The Way of Kings (May 2020) Buddy Read Discussion - Isabella & BookWarren & Jess

[Aless, Discord/Readathon Procrastinator]

Welcome to The Way of Kings Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on May 1st and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each week we will be reading by chapters. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 5/1
May 1: Prologue & Part One: Above Silence Chapters 1-4
May 2: Chapters 5-8

Week of 5/3
May 3: Chapters 9-11 & Interludes Interludes 1-2
May 4: Interlude 3 & Part Two: The Illuminating Storms Chapters 12-16
May 5: Chapters 17-20
May 6: Chapters 21-24
May 7: Chapters 22-28
May 8: Interludes Interludes 4-6 & Part Three: Dying Chapter 29
May 9: Chapters 30-33

Week of 5/10
May 10: Chapters 34-37
May 11: Chapters 38-41
May 12: Chapters 42-45
May 13: Chapters 46-49
May 14: Chapters 50-51 & Interludes Interludes 7-8
May 15: Interlude 9 & Part Four: Storm's Illumination Chapters 52-54
May 16: Chapters 55-58

Week of 5/17
May 17: Chapters 59-62
May 18: Chapters 63- 66
May 19: Chapters 67-69 & Part Five: The Silence ABove Chapter 70
May 20: Chapters 71-75 & Epilogue

PARTICIPANTS
~ Isabella
~ BookWarren
~ Jess

[TheBookWarren]

Excellent!

[Jess]

I've been meaning to jump into Sanderson for years. So lets bite the bullet. I'll join.

[Aless, Discord/Readathon Procrastinator]

Jess wrote: "I've been meaning to jump into Sanderson for years. So lets bite the bullet. I'll join."

There's no time like now!

[Isabella]

I have been looking forward to reading this for quite some time now. I adore fantasy, but I have never read one so big. I am sure i will enjoy it!

[Isabella]

I've read till chapter 4. I am really liking the style. The creatures are very interesting as well,

[Isabella]

In the prologue, Szeth refers to himself as "timeless", what do you think this means?

[TheBookWarren]

Really enjoying it so far, perhaps even more than I’d anticipated! Szeth, I felt instant empathy and affinity for, something about his inner demons that resonates.. by timeless I fear he means he’s been alive so long that he feels it no longer has a linear meaning to him, “death is never fun”..

[TheBookWarren]

Have to say my fav creature so far is the big crustaceans that act or are utilised like donkeys or camels for transporting the wagon 😂

[Isabella]

I like the windspren, it is a super cool concept to me and I am very curious why that one stays with Kaladin and has more brain capacity

[Isabella]

I felt so horrible for Kaladin in Chapter 6. Also I really love Shallan as a character, (view spoiler)[ although I really wish she wasn't there to steal the stormcaster she would do so great to stay as Jasnah's apprentice. (hide spoiler)]

[Jess]

I'm a little behind schedule as I'm finishing off some other books but I've just finished Chapter 4 and I'm really enjoying this. The magic system is really creative and he writes action scenes in a way that makes them very fast-paced and exciting.

I was a bit worried that the first few chapters didn't contain any women - a common problem in High Fantasy - but then Shallan was introduced and I really like her. I loved her drawing of the eels and I hope we get more of these in the book, although unfortunately, I am reading the ebook and my ancient kindle paperwhite doesn't deal well with detailed images.

Kaladin intrigues me. He's clearly intelligent and gifted but has so much built up rage, understandable given his situation. I'm looking forward to seeing where his story goes.

Hopefully, I can clock up some more reading hours today to get me back on track.

[Jess]

I managed to make some progress yesterday and now I'm almost caught up at Chapter 11.

I find the spren so interesting. It seems like they are partly elemental but also conjured by strong emotions. Can't wait to find more about them especially Kaladin's special windspren!

(view spoiler)[ What do you guys think about Kaladin? How has he managed to survive so many times when he should have died? I think he must have some type of magical protection. Maybe something his father has done as I feel like Lirin has more power than we currently know about (hide spoiler)]


Also, I think Yalb may be my favourite character. The scene at the bookshop was so funny!

[Isabella]

I also loved the scene at the book shop, Yalb is the type I would be friends with although he better not try to cheat me in a game

[Isabella]

I laughed so hard when Wit was insulting Sadeas

[Jess]

Yes, I love Wit. He's a really fun twist on a Fool.

I'm finding that a lot with this book. It takes all the standard fantasy tropes but does something really creative with them.

I also think that it has just the right level of world-building without info-dumping. I don't feel confused at all but I do feel like I am discovering more and more about the world with every chapter.

[Jess]

These chapters are so long! I'm falling a bit behind the schedule. Currently on Chapter 18.

[Isabella]

i am falling behind as well, also on chapter 18

[Jess]

How is everyone doing? I've slowed down a lot on this as I've been super busy this week but I've just finished Part 2.

I'm finding that Kaladin's sections are starting to drag but I appreciate that he's building friendship and the respect of the rest of the crew. I'm just craving a bit more movement on that story.

I've been loving the chapters from Dalinar's perspective. I have a weird attraction to gruff moral older men hahaha. I'm picturing him as Liam Neeson or Sean Bean!

[Jess]

I've just finished Chapter 36.

(view spoiler)[ I can't believe Shallan actually stole the Soulcaster! I didn't think she'd do it. (hide spoiler)]

This is getting really interesting. I'm hoping to finish Part 3 this weekend.

[Jess]

I dunno if you guys have finished this yet. I have and I loved it. It was a 5 star.

My review is here:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...