Review
– The Way of Kings – Brandon Sanderson
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Tor
Genre: Fantasy
Book Description:
Publication Date: August 31, 2010
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 soiless 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, 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 ten armies fight separately against a single foe, he struggles to save his men and to fathom the leaders who consider them expendable.
It has been centuries since the fall of the ten 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 ten armies fight separately against a single foe, he struggles to save his men and to fathom the leaders who consider them expendable.
Review:
What a story! Though difficult
to capture my full attention at the beginning, because of the erratic jumping
of time and introduction of unknown and undeveloped characters, I did, however,
experience perpetual interest and involvement.
Combined with constant encouragement from my son, I stuck with it. I’m so glad I did.
Sanderson does a superb job laying foundations, story threads and the
outer layers of a well-defined world and system of society, it didn’t take too long
before I was completely enraptured and transported into this other realm;
capturing my imagination from the scenery to the politics. My heart, however, didn’t become invested until
I was introduced to the struggle and enslavement of Kaladin Stormblessed and
his plight with the forlorn bridgemen.
For the next several days, I spent every open opportunity to discover
what was, what had been and what was to come.
The confusing beginning became clearer, as questions began to be
answered, and as events became align for and against our central protagonist. Instead
of being overwhelmed by the enormity of the story, I found myself feeling
anxious and sad at its conclusion, highly anticipating the next installment.
This story is action-packed with lots of battles, lots of lore, and lots
of gut-wrenching scenes.
Till next time,
~T.L. Gray
Author of the Arcainian Series
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