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Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Medical content, War
Graphic: Slavery, Blood, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Death
Minor: Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Xenophobia, Medical content, Trafficking, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Graphic: War
Moderate: Death, Slavery, Medical content, Grief
Life before death. Strength before weakness. Journey before destination.
I do not normally write out book reviews, but this is seriously one of the best books I have ever read and cannot stop thinking about it.
The Way of Kings is an aptly named book. Although it follows several different characters with very different (though connected) stories, this book is about honor above all else. To take responsibility and do what is right over what is easy or personally advantageous. The amount of true introspection, courage, and sacrifice exhibited by the characters admittedly moved me to tears.
This is indeed a long book, but to experience the rollercoasters of the incredibly well-crafted character arcs is absolutely worth every single page. Watching these characters struggle and come to grips with their situations is truly inspiring and, as only the best books do, has made me feel less powerless in the world.
Apart from the characters, the world-building is just as incredible as other Sanderson books. Roshar is an incredibly rich and diverse place, and I am looking forward to learning more about the various cultures in the next book. There were also a number of plot twists presented at the very end that are making me so impatient to start Words of Radiance.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, War, Classism
Minor: Suicide attempt
It started slow, but Sanderson's storytelling was frankly immaculate and he weaved all the threads together with precision and care. Kaladin was a firm favourite from the get go, Shallan is a character archetype I adore (I'm a forever student at heart and so seeing characters in any learning environment is my jam) plus her whole dilemma and how she deals with Jasnah was wonderful to watch grow and blossom. Dalinar was a slow burn but grew on me, his dry wit and blunt nature plus the inherent vulnerability in having a POV character deeply question their sanity meant I couldn't help but love him. Also loved Wit after seeing him
The audiobook narrators were phenomenal, genuinely no idea why people were bitching about Kate Reading so much (maybe it's a marmite thing but I adored how she read Shallan). There were like one or two things I thought maybe needed a biiiiit more breathing room (for example I do not for one second believe Jasnah would have forgiven Shallan so quickly at the end there) but also for pacing sake I understand why they went the way they did so I'm not complaining.
Also sorry I just have to, spoilers below also beware of cursing:
Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual harassment
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, War
Moderate: Mental illness, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Classism
Graphic: Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Grief
Minor: Alcohol
Even though I love The Way of Kings, it is probably my least favorite out of the Stormlight books. That isn’t to say it’s not good. I still think it’s an amazing book. But I think it just starts off a little slower then the others. Also I have reread it so many times it gets a little stale after a while but that is just a me thing.
This books is packed full of interesting characters, fantastic world building, lore, and so much more! I think people get really intimidated by its size but it is absolutely worth it and I can almost guarantee you will get sucked in. I definitely recommend at least trying it!
Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Racism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Misogyny, Self harm, Blood, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Colonisation
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent
Graphic: Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Medical content, Religious bigotry, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Child death, Death, Sexism, Gaslighting
Minor: Child death, Confinement, Grief, Death of parent, Murder