Audible Book Review - Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson

A little under a month ago I received Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson. Forty-eight listening hours later I finished. It was impressive. The second book in The Stormlight Archives, Words of Radiance picks up very soon on the heals of the first book, The Way of Kings and covers a period a little over two months. Here is a link to the Audible page for the book. I was a little concerned that I might not like it as much when I heard that it would follow the character of Shallan Davar, the main female lead. I liked her in The Way of Kings, but liked Kaladin more. I was concerned that her story would be more of the scholarly work she did in the first book. I was wonderfully surprised. There were plenty of viewpoints of other characters, so we had a lot of variety, and we got to see Shallan thrown into a host of situations that were both humorous and exciting. In addition we got her back story which was fascinating and I'm fulling convinced that she should be more messed up then she seemed. All in all, the book was full of good action, awesome characters, and answered a lot of questions. And now I get to wait a year or more for the next one. Sanderson, You better be working on it. The book was expertly read by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading.

 Plot: Following the disaster on the Shattered Plains, Dalinar Kholin is determined to unite the Alethi high lords whether they want to be or not. The constant rivalry and bickering between them will not help them to be ready what what he feels is coming. Dalinar most find a way to control these "children with armies" and so he lets his son, Adolin, off his lease to beat some sense into their best men. With Dalinar's actions being so upsetting to the other high princes the job of protecting him and his family is not very easy. But then Kaladin of Bridge Four has never had an easy job. With his bridgemen safe from Sadeas' suicidal assault runs he now has to turn them into real soldiers - overcome their apathetic attitudes, and get them trained. To boot he gets to see what King Elhokar and his court are like. And he doesn't like it. But what does he do when what he feels needs to be done goes against what he's sworn to do? As Dalinar and Kaladin start wheels moving to reform the people of the Shattered Plains, Shallan Davar and Jasnah Kholin (Dalinar's neice) are on their way the the Shattered Plains to investigate to rise of the Voidbringers, mystical and mythical terrors that bring rise and lay waste to civilization. However, they are not the only ones interested in the Voidbringers. Shallan is put to the test when she is separated from Jasnah and most make her own way through rough and wild land only to enter the politics of the high princes of Alethkar. More deceptive, dangerous, and filled with hidden killers than the wilderness that surround them Shallan is forced to confront her past and her present in order to ensure a future for all the people involved. Even those that want to see her dead.

My personal favorites: Sanderson knows how to tell a long story in a way that keeps you interested. If there isn't action, there is intrigue. If there is no intrigue, there is suspense. If there is no suspense, there is drama. And each is more fulfilling than the last. Just about every character has a visible arc that leads them through their weaknesses and to their strengths. Yet they are not perfect. Up until the end of the story there are surprises and new promises made that we won't have fulfilled until the next book. While they may seem random, I found the interludes interesting. They provide us, the reader, with information to see what is going to happen and by informing us of things the characters can only suspect or guess at. It enables the author to fulfill promises to us the reader while leaving the characters in the dark - a hallmark of suspense. I love the action of the duels with Adolin and the battles. The pace was good and there was always something to wonder about without the book feeling overdone.

Considerations: Like most epic fantasy there is death and destruction, but never graphically described. You should defiantly read the first book prior to starting this one. Although - it did do a good job of giving us enough information to recall the previous book without bogging down the story. Shallan's father is a monster who does and experiences some very brutal treatment. Her home is not a happy one. The only other thing you need to consider is that the audio version does not have the illustrations that are in the book. However, Brandon Sanderson has posted them on his website. They are quite stunning and may help understand some things more.

Words of Radiance was fantastic and I enjoyed it immensely. I'm glad that I'm listening to these as they come out. It does make for a long wait between books, but I'm willing to do that. It just means I get to read other stuff in the interim. The total length was just over 48 hours.

Audible Book Review - The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

Last night I struggled to stay awake during the last 20 minutes of my latest Audible book - The Way of Kings (Book 1 in the Storm Light Archives) by Brandon Sanderson. The last epic fantasy series I read was Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time, but I only made it to book 7 which came out about 15 years ago. Now the the series is finished I might give it a try, but we'll see. Anyway, Sanderson, who incidentally finished Wheel of Time after Jordan's death, is starting his own epic fantasy series with The Way of Kings. This was a very involved book with lots of characters, a massive plot and is just the beginning of the ride. And I loved it!! Here is the link to Audible's page for the book. The book is narrated by Kate Reading and Michael Kramer who do a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life.

The Plot: On a world very different from ours, where violent, deadly storms (High storms) strike with regularity A king has been assassinated. The world is in political turmoil and the kingdom of Alethkar seeks vengance on those who claim responsibility, the Parshendi, while the inhuman assassin disappears. Six years after the assassination of king Gavilar events conspire to bring Kaladin, an young man trained as a surgeon who became a warrior and then a slave, to the Shattered Plains where the high princes of Alethkar strive to destroy the Parshendi. Kaladin with his slave's brand is put to work as a bridgeman, someone who carries the bridges used by the army of High Prince Sadeas to cross the multitude of chasms that run through the Shattered Plains (giving them their names) as the army of seeks to fight. Bridgemen don't last long as Sadeas uses them as bait and decoys for the enemy. Yet Kaladin not only survives, but unites the men under his bridge and begins to plan an escape.... Also at the Shattered Plains, High Prince Dalinar Kholin, the brother of the assassinated King Gavilar, sees visions during the times of high storms. He seeks to protect the young King, but he is seen as old fashion and some are claiming that he is no longer the warrior he once was. And now rumors spread about his fits during high storm and he is under investigation of attempting to kill the king. To boot, his own son and heir thinks he might be mad..... Far away Shallan Davar is on the trail of Jasnah Kholin, the niece of Dalinar and sister to the current king. Shallan's intends to petition to be Jasnah's ward, her apprentice, as Jasnah is one of the most renown scholars in the world. Jasnah's reputation is that of a heretic and a very direct and outspoken woman. While Shallan is anxious to become Jasnah's ward it is not just because she seeks knowledge, it is also so she can steal Jasnah's most prized possession so Shallan can use it to pay her family's debt before they are called in. However, Shallan doesn't know that her's isn't the only plot happening in the city.... And how does a man named Wit get by speaking in riddles and insulting everyone?

My personal favorites: The world is completely foreign, yet Sanderson paints it so well that it draws you in with little difficulty. Whether it's the giant crab-like creatures that are the main kind of fauna, the Shardblades and Shardplate which turn men into superhuman soldiers, or spren, spirit like creatures that bring a visual element to emotions and other things you are able to take them in stride and can see how they play into the world. It becomes clear that this story is going to be very large - the reason why it's called epic fantasy, but the characters are very real and personable. Even Szeth-son-son-Vallano, the assassin of King Gavliar, is a character I felt for. Like Red Storm Rising I could feel the weight of the world conflict, but cared about the individuals. I literally cheered out loud as Kaladin sought to save his men. Sanderson paints both the conversations and the action with tension. I struggled with Galinar as he sought to keep propriety with Navani, Gavilar's widow who he lost to his brother's affections. The pacing of the book was very good. While I knew it was long, it was easy to listen to as it did not feel boring or rushed. Things happened at the right time and it was relatively easy to put things in a chronological sense, despite multiple flash backs. I think the things I liked most were the heroic moments. Just about every character had at least one stand up and cheer moment. And they differed. some were in battle, some where in conversation, and some were just perfect. I am looking forward to the other books in the series and the world that Sanderson has presented.

Considerations: This is the first book in a series so questions are asked that there may not be answers to for quite a while. It sets up what needs to happen on the grand scale without providing much detail on how that is going to happen. However, Sanderson is very good at scripting his books so that questions raised at the beginning of a book are answered by the end, and that any continuing questions are asked later into the book, so you can feel satisfied by the ending and still excited for the next book. There is also a lot of world building and Sanderson practices a lot of "show don't tell" so some may be a little confused at what spren, chasm fiends, whitespines, gylphs, fabrials, ardents, etc. are, but the importance of these becomes clear. Also, the series will be an investment. I understand book 2 comes out this November and that Sanderson has promised either a book a year or book every year and a half. But keep in mind that this series will be around 10 to 13 books long, each one of epic size. I am really looking forward to the next, but it is going to be awhile before this story is done.

I loved the book and am waiting anxiously for the next.  The total length was 45 and a half hours.