The Way of Kings - January 2021 BOTM

[Jess]

This is the thread to discuss The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. Please remember to mark SPOILER if your post contains any spoilers! Thanks!


The Way of Kings

Summary:

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 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.

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 over ten 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.

[Rebecka]

I just read the prologue. Normally, I don't care for them because I think the author uses it as a crutch to start their book but this one was really good. Just enough information to make me really want to continue reading.

[Jess]

Rebecka wrote: "I just read the prologue. Normally, I don't care for them because I think the author uses it as a crutch to start their book but this one was really good. Just enough information to make me really ..."

I've got this on hold at the library and I'm hoping to be able to start reading it tomorrow! I normally don't mind prologues. They only bother me when I get to the end and think "why'd I waste my time reading that when it had nothing to do with anything?"

[Jess]

I just finished the prologue and I'm wishing it wasn't so late and the kids wouldn't be up si soon so I'd have an excuse to read more tonight!

also... I kinda want one of those Shardblade thingys!!!

[Michael]

I finally got started as well. This is my first epic fantasy, and mostly read young adult. The sheer detail of the action in the prologue. I’ve been missing out. I had a full movie action sequence playing in my head. I’m excited to continue.

[Rebecka]

SPOILERS CH6



I've really enjoyed the 2 main characters so far. Not at all the stories I thought we'd be following considering the beginning of the story. I thought there were going to be a lot more characters like GOT and they would be older. I'm ready for Kaladin to be a shardbearer and kick butt.

[Jess]

Same, Rebecka! I expected it to be a totally different story than how it's unfolded so far. I'm loving it though!

SPOILERS (Interludes - Parts 1/2)

I just finished the first Interludes. I still have no idea what the point was/ how Ishikk fits into anything, but it was cool to get an insight into Shallan's brother Nan Ballat and what she'll be heading back to if she succeeds in stealing Jasnah's magic thingy (even though he completely creeped me out lol)! btw... how do you find yourself with a thought like "I like killing things" and still consider yourself to have escaped your father's temper "unscathed"???

[Michael]

Spoilers interlude 1






Jess! I was like, I bet this place smells so bad since he is like tossing carcasses over his shoulder.

[Jess]

Michael wrote: "Spoilers interlude 1






Jess! I was like, I bet this place smells so bad since he is like tossing carcasses over his shoulder."

RIGHT?!?!?!?!

[Rebecka]

when you get to chapter 13, you should use Google images to look up chasmfiend

[Jess]

Rebecka wrote: "when you get to chapter 13, you should use Google images to look up chasmfiend"

I looked it up and it was nothing like what I was picturing! Definitely way scarier than I'd imagined!!!

[Michael]

I was not expecting a gigantic monster fight.

[Rebecka]

SPOILERS CH22


Kaladin and Szeth are my favorite characters, but Dalinar is really growing on me. For those who have watched/read GOT, he reminds me a bit of Ned Stark. His visions are really interesting. I'm wondering how much of a part he will play in whats to come or if he is doomed to die like his brother. Maybe his brother was having visions as well? Or his brother is the one sending him visions from the other side? Its interesting.

[Rebecka]

Y'all, I finished it. The ending. I feel like it may have been perfect. Dalinar and Kaladin are even on epicness for me now. Shallon, who I had meh feelings towards at the beginning of the book, is now pretty awesome as well. I'm so excited to read the next one.

[Jess]

Rebecka, I had the exact same thoughts about Dalinar and his brother! I'm hating having to stop reading so often, it's killing me not to know how it ends

[Rebecka]

In chapter 65 is when a bunch of stuff starts happening. I couldn't stop reading it after I got there. I stayed up until 2am last night to finish it.

[Jess]

Rebecka wrote: "In chapter 65 is when a bunch of stuff starts happening. I couldn't stop reading it after I got there. I stayed up until 2am last night to finish it."

A little embarrassed to admit it, but I forced myself to set the book down last night before starting Chapter 65 because I didn't trust myself not to stay up all night reading the rest LOL!

[Rebecka]

Nooooooo! You need to read it. I want to talk about it so bad on here but want everyone to be a part of the convo. I am anxiously awaiting your thoughts.

[Jess]

Rebecka wrote: "Nooooooo! You need to read it. I want to talk about it so bad on here but want everyone to be a part of the convo. I am anxiously awaiting your thoughts."


I JUST FINISHED! I am definitely gonna have to read the next one soon! I need to know what happens with Jasnah and Shallan especially!

SPOILERS!!!

But also Dalinar and Khaladin... you know I wanted them to team up and now they have but the book ended before I get to really see what that looks like! There's just so many unanswered questions!!!

[Rebecka]

Jess wrote: "Rebecka wrote: "Nooooooo! You need to read it. I want to talk about it so bad on here but want everyone to be a part of the convo. I am anxiously awaiting your thoughts."


I JUST FINISHED! I am de..."

SPOILERS


Just wanted to respond. I loved their ending! It's so perfect because Kaladin had become so hard hearted towards light eyes but Dalinar makes like the most extreme sacrifice for them. I'm super hopeful for their relationship. I'm also curious to see how Kaladin interacts with his sons.
Also, Jasnah and Shallan is super interesting!

Something I'm curious about, which (correct me if I'm wrong) I don't think the book ever answered was that part in the prologue with the shardblades. I feel like there is a big reveal coming. Like why did they all have to go through torment if they died? Did they come back? What about the guy they left in torment?

[Jess]

You're right, they never explain it. But Desi just took me to the library to pick up the next book so hopefully I'll know the answers to those questions soon!

[Rebecka]

Yeah, I think next month I'm probably going to read the next one. I'm still working on Becoming right now