rereads and for the rereads only.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, War, Child death, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Slavery, Confinement, Grief, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Mental illness, and Physical abuse
Minor: Dementia and Domestic abuse
More...