Art for the Audio Book Collection Way of Kings
Publisher'south Summary
From number one New York Times acknowledged writer Brandon Sanderson, The Style of Kings, book one of the Stormlight Archive, begins an incredible new saga of epic proportion. Roshar is a world of stone and storms. Uncanny tempests of incredible power sweep beyond the rocky terrain then frequently that they have shaped environmental 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 ten consecrated orders known as the Knights Radiant, only their Shardblades and Shardplate remain: mystical swords and suits of armor that transform ordinary men into near-invincible warriors. Men trade kingdoms for Shardblades. Wars were fought for them and won by them. One such war rages on a ruined mural called the Shattered Plains. At that place, Kaladin, who traded his medical apprenticeship for a spear to protect his lilliputian brother, has been reduced to slavery. In a state of war that makes no sense, where 10 armies fight separately confronting 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 rex, he is fascinated by an ancient text called The Way of Kings. Troubled past over-powering visions of aboriginal times and the Knights Radiant, he has begun to uncertainty his own sanity. Across the ocean, an untried young woman named Shallan seeks to train under an eminent scholar and notorious heretic, Dalinar'due south 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. The upshot of more than ten years of planning, writing, and world-building, The Way of Kings is merely the opening motility of the Stormlight Archive, a assuming masterpiece in the making. Speak again the ancient oaths: Life before death. Strength earlier weakness. Journey before destination. And render to men the Shards they once bore. The Knights Radiant must stand again. Other Tor books by Brandon Sanderson: The Cosmere The Stormlight Archive: The Mistborn trilogy: Mistborn: The Wax and Wayne serial: Collection: Other Cosmere novels: The Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series: The Rithmatist series: Other books by Brandon Sanderson: Please Note: When y'all buy this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2010 Dragonsteel Entertaiment, LLC (P)2010 Macmillan Sound
What listeners say about The Way of Kings
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Groovy Story!! Cons: slow offset & poor narration
Very angry & frustrated listening experience. I learned to appreciate Michael Kramer's functioning but Kate Reading CHANGED THE PRONUNCIATION of a key character'southward name three/4 through the story!!!! How the hell did this pass editing? It did not help matters that I'd already grown distasteful of her repetitive tone and inappropriate cadence for a narrative story. She reads equally though each line is poetry, punctuating the same parts of every judgement with the same tone of voice. This may exist groovy for reading prose but it speedily grew tiresome having to listen to such a repetitive rhythm, and toward the cease of the volume I was groaning each fourth dimension the chapters switched from Kramer to Reading. Fantastically gripping and imaginative story once yous go past the lengthy slow beginning though. just wish Kramer had gone it lonely.
And for those who move on to the 2nd book Words Of Radiance...Be prepared for Kate Reading'southward cringe worthy, horribly over exaggerated French(??) accent for the sailor character Yalb -- a baroque and unprecedented switch from the totally normal accent she'd given him in The Fashion of Kings. WHAT IS HER ISSUE???? Stormfather help me become through this...please prove that the story is worth her torture
229 people found this helpful
The adult female narrator's cadence is unbearable.
She always uses the down/up inflection on the concluding word in the sentence, drives me crazy. Do yourself a favor and skip the sound version this time.
43 people establish this helpful
Sanderson & Kramer brilliant. Reading unlistenable
I'll get this out of the way because information technology pains me to write this - I tried many times to wrap my head effectually Kate Reading'south vocalization and cadency just information technology was so unnatural that it routinely broke immersion. She intonates words the manner an early estimator speech plan would. It may seem pedantic if you're but reading reviews merely if you lot mind you will see what I mean.
Overall the entire story and the chapters read by Kramer are truly phenomenal. My favourite work of Sanderson thus far.
127 people found this helpful
Loved the Book, Ane Glaring Narration Issue
I loved this book. Of course it was a little irksome at starting time, but that'southward to be expected when background information is existence given at the kickoff of any long novel. The characters are well developed and you lot care about what happens with them. I got a little tired of the jumps dorsum and forth in time, but that was simply small. The glaring flaw was in the narration. Michael Kramer and Kate Reading exercise a swell chore and unlike other reviews I have no trouble with their manner. Toward the very end of the book though the pronunciation of Sadius was changed by Kate Reading to the indicate where I was asking myself if a new character had been introduced somewhere that I missed. I shortly figured out who she was talking about, simply it's i of those little things that grate on the nerves every fourth dimension you hear it. Information technology doesn't seem too much to wait that pronunciation of names exist consequent throughout an unabridged series let alone a unmarried book. The producers should exist embarrassed to put out a final production with such an amateur flaw. Audio books should be edited equally properly every bit written books.
349 people plant this helpful
Wow - 45 hours long and leaves you lot wanting more than!
I have get a big fan of Brandon Sanderson'due south work and this new series does not disappoint. He has created another interesting world total of rich characters and I can't wait for book two.
The same narrators from the Cycle of Time series re-unite with Sanderson to create some other winner. Mistborn, Warbreaker, Elantris, and now this work vaults Sanderson to the pinnacle of my must-read list. This volume is so good I will gladly listen to it again equally a refresher when book two comes out!
325 people found this helpful
It doesn't get any better than this!
I gave up on the Robert Hashemite kingdom of jordan Wheel of Time serial by Book 5 so never got to Brandon Sanderson'southward last contributions to that series. My first books by Sanderson were those of the Mistborn Trilogy. I was totally captivated by the story and its writing. I avoided The Way of Kings because of its Aural 2 credit price merely finally caved because I had lusted so long for something so good as Mistborn. I should not accept delayed. The Way of Kings was well worth the price and promises to be one of the best ever series past Sanderson or any SF/Fantasy author. This is Book ane of the Stormlight Archive.
Coming in at over 45 hours on audiobook or over thou pages in print, for some TWoK might seem too lengthy. Personally, for me, it concluded all too before long. The volume was totally gripping and absorbing. I could not put it down. The writing contains wit and charm, adventure and philosophy, comedy and pathos. Information technology'south all there, a wide range of homo thought and emotion. While synthetic of multiple arcs, the writing is completely straight forward, attainable and easy to follow.
I became totally invested in each graphic symbol and cared for everyone of the expert guys and even some of the bad ones. One of the nearly interesting characters, i named Szeth, is a peace-loving believer in nonviolence but is likewise an ultimate, ninja-like assassin who hates to merely is forced to kill and cries each time that he does. How'due south that for a crazy mixed-up contradiction. Bluntly, I recollect that Szeth is a metaphor for many of u.s. and our beliefs. But amidst my favorite and central characters were a peasant, apprentice surgeon named Kaladin and a spren named Syl with whom Kal has a rather magical and symbiotic relationship.
Spren appear throughout the book. They were for me various types of conscious energy or spirit-like entities that were part of or associated with virtually everything on the planet including specific kinds of thoughts and emotions, wellness and sickness, life and death. They specially seem to appear when "alter" happens and it is at least at this bespeak in the series difficult to know if they are responsible for, contribute to or are merely present when changes in anything from one's health to the weather condition occur.
Speaking of the atmospheric condition, the environment and particularly the atmosphere of the planet and how the geology, flora and beast take evolved inside the influence of extreme weather is integral to the storyline. The book describes and develops half a dozen interesting and well defined fictional races. Wars exist on the planet among them over the power and authorisation brought by the magical weapons known as Shardblades and Shardplates. And, while war is one of the central themes of the book, descriptions of battles and war do not dominate the narrative.
What came beyond most movingly, uniquely clear and beautifully written were the two human qualities of honey and pity. I do not think that those ii attributes have always been more than deftly portrayed than it is in this volume. Some of my other favorite SF/Fantasy writers including Dan Simmons and Peter F. Hamilton while brilliant in near every other respect, fail to adequately communicate those ii essential qualities of our nature. Other authors talk virtually it, their characters go through the motions and maybe say the words merely I just do not always "feel the love" in their writings like I practice in reading this volume. The humanity and heroism portrayed by some of the characters in TWoK were strikingly remarkable. It is another i of those attributes of Sanderson's writing that makes everything more real and capable of eliciting emotions within the reader.
Magic abounds in the book and all of it seems to make sense if always magic can be made sense of. It was once said that any engineering sufficiently advanced will announced as magic and this is that kind magic, magic that can near be but non quite understood. There is enough of adventure and excitement contained within the pages and Kate Reading and particularly Michael Kramer bring it all to life. Yes, this is the aforementioned duo that narrated the Bicycle of Fourth dimension saga. Their talent was well highlighted there but I believe even more than so in The Style of Kings.
This was i slap-up book and the simply downside is that Sanderson is and so prolific with his other literary pursuits that the sequel to this i is long overdue and the Audible rendition fifty-fifty longer than that.
491 people constitute this helpful
Very enjoyable (but a slight warning)
I actually, really enjoyed this book. The performances and story easily in my peak five favorite Audible titles.
I was was introduced to Sanderson by listening the Mistborn series (which I enjoyed). Sanderson is very proficient at making his characters iii dimensional also every bit bringing his settings to life. He creates a total background and mythology for his characters that requite a fullness to the feel of his stories.
The performances here are superlative notch. I significantly preferred the sections performed by Michael Kramer but both narrators fit their primary characters well and practise a great chore of creating separate, distinguishing voices for their characters.
HERE'S THE WARNING: This book does not have a complete ending. I hadn't realized that book 2 isn't out all the same. When I finished this book, I was ready to skip all of the other titles on my listening list and go straight into the next volume. I've listened to enough preexisting series (Dresden Files is a good example) that I expected to continue the story when this book left me hanging. I know I'k spoiled and I'm whining a bit but hurry up! I was already feeling extremely impatient waiting for Rothfuss's next Kingkiller Chronicles (some other don't-miss-it series with a similar epic feel to Sanderson'south) merely now I've definitely become a whiny-baby.
The volume does accept a partially satisfying ending but, similar near series premiers, information technology leaves many things unresolved and many questions unanswered. This volume is nevertheless on my list of must-listens but be prepared to long for volume two.
175 people plant this helpful
Amazing!!! (from a non-fantasy/sci-fi fan)
I was pressured to download this book past a sci-fi loving swain and sister. Since it was so long, and only one credit, I went ahead. I expected to let it sit in my library to get them off my dorsum, only instead started listening to it while in traffic one forenoon. I stayed in my car for an actress 20 minutes in the parking lot considering I couldn't become enough! I take seen some reviews that say the entire book is character development. Aren't all stories? The narration was incredible - as was the recording (although Kate and Michael pronounce one of the main characters names differently at the very end of the book which was a little confusing at first). I cannot wait for the side by side one!
56 people found this helpful
Very Detailed.
It definitely earned a five star rating, as sweeping ballsy fantasies go. Sanderson takes united states of america into the heads of each individual protagonist, and many of the 2nd level characters. The quotes are both creepy and portentous, as well every bit overdone and vague. The hole-and-corner behind their harvesting is terrifying.
This book starts with a quick dramatic plot betoken, and then ebbs and builds, slowly, until the final five or and then hours, where everything gets tied together, and presents a promising setup for book ii.
Brandon Sanderson's writing style, in this book, reminded me of Robert Jordan'south; where you'd accept these intricate meandering progressions, and suddenly a plot twist would rattle the storyline. I feel it's worth the two credits, and regret waiting for the next book in the serial, but at least we're guaranteed it will be out before The Winds of Winter.
I'thousand not the biggest fan of Kate Reading'southward narration. Something about the style she draws out the words 'eyes' and 'oaths'. She has a great vocalization and she would be good for a single pov novel, and for R. Jordan'south books, since his female characters are all so similar. She'due south not the best at diversifying her voices, or at male person voices, and then information technology's sometimes difficult to tell who'due south speaking. Probably, information technology'south just me, and I'one thousand sorry I couldn't give the book a 5 star narration, equally it deserves.
55 people constitute this helpful
Best fantasy book E'er written!!!
Any additional comments?
If I could give more stars I would. I am a fan of Brandon Sanderson's other works, forth with the wheel of time serial. I also have listened to 'A Vocal of Burn and Water ice' serial, 'Harry Potter', 'Twilight', 'The Nighttime Tower', 'The Male monarch Killer Chronicles' and several other fantasy series type books. This ane is past far the very all-time. At that place is non even a close 2d. Can't wait for book 2 to come out.
62 people found this helpful
Fantastic
Brandon is probably the best writer of Epic fantasy in the world! He creats and describe you in into an dark and wellconstructed world.
The story and characters are captivating and you cant stop listning. The Narrorator is also the Rex of dark Epic fantasy and suits Brandons books perfectly! Really makes you belive in the story and characters.
2 people establish this helpful
Mixed narrator quality
The female reader has incredibly annoying inflection. No emotion, weird upswing on the end of the sentence.
1 person institute this helpful
Cracking opening piece of work.
It takes a good chunk to get into information technology, only information technology flowers out into an interesting and dynamic story, leaving you loving the characters.
The biggest downside hither is both of the narrators, almost of the male parts are a little monotonous, but luckily good writing prevails through. For the female person narrator I agree with how robotic and impersonal she comes across. Making near no distinction betwixt male or female speakers in her parts.
1 person found this helpful
Obsessed
Dang. Been a while since I've enjoyed a book this much! It's just epic, can't get enough!
Perfect
The pinnacle of fantasy and one of Brandon's best works to appointment. Takes a long time to get into and has a steep learning curve merely trust me, information technology is worth every word.
Blown away
Kate Reading and Michael Kramer are beyond incredible, and Brandon Sanderson is a genius.
The story takes a while to become you hooked, but once you are, you're never leaving. Phenomenal performance.
The book is astonishing
I haven't read the entire story merely I accept loved it so far.
If I would described the book in 3 words it would be I couldn't terminate.
Astonishing
Dandy narration and a actually exciting story. Bought the side by side book! I absolutely love Sanderson.
A story full of imagination and mystery
This book is absolutely fantastic. It is and so full of details, inventiveness, adventure and relatable characters. The more I heed to this volume the more curious I am of the world Brandon Sanderson has created. Sanderson actually has taken fantasy to a whole new level with a world that is completely original. The vocalisation actors are also very talented and make information technology easy to understand diologue between unlike characters and make the story come to life. Really recommend this volume to anyone who enjoys fantasy books with a touch of mystery.
Smashing volume, but...
why on Earth does every hero have an American accent and every villain has an exaggerated upper form British accent, even when they're from the same region?
If y'all love fantasy. This is it!
This book stands alongside Malazan, male monarch killer chronicles and WoT. Yous won't be disappointed with this book.
Source: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Way-of-Kings-Audiobook/B003ZWFO7E
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