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The Way of Kings cover art

The Way of Kings

Written by: Brandon Sanderson
Narrated by: Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
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Publisher's Summary

From number one New York Times best-selling author Brandon Sanderson, The Way 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 across the rocky terrain so frequently that they have shaped ecology 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 10 consecrated orders known as the Knights Radiant, but 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 landscape called the Shattered Plains. There, Kaladin, who traded his medical apprenticeship for a spear to protect his little brother, has been reduced to slavery. In a war that makes no sense, where 10 armies fight separately against 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 king, he is fascinated by an ancient text called The Way of Kings. Troubled by over-powering visions of ancient times and the Knights Radiant, he has begun to doubt his own sanity.

Across the ocean, an untried young woman named Shallan seeks to train under an eminent scholar and notorious heretic, Dalinar's 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 result of more than 10 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.

Speak again the ancient oaths:

Life before death.

Strength before weakness.

Journey before destination.

And return 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 Way of Kings
  • Words of Radiance
  • Edgedancer (Novella)
  • Oathbringer 

The Mistborn trilogy:

  • Mistborn: The Final Empire
  • The Well of Ascension
  • The Hero of Ages

Mistborn: The Wax and Wayne series:

  • Alloy of Law
  • Shadows of Self
  • Bands of Mourning

Collection:

  • Arcanum Unbounded

Other Cosmere novels:

  • Elantris
  • Warbreaker

The Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians series:

  • Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians
  • The Scrivener's Bones
  • The Knights of Crystallia
  • The Shattered Lens
  • The Dark Talent

The Rithmatist series:

  • The Rithmatist

Other books by Brandon Sanderson:

  • The Reckoners
  • Steelheart
  • Firefight
  • Calamity  

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2010 Dragonsteel Entertaiment, LLC (P)2010 Macmillan Audio

Featured Article: The Best Female Narrators You Can Listen To All Day


When considering a new audiobook, one of the biggest questions listeners have is whether they’ll enjoy the narration style. This is understandable as audiobooks span at least a few hours, and sticking with one person’s voice for that period can feel like a big commitment. Luckily, there are so many excellent voice actors performing audiobooks that you might just find yourself gravitating to certain audiobooks based solely on the narrator’s strength.

What listeners say about The Way of Kings

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Slow but steady

The way of Kings takes some time to get into. Give yourself at least 10 hours before deciding whether to stick with it or not. Some minor gripes are that the two narrators will say the same names differently, and falls into the Fantasy/Sci Fi trap of having new names for everything. Days, months, every minor item or animal is given a new name and repeated as if we are supposed to know what it is and it's significance. This took the most time to get over. Overall the Story is well told and after the initial 10 hours or so finally had some characters worth investing in. I will continue on with the series.

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26 people found this helpful

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Gripping and Near Impossible to Put Down!

It has been a very long time since I have read a book that is so hard to put down. There was never a dull moment, and I was always eager to know what would happen next.
This world and story is a brilliant creation, and has left me caring about all of the characters.
Definitely worth your time!

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18 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Frustratingly awful narration

I waited for a credit to try this book out. It was recommended by many friends as something I would enjoy, but I only got to halfway through chapter 2 and I can't stand the narrator. He speaks completely in a monotone with no inflection or emotion. Even when voicing characters, or narrating a battle scene. That was the most boring battle scene I have ever experienced. Debating with myself whether I power on through it to get the great story, or just cut my losses and return it.

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12 people found this helpful

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Amazing book!

I couldnt stop listening to this book. The characters were relatable and i found myself caring deeply about them. I even found that a lot of the lessons the characters learned in this book I could put into action in my own life. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy. It has strong characters overcoming impossible odds, creative new takes on magic and creatures, and an interesting story that will get you hooked.

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8 people found this helpful

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great good great readers

honestly i was disappointed to find out this was book 1 of 10 and that now i will have to wait for the rest of the books to be written and then recorded before i can hear the full story of this epic world and time.

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7 people found this helpful

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amazing

loved every second of it! honestly one of the best books and audio books I have ever read or listened to!

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6 people found this helpful

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Amazing book - Phenomenal narrators

I picked this book up on some recommendations from friends and once I started I couldn't stop listening! one of the best fantasy books I have ever experienced. The voice acting was top notch and pulled me deep into every battle and adventure. One of the best books and series on #Audible1

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could not finish keep listening

I tried and I tried to like this book, it seems to be regarded highly among fantasy novels. However no matter how hard I tried I could not get over the cheesy writing. It's like a fantasy novel a boy would write and think he was being very clever. Sorry , not for me.
Perhaps I'll try the 3rd or 4th book and see if it gets any better.

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OMG!!!

This is one of...correction...the BEST story I have ever read! It is incredibly deep and the characters are painstakingly developed as is the world that Sanderson has created. Couple the exquisite writing with the unbelievable narration by Michael Kramer and you have about 50 hours of the most immersive entertainment that you could ever hope to find.

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Simply amazing.

Loved the narration, the characters and the story telling. Great novel. Can't wait to finish the series

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