A review by mbmartin42
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense 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? No

5.0

In 2015 I was gifted two Sanderson novels, Mistborn and Way of Kings. I blew through the Mistborn trilogy and it quickly became one of my fav series. I knew I wanted more but was rather daunted looking at the door-stopper that is WoK. So there on my shelf it sat for a decade waiting for its moment to shine.

I am mad at myself for waiting so long to pick this up, yet I know I picked it up at the perfect time.

Immersed completely in this complex world, I devoured every word and closed it craving more. I absolutely loved everything about this book and found myself savoring even the slower moments.

Sanderson is a master of rich world building, intricate magic systems and complex characters and relationships.

I have to say the spren were by far one of my favorite aspects of Roshar.

Usually when a book is told through multiple perspectives I find myself leaning towards one over the others but I found myself wanting to get back to each and every one.

Kaladin, soldier branded slave, goes through the most- especially as we get his backstory- and really carries this book in many ways. Bridge Four will always have my heart and loyalty.

But I also loved Shallan; the penniless noble and the quick tongued, artistic scholar yearning for a new life in the world that lies beyond the walls of her home. Plus through her we get to meet Jasnah, sister to the king and really the baddest bitch.

And Dalinar’s arc was just too good. Highprince of Alethkar and haunted by his brother’s murder he grapples with deciphering if he’s actually going mad or having divine visions, indecision of abdication, adherence to the code and defending his honor.

Through all three, plus the interlude chapters, we get a full insight into Roshar, its many societies, the long war on the shattered plains, Szeth the assassin in white and all the many things at play. This book builds and builds until all the pieces fall neatly into place during the final 150 pages, aka the Sanderlanche, which left me completely flabbergasted.

I cannot wait to continue my journey into the Cosmere with Words of Radiance.