Last updated on May 30th, 2025 at 04:40 am
The Way of kings by Brandon Sanderson is a fantasy novel which transports you to Roshar, a world where the rain falls sideways, giant crustaceans can be seen roaming free, and even the plants flinch.
Well let’s jump into it. but if you are fan of Fantasy, and want a similar read you can checkout story at Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson.
The Way of kings by Brandon Sanderson Review
Alright, let’s get this out of the way: this book is big, 1000 pages. Like, hold it in your hands and build biceps type massive. And the first 300 pages? Kinda felt like assembling furniture without the instructions—questions like what is happening, why is everyone sad, and where are the swords can arise initially?
“Life before death. Strength before weakness. Journey before destination.”
BUT THEN—it clicks.
Kaladin goes from “sad wet blanket with a spear” to storm-blessed warrior of light and trauma. Dalinar? The grumpy war dad with moral angst. Shallan? Art girl with secrets, sass, and a talking soul-bird thing. Sanderson builds a world so rich you can almost taste the stormlight (citrusy??).
Yes, there are too many characters with unpronounceable names. Yes, there are entire chapters about bridges. But my emotions?? Absolutely hijacked.
There’s betrayal, sometimes honor too.. then there are giant crustaceans, (and more daddy issues). You will laugh, cry and say “Kaladin, NO,” then whisper “Kaladin, YES” three chapters later.
It’s slow, yes. But it’s a slow-burn masterpiece.
Negative point? You might need a wiki, a notepad, and lots of snacks to survive chapter 50. But will I read the next book? I already bought it. and probably cried into it.
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Plot Explanation:
“It has been centuries since the fall of the ten consecrated orders known as the Knights Radiant, but their Shardblades and Shardplate remain. The result of over ten years of planning, writing, and world-building, The Way of Kings is but the opening movement of the Stormlight Archive, a bold masterpiece in the making.”
Let’s start with the obvious: Brandon Sanderson has zero chill.
- Enter Kaladin, the brooding ex-surgeon with more trauma than a therapy group. He’s got a heart of gold buried under twelve layers of hopelessness, and rock (literally, he carries bridge parts). Will he rise again or stay crushed under capitalism and magical depression? Stay tuned.
- Then there’s Shallan, the scholar-thief with a sketchbook and a smile sharp enough to cut glass. She’s now a academic fraud looking for a dead dad, and casual soul-theft. Is it wrong to adore her snark and wish she’d just sit down?
- And Dalinar. Oh, Dalinar. War hero, guilt sponge, walking midlife crisis. He’s reading a mystical self-help book while everyone calls him crazy. Is he actually a leader or just one highstorm away from a full breakdown? You tell me.
Meanwhile, Sanderson’s over here creating complete religions, magic systems, and political intrigue like he’s running the Cosmere Olympics. The plot builds like a storm—slow, relentless, then boom: emotional lightning. You’ll laugh, cry, and probably whisper “what the hell just happened” at least seven times.
Is it long? Yes. Confusing? A little. Worth it? Absolutely. By the end, you’ll be holding the book, whispering “Bridge Four” like it’s gonna happen.
Just one question remains: Are you ready to be broken and reborn—Stormlight-style?
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Ending Explanation:
So, Kaladin? Turns out he’s not just a depressed boy with amazing biceps—he’s a Windrunner, baby! That means he can fly (kinda), stick things to other things, and protect people like a magical man with a tragic backstory. His bond with Syl (the adorable one) deepens until he literally survives a high-storm. What a glow-up.
Meanwhile, Shallan accidentally unlocks Lightweaving, an illusion-based magic, & while finding some dark truths: like that she killed her own father (and maybe her mother too?!). Cue emotional spirals and secrets galore.
And Dalinar? He finally embraces the visions sent by the ancient Knights Radiant and starts uniting the shattered kingdoms—just as betrayal strikes. Sadeas leaves him and his men to die. But Kaladin returns, saves him, and takes his first real heroic leap.
Ending? Kaladin swears the First Ideal of the Knights Radiant. Sh*t just got real.
Who should read it:
If you enjoy reading about philosophy, war ethics, and trauma sandwiched between sword fights and storms and also if u are patient enough for seeds planted in Book 1 to bloom five books later—and still find it satisfying.
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The Way of Kings series order
The Way of Kings Part 1 and 2
Way of Kings page count Paperback
The Way of Kings word count
No. of pages- 1007 pages
Published Date – August 31, 2010
From the Author:
