Reviews with content warning for Violence - The Way of Kings

Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

227 reviews

jakepasseri's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous dark 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

From what I've read so far, this is certainly Sanderson's strongest work. The world building is simply immaculate, the characters are fantastic with realistic arcs that are amazing to read. My only gripe with this book is that some of the reveals at the end of the Book sort of pop out of left field but it doesn't take away from my overall enjoyment!

Content Warnings

magicmelons's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Content Warnings

littlemiao's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous hopeful 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

It was, in a word, epic. It took a little bit for me to get into it, but I think that is natural with a book that has such complex and original world-building. I found myself quite compelled by some of the characters and their struggles. I am keen to know how things develop but determined to resist spoilers.

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rachaelsfantasyland's review against another edition

5.0

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

This was the first Brandon Sanderson book I ever read (bold choice, I know), and returning to it half a decade later for a re-read now that the series is completed was my best decision of 2025 so far. This is a masterpiece of epic fantasy. Sanderson is the GOAT when it comes to world-building! Between the ecological and cultural descriptions (so! many! crustaceans!), I feel like I truly understand the world of Roshar. The characters are loveable and understandable even when they make mistakes that make me cringe (I’m looking at you, Shallan). I love Kaladin so much and my heart breaks for him constantly. Overall, this is a wonderful story of war, violence, and despair, but also hope, curiosity, and brotherhood. Oh, and there’s magic!

Oh, also, I'm so here for Navani clawing her way out of the 'sister'-zone. It's so funny to me that when Dalinar calls her the honorific for older sister, she retaliates by getting him alone and kissing him just a few chapters later. She is not letting the dead-brother's-widow part get in her way.

Also I'm so gay for Jasnah. Sanderson is a coward if he doesn't make her a girl-kisser.

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serenityj's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional inspiring reflective tense 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

Content Warnings

dmrosenblatt's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous dark medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

wioyo's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous mysterious reflective tense 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

immaculate worldbuilding. nothing can describe my absolute horror at discovering how many things are actually crabs. every time a new species gets introduced i have to pause and ask myself “is this also a crab?”

Content Warnings

amandanadal's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous emotional inspiring slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This is definitely epic in scope and an interesting world. I love Kaladin and want all the good things for him. I enjoyed the other characters but always wanted to go back to Kaladin. Dalinar has a definite Theoden King vibe. I enjoyed Shallan and Jasnah but I feel we didn’t get to know them as deeply. I look forward to more of their plot line. The only complaint I have is that it is just so long. There was a lot of world building and setting up the characters. While I get that it is setting up this epic world it did drag at many points. Then all the plot and important moments happen in the last 15%.

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