Overview
The #1 New York Times bestseller, Oathbringer is the third volume of Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive fantasy epic where humanity faces a new Desolation with the return of the Voidbringers, a foe with numbers as great as their thirst for vengeance.
Dalinar Kholin’s Alethi armies won a fleeting victory at a terrible cost: The enemy Parshendi summoned the violent Everstorm, which now sweeps the world with destruction, and in its passing awakens the once peaceful and subservient parshmen to the horror of their millennia-long enslavement by humans. While on a desperate flight to warn his family of the threat, Kaladin Stormblessed must come to grips with the fact that the newly kindled anger of the parshmen may be wholly justified.
Nestled in the mountains high above the storms, in the tower city of Urithiru, Shallan Davar investigates the wonders of the ancient stronghold of the Knights Radiant and unearths dark secrets lurking in its depths. And Dalinar realizes that his holy mission to unite his homeland of Alethkar was too narrow in scope. Unless all the nations of Roshar can put aside Dalinar’s blood-soaked past and stand together—and unless Dalinar himself can confront that past—even the restoration of the Knights Radiant will not prevent the end of civilization.
Other Tor books by Brandon Sanderson
The Cosmere
The Stormlight Archive
#1 The Way of Kings
#2 Words of Radiance
#3 Oathbringer
Edgedancer (Novella)
The Mistborn Trilogy
#1 Mistborn: The Final Empire
#2 The Well of Ascension
#3 The Hero of Ages
Mistborn: The Wax and Wayne series
#1 Alloy of Law
#2 Shadows of Self
#3 Bands of Mourning
Collection
Arcanum Unbounded
Other Cosmere novels
Elantris
Warbreaker
The Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series
#1 Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians
#2 The Scrivener's Bones
#3 The Knights of Crystallia
#4 The Shattered Lens
#5 The Dark Talent
The Rithmatist series
The Rithmatist
Other books by Brandon Sanderson
The Reckoners
Steelheart
Firefight
Calamity
Author | Brandon Sanderson |
---|---|
Illustrator | Isaac Stewart Ben McSweeney Greg Call |
Cover artist | Michael Whelan |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Series | The Stormlight Archive |
Genre | High fantasy |
Publisher | Tor Books |
Publication date | August 31, 2010 |
Media type | Print (hardcover and paperback), audiobook, e-book |
Pages | 1007 (first edition, hardcover) |
ISBN | 978-0-7653-2635-5 |
OCLC | 799352269 |
813/.6 | |
LC Class | PS3619.A533 W375 2010[1] |
Followed by | Words of Radiance |
The Way of Kings is an epic fantasy novel written by American author Brandon Sanderson and the first book in The Stormlight Archive series.[2] The novel was published on August 31, 2010 by Tor Books.[3]The Way of Kings consists of one prelude, one prologue, 75 chapters, an epilogue and 9 interludes.[4] It was followed by Words of Radiance in 2014.[5][6][7]
In 2011, it won the David Gemmell Legend Award for best novel.[8] The unabridged audiobook is read by narrator team Michael Kramer and Kate Reading.
- 4Viewpoint characters
- 5Reception
- 6Adaptations
Development[edit]
Sanderson started working on pieces of The Way of Kings in the late 1990s and finished the first draft in 2003.[9] Its publication was delayed when Sanderson instead decided to focus on his Mistborn trilogy.[10] On June 10, 2010, the prologue and the first three chapters of the book were released, along with an introduction by Sanderson, as a preview on the Tor website.[11] On July 8, 2010, the next three chapters (4–6) were released in audio format exclusively on the Tor Website.[12] On August 5, 2010, chapters 9 and 11 were released exclusively on the Tor Website. Tor wrote that they did not release chapters 7, 8, and 10 because they wanted to focus on the storyline of Kaladin, one of the main characters.[13] On August 26, 2010, chapters 12 and 13 were released exclusively on the Tor Website.[14]
Plot[edit]
The story rotates between the points of view of Kaladin, Shallan Davar, Szeth-son-son-Vallano, Dalinar Kholin, and several other minor characters, who lead seemingly unconnected lives. Szeth, a Shin man cast out by his people and condemned to obey his constantly changing masters, is sent to murder the king of one of the world's most powerful nations, Alethkar. As the story progresses, he continuously changes hands, doing his best to hide the fact that he possesses an Honorblade, a mythical blade used by the Heralds that can cut through any material. He also possesses an ability to bind things together for a certain amount of time (“Surgebinding”), once possessed by the Knights Radiant and thought lost, making him incredibly difficult to defeat in battle.
When Szeth was sent to kill the Alethi King Gavilar, the Parshendi, a race similar to the docile servants of other nations, claim responsibility for the assassination. Gavilar's son, Elhokar, then goes to war with the Parshendi. The story shifts to the viewpoint of Highprince Dalinar Kholin, the brother of the murdered King. Before he died, his brother directed Dalinar to an ancient tome called 'The Way of Kings', which leads Dalinar to start questioning the warlike and competitive Alethkar way of life. He also begins to experience visions in which he sees the ancient Knights Radiant. For Dalinar, these visions not only cast doubt on the mistaken history of the Radiants, they also begin to reveal the truth about the Voidbringers and the current state of the world. All of these events make Dalinar reluctant to battle. Dalinar's conviction is questioned by those closest to him, casting heavy doubt on his sanity and bringing into question his claim to leadership. In the political unrest of the age, perceived weakness is cause for others to try and eliminate him.
Meanwhile, the story also follows Kaladin, a darkeye peasant with a burning hatred for lighteyes nobles. Trained in his youth as a surgeon, Kaladin volunteered to go to war for the army of a local lord to watch over and protect his brother on the field of battle. In his third battle, Kaladin fails to protect his brother, who is killed. This drives Kaladin to become a better fighter, resolving to protect others from the same fate. During a later battle, Kaladin succeeds in killing an enemy Shardbearer, and could claim the enemy's Shardblade and Shardplate by right, becoming a lighteyes himself. However, he rejects the Shardblade and Shardplate and is then betrayed by Brightlord Amaram, who takes the weapons for himself and brands Kaladin a slave to hide the theft. This event cements Kaladin's hatred for nobles and leaves deep emotional scars. After a number of escape attempts, he is forced into service as a bridgeman in an army battling the Parshendi on the Shattered Plains. Bridgemen are used strategically as bait for the opposing armies' archers, allowed to die so that the trained army can attack more easily. Kaladin manages to rally the other men in his group and turns them into a team that can survive. However, after he accidentally ruins a battle by changing tactics, he is beaten violently and left outside during a Highstorm to die. He manages to survive. As a result of his unlikely survival, he begins to discover that he possesses the Surgebinding ability. As he struggles to find a way for his men to escape their lives as bridgemen, he comes to terms with his powers and begins to learn how to use them.
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Shallan, a minor lighteyes woman whose family and lands are in danger, hatches a daring plot to switch a broken Soulcaster (a device that allows people to change objects to other things) with a working one belonging to Jasnah Kholin, sister of the Alethi King. She petitions Jasnah to become her apprentice, and through persistent effort she manages to gain Jasnah's confidence and becomes her apprentice. After successfully stealing the Soulcaster, she is frustrated by her inability to use it until one fateful day, when she accidentally turns a goblet into blood. Knowing Jasnah will soon arrive on the scene, Shallan breaks a pitcher and cuts herself to make it seem as though the blood was hers, which Jasnah mistakes for a suicide attempt. Shallan soon discovers that Jasnah's Soulcaster does not possess the ability to transmute, but instead hides her uncommon inherent ability to Soulcast. When Jasnah learns that Shallan also has the inherent ability to Soulcast, she forgives the girl for trying to steal her Soulcaster and begins instructing her in the proper use of their shared power. She also reveals her research into the origins of the Knights Radiant and Voidbringers and prepares Shallan and herself to travel to the Shattered Plains to meet with Jasnah's uncle Dalinar.
Setting[edit]
The backstory of the novel revolves around a recurring disaster known as the Desolation, where monstrous Voidbringers ravage the world and human survival hangs in the balance. To counter the threat, the Knights Radiant (so named for their glowing aura and eyes) possess magical armor and swords known as Shardplate and Shardblades as well as magical powers. The last Desolation was believed to be the final one, and has become a time of myths and legends, in particular as the Knights Radiant left behind their weapons and armor and disappeared into obscurity. In reality, the Knights Radiant could no longer bear the great burden and lied. Their discarded armor and swords remain as some of the most priceless heirlooms.
The magic of the world is based on gemstones that glow with light for many weeks after recurring, powerful storms known as highstorms. These commonplace gemstones are also used as mundane currency in merchant transactions, as well as interior lighting at night in wealthy houses and palaces. Drawing in this 'stormlight' energy is what fuels the magical talismans of priest-wizards (the gem encrusted gloves called Soulcasters) that convert matter into another form, such as stone into grain, or people into stone, and powered gemstone constructs known as fabrials, such as a fabrial that creates red light and heat to replace wood in a fireplace. Soulcasting and fabrials are typically only owned by the nobility. The nobility is also based on eye color, blue eyes being seen as the purest royalty due to the association with the legendary Knights Radiant, who had glowing eyes.
The world itself has flora and fauna which is based on surviving the common, and extremely powerful highstorms. Most animal life is based on crustaceans, most of which can burrow into the ground to survive a highstorm. Plant life is also mobile in that it retracts into the ground to survive highstorms. Because all highstorms come from the eastern ocean and travel west, the western side of rocks and mountains harbor plant and animal life. Also, spirits called spren exist and react to the emotions of people and the environment. High wind will have windspren in the form of ribbons of light that flow with it. Suffering from pain will cause red painspren to appear around the wound, and giving a noble, heartfelt speech will have gloryspren of golden, twinkling lights form a halo around the head of the speaker. Spren are so common that many people take them for granted, yet it is revealed that intelligent honorspren who bind themselves to a mortal person are actually the source of a Knights Radiant's magical powers.
Viewpoint characters[edit]
The primary chapters within the book are told from the viewpoint of several major characters, while the book's interludes are told from the viewpoint of other characters (not all of which repeat).
Main[edit]
- Szeth-son-son-Vallano: An assassin from the land of Shinovar. He refers to himself as a 'Truthless', who must serve those who bear his Oathstone. Bearer of an Honorblade and wielder of Stormlight. His Windrunner abilities are granted by his Honorblade. He hates being forced to murder and weeps as he does.
- Kaladin: A darkeyes from the nation of Alethkar, who is forced to serve on a bridge crew in the army of Highprince Sadeas. Formerly an apprentice learning surgery from his father and a member of the army of Brightlord Amaram, he hates lighteyes because of Amaram. Amaram betrayed Kaladin by first causing the death of his brother, Tien, and after Kaladin saves him from a man in Shardplate, forcibly takes the Shards for himself, killing all of Kaladin's close friends in the process. Kaladin is able to use Stormlight to heal himself and make himself stronger and faster than any normal human being. He is accompanied by an Honorspren named Sylphrena, or Syl for short. She came to him because of his innate honor and kindness in the face of the evil and betrayal that seem to surround him. Kaladin's connection with Syl is what gives him his power with Stormlight; it also gives Syl the level of sentience she possesses.
- Shallan Davar: A minor lighteyes from the nation of Jah Keved. Her family has fallen on hard times after the death of her father. She seeks to be accepted as the ward and student of the renowned scholar Jasnah Kholin, sister to King Elhokar of Alethkar. A skilled artist who can with a single glance remember and recreate a scene with charcoal and paper, she learns that she is able to Soulcast without a Soulcaster, just like Jasnah. Though the beginning of the book has her plotting to steal Jasnah's Soulcaster to save her family, she has become Jasnah's true apprentice by the end of the book.
- Dalinar Kholin: A highprince of Alethkar, brother to the slain King Gavilar, uncle to the current king. Nicknamed the Blackthorn. A general who helped unite the kingdom with his brother. A man who experiences visions during the highstorms, and a Full Shardbearer, he is criticized as weak after he begins to follow the Codes and talks about stopping the pointless war Alethkar is engaged in.
- Adolin Kholin: A lighteyes of Alethkar and heir to his father Dalinar's highprince seat. A skilled duelist and a Full Shardbearer, he loves and respects his father despite fearing that he has gone mad.
- Navani Kholin: Widow of King Gavilar, mother of King Elhokar and Jasnah. A skilled artifabrian (one who creates devices known as fabrials). She has always loved Dalinar, even when she was married to his brother, Gavilar. She attempts to rekindle a relationship with Dalinar but is initially rebuffed; eventually she convinces Dalinar to embrace his feelings at the end of the book.
Interludes[edit]
- Kalak is one of ten Heralds of the Almighty. His viewpoint chapter is the prelude which takes place 4,500 years before the events of the first chapter.
- Axies the Collector is a Siah Aimian engaged in a quest to catalog all the different varieties of spren on Roshar. He is virtually immortal due to an interaction with magic.
- Baxil is a thief of Emuli nationality, the cousin of Av. He and a beautiful lighteyes woman break into places to destroy artwork.
- Cenn is a young, inexperienced spearman in Amaram's army. He reminds Kaladin of his brother Tien.
- Geranid is a scientist and philosopher. She lives with Ashir on a small Reshi island, where she spends her time studying spren.
- Ishikk is a fisherman from the Purelake. He is approached by three strangers, who he calls Grump, Thinker and Blunt. They are using him as an agent to find a man named Hoid.
- Nan Balat is one of Shallan's brothers, a lighteyed Veden. After Nan Helaran, Balat's eldest brother, was proclaimed dead by their father, Balat gained the title 'Nan', making him first in line.
- Rysn is a young woman from Thaylenah, an apprentice merchant. She travels with Vstim to Shinovar.
- Wit, also known as Hoid, the Drifter, and Cephandrius, is the court jester of king Elhokar Kholin at the Shattered Plains. Wit's role as court jester simply allows him to insult everyone he meets, often by just deliberately discussing that person's worst character flaws openly. Wit is also apparently secretly more than he seems, often possessing an omniscient knowledge of things he shouldn't, and the ability to know where to travel to meet important people and offer obscure but useful advice and information to those he briefly meets. Hoid also makes appearances in several other books written by Sanderson.
Reception[edit]
Critical response and sales[edit]
In its first week of release the book was #7 on The New York Times Best Seller list.[15] In subsequent weeks the book was #11,[16] #20,[17] and #25.[18]
An early review from the website Unshelved gave the book a positive review.[19] A review from Elitist Book Reviews pointed out some problems with the book, (black-and-white characters, too much exposition) but gave an overall positive opinion of the book.[20] The website SFReviews.net gave the book a mixed review, praising Sanderson's writing and creativity, but criticizing its extreme length and overall dearth of action.[21]
SF Reviews pointed out, 'The ride is luxurious, the scenery is often breathtaking, but The Way of Kings is truly a long and winding road.'[21] KeepingTheDoor.com commented, 'The Stormlight Archive is a series that, like Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time, George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire and Robin Hobb's The Realm of the Elderlings epics, every fantasy fan worth their salt must read and be familiar with. This will be one of the giant series that will help shape the entire scene.'[22]
Awards and nominations[edit]
Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | Whitney Awards | Best Novel of the Year | Won | [23] |
Best Speculative Fiction | Won | [23] | ||
Goodreads Choice Awards | Best Fantasy Novel | Nominated | [24] | |
2011 | David Gemmell Legend Award | Best Novel | Won | [25] |
Adaptations[edit]
Audiobook[edit]
An audiobook version was released in August 2010 by Macmillan Audio read by narrator team Kate Reading and Michael Kramer who have also read several other books written by Sanderson, including The Wheel of Time series.[26] A 5-part GraphicAudio version of The Way of Kings was released from March to July 2016.
Film[edit]
In October 2016, the rights to the entire Cosmere universe were licensed by DMG Entertainment. DMG is fast-tracking an adaptation of The Way of Kings.[27] Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan were hired as screenwriters. DMG founder Dan Mintz will produce the film, with Sanderson and Joshua Bilmes serving as executive producers.[28]
Video Game[edit]
A VR game, 'The Way of Kings: Escape the Shattered Plains', developed by Arcturus VR, was released on March 2, 2018.
References[edit]
- ^'The way of kings' (first edition). LC Online Catalog. Library of Congress (lccn.loc.gov). Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- ^'Brandon Sanderson: EUOLogy: My History as a Writer'. Brandon Sanderson. October 2008. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^Fulton, Ben (August 27, 2010). 'Author Brandon Sanderson's real-life fantasy'. The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
- ^'Re: Post Questions For Brandon Sanderson Here!'. Barnes & Noble. Retrieved February 27, 2010.. The book has 75 chapters, along with a prelude, a prologue, an epilogue, and nine interlude chapters.
- ^Sanderson, Brandon (28 February 2013). 'The Title for Brandon Sanderson's Second Stormlight Archive Book Has Been Revealed'. Tor.com.
- ^'Updates for this week'. Brandon Sanderson. July 1, 2013.
- ^'Words of Radiance Release Date has Moved'. Tor.com. July 30, 2013.
- ^The Way of Kings Wins the David Gemmell Legend Award
- ^Sanderson, Brandon (2010). 'Acknowledgements'. The Way of Kings. Tor.
- ^'Brandon Sanderson Blog: Baffled Editor'. Brandon Sanderson. May 12, 2009. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^'Preview The Way of Kings on Tor.com'. Retrieved 2010-06-10.
- ^'Pages currently available for The Way of Kings in Sample Chapters'. BrandonSanderson.com.
- ^'*New* Chapters 9 & 11 of the Way of Kings: Now Available Exclusively on Tor.com.' 18 Aug. 2010 <http://www.tor.com/wok/register.>., also from email from Tor.com to members Archived 15 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- ^'*New* Chapters 12 & 13 of the Way of Kings: Now Available Exclusively on Tor.com.' Tor.com: 26 Aug. 2010. 26 Aug 2010 <http://www.tor.com/wok/register>., also from email from Tor.com to members Archived 15 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- ^'The Way of Kings is a New York Times Bestseller'. Retrieved 2010-09-08.
- ^'Best Sellers: Hardcover Fiction.' The New York Times, 17 Sept., 2010. 4 Oct., 2010 [1].
- ^'Best Sellers: Hardcover Fiction.' The New York Times, 24 Sept., 2010. 4 Oct., 2010 [2].
- ^'Best Sellers: Hardcover Fiction.' The New York Times. 1 Oct., 2010. 3 Oct., 2010 [3].
- ^'Unshelved review of 'The Way of Kings''. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
- ^'Elitist Book Reviews: The Way of Kings'. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
- ^ ab'SF Reviews.net: The Way of Kings / Brandon Sanderson'. Retrieved 2010-09-22.
- ^'Brandon Sanderson's The Way of Kings review'. keepingthedoor.com. Retrieved September 12, 2010.
- ^ ab'Whitney Awards 2010 Winners'. whitneyawards.com. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
- ^'Best Fantasy Novel'. Goodreads. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
- ^'Gemmell Legend Award Winners 2011'. sffworld. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
- ^'The Way of Kings: Book One of The Stormlight Archive [Unabridged] [Audible Audio Edition]'. Amazon.com.
- ^'Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere Universe Movie Rights Sold in Massive Multi-Film Deal'. Tor Books. 2016-10-27. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
- ^Lang, Brent (2016-10-27). 'DMG Nabs Rights to Brandon Sanderson's 'Cosmere' Book Universe in Massive Deal (Exclusive)'. Variety. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
External links[edit]
- The Way of Kings title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
- The Way of Kings at the Internet Book List
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Way_of_Kings&oldid=890057311'
| |
Author | Brandon Sanderson |
---|---|
Illustrator | Isaac Stewart Ben McSweeney Greg Call Dan dos Santos Howard Lyon |
Cover artist | Michael Whelan |
Country | United States |
Genre | Fantasy |
Publisher | Tor Books (United States) |
Published | August 31, 2010–present |
Media type | Print (hardback and paperback), audiobook, e-book |
No. of books | 3 published, 10 planned |
The Stormlight Archive is an ongoing epic fantasy novel series written by American author Brandon Sanderson. The first of ten planned volumes, The Way of Kings, was published on August 31, 2010. The second, Words of Radiance, was published on March 4, 2014.[1][2] The third, Oathbringer, was published on November 14, 2017.[3]
- 3Concepts
- 3.1World
- 3.8The Knights Radiant
- 4Reception
- 4.1Critical response and sales
- 5Adaptations
Publication history[edit]
From June to August 2010, Tor Books published sample chapters from The Way of Kings on its official website, along with an introduction by Sanderson.[4] In its first week of release, The Way of Kings was No. 7 on The New York Times Best Seller list.[5] In subsequent weeks the book was No. 11,[6] No. 20,[7] and No. 25.[8]
In October 2010, Brandon Sanderson revealed that his tentative plan was to release the second book in the series in 2012, approximately two years after the release of the first book, due to writing the final book of The Wheel of Time, followed by the third book about a year later.[9] However, after completing the first draft of A Memory of Light, Sanderson revealed the book would be pushed back to a 2014 release, almost four years after the first book.[1][2] The second book was initially titled Highprince of War (referring to Highprince Dalinar),[9] but Sanderson decided to focus the second book on Shallan, tentatively titling it The Book of Endless Pages and eventually settling on Words of Radiance with Highprince Dalinar's book as the third novel,[10] titled Oathbringer.[11][12]
Sanderson plans to dedicate 2019 to writing book 4, which he says may take 18 months in total to write.[13]
Books[edit]
# | Title | Hardcover pages | Paperback pages | Chapters | Words | Audio | Publication date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | The Way of Kings | 1001[14] | 1280 | 75 | 383,389[14] | 45h 34m | August 31, 2010 | Focus on Kaladin (His flashback narrative) |
2 | Words of Radiance | 1087[15] | 1328 | 89 | 399,431[15] | 48h 14m | March 4, 2014 | Focus on Shallan (Her flashback narrative) |
3 | Oathbringer | 1248[16] | 1243 | 122[17] | 450,000[17] | 55h 02m | November 14, 2017[18][19] | Focus on Dalinar (His flashback narrative)[11][20] |
4 | Rhythm of War (tentative title) | Autumn, 2020[21] | Focus on Eshonai (Her flashback narrative) and Venli (focus in the present)[22][23] | |||||
5 | Focus on Szeth[24][25] |
Ten books are planned in the series, broken down into two sets of five books each. Sanderson describes the planned story arc of the second set of five books as a 'sequel' to the first set, with some appearances of characters from the first set.[26] The fourth book is planned to take place a year after the events of Oathbringer. The biggest timeskip in the series will occur between the fifth and sixth book.[27]
The Stormlight Archive novella Edgedancer about Lift, set between Words of Radiance and Oathbringer, was originally published in Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection on November 22, 2016.[28] A standalone edition of Edgedancer was published on October 17, 2017.[29]
Concepts[edit]
World[edit]
Roshar is the native name for the planet on which The Stormlight Archive is set. It is also the name of the supercontinent on which the main events of the series take place.[30] People from Roshar are called Rosharans.[31] Roshar is the second planet from its sun and has three moons, each of which waxes and wanes separately from the others.[32] The world is periodically assaulted by highstorms, storms characterized by a very violent storm front traveling from east to west (beginning at the Origin), followed by weaker rains. The lands in Shinovar, farthest west on the main continent of Roshar, are mostly protected from the highstorms by the high peaks of the Misted Mountains. Most plants that grow in Shinovar, which resemble real-world plant life, cannot grow in other parts of Roshar. Highstorms come frequently and, though they do not appear to follow a simple pattern, stormwardens are able to accurately predict their schedule through complex mathematics. Flora and fauna have evolved to cope with this condition.[33]
Nations and regions[edit]
During the Heraldic Epochs, Roshar was ruled by a coalition of ten nations known as the Silver Kingdoms. In the Era of Solitude, following the departure of the Heralds and the demise of the Orders of Knights Radiant, those kingdoms split into smaller ones:
- Alethkar
- Frostlands
- Jah Keved
- Herdaz
- Thaylenah
- Tu Bayla
- Triax
- Marabethia
- Babatharnam
- Desh
- Yezier
- Alm
- Tashikk
- Liafor
Races[edit]
The Stormlight Archive features several different races, although most are often portrayed as different ethnicities of humans. Some of these races include:
- Thaylens – Renowned traders and merchants native to an island nation. They possess long eyebrows that can be styled to either droop or curve behind their ears.
- Alethi – Native to the nation of Alethkar, the Alethi are members of one of the four Vorin nations. They have a famed military heritage and are possessed of tan skin and dark hair.
- Veden – Native to the Vorin nation of Jah Keved, the Vedens are characterized by pale skin and reddish hair.
- Natanatani – Native to the Vorin nation inhabiting New Natanan, the Natanatani often wear gloves and have faintly bluish skin.
- Unkalaki (Horneaters) – A relatively rare race, the Horneaters are called thus by other races because the Unkalaki consider animal horns, shells, and claws to be a delicacy. They possess reddish hair and dark skin, and stand well over seven feet (2.1 m) tall. The Unkalaki homeland is in the mountains of Jah Keved. Their culture is very different from the other Vorin cultures.
- Parshendi – A proud nonhuman race, living on Shattered Plains with a strong warrior culture. The Parshendi are viewed by many other races as savages because of their culture and past deeds. They have marbled red and white or red and black skin that forms patterns unique to each individual, and are at war with the Alethi during the novels' main timeline. They use spren to morph into many different forms, each with a unique function and set of abilities. These forms also change the appearance of the Parshendi who use them, for example taking warform makes them more physically able and grants them the mindset of a soldier. The workform allows them to be sturdier to perform physical labor. They also communicate through songs and rhythms in their heads.
- Shin – A race native to the region of Shinovar, Shin have white skin and bald heads, lack epicanthic folds (unlike the other races), and stand shorter than most others, averaging five feet tall. They also have bigger and rounder eyes.
- Azish – Native to the nation of Azir, the Azish have dark skin and hair. Azish storytellers (Worldsingers) travel the world, spreading knowledge of other lands and cultures.
Class structure[edit]
Much of The Way of Kings takes place within the nations of Alethkar and Jah Keved. Both of these nations divide their people into classes, primarily based on the color of their eyes. Those with dark eye colors (brown, dark green, charcoal grey) are mostly peasants (and can even be made slaves). Those with light eye colors (blue, yellow, tan, green, violet, orange, etc.) are the nobles and generally more educated ruling class. Within these classes, there are further class distinctions known as nahn (for darkeyes) and dahn (for lighteyes). Both have ten levels within. For the nahn, they range from slaves in the 10th nahn to full citizens with the right to travel in the second and first nahn. In the dahn system, lighteyes in the 10th dahn are considered only slightly better than darkeyes, and a very rich darkeyed man or woman may marry into an extremely poor lighteyed family, in very rare cases. The first dahn is composed of the king and his family. Any person above fourth dahn is a Brightlord/Brightlady, owners of swaths of property, servants, estates, etc.
Spren[edit]
Spren are spirits in the land of Roshar which either cause, or are drawn to, different conditions or emotions. There are thousands of them. One character, Hesina, the mother of Kaladin states, 'Spren appear when something changes - when fear appears, or when it begins to rain. They are the heart of change, and therefore the heart of all things.'[34] Their intelligence varies, with liespren (Cryptics) and honorspren among the most intelligent, and more common spren, seen as forces of nature/emotion having little to no intelligence. Jasnah Kholin also mentions that the 10 orders of the Knights Radiant drew their power from spren. Some examples are Syl, an Honorspren who shares a bond with Kaladin, giving him surgebinding powers of Windrunner; Pattern, who created a bond with Shallan, allowing her to surgebind and soulcast; and Wyndle, who bonded with the thief Lift, allowing her to surgebind. Dalinar Kholin also binds a spren, the Stormfather, though he does so in an unconventional manner. Jasnah bonded an inkspren named Ivory.
Some spren, such as flamespren, share characteristics with current observations in quantum mechanics[citation needed]. For example, when they are observed they remain stable in the recorded state, but when tested more thoroughly, they change as though at random. As revealed in the second book, Spren are 'concepts and ideas' given physical form by the human collective subconscious. Among the many forms of spren, some are intelligent, possess self-awareness, and have even built their own cities. They reside naturally in Shadesmar, and often cross over into the physical realm. This comes at the cost of most of their self-awareness for the higher, more exalted spren, which they can regain by making bonds with humans. The sea and land are reversed in Shadesmar – what would be land on Roshar is a sea of black beads in Shadesmar, each representing a physical form on Roshar. Shadesmar also contains cities and a strange type of flora.
Surgebinding[edit]
Surgebinding refers to a group of ten magic systems that stem from Honor, one of the three Shards of Adonalsium present on Roshar. Each of Surgebinding's ten systems revolves around 'binding' two natural 'Surges,' for instance Gravity and Adhesion, to the Surgebinder's will. Surgebinding is powered by Stormlight, and the ability is granted to humans through bonding with a Spren, a type of elemental spirit native to Roshar. There are ten Surgebinding's branches, with Windrunning and powers of Lightweavers (Transformation - Soulcasting and Illumination - illusions), described thoroughly.
Windrunning is an ability where the wielder uses the power of Stormlight to affect gravity and adhesion. It is described in three methods known as the 'Three Lashings'. A Basic Lashing changes the direction of gravitational pull for an individual (causing the person to be pulled towards another object or direction instead of towards the center of the planet). A Full Lashing is described as creating an almost[35] unbreakable bond between two objects until the Stormlight dissipates. A Reverse Lashing causes an object to have a much stronger gravitational pull, causing other objects to be pulled towards it.[35]
The only individuals in the book seen to use Windrunning are Szeth-son-son-Vallano,[36] Kaladin,[37], the squires of Kaladin in Bridge Four, and through the visions of Dalinar, members of the Knights Radiant.
There are a total of thirty different magic-systems on Roshar, with ten tied to each of the three Shards of Adonalsium present on the planet; the ten branches of Surgebinding to Honor, ten as yet unseen systems associated with Cultivation, and the ten levels of Voidbinding thought to be tied to Odium.[35]
Soulcasting and Shadesmar[edit]
Soulcasting is a practice where objects are changed from one form to another. It has proven able to turn rock into smoke, purify blood of poisons, and create food, and it has many other applications as well. Soulcasting is done by means of a device called a soulcaster that is powered by gems imbued with Stormlight. The type of gem placed inside the soulcaster determines what the caster can transform. With each use of a soulcaster, there is a chance of the gem cracking and being destroyed, especially when a large amount of matter is changed.[38] The main practitioners of soulcasting are the Ardents of the Vorin religion, however there are a few exceptions. Shallan's father's steward knew how to use a soulcaster,[39] as he used Shallan's father's soulcaster.
Jasnah Kholin and, by the end of The Way of Kings, Shallan are capable of doing magic that has very similar effects to Soulcasting but does not require a soulcaster to be used, and does not require that the magic user be in physical contact with the object they transform.[40] This book does not go into great detail, but the magic involves mentally communicating with an unknown source to enter a place called Shadesmar. Shadesmar is described in detail in the book but mostly consists of a world made from tiny glass beads. Once within Shadesmar the power from a Stormlight infused gem can be used to manipulate objects.[41]
In an interview with Brandon Sanderson, Shadesmar is described as a Cognitive Realm connecting all the worlds in the Cosmere. Sanderson has confirmed that Hoid is very good at using Shadesmar, that this is how Hoid moves between worlds, and that people on other worlds within the Cosmere have ways of accessing Shadesmar which are different from those the characters in this book use.[42]
Shardblades and Shardplate[edit]
Shardblades are powerful swords which have the ability to cut through any non-living matter with ease. When used on living creatures, they can kill or maim with a single cut by the blade passing through the living soul. They can also render limbs useless, when they cut through them. The only known defenses against a Shardblade are Shardplate, shields called 'half-shards', and another Shardblade. Those who own a Shardblade can summon their blade from thin air in ten heartbeats, and can make their blade disappear at will.[43] The blades are rare and highly valued, and there are estimated to be fewer than one hundred known blades in the world.[44]
Shardplate is full plate armor which both protects and strengthens their wearer. The armor provides protection against Surgebinding, as one wearing the armor cannot be 'lashed' directly.[36] Repeated strikes at the same spot on the armor by regular weapons or Shardblades can cause the armor to crack and break. The armor can be repaired or 'regrown' though it takes a long time.[45]
A full shardbearer, one wielding both Shardblade and Shardplate, is a force capable of turning the tide of battle on their own. Kaladin and Syl express a revulsion to the Shardblades wielded by the Alethi. During Dalinar's visions he sees the Knights Radiant wearing Shardplate and wielding Shardblades, but he notes that the plate when worn by the Radiants glow. Additionally, the number of Blades and Plate worn by the Radiants is much greater than the number left in the world at the main timeline of The Way of Kings. There are also references to 'Honorblades' and 'Dawnshards', though the terms are only applied to the weapons of the Heralds of the Almighty and only on occasion. An Honorblade is a sword that gives the user Surgebinding abilities. One such sword is used by Szeth and allows him to Windrun. The Shardblades used by the Knights Radiant can be summoned instantly.[46] They can also change forms. For example, Kaladin's Shardblade changes into a spear and again into a shield when fighting Szeth.
Most Shardblades are actually dead spren that come alive for a period of time by attuning themselves to their owner's heartbeat.[46] Shardblades wielded by the Knights Radiant are the Knight's spren taking the physical form of a weapon (often a sword), hence these Shardblades are a physical manifestation of a living spren. There are also ten Honorblades that each grant the powers of one order of Radiants. These weapons don't appear to be physical manifestations of spren, dead or alive, and were likely wielded by The Heralds until nine of them were abandoned at the end of Aharietiam, or the last desolation. Szeth, the assassin in white, uses an Honorblade of Jezrien in the first two books, and the Herald, Nalan, wields the honor blade of the Skybreakers.
The Knights Radiant[edit]
The Knights Radiant originated through spren copying the abilities which the Heralds obtained through their Honorblades. The Knights Radiant gained their power through spren by creating a bond with them called the Nahel bond. The bond gives the spren sentience while giving the human Surgebinding abilities. Two examples are Sylphrena, an Honorspren, that shares a bond with Kaladin, giving him the power to Surgebind, and Shallan, who created a bond with Pattern, a Liespren (Cryptic) to Soulcast and create Illusions. The Knights Radiant lived by their order's Five Ideals, called The Immortal Words, with the First Ideal being the same for every order: Life before death, strength before weakness, journey before destination. The other four Ideals are different for each order, with the exception of the Order of the Lightweavers, having only the First Ideal. Lightweavers instead must admit truths to themselves in order to progress. Towards the end of The Way of Kings, Kaladin utters the Second Ideal for the Order of Windrunners: 'I will protect those who cannot protect themselves'. Near the end of Words of Radiance, Kaladin whispers the Third Ideal for the Order of Windrunners: 'I will protect even those I hate, so long as it is right'. It is hinted at the end of Oathbringer that the Fourth Ideal is, 'I will let go of those I cannot save', although this Ideal is not sworn.
Orders of the Knights Radiant[edit]
- Windrunners – Manipulate the Surges of Adhesion and Gravitation. Bonded to Honorspren.
- Skybreakers – Manipulate the Surges of Gravitation and Division. Bonded to Highspren.
- Dustbringers – Manipulate the Surges of Division and Abrasion. Bonded to Ashspren.
- Edgedancers – Manipulate the Surges of Abrasion and Progression. Bonded to Cultivationspren.
- Truthwatchers – Manipulate the Surges of Progression and Illumination.
- Lightweavers – Manipulate the Surges of Illumination and Transformation. Bonded to Liespren (Cryptic).
- Elsecallers – Manipulate the Surges of Transformation and Transportation. Bonded to Inkspren.
- Willshapers – Manipulate the Surges of Transportation and Cohesion.
- Stonewards – Manipulate the Surges of Cohesion and Tension.
- Bondsmiths – Manipulate the Surges of Tension and Adhesion. Bonded to Godspren. There can only be three Bondsmiths.
Religion[edit]
Much of the world follows the Vorin religion. Vorinism tells of a struggle between forces of the Voidbringers and humanity. The Voidbringers forced humanity out of its afterlife, called the Tranquiline Halls. They believe that upon death the soul continues in its past role, but towards the regaining of the Tranquline Halls. In Alethkar, a man's highest calling is as a warrior in life to remain a warrior in the afterlife. The religion also tells of the Lost Radiants, an order who once fought against the Voidbringers during the wars against them on Roshar (known as Desolations). Vorinism gave the Knights Radiant the moniker 'Lost Radiants' after they apparently betrayed humanity at some point in the distant past. Vorinism is arranged in devotaries, whose ardents aim to assist people in advancing their Callings, which are tasks to which one dedicates their life as a method of worship. Each person selects a devotary based on variances in beliefs, talents or personality traits, and may change their selection at any point in their life. Some examples are the Devotary of Sincerity, who are encouraged to learn and ask questions, and the Devotary of Denial. Adolin Kholin's calling, for example, is Dueling. The priesthood of the Vorin religion are referred to as ardents.
Those who reject the existence of the Almighty, such as Jasnah Kholin, are referred to as heretics. Followers of other religions mentioned in The Way of Kings are Stone Shamans, Ysperists and Maakians.
It has been proven during the third title, 'Oathbringer', that the almighty is dead. The Almighty was the God in Vorinity. There are, in fact, three Gods, the other two being Odium and Cultivation. Odium represents human passion, while all Cultivation wants is change.
Reception[edit]
Critical response and sales[edit]
The Way of Kings[edit]
In its first week of release The Way of Kings was No. 7 on The New York Times Best Seller list.[47] In subsequent weeks the book was No. 11,[6] No. 20,[7] and No. 25.[8]
An early review from the website Unshelved gave The Way of Kings a positive review.[48] A review from Elitist Book Reviews pointed out small problems with the book, (black-and-white characters, too much exposition) but gave an overall positive opinion of the book.[49] The website SFReviews.net gave the book a mixed review, praising Sanderson's writing and creativity, but criticizing its extreme length and overall dearth of action.[50]
SF Reviews pointed out, 'The ride is luxurious, the scenery is often breathtaking, but The Way of Kings is truly a long and winding road.'[51] KeepingTheDoor.com commented, 'The Stormlight Archive is a series that, like Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time, George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire and Robin Hobb's The Realm of the Elderlings epics, every fantasy fan worth their salt must read and be familiar with. This will be one of the giant series that will help shape the entire scene. Take a week off work now and go and buy The Way of Kings. You won't regret it.'[52]
Words of Radiance[edit]
In its first week of release, Words of Radiance debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times Hardcover Fiction Bestseller list.[53] It also reached No. 1 on the combined print/ebook bestseller list and the Kobo Bestseller list.[53] It was at No. 3 on the National Indie Bestseller list, and at No. 6 on the Southern California Independent Bookseller Association bestselling hardcover fiction list.[53] The UK publisher of the book, Gollancz, debuted with Words of Radiance at No. 2 on the Sunday Times of London Bestseller list.
A review written by io9 called the book 'an old-school, '90s fantasy-style behemoth',[54] also commenting, 'While Sanderson continues to build his characters and reveal who they are (especially in the case of Shallan's past) it still clings to one overarching plot that drives relentlessly to an ending that can only be described as 'epic'.'[54]
Another review published by Tor Books commented, 'Words of Radiance capitalizes on the groundwork provided by The Way of Kings, building up the world and system while revealing many more potential points of speculation.'[8] It also said, 'So to you, lucky reader, who have the choice of whether or not to buy the book, I give this advice. The journey will be worth it. Yes, you should buy this book. Yes, this is a series worth following to the end. I'm glad to be taking this journey, and I hope you will as well.'[8]
Awards and nominations[edit]
Year | Novel | Award | Category | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | The Way of Kings | Whitney Awards | Best Novel of the Year | Won | [55] |
Best Speculative Fiction | Won | [55] | |||
Goodreads Choice Awards | Best Fantasy Novel | Nominated | [56] | ||
2011 | David Gemmell Legend Award | Best Novel | Won | [57] | |
2014 | Words of Radiance | Whitney Awards | Best Speculative Fiction | Won | [58] |
Goodreads Choice Awards | Best Fantasy Novel | Nominated | [59] | ||
2015 | Audie Award | Best Fantasy (audiobook) | Won | [60] | |
David Gemmell Legend Award | Best Novel | Won | [61] |
Adaptations[edit]
Audiobooks[edit]
Way Of Kings Wiki
An unabridged audiobook version of The Way of Kings was released in August 2010 by Macmillan Audio and read by narrator team Kate Reading and Michael Kramer.[62] An unabridged audiobook version of Words of Radiance was released in March 2014 by Macmillan Audio and is also read by Kramer and Reading.[63]An unabridged audiobook version of Oathbringer was released in November 2017 by Macmillan Audio and is also read by Kramer and Reading.[64]
A 5-part GraphicAudio version of The Way of Kings was released from March to July 2016. A 5-part GraphicAudio version of Words of Radiance was released from September 2016 to January 2017.[65]
Films[edit]
In October 2016, the rights to the entire Cosmere universe were licensed by DMG Entertainment. DMG is fast-tracking an adaptation of The Way of Kings.[66] Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan were hired as screenwriters. DMG founder Dan Mintz will produce the film, with Sanderson and Joshua Bilmes serving as executive producers. DMG also intends on simultaneously adapting the first book in Sanderson's Mistborn series.[67]
Video game[edit]
A VR game, 'The Way of Kings: Escape the Shattered Plains', developed by Arcturus VR, was released on March 2, 2018.
References[edit]
- ^ abSanderson, Brandon. 'Tweets Dec 19–21 2011'. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
- ^ ab'Words of Radiance Release Date has Moved'. Tor.com. July 30, 2013.
- ^'Brandon Sanderson Has Completed the First Draft of Oathbringer, Book 3 of The Stormlight Archive'. Tor.com. December 9, 2016. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
- ^'Preview THE WAY OF KINGS on Tor.com'. Retrieved June 10, 2010.
- ^'The Way of Kings is a New York Times Bestseller'. Retrieved September 8, 2010.
- ^ ab'Best Sellers: Hardcover Fiction.' The New York Times, September 17, 2010. October 4, 2010 [1].
- ^ ab'Best Sellers: Hardcover Fiction.' The New York Times, September 24, 2010. October 4, 2010 [2].
- ^ abcd'Best Sellers: Hardcover Fiction.' The New York Times. October 1, 2010. October 3, 2010 [3].
- ^ ab'The Brandon Sanderson Interview: A StompingMad YetiHatter Collaboration'. The Mad Hatter's Bookshelf and Book Review. September 17, 2010.
- ^Sanderson, Brandon (February 28, 2013). 'The Title for Brandon Sanderson's Second Stormlight Archive Book Has Been Revealed'. Tor.com.
- ^ ab'Brandon Sanderson on Twitter'. Twitter.[non-primary source needed]
- ^'Brandon Sanderson on Twitter'. Twitter.[non-primary source needed]
- ^https://www.reddit.com/r/Stormlight_Archive/comments/absjnj/stormlight_book_four_update_1/
- ^ ab'The Way of Kings Book Details'. AR BookFinder. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
- ^ ab'Words of Radiance Book Details'. AR BookFinder. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
- ^Ahlstrom, Peter (September 27, 2017). 'Has it been announced how Oathbringer is going to be published?'. Reddit. Archived from the original on September 30, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
- ^ ab'[Oathbringer Spoilers] Stormlight Three Update No. 8 • r/Stormlight_Archive'. reddit. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
- ^Sanderson, Brandon [@BrandSanderson] (December 8, 2016). 'That's a wrap, folks. Oathbringer is done at 461,223 words. Still much work to do, but we have a first draft. November 2017 release date' (Tweet). Archived from the original on December 9, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2016 – via Twitter.
- ^'Revealing the Cover to Oathbringer, the Third Book in Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive'. Tor Books. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
- ^Sanderson, Brandon. 'State of the Sanderson 2015'. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
- ^Sanderson, Brandon (December 19, 2016). 'State of the Sanderson 2016'. Brandonsanderson.com. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
- ^Sanderson, Brandon (August 13, 2017). '[WoR] Enjoyed the book until the end'. Reddit. Archived from the original on August 14, 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
- ^'Emerald City Comic Con 2018 – Arcanum'. wob.coppermind.net. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
- ^'Brandon Sanderson Q&A Session'. October 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2013.[non-primary source needed]
- ^Jackson, Frannie (November 13, 2017). 'Brandon Sanderson Talks Oathbringer, the Thrilling Third Book in His Stormlight Archive Series'. Paste. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- ^'mistborn comments on Worldcon Flash AMA – Brandon Sanderson'. reddit.
- ^Sanderson, Brandon (April 28, 2017). 'IAM(once again)A novelist named Brandon Sanderson. AMA!'. Reddit. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
- ^'A New Stormlight Archive Story. Arcanum Unbounded: 'Edgedancer', Chapters 1–3'. Tor Books. November 21, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
- ^Sanderson, Brandon (October 18, 2017). 'Edgedancer is out!'. brandonsanderson.com. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
- ^Sanderson, Brandon (September 27, 2012). 'Q&A with Brandon Sanderson'. 17th Shard, the Official Brandon Sanderson Fansite. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
- ^Sanderson, Brandon (September 26, 2012). 'Q&A with Brandon Sanderson'. 17th Shard, the Official Brandon Sanderson Fansite. Retrieved May 7, 2017.
- ^Sanderson, Brandon (November 22, 2016). Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection. United States: Tor Books. ISBN978-0-7653-9116-2.
- ^'Re: Post Questions For Brandon Sanderson Here!'. Barnes & Noble. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^Sanderson, Brandon (2010). '37'. The Way of Kings. Tor.
- ^ abcSanderson, Brandon (2010). 'Ars Arcanum'. The Way of Kings. Tor.
- ^ abSanderson, Brandon (2010). 'Prologue'. The Way of Kings. Tor.
- ^Sanderson, Brandon (2010). '67'. The Way of Kings. Tor.
- ^Sanderson, Brandon (2010). '5'. The Way of Kings. New York: Tor. p. 90.
- ^Sanderson, Brandon (2010). '29'. The Way of Kings. New York: Tor. p. 456.
- ^Sanderson, Brandon (2010). '36'. The Way of Kings. New York: Tor. p. 534.
- ^Sanderson, Brandon (2010). '70'. The Way of Kings. New York: Tor. p. 969.
- ^'Interview with Brandon Sanderson on Stormblessed.com'. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
- ^Sanderson, Brandon (2010). '13'. The Way of Kings. Tor.
- ^Sanderson, Brandon (2010). '52'. The Way of Kings. Tor.
- ^Sanderson, Brandon (2010). '56'. The Way of Kings. Tor.
- ^ abWoK-Chapter 86
- ^'The Way of Kings is a New York Times Bestseller'. Retrieved September 8, 2010.
- ^'Unshelved review of 'The Way of Kings''. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- ^'Elitist Book Reviews: The Way of Kings'. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
- ^'SF Reviews.net: The Way of Kings / Brandon Sanderson'. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
- ^Wagner, Thomas M. (2010). 'The Way of Kings 2010, Brandon Sanderson'. Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Reviews.
- ^'Brandon Sanderson's The Way of Kings review'. keepingthedoor.com. September 12, 2010.
- ^ abc'Brandon Sanderson's Words of Radiance Debuts at No. 1 on the New York Times Bestseller List!'. Tor.com.
- ^ abRob Bricken. 'Words of Radiance puts the 'epic' back in epic fantasy'. io9.
- ^ ab'Whitney Awards 2010 Winners'. whitneyawards.com. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
- ^'Best Fantasy Novel'. Goodreads. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
- ^'Gemmell Legend Award Winners 2011'. sffworld. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
- ^'2014 Whitney Award Winners'. May 18, 2015.
- ^'Best Fantasy Novel'. Goodreads. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
- ^'2015 Audie Award Winners'. May 29, 2015.
- ^Liptak, Andrew (August 9, 2015). 'Here's The Winners of the 2015 David Gemmell Awards'. io9. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
- ^'The Way of Kings: Book One of The Stormlight Archive [Unabridged] [Audible Audio Edition]'. Amazon.com.
- ^'Words of Radiance (Stormlight Archive) Audiobook CD, Unabridged'. Amazon.com.
- ^'Oathbringer (Stormlight Archive) Audiobook CD, Unabridged'. Amazon.com.
- ^Sanderson, Brandon (March 22, 2016). 'Graphic Audio of The Stormlight Archive + Updates'. Brandonsanderson.com. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
- ^'Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere Universe Movie Rights Sold in Massive Multi-Film Deal'. Tor Books. October 27, 2016. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
- ^Lang, Brent (October 27, 2016). 'DMG Nabs Rights to Brandon Sanderson's 'Cosmere' Book Universe in Massive Deal (EXCLUSIVE)'. Variety. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
External links[edit]
- The Stormlight Archive series listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
- The Stormlight Archive at the Internet Book List
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Stormlight_Archive&oldid=903127204'
Widely acclaimed for his work completing Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time saga, Brandon Sanderson now begins a grand cycle of his own, one every bit as ambitious and immersive.Roshar is a world of stone and storms. Uncanny tempests of incredible power sweep across the rocky terrain so frequently that they have shaped ecology and civilization alike. Animals hide in shells, trees pull in branches, and grass retracts into the soilless ground. Cities are built only where the topography offers shelter.It has been centuries since the fall of the 10 consecrated orders known as the Knights Radiant, but their Shardblades and Shardplate remain: mystical swords and suits of armor that transform ordinary men into near-invincible warriors. Wars were fought for them, and won by them. One such war rages on the Shattered Plains. There, Kaladin has been reduced to slavery. In a war that makes no sense, where 10 armies fight separately against a single foe, he struggles to save his men and to fathom the leaders who consider them expendable.Brightlord Dalinar Kholin commands one of those other armies. Like his brother, the late king, he is fascinated by an ancient text called The Way of Kings. Troubled by visions of ancient times and the Knights Radiant, he has begun to doubt his own sanity.Across the ocean, an untried young woman named Shallan seeks to train under an eminent scholar and notorious heretic, Dalinar's niece, Jasnah. Though she genuinely loves learning, Shallan's motives are less than pure. As she plans a daring theft, her research for Jasnah hints at secrets of the Knights Radiant and the true cause of the war.
Comment by Morwic
Nice
Comment by WebsiteDoctor
@l3mon: +1
Comment by David Quackenbush
@l3mon: I agree. It's very difficult to hear the narrative.
Comment by rozzzly
You ought to re-level that. Narration is hard to hear with the background turned up that loud.