SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion
This topic is about
The Way of Kings
Group Reads Discussions 2019
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"Way of Kings" First Impressions *No Spoilers*
I’m enjoying this enough so far, but my e-reader predicts it will be about 36 hours of reading more before I finish (I’m 10% in).
It's my second read, but I can vividly remember my first impression of the first read. I was pondering if I should go for "Way of Kings" or "Name of the Wind", and two people who are high up on my if-they-like-it-I-will-read-it list recommended WoK.After I listened through a war scene, and a manga-fight scene ... and a war scene for the first 1.5 hours I was like 'what have I gotten myself into?' ;).
And then it became so terrific in character developement, worldbuilding and suspense that it turned into my fav book from this genre.
So, whoever gets irritated by so much fighting and names, hang on.
This book was such a surprise. I don't know exactly what got me to go into it, such rpg-ish action-y fantasy, but I'm so glad I did take the challenge (to end last year's reading regime).The characters are wonderfully fully fleshed, their interactions a delight and the world rich and convincing with it's various cultural peculiarities.
Even the 'cool moves, bro' fighting sequences go just fine on the side of all the other richness the realm has to offer (and if you only skim through those bits with half attention, the book quickly becomes far shorter ;) ). And I have to admit, that the immensity of the battles does build to a powerfully epic scenery in the latter half of the book.
The audio is a highly recommendable production.
I read this about two years ago; I loved it. Looking forward to following the discussion.
I read it when it first came out and loved it too. I'm going to try and reread but will definitely follow the discussion.
Mod
(I don't love the audiobook. Sorry. I like Kaladin in my head too much)
I'm enjoying it so far. It's been awhile since I've read something with a lot of character building, but also doesn't feel like it's cluttered. Definitely not something to read with lots of distractions. The description of the animals and the land is bizarre and I'm glad they included a few drawings.
Aw! There are drawings in the book? Damn! I only know this on audio.
Such a great series. I’m on Oathbringer now. Happy reading everyone!
Gabi wrote: "Aw! There are drawings in the book? Damn! I only know this on audio."I remember finding out about these well into listening as well ^^ I had the ebook, but hadn't really glimpsed it, due to the audio being so sufficient.
I started this with the audio book and I didn't really get pulled in. I switched to Kindle and it was a big improvement. As someone who "reads" 80% of their novels in audio book form, I strongly advise against that format for this series. The pictures, the out of context chapter openers, and the vast array of characters read much better on the eye rather than the ear.Also, I liked Kate Reading in other audio books but her narration in this one was so jarring to my ear that I returned the audio book 2 minutes after her first chapter started.
All that said, I actually was worried I wouldn't like this book after the first few chapters. However, I am aware I rarely like the first few chapters of longer novels so I stuck with it. Boy am I glad I did.
When Kate Reading started I was taken aback at first, too. I had the feeling she was lisping. But either she changed her way of speaking later or I didn't mind ... By the second of her chapters I was totally okay with her.
When reading as the female characters, Kate Reading was good. I feel like she really flattened her narrator voice to make the character voices more distinct.The way she inflects upward at the end of a sentence... I, in full sincerity, googled if Kate was replaced with a 90's style text to voice reader robot in a word law suit or something.
This is my first read. I'm just getting back into reading fantasy (and reading in general). I tried out Elantris, got a little bored, tried out Mistborn, looked promising. Then I saw this series as the monthly book and thought, why not. Of the three, this one grabs me the most. It throws you right in there: action scenes, unexplained names and terms, just makes me want to read more.
Mod
I agree, I think this will be Sanderson's magnum opus.
Ohhh, I wish I could go back to reading this for the first time again. I read it a short while after it first came out, and I nearly failed an exam because of it. I got it 4 days or so before said exam. 2 full days of reading later had me waaay behind on the reading I actually had to do. Kind of regret finishing it that fast the first time. I should have taken a more measured approach so I could savour it for a while. It's become one of my absolute favourites.
Okay, read the intro and a little bit and I am super drawn in already. Something tells me I'm going to have quite a few sleep deprived days when I really get sucked in to this. I thought about doing dual audio and ebook, but maybe not based on what people are saying?
Øystein wrote: "Ohhh, I wish I could go back to reading this for the first time again. I read it a short while after it first came out, and I nearly failed an exam because of it. I got it 4 days or so before said ..."That's dedication! ;)
Jordan wrote: "Okay, read the intro and a little bit and I am super drawn in already. Something tells me I'm going to have quite a few sleep deprived days when I really get sucked in to this. I thought about doin..."I only listened to the audio (and listen to it again now) and - with the help of googling some of the names - I found it surprisingly well to follow, considering the complexity and the fact that English isn't my mother tongue.
Mod
At least look at the pictures and try to listen to some audio before you become set in the voices/pronunciations. I listened to the second book in part so that I could read it faster, and it wasn't bad, just not the same immersion I felt when I read with my eyes, personally.
Gabi wrote: "That's dedication! ;)"Nope, it was pure self-indulgence. With a dash of complete lack of self-discipline and a weakness for procrastination.
Aaaahhh, I wanted to join this read. Am I too late? How far is everyone??
Mod
Allison wrote: "Definitely not too late! The spoiler discussion thread won't even be up until the 7th! Some people won't start until the end of the month! Join us!"Ah, perfect. Thank you so much Allison. I'm the only person in my blog who hasn't read this one and I feel very left out since they all love it so much.
Looking forward to chatting with you all about it!
I completely forgot that this was the book of the month. This is my second attempt to finish it. The plan is to read 40 ish pages a day. If I conquer this I’m will be pretty pleased. I am reading the paperback so I can reward myself with the gorgeous illustrations. When I’ve read a bit more I’ll comment on my first impressions. But so far clearly religion and war play a key part.
June wrote: "I completely forgot that this was the book of the month. This is my second attempt to finish it. The plan is to read 40 ish pages a day. If I conquer this I’m will be pretty pleased. I am reading ..."
40?! That's good going June. Hope you manage to finish it this time!
My first impression is that if I dropped this book it would crush my Chihuahua to death. There’s a desert somewhere that used to be a forest that was clear-cut to print copies of this book. Oh well, at least it’s good for arm day.
this has been on my TBR for awhile as was waiting for others in the series to come out. Been told to just get started with it as probably another series of "who knows when the next book will be out if ever". so starting the series with this one. Mine is also on Audible and The Way of Kings is 45+ hours. Add book 2 (48 hrs), 2.5 (6 hrs), book 3 (55 hrs) and even at 1.5 speed August listening is probably not enuff. Luckily I am traveling quite a bit last of August so will have lots of time on planes to listen. Will chime in on The Way of Kings before I leave.
Mod
I didn’t read this as part of the group read but I picked it up because something kept telling me to read it. I was extremely overwhelmed at first by the page count and all the systems set in place in the world building. But good lord if the character building didn’t grab me! Some of the most well developed characters I’ve read in a long time, you get attached to them all and find things in them you either already have in your own character or you want to emulate.
Mod
Allison wrote: "Hi Shane! I am so glad you're joining us, but we can't have anything like spoilers, which includes things people might look for later in the book. So can you please edit/remove your last paragraph?..."I fixed that, sorry! I realized after that it might have had some spoiler too it! Sorry again!
Mod
When I first read this I absolutely devoured it in under a week and on two separate occasions missed my bus stop because I was so into it.
I have been hearing about this book for years and now that I'm finally reading it I realky understand why people like it so much.I love the depth of the world Sanderson has created and the different characters he uses to explore it.
Since my dog ate the book I'm currently reading, I will need to finish it on my kindle, so I can't start on WoK yet... but I look forward to my first Brandon Sanderson read!
Anat wrote: "Since my dog ate the book I'm currently reading, I will need to finish it on my kindle, so I can't start on WoK yet... but I look forward to my first Brandon Sanderson read!"Your dog ate it??? 😂😂😂
Mareike wrote: "I have been hearing about this book for years and now that I'm finally reading it I realky understand why people like it so much.I love the depth of the world Sanderson has created and the differe..."
This is probably the only major fantasy series that I haven’t read and like you, I’ve had lots of recommendations. Good to know you’re enjoying it so far. Think I’m going to start today.
HeyT wrote: "When I first read this I absolutely devoured it in under a week and on two separate occasions missed my bus stop because I was so into it."I love the idea of getting so lost in a book that you forget your surroundings...
This is on top of my favorites list. I was thinking about rereading it again but my brother has my copy so it will have to wait. I remember getting into to it right from the start (even on my rereads) but it can be harder for people not used to high fantasy. My brother is taking his time to read, got so confused with the prelude then prologue and the time skips till chapter 2.
Mod
Gabi wrote: "So, whoever gets irritated by so much fighting and names, hang on."This is great news, since I've tried to start this a couple times and checked out because the action sequence with no context bored me. I haven't decided if I'm going to try again this month--the intention was to hold out until the first major arc was done (book five), but we'll see!
I have to say that I'm a bit surprised at how much I'm enjoying the re-read even though I just read it mere 6 months ago. Again I'm totally immersed and I'm completely in love with the female characters. I want one of them as my bff.
I love this book and am hoping to re-read, but won't be able to start for a couple of weeks.
I'm quite anxious to start. I haven't read anything of Sanderson's before or much fantasy in general. But this has been so hyped and my favourite YouTubers have recommended it so I want in on this! I love my editions as well (I got all three released books because I'm also a book hoarder).
Anat wrote: "Since my dog ate the book I'm currently reading, I will need to finish it on my kindle..."My goodness, either your dog is massive or he had a week to work on this book!
Marilou wrote: "My brother is taking his time to read, got so confused with the prelude then prologue and the time skips till chapter 2."
The chronology of the prelude / prologue / chapter 1 threw me off too. If it's confusing, just stick with it. Things are more (but not entirely) linear starting in Chapter 2.
It's marked as read on both my Kindle and GoodReads, but I don't remember the book
Maria wrote: "I'm quite anxious to start. I haven't read anything of Sanderson's before or much fantasy in general. But this has been so hyped and my favourite YouTubers have recommended it so I want in on this!..."Wow, buying a series in a genre you don’t read much really is a book addiction. I’m not sure if I should be impressed or afraid for your shelves.
The first time I tried to read The Way of Kings" I didn't appreciate it. I didn't get it. The second time I got it, settled down and enjoyed the ride on Sanderson's Epic. And yes Kaladin has to do everything the hard way!
SciFi and Fantasy Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Mistborn: The Final Empire (other topics)Too Like the Lightning (other topics)
Too Like the Lightning (other topics)
Too Like the Lightning (other topics)
What do you think of the intro? Has Sanderson done it again?
Please leave all commentary about the world, characters, plot and so on for the full spoiler thread open on the 7th!
A few content warnings: (view spoiler)[ slavery, mental illness, war, loss of a loved one. (hide spoiler)]