The Way of Kings - The Way an Audiobook Should Be!

I've given up trying to read. With two kids under two in my house, finding solid blocks of time is nearly impossible. When I do, it's spent cleaning, cooking, or any number of things necessary to keep the small humans alive. Because of this, I pivoted pretty quickly to audiobooks shortly after my first was born. After going through Tolkien (LotR, The Hobbit, & Silmarillion) and Harry Potter, I wanted something completely unfamiliar (reviews on those another day).

I had tried reading The Way of Kings a few years back and crashed out. It is a behemoth. However, every time I read or asked for advice on new fantasy to read, it kept popping up. So, with a few free Audible credits in hand, I dove headfirst into the Stormlight Archive. I'd like to say I was hooked immediately, but it was a weird experience listening to a book I had already partly read. By the time I caught up to the point I crashed out though, I was addicted. I literally could not put it down. I devoured The Way of Kings and immediately jumped into its sequel, Words of Radiance. I'm now halfway through book 3, Oathbringer, with no sign of slowing down. The story, the narration, and the world Sanderson are an act of perfection. It is so refreshing to delve into an immersive world that is entirely new. I cannot recommend the series enough!

If you have never checked out Audible, click here so you can get free credits for a trial. At 50ish+ hours each per credit, these are more than worth it!

Cheers!

-C

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Story Overview:

Brandon Sanderson, renowned for reshaping the contours of modern fantasy, brings us another masterpiece, "The Way of Kings", the riveting first installment of the Stormlight Archive series. Sanderson’s storytelling prowess is on full display as he unveils the mesmerizing world of Roshar - a land sculpted by relentless storms, where nature has adapted in intriguing ways, and where cities emerge only in nature's rare sanctuaries.

Roshar is not just a world of unique ecology but also of legends and power. Centuries may have passed since the enigmatic Knights Radiant fell into obscurity, but their legacy - the Shardblades and Shardplate - remains, casting long shadows over kingdoms and wars. These mystical artifacts, turning mere mortals into formidable warriors, become the axis around which power, politics, and treachery revolve. Wars erupt for them, kings fall because of them.

At the heart of this maelstrom is Kaladin, a young man who swaps the precision of a surgeon's blade for the weight of a warrior's spear, only to find himself ensnared in the cruel chains of slavery. His story is juxtaposed against that of Brightlord Dalinar Kholin, a noble haunted by visions, and Shallan, a budding scholar with intentions that aren't wholly academic. Each character, intricately crafted, carries the weight of their own ambitions, fears, and secrets.

Sanderson’s "The Way of Kings" is more than just a novel; it's an expedition into a meticulously detailed world, steeped in history, myth, and complexity. The narrative, borne from a decade of planning and passion, is the opening note in what promises to be a magnum opus of fantasy literature.

In this epic, readers are reminded of age-old oaths that resonate with depth and purpose: "Life before death. Strength before weakness. Journey before destination." The call is clear: The Knights Radiant must rise again, and with them, readers are bound to experience a journey unlike any other. Dive into "The Way of Kings" and let Sanderson sweep you off to Roshar, a land of storms, stories, and stellar storytelling.