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The Way of Kings

By: Brandon Sanderson
Narrated by: Michael Kramer, Kate Reading
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Publisher's Summary

According to mythology, mankind used to live in 'The Tranquiline Halls': heaven. But then the Voidbringers assaulted and captured heaven, casting out God and men. Men took root on Roshar, the world of storms, but the Voidbringers followed. The Almighty gave men powerful suits of armor and mystical weapons, the Shardblades. Led by 10 angelic Heralds and 10 orders of knights known as Radiants, mankind finally won (or so the legends say). 

Today the only remnants of those supposed battles are the Shardblades, the possession of which makes a man nearly invincible on the battlefield. The entire world is at war with itself - and has been for centuries since the Radiants turned against mankind. Kings strive to win more Shardblades, each secretly wishing to be the one who will finally unite all of mankind under a single throne. 

On a world scoured down to the rock by terrifying hurricanes, a young spearman is forced into the army of a Shardbearer, led to war against an enemy he doesn't understand and doesn't really want to fight.

©2010 Dragonsteel Entertainment LLC (P)2011 Orion Publishing Group Limited

What listeners say about The Way of Kings

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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Looking forward to starting the next book

When I first started listening to this I didn't realise it was the beginning of a 10 part series. It felt slow and there is a lot of history in the book so it jumps back and forth through time.I started to tire of leaning about of the people, locations and strange landscapes and artefacts of this world. I just wanted to get into the story. But once I realised how many more books where to come I felt like it was quite justified. The story is set in a world with weird creatures and landscapes and it does need a bit more time to set the scene then many other fantasies I've read.

In the beginning I also found some of the characters frustrating and a boring because they seems a bit 2D or simple. I really wasn't sure how much I was going to enjoy this book but then suddenly everything picked up! Things happened, characters developed and now I am hooked. There where a few nights I stayed up way to late because I just had to know what happened next.

Compared to other audio books I've listened to I found the narrators rather flat and this was very disappointing. I was also a bit confused at one point because they pronounced one of the characters names differently and it took me a moment to realise.

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14 people found this helpful

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LOVED IT!!!

I loved this sooooo much, characters are well developed, are all different enough to add to an exciting read and despite it's very long read/listen, it's worth every second. Brandon Sanderson has quickly become one of my faves.

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8 people found this helpful

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Magnificent!

The book was wonderful when I read it and the audiobook was magnificent - great writing by Sanderson and top narration by Kramer and Reading. It will stay with you - this book, Bridge 4. “Life before Death. Strength before Weakness. Journey before Destination.”

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Great Fantasy Epic

Really great story. Can't wait to listen to the rest of the series. Out of the two I did prefer Michaels narration, it felt a bit weird when the two of them Pronounced certain names completely differently. Aside from that I couldn't stop listening. Would definitely recommend!

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One of the best fantasy books out there!!

Would you listen to The Way of Kings again? Why?
Yes, I would. For a couple of reasons, 1) It is the most fantastic fantasy tale I have ever read/listened to 2) Michael Kramer and Kate Reading are just brilliant narrators; they bring the story to life. 3) Brandon Sanderson is just brilliant! The world and the universe he has created is unbelievable.


What did you like best about this story?
The Way of Kings was magical from start to finish. The size of the book might be daunting (or the length of the audiobook), but I can assure you, it will be of the best things in your life! From the complex story to the incredible world-building, to the colourful cast of characters! Brandon Sanderson wrote every inch of this book with heart.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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great

very great book, very gripping story cannot wait to listen to the next book!
only thing i didnt like is that at the start it feels like your chucked straight into the story with minimal intro to characters.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Amazing!

Worth it! I Can't wait to listen to the other books in the series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Epic read (or listen)

One of the best books I have ever read. I absolutely loved it, the narrators are incredible. If your search for a book has brought you hear - look no further.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent World Building

It has some of the densest world building I have ever come across. For the first half of the book it feels like every sentence is adding to world, none are wasted. And before you know it you're 20 hours into book, still feeling like you're only scratching at the surface to this vast ancient world and all the stories it contains.

Highly recommended! My review cannot do it justice.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Hands down the best fantasy book!

I never enjoyed any book as much as I did The Way of Kings. From start until the very end, the story and the character building is just amazing!

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