Brandon Sanderson Community discussion
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The Way of Kings
The Way of Kings Read Along Part I
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1. This isn’t my first experience with him. I started with Steelheart at the end of November, and then quickly followed by the Mistborn books, all 4, so I knew going into this book that it was going to be something very special, and epic! This would be my first read along though, and I knew that with a book this long and detailed that a read along would benefit me a lot with digesting all the information.2. This Prelude scene was a bit confusing and also intriguing. Having no background with the world and yet having so many different terms being dropped was a lot, so I made sure to highlight them all, but I quickly got the sense of the power in this universe. Rock monsters? Warriors with majestic swords? Rebirth? Radiants? What a way to start it off! As far as the 9 abandoning Taln and walking away, it’s hard to really judge why they did that without the backstory of the events leading up to it and what the world gains by then doing that, but it did seem a bit cold, unless they discussed this situation beforehand (which I didn’t get the sense that they did). So that means that if these 10 are usually reborn each time, that Taln likely came back, or maybe has been constantly reborn into new people each time? I do question what happened to the other 9 swords though (and any of the powers associated with them), are they just left in a rock somewhere, still waiting to be found? Are the 9 warriors still alive, immortal somewhere?
3. I don’t really know what to think of the sphere or the King’s last words, but I’m sure we’ll find out eventually and they’ll be quite important. But I could say that I found Szeth’s abilities not only very powerful and destructive, but also incredibly unique. How does Brandon Sanderson think of these things?! Being able to do what Szeth can do, change his gravity perspective, heal himself, power those useful Lashings – amazing!
4. I was happy to see that these pre-chapter quotes and blurbs have returned, coming from Mistborn, and while I don’t know what they mean or how they relate to the story yet, I’m sure once we find that out too it’ll be of great significance. Just another mystery to discover, I have to try and see who, if any, of the characters we meet would be the one responsible for them.
5. Kaladin must have angered someone enough to go from a worthy and respected squad leader to a slave in such a short amount of time, though I know time passes between the two chapters with him. Maybe he killed someone he wasn’t supposed to? Or failed to kill someone who overtook his squad?
6. I immediately found Syl’s character interesting and funny! Like an innocent child, curious about the entire world around them and yet somehow fond of Kaladin specifically. Surely he needs the company at this point, and they already seem like a great pair of characters. And no idea what to think of the spren so far, outside of Syl, but I like the idea of them a lot and how there seems to be quite a lot of different types of them.
7. I liked the introduction of Shallan’s character, but with the revelation that she planned on stealing Jasnah’s Soulcaster all along, kind of disturbed me. I hope that doesn’t happen, and something changes her mind. But Soulcasting seems like a really interesting ability too, being able to transmute elements. That sounds like it could be very handy! I doubt it could change anything into anything, there must be a restriction or some laws governing it’s potential.
1) Nope. This is my fourth Sanderson book! Mistborn trilogy + Steelheart. I expect excellent and intriguing world-building. So far I'm enjoying this.2) I'm not sure what to think. Since it was early in the book and I was still adjusting to the new world. But it's mysterious and I can't wait to see how it relates to the rest of the story.
3) Again, this was pretty early so I'm not sure what to make of the King's words. But Szeth's skills are unique and so creative! Esp comparing them to the ones in his other books, the author has wowed me again and again!
4) A book of records or a diary perhaps? If Mistborn's style is any indication, these will become significant later in the story.
5) Something to do with the Shardbearer and Highlord Amaram...
6) Syl - Adorable! I can't wait to know more about her. I'm glad she helped keep Kaladin going.
A webcomic I read recently influenced how I pictured her...
(view spoiler)
Spren - Very interesting! This is how I pictured them, before Shallan describes the different kinds/ways they move.
(view spoiler)
7) I wonder if it can affect living things?
Chris wrote: "1. This isn’t my first experience with him. I started with Steelheart at the end of November, and then quickly followed by the Mistborn books, all 4, so I knew going into this book that it was goin..."I too wonder what happens to the 9 swords left on the stone table. Are those 9 now free in the world for people to find and use? Szeth had a shardblade, right? Where did his come from? And does Taln's shardblade stay out of play because he remained true?
Shallan is an interesting character. I like her, find her brainy and innocent at the same time. And yet, she plans to steal one of the more powerful items known from one of the most powerful people alive. What could possibly go wrong with that?
Lynn ಠ_ಠ wrote: "1) Nope. This is my fourth Sanderson book! Mistborn trilogy + Steelheart. I expect excellent and intriguing world-building. So far I'm enjoying this.2) I'm not sure what to think. Since it was ea..."
Another commenter pointed out that we start off hugely epic with the Radiants (who later are worshiped, almost as mythical beings or gods). Then we drop down to Szeth's epic fight with the king. Then to a lowly soldier on the battlefield (Kaladin) and then to a slave pen.
Thanks for adding those pics. I picture the Windpsren as you show in that pic.
SPOILERS AHEAD! SPOILERS AHEAD. SPOILERS AHEAD! Read at your own riskI cheated. Instead of reading just the first six chapters, I ended up finishing the book. Storms me! xD
1) Is this your first Brandon Sanderson experience? Any expectations going into this read along?
This is my second Brandon Sanderson book. My first was the Final Empire and that one shredded me to pieces of awesomeness.
I was already on the process of reading the next 3 books of the Mistborn Hexology (?) when I saw Katie's (Doing Dewey) post of a TWOK read-a-long. I hesitated at first since I got cold feet after learning that it's going to be a laborious read... reading a 1000-page book is simply daunting. But I went ahead anyway. I was looking forward to meeting a lot of Sanderson fangirls and fanboys during the read-a-long. And of course, I want to share the burden. xD
2) In the Prelude to the Stormlight Archive, we see that Talenel (Taln) died and his sword is unaccounted for. Jerzien and company have decided it is best for 1 to suffer instead of 10. What do you make of this scene?
SPOILERS AHEAD!
Since I already finished the book, Taln didn't actually die as we were made to believe in the prelude. He showed up near the ending announcing that he had failed his mission. I think he's the only one who uphold the Oathpact to bind Odium. I am not sure if I understand what really happened but that's how I interpreted things.
Would appreciate it so much if you can provide any enlightenment about this.
3) What did you think of Szeth's fighting abilities and the fight scenes? Any thoughts on the crystalline sphere and King Gavilar Kholin's last words?
I was actually breathless. One of the things that I really loved about Sanderson's books is that he knows how to vividly describe fight scenes to the point that you think you're actually watching a movie.
As I've said, I already finished the book so King Gavilar's words had already made sense. At the beginning, it was really confusing. But what confused me most is the fact that he knows that he's going to be assassinated any time soon. That really made me question myself: "Why did he expect it? Did he discover something confidential from the Parshendi tribe that is worth his life?"
4) Each chapter proper starts with a few words from a dying person, their station, and status in life. Any thoughts on what these portend?
Not so sure. But maybe they were the words of the Knights Radiant.
5) Kaladin went from warrior to slave in a matter of the first 2 chapters. Care to speculate on the details of how his life changed so drastically?
Can't speculate anymore since I already finished the book. But for the sake of discussion, I was really curious as to what happened to him when I was still reading the early chapters.
When I first met him, he was exuding this aura of a great leader and then the next time I met him, he was this wretch of a slave riding a chull wagon.
6) Sylphrena (Syl) the Windspren seems attached to Kaladin. Are you enjoying her character? Do you like the Spren in general in the worldbuilding so far?
ABSOLUTELY YES! I love love love Syl.
7) Shallan Davar has finally caught up to Brightness Jasnah Kholin and her soulcaster. Jasnah and the jeweled fabril can change stone to smoke; what else do you think it can do?
A lot lot of things. Seriously, I am really cheating with this. The first time I've read about Soulcasting, I immediately thought that it's a new method for transfiguring things.
Sorry, guys. I just can't put the book down. Waaa. I really want to read ARC of Words of Radiance right NOWWWW.
Charlotte wrote: "SPOILERS AHEAD! SPOILERS AHEAD. SPOILERS AHEAD! Read at your own riskI cheated. Instead of reading just the first six chapters, I ended up finishing the book. Storms me! xD
1) Is this your firs..."
So many folks have said they couldn't stop at Chapter 6, but I think you're the first to say you've finished. This is reread for me, but I read it back in 2010, so some parts have faded and some parts have remained vivid.
Very interesting guess as to the opening death words to each chapter. I hadn't thought of that. I expect that Sanderson will reveal more about Gavilar Kholin's dying words and these captured death phrases in Book 2, since it is titled Words of Radiance.
This book blew me away the first time I read it. It was my first Sanderson book. Of course, I've since read more of his stuff. And now that I am reading it a second time as part of a group of people, it may be even better.
See you next Wednesday for Part II!
I kind of, sort of, finished it too. :OI couldn't stop, haha. Finished it in 6 days since starting it, and it was way too short!
Chris wrote: "I kind of, sort of, finished it too. :OI couldn't stop, haha. Finished it in 6 days since starting it, and it was way too short!"
Haha! Well, it makes me chuckle that so many folks are racing ahead on this book after hearing that so many were intimidated to pick it up in the first place because of it's size.
Me 3...I finished it. >.>
Lynn ಠ_ಠ wrote: "Me 3...I finished it. >.>"Haha! You little rebel, you! Still hope you'll join in the discussions if you have time.
Oh I'm definitely excited for all the future discussions and I can't wait to still participate and read everyone's thoughts on the rest of the book.I actually plan on reading it over again before Words of Radiance releases!
Chris wrote: "Oh I'm definitely excited for all the future discussions and I can't wait to still participate and read everyone's thoughts on the rest of the book.I actually plan on reading it over again before..."
Excellent!
Hahaha. A lot of us cheated. xD I hope Brandon will write one Stormlight Archive book per year. A 4 year wait would be pure agony. >,<
I have a cunning method I'm using to avoid cheating: I'm not allowing myself to read a new chapter until I've written at least 500 words for my own project. Between that commitment, work, and familial duties, I've ended up only just staying on track.
Mike wrote: "I have a cunning method I'm using to avoid cheating: I'm not allowing myself to read a new chapter until I've written at least 500 words for my own project. Between that commitment, work, and fami..."That's pretty impressive. As for me, I really don't have a sense of time management. I ignored some IRL responsibilities so that I could finish this book in 2.5 days. >,<
I know I would lose sleep if I won't finish it. T_T
Susan wrote: "Charlotte wrote: "SPOILERS AHEAD! SPOILERS AHEAD. SPOILERS AHEAD! Read at your own riskI cheated. Instead of reading just the first six chapters, I ended up finishing the book. Storms me! xD
1..."
Looking forward to part 2. Hahahah. I didn't even write a blog post for the part 1 discussion.
Charlotte wrote: "Hahaha. A lot of us cheated. xD I hope Brandon will write one Stormlight Archive book per year. A 4 year wait would be pure agony. >,<"
It's a good thing he writes all that other wonderful stuff inbetween to keep the riots to a minimum.
Mike wrote: "I have a cunning method I'm using to avoid cheating: I'm not allowing myself to read a new chapter until I've written at least 500 words for my own project. Between that commitment, work, and fami..."Sounds like you enjoy torturing yourself just a tiny bit. :)
Now, on to the fun stuff! This week we covered The Prelude through the end of Chapter 6. Spoilers for this section reside below!
1) Is this your first Brandon Sanderson experience? Any expectations going into this read along?
2) In the Prelude to the Stormlight Archive, we see that Talenel (Taln) died and his sword is unaccounted for. Jerzien and company have decided it is best for 1 to suffer instead of 10. What do you make of this scene?
3) What did you think of Szeth's fighting abilities and the fight scenes? Any thoughts on the crystalline sphere and King Gavilar Kholin's last words?
4) Each chapter proper starts with a few words from a dying person, their station, and status in life. Any thoughts on what these portend?
5) Kaladin went from warrior to slave in a matter of the first 2 chapters. Care to speculate on the details of how his life changed so drastically?
6) Sylphrena (Syl) the Windspren seems attached to Kaladin. Are you enjoying her character? Do you like the Spren in general in the worldbuilding so far?
7) Shallan Davar has finally caught up to Brightness Jasnah Kholin and her soulcaster. Jasnah and the jeweled fabril can change stone to smoke; what else do you think it can do?