Book Review: Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson
Find your way back to Roshar in the second installment of The Stormlight Archive.
I initially started this review with:
- WOW
- No notes
- 5 stars
But I suppose I should elaborate a little on that. 😂 I am in awe by the storytelling in this book. The structuring of this book really lent to some amazing storytelling.
While The Way Of Kings focused a lot on Kaladin’s background and motivations, Words of Radiance put a lot of focus on Shallan’s character development. She is quickly becoming one of my favorites (and has been an inspiration to pick up a sketchbook again!).
"A woman's strength should not be in her role, whatever she chooses to be, but in the power to choose that role."
There were some great twists in there, some I saw coming and others I didn’t.
1305 pages should count as 3 books, yes? It took a few weeks to read but it was well worth it. The last half only took a few days because the pace quickly picked up, and the “Sanderlanche” does not disappoint!
"Honor is dead. But I'll see what I can do."
I loved this book. It made me kick my feet, curl up with laughter, and at one point it got thrown on the floor in disbelief. I could not contain the glee I felt when my favorite characters were finally in the same room bickering with each other. Just brilliant. I can’t wait to continue with Oathbringer!
Rating: ★★★★★
Book Summary
- Title: Words of Radiance (The Stormlight Archive, #2)
- Author: Brandon Sanderson
- Genre: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy
- Who Should Read It? Anyone who's read the first installment of this epic, incredible series.
Synopsis: Expected by his enemies to die the miserable death of a military slave, Kaladin survived to be given command of the royal bodyguards, a controversial first for a low-status "darkeyes." Now he must protect the king and Dalinar from every common peril as well as the distinctly uncommon threat of the Assassin, all while secretly struggling to master remarkable new powers that are somehow linked to his honorspren, Syl.
The Assassin, Szeth, is active again, murdering rulers all over the world of Roshar, using his baffling powers to thwart every bodyguard and elude all pursuers. Among his prime targets is Highprince Dalinar, widely considered the power behind the Alethi throne. His leading role in the war would seem reason enough, but the Assassin's master has much deeper motives.
Brilliant but troubled Shallan strives along a parallel path. Despite being broken in ways she refuses to acknowledge, she bears a terrible burden: to somehow prevent the return of the legendary Voidbringers and the civilization-ending Desolation that will follow. The secrets she needs can be found at the Shattered Plains, but just arriving there proves more difficult than she could have imagined.
Meanwhile, at the heart of the Shattered Plains, the Parshendi are making an epochal decision. Hard pressed by years of Alethi attacks, their numbers ever shrinking, they are convinced by their war leader, Eshonai, to risk everything on a desperate gamble with the very supernatural forces they once fled. The possible consequences for Parshendi and humans alike, indeed, for Roshar itself, are as dangerous as they are incalculable.
