Review: The Way of Kings
Having read eight other books by Brandon Sanderson, I started to worry that The Way of Kings wouldn’t live up to my expectations. But it surely did! You’re completely transported to a new universe, and Sanderson does a brilliant job building it. With its unique setting on the storm-ravaged world of Roshar, where ancient secrets and political tensions simmer, The Way of Kings is a captivating read. Sanderson adds just the right amount of detail throughout the novel; it never feels like filler or overly dense. The magic system is slowly revealed and I feel we still have a lot to learn after book 1.
The characters in this novel are multi-dimensional. Sanderson gives them room to breathe, grow, and suffer. I loved spending time with them. Kaladin, Shallan, and Dalinar each have compelling arcs that keep you invested in their journeys. I was pleasantly surprised by Sanderson’s writing style; it suited my taste more than in the Mistborn Saga’s.
The book is packed with thought-provoking philosophical quotes and deeper meanings*. The Way of Kings is, without a doubt, the best Sanderson book I’ve read so far!
Overall, The Way of Kings is a masterpiece of world-building, character growth, and moral conflict. If you’re a fan of epic fantasy with rich lore and complex characters, this is a must-read!
Now, let’s dive into a little bit more detail on the characters and plot developments (SPOILERS AHEAD!).
Kaladin’s story isn’t told chronologically. It was clever to start the first chapter through the eyes of a new soldier to showcase the strength and morale of Kaladin. Although Kaladin is deeply depressed for much of the story, his belief that he must endure to protect others is incredibly powerful.
Shallan’s arc is also intriguing, and I am curious to see how she will develop in the coming books. Her character has such potential, especially as she uncovers the secrets of the ancient texts she’s studying.
Dalinar’s journey, influenced by the teachings of The Way of Kings, brings him into intense political and internal conflict. The social commentary here is subtle but poignant.
Here are a few quotes that stayed with me.
I don’t know what I am either. A bridgeman? A surgeon? A soldier? A slave? Those are all just levels. Inside, I’m me.
– Kaladin, chapter 14
One can ignore a poor shitless wretch doing such labor, but none ignore a king sharing the load. Perhaps we should switch places more often.
– The Way of Kings, chapter 15
There is no greatness in killing.
– Szeth, interlude 6
I always forgive curiosity. It strikes me as one of the most genuine of emotions.
– Jasnah, chapter 29
I mean that we’re more complex than mere bundles of personality traits.
– Shallan, chapter 33
Somebody has to start. Somebody has to step forward and do what is right, because it is right. If nobody starts, then others cannot follow.
– Lirin, chapter 41
To the Shin, for instance, if you must fight a man, then you have already failed.
– Sigzil, chapter 55
The purpose of a storyteller is not to tell you how to think, but to give you questions to think upon. Too often, we forget that.
– Hoid, chapter 57
And so, does the destination matter? Or is it the path we take? I declare that no accomplishment has substance nearly as great as the road to achieve it. We are not creatures of destinations. It is the journey that shapes us. Our callused feet, our backs strong from carrying the weight of our travels, our eyes open with the fresh delight of experiences lived. In the end, I must proclaim that no good can be achieved of the false means. For the substance of our existence is not in the achievement, but in the method.
– The way of kings, chapter 58
