Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - Words of Radiance

What a phenomenal sequel. Since the world has been built, this book went by a lot faster with more understanding on my end. I really appreciate the focus on complex conflict of interest and morally gray areas. Each character has something you love about them and something you hate, but they all grow tremendously throughout the novel. Loved the cliff hanger and am so glad I already have the next book ready to go.

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roxy_reads_romance's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious tense

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

Storms, this is 5 stars and beyond.

I thought The Way of Kings was excellent but the sequel surpasses by far in storytelling, character growth and world-building. So many twists! I'm soo glad Jasnah didn't actually die. Seeing her show up at the end, returning from the Cognitive realm or something perhaps makes me super excited for the next book. Aaah, I love all the main characters. Kaladin/Syl & Bridge Four, Shallan/Pattern and Adolin (Adolin is such an adorable goof when he's around Shallan), and Dalinar.

In the first book, I had mostly only looked forward to reading Kaladin's POV compared to Dalinar and Shallan, but in this book, Shallan Davar steals the spotlight and we learn a whole lot more about her past and childhood. She went from being a naïve girl trying to steal Jasnah Kholin's Soulcaster in order to save her family from debt to a young woman growing comfortable in her own skin as she survives and learns to develop her illusions and skills to fool others as her counterpart as Veil and joining The Ghostbloods. I love her spren, Pattern as well and his developing sense of humour. I had a feeling that Shallan was the one who killed her mother and despite her abusive father, he had covered for her in the end.

My two most favourite chapters would have to be Kaladin jumping in to help Adolin in the unfair duel against 4 other Shardbearers. That fight was definitely epic. And the chapter where Kaladin and Shallan fall into the chasm and they basically bond at last having to survive against the chasmfiends.

I love how all the characters have their flaws and gray morality to them. Adolin did surprise me when he killed Sadeas at the end omgg. And Renarin also being a Radiant. Just so many reveals in the last quarter of the book was amazing. I'm super eager to read the next book and The Stormlight Archive series is now one of my top favourite fantasy series of all-time.

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tinyelfarcanist's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-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

4.5

This is hard for me to review as the last 30% was exciting, but for the most part, it dragged. Overall, I enjoyed The Way of Kings more than this book, even when I love Shallan and it features her backstory.

An important character’s death happens suddenly and unceremoniously.

Which hints that it may not be definitive.

Some thoughts about characters (with spoilers):

I found Tyn dispensable and her arc rushed. She was just a tool for Shallan to get more skills and facilitate her entry to the Ghostbloods.

Eshonai’s chapters were boring and having more than one in her stormform was unnecessary.

Navani goes into the background after getting her man.

F*ckboy Adolin may redeem himself with Shallan. They were really cute, but Adolin still needs to grow.

Right now, I stand for the Kaladin + Shallan ship. They understand and challenge each other.

I’m intrigued to know how the love triangle develops.

Dalinar was my favorite character in the first book and I wanted to see more about him here. At least he still got an extraordinary ending.

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supersandra's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense 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

5.0

This could easily be like 5 books. lol. Prepare for a wild ride.

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emilyplun's review against another edition

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adventurous dark inspiring mysterious 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

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