A REview: The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
Anytime I’m in a book store and I see someone hovering in front of the “S” section of the sci-fi/fantasy section, I ask them if they like Brandon Sanderson’s work. And It’s actually not uncommon that someone says: “I read and liked The Wheel of Time, and I want to continue with this Sanderson guy to see how he does with his own series.”
I smile, pull The Way of Kings off the shelf, put the book in their hands, and say: “You have a big week or so ahead of you. You’d better get started.”
But is this story actually for you? Is this Sanderson guy any good? And will I like the story if The Wheel of Time wasn’t in my… uh… wheelhouse?
After the King of Alethkar is assassinated, a war between the Alethkar and the Parshindi begins. Endlessly clashing on the Shattered Plains, Highprince Dalinar Kholin searches for a way to end the endless war after visions from a power he doesn’t understand implores him to unite the Alethi forces under one banner. But Highprince Torol Sadeas—Dalinar’s bitter rival—has other plans.
Under Highprince Sadeas’s nose, a force in the form of Kaladin the Stormblessed is growing. Once the leader of his own squad in the Alethi army, the young dark-eyes has been reduced to a slave, doomed to serve the bridge crews—a certain death sentence by the nature of the job. But his relationship with a sprin—a wind spirit by the name of Syl—leads him to resolve to not only survive but to lead his bridge crew to a new life.
Meanwhile, in a far off land, Shallan seeks tutelage under the late Alethi King’s daughter, Jasnah. Hoping to steal a valuable object to bring her family out of financial ruin, Shallan learns there is more to Jasnah’s research than anyone suspects. The fate of the war—of all Roshar—hinges of the truth of what Jasnah discovers.
Okay. I need a second to breathe. That was a lot.
While the first entry to the Stormlight Archive follows multiple characters, it’s easily argued that the first novel is primarily the story of Kaladin. Told with the help of periodic and engaging flashbacks, Kaladin’s deep resentment for his masters unfolds in parallel with the struggle to free himself from the death sentence they’ve given him. It all culminates to a highly resonate ending that I found to be deeply satisfying.
The Highstorm ecosystem and worldbuilding on Roshar are effortless. While most fantasy stories in a world this alien demands much more from the reader, somehow Sanderson manages to deliver the necessary exposition when the reader is ready for it and never before. That feat in itself makes it a master study that he and his editing team should be proud of.
The Way of Kings is an epic fantasy in every conception of the phrase.
A scope that spans the ages? Check.
A world full of magic and wonder? Check.
War and adventure? Check.
Worldbuilding that’s deeply immersive? Check.
A story long enough to make even an e-reader noticeably heavier? Check.
In the fashion of fantasy stories of its caliber, The Way of Kings is long. And, for many people, the narrative will feel self-indulgent. Sanderson takes his time with the plot and even breaks the pace in places to deliver short stories that are seemingly unrelated to the story at hand. For many authors, this approach would fail, utterly. But because many readers have already learned to trust that the author will deliver a satisfying and meaningful experience, Sanderson trusts his readers to trust him to take these risks.
If you’ve never read a Sanderson novel or if you’re new the high fantasy stories, The Way of Kings may not be the best starting point for you. But if you have a few or many epic fantasy novels under your belt, you should be able to enter this world with ease, especially if you’ve read Sanderson’s Mistborn trilogy or Brent Week’s Lightbringer series.
