Words of Radiance, book two of the Stormlight Archive, continues the immersive fantasy epic that Way of Kings began.
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 the low-status of "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 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 difficulty than she could have imagined.
Meanwhile, at the Shattered Planes, 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.
Loved
- Again, as I said in my review of Way of Kings, it's so hard to put all my thoughts about this book into a few paragraphs because of the scale of this story. It feels like writing a review about Les Mis or another classic in that book stands for itself- whether or not someone likes it, no one could dismiss its masterful writing, world building, and storytelling.
- Kaladin. I already raved about Kaladin a lot in my last review, but his character is just awe-inspiring. In this book he has a lot more conflict and I started to question some of his decisions and beliefs. But, as always, he came through and did the right thing- which is his trademark. I love that we get a little more personality out of Kaladin in this story as he interacts with all the other characters. He also starts to grow into his powers more, which leads to some completely rad battle moments.
- Surprising characters. Something I'm learning 2,000+ pages into this series is that Sanderson never has any black and white characters- at all. Not a single character is completely good or bad without some conflict, rough pasts, difficult decisions, and misguided beliefs. So many times in this story I've decided I hate a character, just to have him/her end up doing something brave, genuine, or honorable, which changed my perspective of the character. I think this is why his characters are so believable- because they are all very grey. Most of the characters in the story are trying to do the right thing in their situation, but sometimes make mistakes and bad judgment calls.
- The characters' relationships. This second book was particularly fun because the characters we are have come to know in their own realms start to interact and form relationships. I smiled and laughed to myself many times reading this as characters make judgments about each other, banter, and misunderstand each other. I also may have become teary once or twice when characters end up understanding each other and bonding over painful pasts (ahem, one conversation in the chasms). The coming together of the crew element in this story was hilarious, satisfying, and touching at times.
- The action. I'll be honest, I probably shouldn't listen to this series while I drive because during some of these action scenes I was so glued to the story that I didn't even remember how I got to work or got home . . . oops. These fighting scenes keep you biting your nails, sitting on the edge of your seat, and then cheering when something MIND BLOWING happens. After some of these scenes I just grinned the rest of the day because they were so. awesome.
- The honor theme. Throughout the whole series, but especially in this story there is a very prevalent theme of choosing to do the right thing, even when you have all the reasons in the world to do the easier or the wrong thing. I love that negative consequences happen when characters choose selfishness, revenge, or power lust over honor and integrity- because that's what also happens in real life. I love the deep respect for honor that Dalinar and Kaladin possess, and that honor is the founding principle of the Knights Radiant. It's refreshing to find a story that so ardently professes strong morals and upstanding character (sometimes it feels like it's hard to find books like that these days!)
- There is so much more to say! I think anyone who has read this could talk on and on about it because there is so much detail and development that happens in this story.
- Other things to love about this book: hilarious banter between characters, mind-blowing discoveries and plot twists, DUELS- hello one of the coolest parts of this book, the arranged marriage trope (one of my favorites!), more of Bridge Four's shenanigans, and a strong, healthy dose of wit to top off every conversation and awkward situation.
- Other things to love about this book: hilarious banter between characters, mind-blowing discoveries and plot twists, DUELS- hello one of the coolest parts of this book, the arranged marriage trope (one of my favorites!), more of Bridge Four's shenanigans, and a strong, healthy dose of wit to top off every conversation and awkward situation.
Didn't Love
- This book is pretty much just perfect. My only complaint is that Shallan drove me crazy for the first about two-thirds of the book because I didn't agree with her decisions and it felt like she was too brilliant for her own good. But I think her character is genius and that Sanderson did an amazing job of creating her development. It just took me a while to really understand and appreciate her, especially when she makes a lot of dumb decisions! ;)
Content
Content
- Language:
- Curses from the world "Storming," "Stormfather," "Almighty," etc.
- Very frequent uses of "bastards" and "damnation."
- Sexual content:
- A few kisses, not much described.
- Violence:
- Lots of violence!
- Many battle scenes where hundreds/thousands of people and Parshendi are killed by spears, arrows, lightning, and falling into chasms.
- Many people killed by Shardblades- which destroy your soul and burn out your eyes.
- Some raids where innocent people are chased, burned, and killed.
- A coach driver is killed by having his throat slit and the coach burned.
- Duels where characters are beaten, thrown, and almost killed.
- Drawn out fights where characters receive many ugly injuries and are healed again.
- Many people killed when assassins aboard a ship and the ship sinks.
- A strong secondary character is stabbed through the chest.
- A character murders another by stabbing his eye and "popping it like a grape."
- A child murders her father by poison and then strangling.
- A father is physically abusive to his children and servants- beating them and killing some. Disturbing scenes of domestic violence.
- A man murders his wife and her lover- a child witnessed the scene.
- A character processes his trauma by peeling legs off cremlings and animals until they die.
- Nations conquering other nations and talk of cities and tens of thousands of people dying through war and burning.
- A character is attacked by a friend and murders them in self-defense.
- Curses from the world "Storming," "Stormfather," "Almighty," etc.
- Very frequent uses of "bastards" and "damnation."
- A few kisses, not much described.
- Lots of violence!
- Many battle scenes where hundreds/thousands of people and Parshendi are killed by spears, arrows, lightning, and falling into chasms.
- Many people killed by Shardblades- which destroy your soul and burn out your eyes.
- Some raids where innocent people are chased, burned, and killed.
- A coach driver is killed by having his throat slit and the coach burned.
- Duels where characters are beaten, thrown, and almost killed.
- Drawn out fights where characters receive many ugly injuries and are healed again.
- Many people killed when assassins aboard a ship and the ship sinks.
- A strong secondary character is stabbed through the chest.
- A character murders another by stabbing his eye and "popping it like a grape."
- A child murders her father by poison and then strangling.
- A father is physically abusive to his children and servants- beating them and killing some. Disturbing scenes of domestic violence.
- A man murders his wife and her lover- a child witnessed the scene.
- A character processes his trauma by peeling legs off cremlings and animals until they die.
- Nations conquering other nations and talk of cities and tens of thousands of people dying through war and burning.
- A character is attacked by a friend and murders them in self-defense.
Overall Thoughts
Wow I don't even know what to say except that this series is seriously a masterpiece. Sanderson's depth and complexity in his world building, history, plot development, and character arcs is truly astounding. I really enjoyed Way of Kings, but it felt laborious to read at times because the characters and world are so new. But Words of Radiance was just pure joy to read in every chapter. By now we know the characters, we're familiar with the world, and we know where the plot is going (or we think we do at least . . . ) My favorite part about this book two was watching our characters that we are starting to understand and really care for come together and start interacting together. These new relationships served to create a lot of awkward moments, misplaced judgments, and some hilarious banter and insults. I laughed out loud multiple times during this story, but also found myself wiping away a tear or two as characters connect and sacrifice for each other. I was blown away by this story and I am so glad I still have multiple thousands of pages to go in this series :)
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