Welcome to The Stormlight Archive series, where epic fantasy meets a world like no other. Today, we’re looking back at the first book, The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. It’s a door stopper of a novel set on the world of Roshar, where constant storms have caused the ecology to evolve into something resembling a rock pool or a coral reef. It may seem like a daunting task to read, but we recommend you do anyway.
The Way of Kings follows the stories of three primary protagonists: Kaladin, Dallinar, and Shallan. Each has their own story to tell, with each story slowly unveiling the mysteries and secrets that define the world of Roshar. This 1000-page journey of discovery is a book that rewards careful reading. The more closely you read it, the more you will learn.
Sanderson’s writing is impressive, leaving every character intricately carved into what we read, with a mixture of flaws and qualities that make them figuratively jump off the page. The action scenes, whether they be from the lowly servants to the mystically enhanced generals, are nothing short of spellbinding and leave you breathless with anticipation throughout. The Way of Kings is no different from Sanderson’s other works, with seemingly random sentences scattered throughout the book that mean nothing unless you know the context to which they apply. The learning curve is steep, but the pay-off is deeply satisfying.
While The Way of Kings is a masterclass in world-building and storytelling, some readers might find some of the dialogue to be a bit stilted at times. However, this minor criticism is eclipsed by the sheer scope and detail of the story that Sanderson has created, making The Stormlight Archive one of the greatest series in fantasy.
In short, there is magic, there are swords, there are battles, there are assassins, there are giant crustaceans, and there is the threat of the voidbringers who will destroy the entire world. The density of material that Sanderson communicates in these 1000 pages is immense, but the connections between the world of Roshar, the world of Scadriel (Mistborn), the world of Sel (Elantris), and the world of Nalthis (Warbreaker) are intricately detailed to the nth degree and utterly believable.
The story itself begins to challenge Steven Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen for depth and scope. The prologue isn’t there to pamper the author’s desires but really sets the scene for what is to come, so many years later. The technology, armor, weapons, and magic of this world are intricately detailed and believable, a combination that many fail to achieve.
Sanderson achieves his highest praise in the manner with which he depicts the headspace our characters live in. The Way of Kings is a unique experience you should not miss out on, but we would not recommend it if you are new to fantasy or Brandon Sanderson. Read one of his shorter works first, like The Emperor’s Soul, Mistborn trilogy, or Warbreaker, then make The Way of Kings your next read.
Summary
The action scenes are spellbinding, and the connections between the worlds of Sanderson’s other works are intricately detailed to the nth degree and utterly believable. The story itself challenges other series for depth and scope, making The Way of Kings one of the greatest series in fantasy.
