The Stormlight Archive: The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson Spoiler Talk

Mike gives some spoiler thoughts about the first book in Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive, The Way of Kings.
You can purchase The Way of Kings here: amzn.to/2QOIJL5 (physical) amzn.to/3hTOvqx (digital) amzn.to/32UUNA7 (audio)
You can purchase Words of Radiance here: amzn.to/32Mb4Y0 (physical) amzn.to/34ZIF3u (digital) amzn.to/3gQeGNL (audio)
You can purchase Oathbringer here: amzn.to/3gTnz9k (physical) amzn.to/3lKJq6w (digital) amzn.to/2Z1cJIi (audio)
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#MikesBookReviews #StormlightArchive #BrandonSanderson

[@JJJKKK445]

One of my favorite moments in this book, that had me just going bananas was when Dalinar kicks the everloving crap out of Elhokar to show him that if he REALLY wanted to kill him he just would've... what I loved about it was that in a way it was the start to his journey of self-acceptance since he started to embrace the new and old him. Just amazing...

[@McGregor43]

I remember reading that bit twice because I couldn't believe Dalinar was beating Elhokar the first time I read it.

[@theslayer789]

And BTW I've started courting your mother, better get used to that

[@larkwyll7351]

It did feel out of character and random though. It needed a page of build up showing Dalinar's mental state and thought process before entering the room. Too much for effect and shock value for both his action and Elhokar's admission. It didn't feel right to me how it was written. Felt forced.

[@QueenNerd-1845]

You forget that part where he ends it by basically saying that he his sleeping with Navani

[@groveri2]

oh yeah definitely on of the top dalinar moments in book one (just finished book 1 like today like)

[@Arezoo298195]

My absolute favourite moment from this book that you didn’t mention is Syl bringing the leaf to Kaladin in his lowest moment. It was so silly and cute but so heartfelt that I had a lump in my throat reading that moment. Absolutely the best part maybe even better than the ending.

[@mikem1585]

I was really struck by this moment in my recent re-read. Totally agree!

[@mikesbookreviews]

That was a great moment that I had forgotten about until just now. This is one of the reasons I wanted to open this up to spoiler talk. There’s too much for me to mention/remember everything.

[@delphy2478]

this is probably my favorite scene, it was so touching, i honestly think i had to put the book down until i was done crying. as much as i love kaladin and dalinar, i think syl is probably my favorite character

[@Arezoo298195]

John Kreinbring I have a soft spot for all the Spren. They are just so adorable!

[@RidleyJones]

A similar thing (thematically anyway) to me was when they used the Parshendi exoskeleton/armor to make their own armor. It reminded me of when he confronted Gaz by saying he was "already dead" so not to be trifled with--the group quite literally taking on the **mantle of death** to symbolize their struggle to overcome their VERY understandable despair. It reminded me of so many heroic stories in the real world, like people in the Gulag Archipelago. Sorrow and triumph so keenly intermingled.

[@joem8887]

When Dalinar trades his Shardblade to free Kalidan and the bridgemen… it gave me almost the same feelings as when Aragorn tells the hobbits that they bow to no one. 😭

[@holdenpop12]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 this is a perfect comparison!

[@Pinpadprompts]

It just made me angry tbh

[@JZETH_]

Kaladin is such a great leader. He found purpose in saving the lives of men sent to their deaths on a daily basis. Him saving Dalinar at the end of the book was absolutely insane. I had to read that scene twice.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I got chills just talking about it. Incredible moment.

[@nasteho6614]

I loved how Dalinar was saved from trash Sadeas by Kal and Co and trashed Sadeas right back. Put Elhokar in his place and promoted Kal and Co to kings guard and got his girl. Kal is another level of wingman 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@JZETH_]

Nasteho also how Dalinar said, you know what bitch, take my sword. I have bigger fish to fry. I took it as “it’s about the man who wields the sword rather than the man who merely holds it”

[@Lim_Jahey]

" in those brief moments of light when he dared look, he thought he saw Syl standing in front of him, her face to the wind, tiny hands forward. As if she were trying to hold back the storm and split the winds as a stone divided the waters of a swift stream." Listen fellas for me this paragraph was something that made me pause and hold back tears .... cause in the end when the world is raging against you and your mind is faltering, knowing someone is there giving every inch of themselves to shield you to the best of there abilities is something worth living for ...

[@DJFilthy]

Is this the same scene where he thinks he sees her fighting off death spren because I loved that moment

[@zapzya]

My favourite part was when Kaladin is going to save Dalinar and they bust out the side carry. Did not see it coming back, it was so fricken cool.

[@absolutedesi5899]

As I got to that part I was constantly thinking that- do the side carry, do the side carry- and then they did.

[@danielvanrooyen9602]

“Strength does not make one capable of rule; it makes one capable of service.”

[@patsmythos]

Just finished this book 10 minutes ago, IMMEDIATELY came to watch this video and finally get in on the discussion!

[@scottybotty4645]

Same

[@chadum96]

Books don't ever make me tear up, but both the scenes of Kaladin deciding to go back for Dalinar and Adolin and then later when Dalinar gave up his shardblade for Bridge Four made me tear up. This is Brandon's best payoff in any of his series so far imo. The buildup to these moments were so great. I like the following two books, but TWoK is my favorite so far

[@lockedin6699]

I also like Shallan. I don't see why people dislike the way she is written.

[@TheGummy22]

I feel like a lot of the dislike in the first book for her comes from the fact that Way of Kings is almost a setup book for her bigger arc in book 2 that is just utterly fantastic.

[@espadamt8839]

She's written very well but I didn't like her character or rather her POV

[@dant5349]

Personally I didn't like her "wittiness". I feel like we're meant to find it endearing but I just found it annoying and rude whenever she'd say some stupid quip where she'd pretend to take something literally.

[@starmorpheus]

Felt as though she was trying too hard to be "unique." Overtime I accepted that it was just her way to cope with her traumatic past and I don't dislike it as much. In Oatbringer it starts to get grating again though lol

[@Jaasau]

I too thought she was a great character, and I enjoyed her story. That moment when Jasnah totally obliterates those muggers was amazing, and then Shallan’s moment of decision right after was really something.

[@mastelsa]

There's a part of WOK that is seared into my mind as one of the worst/best realizations I've ever had while reading. We follow along with Bridge Four as Kaladin devises an inventive, strategic new way of carrying the bridge that could be a massive game changer for our favorite bridge crew. All the while, Sanderson does such a good job at getting us attached to these characters and wrapped up in their little success until Kaladin's strategy actually ruins things and he realizes that the overall strategy in this war requires them to be utterly expendable. Kaladin's realization hits the audience just as hard as it hits him because of the way that Sanderson set it all up. He knew exactly what he needed to do in order for the hopelessness and the injustice of that moment to hit his audience as deeply as possible, and realizing that I--just like Kaladin--had been strung along so thoroughly that I had neglected to even _think_ of the larger systems at work added a sense of awe at Sanderson's skill to the righteous anger and abject hopelessness of that moment.

[@jarodandrews7425]

I’m gonna have to politely disagree, because as a reader we knew all this in advance thanks to Dalinar and Sadeas’s conversations that bridge men were supposed to be expendable, something Dalinar was staunchly against. So we as a reader knew way before Kaladin, why they weren’t allowed shields or armor. For me this actually diminished my emotions when Kaladin discovered this, and is one of my only tiny complaints about the book!

[@adoniscreed4031]

I totally disagree with this take... It is crystal clear that the brigemen are nothing but fodder. We even hear Sadeas say so to Elohkar and Dalinar. That realisation is one of the very few parts of the book where I felt like Kaladin was acting way stupider than usual and it was unpleasant as a read. But I think that this realisation isnt something that he didnt know, it was just something that dawned on him again and it made him spiral back down into his depression. Which is much more understandable as that is totally something that happens when youre depressed, one minute you're up and then you think of something that makes you lose hope... but that wasnt how Sanderson explained that scene which feels like a mistake IMO

[@meesironman]

​@jarodandrews7425 I agree, man! Kaladin goes right back into his depressive slump when he figures it out and all I could think is duh yall were being sent out as bait. I thought it was pretty obvious the whole time, even given only what Kaladin knew. Now I have to read him being mean to Syl and moping around again because he just figured out the obvious. Of course, he gets over it and the book is fantastic, but that small point was irksome to me.

[@drelo3000]

⁠@@meesironmantbf Kaladin been knew that they were meant to be expendable

[@coleton7048]

For me the greatest chapter in the book is the flashback of Kaladin killing the Shardbearer, winning the shards, and being betrayed by Amaram. And the haunting dying words of the character from the first chapter are so epic and chilling.

[@dylanely8309]

I was tripping on shrooms when I read that first chapter. “The love of men is a frigid thing, a mountain stream only three steps from the ice. We are his. Oh Stormfather… we are his. It is but a thousand days, and the Everstorm comes.” Shit gave me goosebumps and made me shiver, so foreboding and gripping.

[@jesna4768]

It's THE Lopin. Sorry, couldn't help it. I love that guy's humor. I do agree, Bridge 4 going back for Dalinar is such a great moment.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Love those guys.

[@snowman9631]

Im not emotional and since ive been older than lile 12 or somethimg i havent cried outside a funeral. Even at things others cry over but the final bridge run got my heart racing and while i didnt shed a tear i was feeling so many things and the feeling Persist everytime i re read it

[@SeekSanctity]

A little late to the spoiler talk, but I really enjoyed the dialogue between Jasnah and Shallan when they discuss religion. Really good exchanges there. The most gut-wrenching thing for me was the flashback of how we learned Tien died. God that was devastating. I felt so horrible for Kaladin. That, combined with Amaram's betrayal? It's been a long time since an author made me feel for a character like that.

[@dylanely8309]

Shallan’s chapters were so cool, exploring so many philosophical, moral, cultural ideas that aren’t simply black and white. And Sanderson presents it in a way where the reader can make their own interpretations and conclusions.

[@oi643]

Can't remember a Prologue that grabbed my interest as much as this one did

[@mikesbookreviews]

It was lit.

[@mikem1585]

“Szeth-son-son-Vallano, Truthless of Shinovar, wore white on the day he was to kill a King.” Such a great opening line! I was hooked pretty much from that opening.

[@wheelchazeal8089]

Absolutely man. I’ve never been hooked that hard. I read the book in 14 days. It’s all I did with every scrap of free time I could muster.

[@BaldBookTuber]

Right up there with Eye of the World in terms of a prologue that immediately captured my imagination and made me want to read the entire series.

[@oi643]

Scot Glasgow That’s good to hear! 2021 is going to be my Wheel of Time year after finishing Rhythm of War

[@richieeskew4145]

Kaladin is one of my favorite literary characters for me. He is up there close with Aragorn.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Good company to be in.

[@wheelchazeal8089]

Dalinar is the man. When he summoned Oathbringer in from of Sadeas I was certain he was going Blackthorn on his a**. Most pleasant surprise I may have experienced in a book. I’m a few hundred pages into a Words of Radiance. I can’t wait for you to do videos about that. The beginning of Shallan’s journey in this book threw me out the window...

[@mikesbookreviews]

I wish I could experience WoR again for the first time.

[@ignaciogarcia8602]

words of radiance is insane man, just finished it yesterday and it's THE best book i've ever read

[@kaytlinhowardmangelson7300]

Favorite scene from WoK for me has to be that first Bridge run after he decides to save them. Here they are all discounting him, laughing at him, and he's frantically trying to save them. Its so powerful!

[@plan_r4005]

I always wished there was video of Brandon explaining the Stormlight Archive to his publisher. They’ve got a new author with a few books out which have sold decently, he’s got name recognition for finishing WOT and he pitches a 10 book 100000+ page monstrosity, with multiple pov’s, interludes, in depth illustrations by multiple artists, with ties into a larger universe which is connected to his other books. That poor guy most have been ready to cry.

[@KakashiHatake-ou7mp]

The introduction of Ryshadium was a neat touch to explain moving around with that heavy Shardplate. Little things like these really help build his world more convincingly

[@AikenFrost]

If I'm not mistaken, the Shardplate is basically "Magical Power Armor", so it doesn't feel heavy at all to the user, unless it's deactivated. Isn't it?

[@GraceDionneReads]

@@AikenFrost It doesn't feel heavy to the user, but the overall effect of a person wearing the armor is very heavy to someone/something external, which is why regular horses aren't strong enough to carry a man in Shardplate but the Ryshadium are

[@AikenFrost]

@@GraceDionneReads Ah! Ok, I understand what you mean now! You are absolutely correct, I also think that the Ryshadium are awesome, but what I wanted to see was shard bearers on *chariots*! That would be super badass!

[@KakashiHatake-ou7mp]

@@GraceDionneReads Correct.

[@animalobsessed1]

@@GraceDionneReads In one of the flashbacks in Oathbringer, Dalinar rides a regular horse while wearing Shardplate, and ends up breaking its back

[@lukehornbach9316]

"i didnt think he was that bad" speaking of my fav character of modern fantasy

[@oussamabsn5016]

Great analysis… I found myself loudly agreeing with the point you made about Kaladin’s depression. It started way before he was a slave, we can see it in the flashbacks during the weeping days, when only Tien could make him smile ( that scene under the rain with his mother and Tien made me cry ! ). I know everyone is complaining about the interludes, but I found myself enjoying them alot ( The ones I managed to comprehend of course ).

[@ravenbellebooks5665]

So, a year and 8 months later... I am finally here! I cannot decide between Kaladin and Dalinar as for who is my favorite. I relate to Kaladin since I, too, have clinical depression that I still struggle with... but Dalinar is just absolutely top-notch (the sacrifice of his blade just proved that I would not be so honorable, haha). I cannot wait to read Words of Radiance here soon!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Excellent insights on the characters! The POV characters in The Stormlight Archive are complex, conflicted, and richly sketched with all of the flashbacks that gradually fill in their backstories. By far Sanderson’s best characters, in my opinion. Great to hear your thoughts!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Incredible how much the main 3 grow in just one story. And the Bridge crew! The man is just a magician with character work.

[@benconlin3557]

Literally finished this book yesterday so the timing is perfect on this! Absolutely loved it, looking forward to the next one sometime soon

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@benconlin3557]

Mike's Book Reviews I’m sure I will once I finish the first Dresden book which I’m burning through!

[@thegreyinitiate3680]

My favorite part was Dalinar’s rallying cry to his troops after Sadeas abandoned them…. “Other men may debase themselves to destroy me. Let them have that glory, for I shall retain mine!”

[@ando336699]

The prelude to the book is what had me asking the most questions... But can i just say man your no spoiler review was really good most reviews is like 3 min then jump straight into spoilers I like your style of reviews 👍

[@mikesbookreviews]

I appreciate that. It's hard for me to keep them under 20 minutes ha ha

[@Wade8419]

I've also really liked Adolin from the go and don't really understand why some people have such a negative reaction to him.

[@IndigoStat]

Great! Spoiler talks are the best. Looking forward to the spoiler talks of the next two books!

[@joem8887]

I JUST finished reading this, and oh my god… I thought I loved the Mistborn trilogy. This book blew my mind! I’m going to read a couple shorter books before starting Words of Radiance, but I cannot wait to see how the story expands from this one.

[@thamel863]

Loved the approach of 1 non spoiler and 1 spoiler video! Mike as you said there is already a lot of other videos about this book but none is done the way you do it. Unfortunately I will have to wait for next year to read the books and then watch the other reviews.

[@richieeskew4145]

Good stuff. I am surprised you didn't talk about the spren any and Sil specifically. The concept of the spren is so brilliant to me. I think Kaladin and Sil's relationship was some of my favorite stuff in Way of Kings. Whats great is you don't fully understand who or what she is until later so there was still a lot mystery. Also shard blades and shard plate are just awesome concepts.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Yeah, it's a fun relationship you want to know more about. Whole point of these spoiler talk vids is just to be an outlet for others to talk spoilers because I know I won't cover everything.

[@TRYCLOPS1]

Syl was one of my favorite things about this book. Like I was even frustrated that the book ignored her so much! Like wtf book! Tell me more! Come on! And then The tall guy and even Lopen could see her too. Idk at one point when she didn’t come back I felt sad for Kaladin. And then felt great when she came back with the leaf lol.

[@nickb1680]

Awesome vid Mike! Shallan is consistently my favourite character until Oathbringer, but they are all just sooooo good

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's actually a tough conversation for me as to who is my favorite after Dhalinar.

[@Marcus-id5ur]

I liked her in the 2nd book, not so much in the other two. Found her boring in the 1st and her personality issues became annoying in Oathbringer. Or at least how Sanderson wrote it was annoying.

[@dig8634]

@@Marcus-id5ur I just think it's a build up to some great development. Ya can't have all your knights swearing all the oaths in the first books after all!

[@GOPerks-jo7mg]

"Honor is dead. But I'll see what I can do."

[@sjajsjsja4523]

Dude I would LOVE a book with a focus on Jasnah. She's great. I'm a fellow Adolin fan, too. He has a subtle arc in this book that's well done.

[@emilythesincere]

I love the point you made about Kaladin having depression. That really resonated with me as well, and it’s such a validating thing to see characters struggle with similar things that you yourself struggle with.

[@wetpenguin]

Thanks for the video. Just wanted to say that I liked Sadeas, because I thought he's a good guy, since one of the visions said to Dalinar "Yes, trust Sadeas". I smiled when he asked for Dalinar to send him Way of Kings book. But yeah, then that happened... Did you see that coming when they were going to the tower battle?

[@TRYCLOPS1]

Bro Sadeas is a PoS.

[@calista3371]

Mike: Great review. Thanks for putting this up. I just finished this. I never connected with Shallan in this story. She never felt whole to me and she hasn't won me over as of book 1. I absolutely loved Jasnah and I want POV her and I loved her. She was awesome. This book is so amazing. I mean, what a world and story. I can't wait to read the next book.

[@alexfrederick3404]

Favorite line: "Tradition is the blind witness they use to condemn us. It's the pretty box they use to wrap up their lies. It makes us serve them.: ~Kaladin Love your channel ...keep em coming!

[@karlwilker579]

This from WoR, so I don't know if it counts, but "Honor is dead, but I'll see what I can do" is incredible.

[@alexfrederick3404]

@@karlwilker579 That's a good one ... I remembered it immediately.

[@dastandesanta7565]

And the moment when he swears the second ideal of the windrunners it was soo epic..the whole sequence of syl being horrified by sadeases betrayal and kal savin dalinar was sooo epic..

[@jericosha2842]

Best spoiler thoughts on this book. Enjoyed it thoroughly!

[@krystololsen2318]

Man if you love Dalinar already wait till book 3 cuz he's the pov character and it took him to the next level

[@dastandesanta7565]

My absolute favorite characters are dalinar and syl..the back-story to dalinar broke my heart..and the love and affection of syl towards kaladin is so heartwarming..i can't wait for RoW..

[@benconlin3557]

With Kaladin it does seem to be an internal thing that is worsened by his experiences. Like he has irrational guilt over his inability to save basically everyone he encounters. I was just waiting for him to meet Dalinar and find a genuine lighteyes for once

[@mikesbookreviews]

I think that's why I imagined him as Stephen Amell in my head the first reading because he's like Oliver Queen (Green Arrow) in that he thinks ANYONE else who dies is his fault and he could have prevented it.

[@benyager3355]

Isnt that called.survivors guilt?

[@absolutedesi5899]

The interlude with rysn visiting the reshi isles was one of the best showcasing of world building I've seen in a book My bad that was in words of radiance 😂

[@thesmuli83]

Great. In fact, I like spoiler reviews a lot more. Spoiler talks are the best.

[@mikesbookreviews]

For something this popular, it feels necessary.

[@kristen7623]

One of my favorite moments is when Syl brings Kaladin a leaf to make him feel better ❤

[@TRYCLOPS1]

Yes. Felt like Kaladin was all alone when she left his side for days. He lost all hope and was about to do the unthinkable when she came back to him. Couldn’t get enough of Kal & Syl.

[@michaelsisco8002]

First of your videos I've watched, discovered from Twitter. I absolutely love Stormlight Archive, and I love hearing your insights on the characters! I found myself just nodding in agreement the whole video!

[@emosongsandreadalongs]

This is my favorite book I've read so far. I'm currently re-reading the Stormlight Archive from the beginning before reading Rhythm of War

[@testtoirni9510]

I just finnished The Way of kings and I loved it. Now I can finaly watch this video. I realy enjoy first watching the Why you should read/review videos of yours and then after reading the book watching the Spoiler talk. Keep it up. I've picked up multiple books after watching your videos.

[@matthewsenn2595]

When I read the climax about Sadeas’ betrayal, I was confused on why Dalinar was told to trust him. This got me thinking that in Dalinar was SUPPOSED to fail. One of the scariest thoughts I’ve ever had.

[@JustAnotherSiliconEnjoyer]

Just a quick note: Technically, Dalinar didn't read. He had the Way of Kings read to him from a scribe, usually the wives of his officers.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Well, it has been 3 years since I read it, so I'm surprised that's the only mistake I made.

[@luketufts6827]

@Mike's Book Reviews Obviously no true Alethi man knows how to read 🙄 😂😂😂

[@TRYCLOPS1]

Ok just finished it now. Favorite moment: Syl was standing in human form and size, looking sad and told Kaladin that she now remembers what she is; that she’s really an honorspren! And at that point Kaladin makes his choice and goes nuclear.

[@excalibur3164]

Are we not gonna talk about Dalinar’s farewell words (in which i thought he was definitely gonna die at that point with Adolin), his words was just full of wisdom bro. WTH i cried

[@mikem1585]

I didn’t like Shallan on my first read, but she really grew on me! I love the mystery surrounding her...you know there’s more going on with her that she isn’t even willing to acknowledge in her thoughts. Jasnah is my favorite non big-three (Kaladin, Shallan, Dalinar) character. Without getting into specifics about book 2, there is a small moment I love early in WoR that really humanizes her.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's funny looking at it now, because I did NOT like Jasnah for about the first 3/4 of WoK. But upon reflection I grew to love her slowly as Shallan did.

[@mikem1585]

Wow, I just realized I had an important typo in that second paragraph, haha. Jasnah *is* my favorite non big-three character. I completely agree that it took some time for me to appreciate her. I think it happened slowly as she starts to welcome and accept Shallan into her confidence. And eventually you learn that there are a lot more layers to her character.

[@bisd836]

What small scene? i want to know if we thinking of the same one.

[@mikem1585]

Ok...so Words of Radiance Spoilers Ahead!!!! . . . It’s honestly not that huge of a spoiler, but it’s the scene when Shallan looks through Jasnah’s cabin door and sees her with her guard down. You see the burden of responsibility she carries and the fear she so carefully conceals. Then Shallan goes to her and Jasnah finally opens up about what she’s feeling, and you can sense her relief at finally being able to share the burden with someone else. It’s just very humanizing for someone who can seem so cold at times. “She could see Jasnah’s face, hand against her temple, staring at the pages spread before her. Jasnah’s eyes were haunted, her expression, haggard. This was not the Jasnah that Shallan was accustomed to seeing. The confidence had been overwhelmed by exhaustion, the poise replaced by worry. Jasnah started to write something, but stopped after just a few words. She set down the pen, closing her eyes and massaging her temples. A few dizzy-looking spren, like jets of dust rising into the air, appeared around Jasnah’s head. Exhaustionspren.” This and the whole seen when Shallan talks to Jasnah in the cabin is among my favorites.

[@bisd836]

@@mikem1585 Ah, i remember that scene from my reread a month ago. thanks. I was thinking of the scene where she kind of gets dressed down by her father in the flashback.

[@8Epitaph8]

Hey Mike, I would definitely be interested to hear your experience and journey with depression and how nutrition aided your mental state. Anyway, love your channel and your presentation and enjoy you as a person. Thanks for your content.

[@absolutedesi5899]

I read the foreword of the book before the prologue and in that it says that a king is killed and his brother is picking the pieces of the kingdom and then when I got to the prologue I could see it coming

[@rachmusic9873]

I just finished this book tonight and it’s so funny that besides Kaladin, Shallan, and Daninar I pronounced every single other name differently than you did in my head

[@mikesbookreviews]

It happens.

[@DanielSClouser]

Jasnah is going to have a flashback book, but I don't think we know which one yet. Rhythm of War is Eshonai/Venli, and book 5 is going to be Szeth. After that, I don't think we know the order, but the flashback characters are Jasnah, Renarin, Lift, Shalash, and Taln.

[@elArqui22]

I just finished this book last night... mind blowned! can`t wai to get out of work to star with WoR

[@RegisteredNerds]

great video about a great book. I would love to hear more about you, your eating habits, and your life!

[@curioussoundwave2275]

I'm working on my first re read of this book. I'm planning to re read all three before Rhythm of War. It's a testament to how much I like it because I rarely re read anything. I'm really enjoying it though. Doing it on my Kindle Paperwhite 😁

[@locolima279]

Completely agree about Kaladin & depression. It was a big part of what I identified with. If you've never had it, ya probably just won't understand.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Indeed. It isn’t something you can just “walk off.”

[@nataliaweronikapetersson3425]

I do agree with your comments about the relevance of flashbacks! Lies of Locke Lamora did not do them well at all, Sanderson at least knows that lengthy flashbacks have to have a profound impact on the pivotal moments in the book and not just serve as a justification of a quick fix in the narrative! Hear, hear!

[@madisongoodyear5040]

Under 20 minutes - nailed it!!

[@nilulal545]

The moment this book Intrigued was when Gavilar tells Szeth to tell Dalinar to find the most important words a man can say!! Character building was excellent, Shallen what i liked about her she is respectful but she speaks her mind. Syl i loved her being around Kaladin.. side character i liked Rock, Cenn which reminded Kaladin of his little brother. Overall its quite interesting story line. Enjoyed the review you absolutely right so many scenario which felt so real under the circumstances...back to book 2.. long ways to go! Lol

[@odiums_taint]

great vid, thanks mike!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Glad you liked it!

[@-Adam.Z]

Mike - can you do a video about these dietary changes you made that helped your chronic depression?

[@rachmusic9873]

Wandersail. and pretty much the entire last 70 pages were my favorite parts of the book

[@shashanksrivastava5772]

From what we know so far, Jasnah’s backstory will be in the last (10th) book of The Stormlight Archive

[@chaycehudalla7840]

I was a big Dalinar fan from the beginning as well as Jasnah. I always love a good redemption arc, and I can’t wait to get to Oathbringer. Currently reading WoR, and a little disappointed at the lack of Dalinar.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It'll be worth it.

[@15nicinho]

Chayce Hudalla Oathbringer will be your favorite book if you’re a Dalinar fan

[@burge2695]

I remember one of the parts that made me emotional in wok was during the tower battle chapter when syl asks for kaladin to say the words and he says "i will protect those who cannot protect themselves" and then he sucks in all the badies beard moneys 😀😀😀😀😊

[@TRYCLOPS1]

And when she said she remembered now who she was; an honorspren!

[@Devin_Davis]

So pumped for this!!!

[@Phoboskomboa]

The Way of Kings is my absolute favorite book of all time. By far.

[@danielvanrooyen9602]

Shallan in Way of Kings - Meh Shallan in Words of Radiance - I love you

[@DevitoAllPro]

Dalinar is my favourite character as well! Adolin is a close second.

[@TRYCLOPS1]

I also liked the scene with Wit and Kaladin… or Hoid? Him playing the flute and the echo coming back. It felt like a very good scene idk. I think it was random but was so cool. And like Kaladin never gave the guy the flute lol idk what happened there 🤷‍♂️

[@epiphoney]

So the Parshendi at the end with the shardblade, that wasn't the guy talking to Dalinar in the visions? He seemed to know him. Check out the best of graphicaudio clips on youtube of The Way of Kings. The Sanderson avalance was good but it was work getting there. So who is that a picture of on the cover?

[@matthewevans5486]

You've probably answered your own question by now but the person talking to Dalinar in his visions is basically a voicemail left by a dead god to help humanity prepare for a new Desolation. The Parshendi is just a Parshendi trained to use the blade and plate

[@Williamtolduso]

Can’t wait for rythm of war! Hey are you reading the sample chapters and will you do a video about them?

[@mikesbookreviews]

Maybe before it gets here but I haven’t read them yet.

[@Arezoo298195]

Mike's Book Reviews How do you resist! I refresh the page continuously every Tuesday until the chapter drops!

[@dig8634]

@@Arezoo298195 I just need the physical book in my hand. That's how I resist.

[@holdenpop12]

Did anyone else just not care about Kaladin’s brother Tien? I figured his death would be way more brutal, and direct from a lighteyes given Kaladin’s hatred of them. I felt bad for Kaladin’s loss for sure, but I never really thought much or even cared about Tien and his portrayed “innocence”.

[@alexvandepoel4845]

Get ready to wait till book 10 for Jasnah's backstory

[@luketufts6827]

I thought that was like book 6 or 7 🤔

[@alexvandepoel4845]

Brandon just changed the ordering of the backstory books

[@alexvandepoel4845]

And her part got changed to part ten

[@luketufts6827]

huh, ok. thanks

[@c0barsm]

"I will protect those who can not protect themselves"

[@matthewevans5486]

"I accept there are people I will not be able to protect"

[@Mug-of-Beans]

So no spoilers for other Cosmere books, but I just wanna compare this to Branderson’s other Cosmere stories. For reference my first experience with Branderson was actually because of the Infinity Blade game on smartphone. I thought the lore was interesting , and decided to pick up the novella since it was cheap, having never heard of and not caring who the author was. But I knew good writing when I saw it. Saw people recommending Mistborn, picked that up, and the rest is history. At this point in my Cosmere reading experience, the only book I haven’t actually finished yet that’s been released as of right now is Bands of Mourning, though the Alloy of Law stuff is a bit of a spinoff that I would consider a bit lighter than the full length affairs. Way of Kings is definitely the slow burn world builder of Sandy Brandy’s work, I’d even argue among the other books in the Stormlight Archive so far. Actually what I think sets this first book apart from a lot of the other Cosmere books is that the overall state of the world itself is actually very unchanged at the end of this book. I personally find it more common in the Cosmere stories for the world to be DRAMATICALLY changed from its state at page one to the end of the book, so I think it’s worth noting that at the end of this book the only changes that have occurred are the standing of characters and their relationships with others, and if anything new was discovered about the world, like surgebinding or Shadesmar, that’s not something that changed so much as something that was already there and has been found again. Largely Way of Kings is less about what is happening, and more about moving the pieces of the world and investing and familiarizing the reader with that world and characters, so that the TRUE craziness can begin happening from book 2 onward. I think because of that it’s probably the hardest to hang on to of all of the Cosmere stories that I’ve read, not for lack of quality, but because (as the old oaths suggest) this one’s about the journey. As someone who identifies as a fast reader I will fully acknowledge I did NOT read this one fast. There were a lot of breaks taken, and a lot of wondering if I’d stick around, but ultimately, it kept bringing me back. I would probably still reread this first before picking up Warbreaker or Elantris again, but for a more complete reading experience I would still probably recommend Mistborn instead. To draw an analogy, it’s like if the entire first book of Mistborn was about whatever mundane stuff that Kel’s crew were doing on their own, as well as Vin’s misadventures with her brother, before Kel brings them all together at the end of the book for an as of yet unknown job in the capital. And it’s also 250% longer. That wouldn’t necessarily make for a bad book, but it’s definitely a different experience. I certainly enjoy having a more complete experience, but there are pros to the other approach as well, namely the ability to world build, and feed details about the world to your reader. I know this works because I can remember Stormlight’s world is called Roshar without having to look it up online. I actually think I wouldn’t be able to wholeheartedly recommend this book, if there wasn’t at least one other book in the series out right now, but there’s two already out, and another coming in November. I think Words of Radiance and Oathbringer (which is my favorite so far, although maybe it’s because I finished it recently) go a long way toward providing that more complete experience I was talking about earlier. Since I know those details are there and that they are forthcoming, I think I can give The Way of Kings a full recommendation. Especially since I know Branderson is gonna help you get some good payoff with your new degree in Voren social dynamics. Nice set of videos, and will be looking forward to others~

[@madisongoodyear5040]

Gahhhh!!! What a great reminder of how great this book was

[@colin1818]

"You just like her because she's a redhead" Yep. Love me some redheads.

[@rickeydeyoung9096]

Couldn't agree with your thoughts more. Great review.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks!

[@DemonMage]

Just started rereading the series for a refresher for November. Rereading Szeths opening I noticed how Kal survived being on the front of the bridge. edit: eff Moash.

[@chilliverse7326]

Bridge 4 - my favourite part of the book other than Syl, Kaladin and pattern.

[@mikesbookreviews]

*Bridge Four Salute*

[@matthewevans5486]

Excited humming

[@vanhohenheim5206]

I finished the book like 2 or 3 weeks ago and was wondering if the Lord Ruler forgot about Galivar Shardblade and armor since Elhokar is wearing the one Dalinar got on the plain. You'd think in such world were the value of those would be like a nuke that the kingdom would be using it or actively searching for it. Maybe it's revealed further in the series.

[@animalobsessed1]

Elhokar owns both sets, but a guy can only wear one shardplate at a time XD

[@whitneypanda]

I’m late to the party, just finished tonight. As a female I was just a little sad that I feel like Shallan had the least intriguing plot to me in this book. I think it was just because Kaladin and Dalinar/Adolins storylines were so action packed and interwoven. I am very excited to see how her story progresses though! I love seeing strong ladies in fantasy.

[@matthewevans5486]

The second book is Shallan's book (like this book was Kalladin's book) and it's the one that got her on my top 5 Stormlight characters list. Jasnah is also high on that list

[@kn1ghtus]

Great review

[@EdgeOfEntropy17]

What do you mean by changing your eating habits to cure chronic depression? Please let me know.

[@CrapSandviche]

So excited!!!! Let have a beer at The Bearded Fox!!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I miss your face, Bubba.

[@RobbieLee90]

Journey before destination 🤌

[@animalobsessed1]

Okay, I only recently got into reading, and I mostly read $5 ebooks, and I'm just looking at the background and trying to estimate how much money you've sunk into that collection?

[@DBTex1]

I have a confession I have not dared to utter before. I have not read oathbringer yet because I cant bring myself to read edgedancer. I hate Lift. Hate. After talking with a friend who has told me of her future roll in the series, my motivation for the series died. She feels like a bad YA character got dropped in the middle of a Masterpiece.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha. I've told people if he really intends to make her a major focal character of the second 5 books, I might just stop after this first 5 book arc is done.

[@matthewevans5486]

@@mikesbookreviews that's how I feel about the Parshendi characters we're introduced to in WoR. I find Lift irritating yet endearing but the Parshendi characters just bore me

[@dennicaid7682]

Honestly? You don't have to read Edgedancer if you hate Lift that much. It takes place before Oathbringer and it adds some behind the scenes knowledge, but I didn't have a copy of it until after I read Oathbringer and it wasn't really confusing to have skipped it. I don't mind Lift at all, and I enjoyed reading the novella - but if you're going to hate it that much, skip it ;) Oathbringer is a fabulous book.

[@bethlockwood9949]

My thoughts exactly! it's taking me SO LONG to get through Edgedancer because of her

[@emilythesincere]

@DBTex1 oof, yeah. She’s a lot. To second what everyone else is saying, just skip Edgedancer. As far as I know, it’s not critical to Oathbringer (though I am still reading that one now).

[@sjkrum320]

Absolutely love this book and everything in it! When Dalinar gave up his blade....literally cried for a full minute with goose bumps! And Sadius is a DICK!!!

[@elcee8]

My favorite part is when we see a life sized Sylphrena who tells Kaladin finally what kind of spren she really is at the Tower. I didn't see that coming. It really showed what Kaladin truly is.

[@epicgamer2727]

Spoilers for the sequels, but honestly I dislike Shallan and Szeth alot as the series progresses. (Both are IMO extremely unlikable Mary Sue's) Dalinar started out an interesting character but the turns in his character and the visions he consistently gets are really grating by the end of book three IMO. I love the Way of Kings a lot, its a super strong book, and Words of Radiance is almost as good but I found as the series progresses the real reason I want to read is simply due to Kaladin's character. I really feel of all of Sanderson's characters in any of his series, Kaladin is the one who stands above. His development and character arc is extremely satisfying and I really enjoy the struggle to do good by others he embodies but frankly alot of the other characters are just uninteresting or straight up annoying. I will likely reread the first three books now thanks to your video though so thoughts may change on a reread. Glad you reminded me the fourth is on it's way so its a good chance to give the third book another shot. Way of Kings is still a 10/10 book overall.

[@luketufts6827]

I have some different opinions 🙃 Shallan is a Mary Sue? Personally, I don’t like her character that much, but I would never call her that; she is insanely damaged and has seeeerioous issues. As for Szeth.. his progression is not going to come in the form of becoming more powerful (at least primarily, I can’t predict the future). Not every character arc has to be the character starting out weak and becoming powerful

[@snowman9631]

Have u really heard ppl say they didnt like kaladin... After the first chapter with him i was all in for kaladin and ive re read the way of kings 2 twice just from his pov...