The Way of Kings (Stormlight Archive #1)[August 16, 2024]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Also, the epigraphs are basically a goldmine, for any and all future unreleased books, too...

One of the epigraphs in The Final Empire, released in 2006, became super relevant with the release of The Lost Metal in 2022... all because a word was capitalized...

[Choko]

Through Ch. 46... Shallan (view spoiler)[ seeing things out of the corner of her eye previously to straight up seeing the creatures with the geometric signs above their heads, is very reminiscent of the King constantly feeling someone or something watching him and movements out of the corner of his eyes... (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

@Iain
Yeah, I can already tell there is a lot to discover.
I might check what you wrote when I get there but in the case of this series/universe, I am trying to avoid even mild spoilers. I certainly don't mind having to do re-read(s) before I can start putting things together.

I finished chapter 35 and I am starting to think about the storms. I am thinking they might be something like Mistborn's mists (follows Mistborn era 1 spoiler)(view spoiler)[in that it might be at first glance force that seems to destroy but in reality, it might be a necessary evil to protect the world from something worse. This especially considering the stormlight powers. Another option is that the storms are the result of some kind of planet-scale event like the ash fall in Mistborn. Idk what to think about the face in the storm yet. That could have been a storm thing or could have been someone projecting. Probably the same/similar entity that gives visions to Dalinar? Can't wait to find out more. But I will also be a bit sad when one day I won't have more mysteries to uncover anymore :) (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Ch. 51... (view spoiler)[ The betrayal!!! I hate that Light Eyes Lord Amaram! He was supposed to be a good guy! He was supposed to be honorable and to care! What a dastardly thing to do! No wonder Kaladin really doesn't want to be one of them! (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Choko wrote: "Through Ch. 46... Shallan [spoilers removed]"

right?

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Marie wrote: "@Iain
Yeah, I can already tell there is a lot to discover.
I might check what you wrote when I get there but in the case of this series/universe, I am trying to avoid even mild spoilers. I certai..."

“There's always another secret. ” — Kelsier, Final Empire

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Choko wrote: "Ch. 51... [spoilers removed]"

I hate so many characters in this series, for so many reasons... the flashbacks give so much room for evolving opinions about characters... for good or ill...

[Choko]

Szeth's interludes are hard to read... I really don't like the way he rationalizes his own actions...

[Choko]

Iain, so true! Kind of like in WI, we have way too much real estate to not be able to change our minds on some of the characters...

[Narilka]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Passed you in 28hrs ;)

Zoom zoomin’ along… getting to the good stuff…"

I'm pretty sure you meant this in good fun. I'm frustrated that I'm not finished yet and frustrated I'm not enjoying it as much as I hoped :\ I've read a lot of reviews that say it all comes together in the last ~200 pages.

[Narilka]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Choko wrote: "Ch. 51... [spoilers removed]"

I hate so many characters in this series, for so many reasons... the flashbacks give so much room for evolving opinions about characters... for good or ..."

I've been wishing the flashback chapters were skipped. For reference, I'm still in part 3. (view spoiler)[I think all of Kaladin's history could've been summed up in a conversation or two if he had anyone he trusted to talk the past with (Rock maybe) and saved a bunch of pages. Unless I'm not far enough yet and something from it is applicable in more than just explaining Kaladin's history/motivations/character. You can tell me RAFO, is ok.

I'm also not entirely sure what the plot is. The overall plot, not just the individual story lines. I am hoping this is more obvious by the end. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

It does... the ending to book 1 is epic, has alot of pay offs, and alot of setup for book 2... book 2 is my fave, then book 1 I think, then book 3, then book 4... I've still only read book 4 once, but read books 1-3 multiple times...

And I was just noting how people expected me to zoom and I did... I kinda stayed up late yesterday trying to make sure I finished 50%, then kinda continuing to 60%... only had 18hrs remaining in the 42-43hr audiobook when I went to bed... and just finished, with a few hours left to read something else, today...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Narilka wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Passed you in 28hrs ;)

Zoom zoomin’ along… getting to the good stuff…"

I'm pretty sure you meant this in good fun. I'm frustrated that I'm not finished yet and frustrated I'..."

Back on the topic of reading chapters out of order, I think you can read the Shallan/Jasnah sections separate from Dalinar / Kaladin, but you need to read those in book order to maintain story integrity... Shallan/Jasnah only intersect with Dalinar when they use the telegraph fabrial to communicate on rare occasions, in book 1...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Narilka wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Choko wrote: "Ch. 51... [spoilers removed]"

I hate so many characters in this series, for so many reasons... the flashbacks give so much room for evolving opinions about char..."

In some ways, this entire book is a prologue / opening chapters to the overarching plot of the series... book 2 gets into the meat of the plot / factions / stakes, and 3-4-5 see it play out...

The flashbacks are a large part of the structure of the series... each book does flashbacks for different characters... this book is Kaladin, book 2 is Shallan, book 3 is Dalinar... books 4-10 are spoilers for various reasons... all the flashbacks are known at this point from Sanderson answers...

I can see what you mean about the flashbacks, especially the first time through, when POV jumping is taking you away from the plots you care about... they add alot on re-reads, since there's plenty to dig into... also, they're not always in chronological order, as demonstrated here... (view spoiler)[you see Kaladin gaining a reputation, then in present as slave, then childhood years, then Amaram's betrayal THEN Tien's fate.... so it jumps around at least 4 times...

I don't think that's really a spoiler, since everything is heavily implied, even if you haven't seen the scene yet...

More than anything, the flashbacks are about fully experiencing Kaladin's depression, and how hard he has to fight it... which just adds a whole other layer of heaviness to the plot... and just because he has some wins in this book, by the end, doesn't mean it isn't a lingering threat in future books...

Future books do similar things with the flashbacks, revealing all (most?) of Shallan's childhood trauma/secrets, and Dalinar's past as The Blackthorn and why he doesn't remember his wife's name/face... (hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Narilka wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Passed you in 28hrs ;)

Zoom zoomin’ along… getting to the good stuff…"

I'm pretty sure you meant this in good fun. I'm frustrated that I'm not finished yet a..."

You zoom through most your books from what I've seen so far :) Nothing wrong with it. I wish I could at times. I can only do that when I'm really hooked on a book these days.

I flipped through my book. I have two chapters left in part 3. Shallan's out until part 5 after this. Seems I missed my opportunity to read a full character POV without wrecking story integrity.

[Choko]

Ch. 57... The Fable of the Wandersail is probably one of my favorite fables ever! I have used it to make a point about responsibility so many times!!! Wit is awesome!

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I feel like I'm reading alot again, because I had a couple slow months... but since I never truly burnt out, I was still going pretty fast, even when slow...

Michael Kramer also lets me speed up audio even more than I usually do...

[Choko]

I know a lot of people don't like him and his wife as narrators, but I love them... They are very cozy to me:)))

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I don't mind him, he's just slow... I love Kate Reading...

[Choko]

I also finished my reread and I will be here to chat with everyone when they get there...

The second major betrayal and the ending are pretty great! And the discovery of who is the big bad, it is still kind of shocking to me. I didn't personally see that one coming at all...

I did notice a couple of epigraphs that are making me very nervous for book 5... I hope I am wrong...

[Narilka]

Finished part 3 (view spoiler)[Seems that the epigraphs were all from Jasnah's research.

Kaladin's last flashback is what I expected after discovering he killed a shardbearer. He should've picked up the blade. Would've made for a whole different story. Perhaps he won't make the same mistake if he kills another bearer in the future. Not that he really needs a shard if he's like Szeth and can learn to control his gift. If Teft will actually talk to him about it.

Also not surprised that Jasnah is sending Shallan home. I really wish Shallan had shown her drawings of the shape heads to Jasnah though. Seems like an opportunity missed to get a scholar's opinion while it was available. Are those things what Jasnah is looking for? Perhaps Shallan will put two and two together and realize she doesn't need the soulcaster since she did the transformation with a sphere. I'm guessing that will be a future book since she's not in part 4 if it's going to happen.

I think Kaladin's missing out on an opportunity to ask Syl more questions. I like their conversations but they're too few. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

So, I'm facepalming. I was all set to start this this week, right after I finished Storm of Swords... but as I was returning Storm of Swords on Libby... I realized I accidentally returned Way of Kings instead. Back in line now...

[Choko]

Jasna is what I would like to be one day... Strong and so secure in her understanding that knowledge always evolves and she will be there on top of it! Bad-ass!

[Narilka]

Nirkatze wrote: "So, I'm facepalming. I was all set to start this this week, right after I finished Storm of Swords... but as I was returning Storm of Swords on Libby... I realized I accidentally returned Way of Ki..."

Oops, that stinks. Well, I might still be reading by the time you come back up in queue lol

[The Raven King]

First 400-500 pages of this book are fascinating, but too slow. A lot happens but nothing actually happens, iykwim.

[Choko]

The Raven King - Feyzan, you are right, but I think Brandon is using all this space to world build and get the foundation for the series... And there are so many seeds for the future, everything has a reason... I hope you are still enjoying it?

[Narilka]

The Raven King wrote: "First 400-500 pages of this book are fascinating, but too slow. A lot happens but nothing actually happens, iykwim."

I know what you mean. I'm 830 pages in and still waiting for the plot to start. Unless I missed it, which is entirely possible. Many reviews say the last 200 pages or so make it all come together so time to RAFO.

I think part of my frustration is mismatched expectations. I went in expecting one thing and the book hasn't been that so far.

[Marie]

I am a very lore and worldbuilding focused person so I am not missing the story. Some parts are more boring, like the flashbacks, but I am very excited to learn more overall. I don't mind long setups.

[Choko]

I think I am like Marie, when it comes to massive tomes. I love the slow building of the story...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I vary... once I'm hooked, tho, it's hard to get me to quit a series... gotta know how it ends...

These days I tend to focus on faster paced stories that hold my attention while multi-tasking...

[Narilka]

Choko wrote: "I think I am like Marie, when it comes to massive tomes. I love the slow building of the story..."

It's weird. I love slice of life fantasy which are all slow burns and low plot. I loved Realm of the Elderlings, which was also a slow burn character focused epic. Same for original Mistborn. I'm not sure what the difference is with Stormlight other than not knowing or understanding what the story is supposed to be. Perhaps that's it? I think it's bothering me more that I can't figure out why I'm not enjoying this as much as I hoped than the fact that I'm not enjoying it as much as I hoped, if that makes sense.

[Marie]

I think my only slight issue with the "boring" parts is that I am so hyped for getting more. I remember that was my issue initially with Well of Ascension. On my latest re-read, knowing where it's all going, I was able to appreciate the slower parts much more.

[Narilka]

Marie, that's really insightful. I think you're on to something. I bet this book is great on reread.

[Marie]

Chapter 44
Some more wild speculations and first time reactions.

(view spoiler)[Am I the only one instantly thinking of Hunger Games when Kaladin volunteered to take his brother's place? I know it was very sad and serious scene but in my head I just saw Kaladin shouting: "I volunteer as tribute!" 🤣

Ok so Parshendi are somehow singing same tune while apart. Some kind of hive mind or they all connected to something/someplace? Then parshmen are those that are disconnected? 🤔

Kabsal is my new Hoid suspect. I am still thinking Wit because he was specified as not fitting to any race but Kabsal seems to be in more interesting/beneficial position for him? Idk what Hoid is after yet but I remember in Elantris he was disappointed to not get the power but idk if that was part of his goal or just a potential bonus. Maybe he is Wit and wants a Shradblade for himself? Again no clue what powers he actually has besides being able to jump between words...
RAFO it is :)
(hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

Marie wrote: "Chapter 44
Some more wild speculations and first time reactions...."

(view spoiler)[You aren't alone on the Hunger Games feel :)

You get the answer to your final paragraph in some more chapters. RAFO indeed. (hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

Well that's a first. My KINDLE is skipping from page 849 to page 832. It did it a few times and now it will progress like normal. So weird.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Choose Your Own Adventure... if you choose to live, go to page 832 ;)

[Marie]

Chapter 45

Ok, we went straight to (view spoiler)[horror territory. I was surprised that Shallan seems to have a Shardblade? I didn't peg her as an active fighter but rather a researcher who uncovers some other ways to wield magic. She does seem to have access to some other power.

If she indeed has a Shardblade, I think she murdered a shardbearer, possibly on her father's order or as an act of self-defense? Although idk if she would feel that guilty if it was simple self-defense. More something like murdering them in their sleep, seducing them even? Seems the father was a real piece of shit so I wouldn't be surprised if he used her that way. Although I doubt he wanted her to keep the blade? I might be more interested in Shallan's POV now than Kaladin's lol.

I think I will get through quite a few pages today.

Also I find it curious the chapter name is telling us what Shallan saw probably long before she will even learn herself. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

I am loving all the theories! This is what I miss most about reading for the first time!

[Marie]

Yeah, the first read is all around special. That's why I resisted reading this series for so long. Part of me is in constant excitement over finally reading it lol. But there are still plenty of amazing series for me to enjoy for the first time.

Glad someone is enjoying the theories. I get bit hesitant to post them because they can feel a bit dumb in retrospect. But I try to not be worried about sharing my thought in this group even if I risk sounding dumb 😅

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I worry more about posting theories after I've already learned the answer, because I was away from computer at the time...

I love sharing theories, right or wrong, before I know the answer...

[Choko]

No! You should post everything you think of!!!! I am enjoying the heck out of it!

[Marie]

Choko wrote: "No! You should post everything you think of!!!! I am enjoying the heck out of it!"

I will try. I am definitely posting a lot more than usual on this one. I find myself in a more posting mood lately. I would almost say that this group really encouraged me to post my opinions online in general.

Now I just need to get back into reviewing mood... For a while, I reviewed every book I finished but I fell off and now I rarely even review any...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Marie wrote: "Choko wrote: "No! You should post everything you think of!!!! I am enjoying the heck out of it!"

I will try. I am definitely posting a lot more than usual on this one. I find myself in a more post..."

We do that...

I also fail to track anything I read on Goodreads... if/when I fall behind, it gets bad fast, because I'm reading 1-2-3 books a day, depending on the day...

I haven't tracked anything on GR since February/March, so I'm like 250-300 books behind again...

One of my GR friends from another group requested I at least put one sentence in all reviews, because otherwise they don't hit her feed or something...

[Narilka]

Posting theories is part of the fun :) Doesn't matter if you end up right, wrong or somewhere in between.

[Quinn]

Chapter 4. Slowly but surely lol

(Reader beware, spoilers for the entire Stormlight Archive series/some Cosmere)
(view spoiler)[

In chapter 4, the header is composed of 2 sets of Talenel, the Herald of War. This is a fairly obvious one, with Kaladin arriving onto the Shattered Plains, the site of a large-scale war.

The epigraph for this chapter is also pretty simple. As the person is dying, he seems to dip into Shadesmar, seeing Cryptics within the room.

The seasons on Roshar are quite different from Earth’s seasons. Due to the planet Roshar having little to no axial tilt, weather and temperature is even throughout the year. What Rosharans refer to as seasons are just occasional small changes in temperature. For example, if the average temperature were 75 F, Winter would be 65-70 F.

There’s also more questions of whether spren are attracted to or cause their namesake with the windspren. I’m personally of the opinion that their are simply attracted to it, but there’s no doubt that some spren can manifest powers.

Concepts presented:
- Middlefest: Middlefest is a festival held during the middle of the year. Years consist of 500 days on Roshar, capped by a week of perpetual rain. During the festival, games, food, and duels are present. The duels are ways for low-dahn lighteyes to make a name for themselves. Worldsingers, a group that provide tales of far-off countries and founded by Hoid, are sometimes present. We see one of these during a Shallan flashback in Words of Radiance.
- Damnation: In Vorinism, Damnation is the place said to hold the Voidbringers. Should someone be judged too sinful after death by the Almighty, they are sent to Damnation to be tortured eternally. It’s based off of Braize, and the term is present during the Heralds tenure. This is another point of evidence that Vorinism was created before Humans came to Roshar.
- Lost Radiants: Refers to the Knights Radiants who broke their oaths during the Day of Recreance
- Lifespren: Lifespren are attracted to plantlife and, rarely, dense populations of people. They appear in the Physical Realm as glowing, green dust, or tiny, translucent bugs. Singers bond with them to enter Mateform. The singers, and later humans, have found a way using lifespren with Stormlight and Rhythms to grow plants faster. Lifespren are occasionally attracted to Lift when she uses her power, though it’s unknown why.
- The Shattered Plains: The Shattered Plains is the main setting for the first 2 books. It’s made up of extremely large plateaus and deep chasms between. The plateaus, when viewed from above, are symmetrically segmented. It’s unknown how this formed, but it’s possible something very large struck the area. The Shattered Plains is home to the Listeners, a Singer group that broke off from the rest of the Singers before the Day of Recreance after wanting to end the war. While the Alethi were originally here to wage war against the Listeners for the assassinaton of King Gavilar, they have come to rely on the chasmfiend gemhearts that they hunt for during skirmishes.
- Ardents: Priests of Vorinism, they are considered to be slaves, unable to hold property, participate in politics, nor be paid. Despite this, unlike other slaves and Parshmen, they are highly respected and people seem to often go to them for advice. One can’t be forced to become an ardent, unlike other slaves, but one can join willingly. It doesn’t seem to be that uncommon for that to happen, either. They provide education and advice for people’s Callings and Glories. In Alethkar, Ardents are the only ones allowed to use Soulcasters, but it doesn’t seem to be that way in other Vorin countries. They are divided up in Devotaries, which will come up in a future chapter. They are also outside of the ranking system of Dahn/Nahn, and are allowed to use Shardblades when training others.
- Vengeance Pact: The reason the Alethi went to war with the Parshendi/Listeners. Slowly, as the highprinces started to shift their focus to pursuing the gemhearts from Chasmfiends, the unity between them cracked, and they more or less forgot the Vengeance Pact. If it weren’t for the Everstorm and the Knight Radiants coming back, it’s entirely possible the camps of the highprinces would have eventually turned into a city, relying on trade with the gemhearts.

I’m ranking the Way of Kings chapters with a completely scientific system I’ve coined the W.I.T. Scale. You can find my rankings here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

(hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Marie wrote: "Choko wrote: "No! You should post everything you think of!!!! I am enjoying the heck out of it!"

I will try. I am definitely posting a lot more than usual on this one. I find myself in a more post..."

Same here... I don't review anymore, just make notes for myself, in case I forgot I have read the book:) It takes too much mental energy and I just don't have enough of it to use for reviews...

[Choko]

Narilka wrote: "Posting theories is part of the fun :) Doesn't matter if you end up right, wrong or somewhere in between."

That is the most fun!!! Wrong theories are some times better:))))

[Choko]

Quinn, I just got on your spreadsheet and it is awesome!!! I will get to your spoilery Ch. 4 in a tad:)

[Katie]

Man. All of you will have finished book two before I've gotten around to completing this one ^^; I can't believe some of you finished before the BR even started! You guys are amazing!

Works been very busy so I haven't been able to delve into the audiobook re-read as much as I wanted too.

Honestly though the beginning is kinda boring for me ^^; But then again I didn't really have a favorite character in my first read. We shallll see! I'm still looking forward to reading all of your comments~

I'm only up to Chapter 4: Shattered Plains at the moment. So very early goings~