Words of Radiance

“Brightness,” the man said as she stepped up to him, “we aren’t what you think we are.” “No,” Shallan replied. “You aren’t what you think yourselves to be.”

This is a superb, massive, sweeping work of majesty. The size didn't put me off in the least, and I found myself devouring every bit with unparalleled relish. The structure is familiar from previous works, although I did feel that we learn a lot more of Shallan than of Kaladin in this installment. I grew to respect her more in this book too, and partly that's to do with narrative style.

"The woman was poised, in control, but also obviously exhausted. The mask was cracked, and Shallan could see the truth."

There's a huge sense of something brewing in this book, and the climax, when it comes, feels comparatively short because Sanderson so deftly juggles a huge cast of complex and nuanced characters throughout. Some subplots plateau and, if they don't resolve they at least fall into alignment as we expect, but others are clearly there for the future of the series and that's amazing to anticipate, too.

"Vines withdrew, rockbuds closed. Grass hid in its holes. They knew, somehow. They all knew."

I must say, the one really impressive thing I got from this book was the way in which the whole novel builds toward the conflict and discovery at the end without tying everything else down. The overarching theme is that "something is coming" but the characters still flair, brilliantly, whilst awaiting it.

"They might idolize him, but they did not isolate him. It was good enough."

Kaladin's scenes are not, by any means, neglected. The bridgmen are well and thriving, and the variety of spren keep the links between the characters fresh. There's a great section with Kaladin and Shallan both in a chasm, and any other author would have surely exploited the confluence with the powers as they were. Not Sanderson, he really knows how to play a long game.

I didn't enjoy Wit so much, and at times, I felt the comedic flirtation was too strong. On the other hand, the interleaving of viewpoints mid-chapter, especially as the pace of the action increased, was literary ambrosia, and the whole world is so well painted that it's an absolute pleasure to be in it. Even characters like Ym made me want to read on and on, that's no small thing.
The books no small thing either: Just looking back at this year, This marvelous, huge novel is larger than 8 books I've already read with some pages left over! I would happily pick up book 3 in the series right here and now if it was available, and I really cannot wait to see where the the series goes next.

Original review (2014)

Way of Kings is one of my favorite fantasy books, one which I've read multiple times in skimming. This means, that the burden on Book 2 (WoR) was very heavy. And yet, it manages to maintain that spirit over from WoK.

This book manages to shock you, make you laugh or cry, taking you through an emotional roller-coaster ride. Sometimes all at the same time. This is the book of Shallan, and we watch as she changes from Jasnah's frightened ward to something else (I won't say what). Kaladin, on the other hand grows as a character, taking decisions that may cost him his life.

As for the other PoVs, the interludes were amazing, especially Lift and Eshonai's (the two interludes released before the book). I really liked Adolin's point of views, and its endearing how Sanderson has managed to give him his own life, without casting him to Dalinar's shadows.

Dalinar is more of a politician in this book than a soldier. He is brilliant in the couple of fight scenes we see him in, and watching him rule the kingdom is really amazing.

The world-building reaches the high bar that Sanderson has set for himself, and then crosses far above it. We get to see a live chamsfiend, captured sprens, real Honorblades, a duel of 5 shardbearers, an everstorm, Oathgates, and lots of other spoiler-ish things. One of my favorite moments was when 2 characters are basically talking to each other over spanreed, giving the world its own version of IM. Sanderson plays to his strength in building the amazing world he craeted in WoK.

So, should you read it? Absolutely yes; but please do read WoK before attempting this one. Even though you could read it without the first book, knowing Kaladin's backstory is important to really understand the choices he makes. Plus, Roshar is not a world to be understood in just one Book. The few shortcomings in the book are so far and few in between that I can essentially neglect them (esp in a book of this size).

Can't wait for Book 3.

## Re-read thoughts (2020)

(Spoilers for Cosmere below)

Re-read this in anticipation of Rhythm of War (comes out Nov 2020). Every bit as good as I remembered it. It is nice to catch more tidbits about the heralds, Evi, spren, and actually understand them in context of the world as we know it now. The emotional roller coaster was as good as last time. Sanderson changed a scene slightly for a character after the book was published, and if you're re-reading this - you might wanna get an updated edition, or read a summary here.