The Way of Kings PDF Free Download

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Book overview

   The Way of Kings is an epic fantasy novel written by American author Brandon Sanderson and the first book in The Stormlight Archive series. It was published on August 31, 2010 by Tor Books and consists of one prelude, one prologue, 75 chapters, an epilogue and 9 interludes. It was followed by Words of Radiance in 2014, Oathbringer in 2017 and Rhythm of War in 2020.

   The novel revolves around recurring disasters known as Desolations, where Voidbringers ravage the world and human survival is in the balance. To counter the threat, the Knights Radiant possess magical armor and swords, and their discarded armor and swords remain as priceless heirlooms. The magic of the world is based on gemstones that glow with light and are used as mundane currency and interior lighting. The Way of Kings is a book about the world of Alethkar, where nobility is based on eye color and flora and fauna have adapted to highstorms. Spren, spirits that react to emotions and the environment, are so common that many people take them for granted.

   The book received critical acclaim and praise for its extensive world-building. The Stormlight Archive is a series of epic fantasy novels, with positive reviews from Unshelved, Elitist Book Reviews, SFReviews.net, KeepingTheDoor.com, and Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time, George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, and Robin Hobb’s The Realm of the Elderlings.

   The book is told from the viewpoint of several major characters, including Edit Szeth-son-son-Vallano, Kaladin, and Shallan Davar. He is accompanied by an Honorspren named Sylphrena, who gives him his power with Stormlight and the level of sentience she possesses. Shallan Davar is a minor lighteyes from Jah Keved. Jasnah Kholin is a skilled artist who learns to Soulcast without a Soulcaster.

   Dalinar Kholin is a highprince of Alethkar, brother to the slain King Gavilar, uncle to the current king. Adolin Kholin is a lighteyes of Alethkar and heir to his father’s highprince seat. Navani Kholin is a skilled artifabrian who loves Dalinar and attempts to rekindle a relationship with him.

Summary of The Way of Kings

   The story revolves around Kaladin, Shallan Davar, Szeth-son-son-Vallano, Dalinar Kholin, Adolin Kholin, and several other minor characters. Szeth is sent to assassinate the king of Alethkar and possesses an Honorblade and access to powerful powers. The Parshendi claim responsibility for the assassination and Elhokar goes to war with the Parshendi. Highprince Dalinar questions the Alethkar way of life and experiences visions of the ancient Knights Radiant.

   Kaladin is a darkeyed villager with a burning hatred for lighteyed nobles. He volunteered to go to war for a local lord, but fails to protect his brother, leading him to become a better fighter. He manages to rally the other men and turns them into a team that can survive, but is beaten violently and left outside during a highstorm to die.

   Shallan, a minor lighteyed woman, hatches a daring plot to switch a broken Soulcaster with a working one belonging to Jasnah Kholin. When Jasnah learns that Shallan also has the inherent ability to Soulcast, she forgives her and instructs her in the proper use of their shared power.

   Several characters from different countries and social strata become aware of the danger and develop the ability to channel stormlight, a kind of radiant energy, which helps them perform magic. Dalinar Kholin, a fierce warrior and the current Alethi king’s uncle, is inspired by an ancient text, The Way of Kings, which refutes the aggressive and competitive Alethi culture.

Prelude to the stormlight archive

   Kalak rounded a rocky stone ridge and stumbled to a stop before the body of a dying thunderclast. The beast had long limbs and deep red spots on its face. He rounded the creature, picking his way across the battlefield. The sounds of pain and grief hung in the air.

   Smoke curled from patches of growth and burning corpses. The Dustbringers had done their work well. Kalak survived, but was sent back when he died. Kalak survived the Desolation and was supposed to go back to the place he dreaded. However, only one of the ten survivors was waiting for him, Jezrien.

   Jezrien looked young and had a short black beard, but his clothing was scorched and stained with blood. Kalak asked Jezrien if the others had died, and he replied that only one had. Jezrien’s voice was calm, deep, and regal, and he always seemed to know what to do.

   Kalak and Jezrien are returning to the place where they went between Desolations. Jezrien is chosen to wait for Kalak, and it is time for the Oathpact to end. Kalak looks into Jezrien’s eyes and sees anguish, grief, and cowardice. The battlefield is full of corpses and living men in primitive wraps.

   Jezrien and Kalak are joined by a powerful figure in beautiful silver plate. Jezrien believes the Radiants are enough for them, but Kalak refuses to remain bound by the enemy. Jezrien and Kalak decide to leave the Oathpact and leave their Blades behind. Jezrien tells Kalak that they will tell the people that they finally won, an easy lie. Kalak watches Jezrien leave and summons his own Blade.

Review

   The re-read of The Stormlight Archive began with The Way of Kings, which follows three characters: Kaladin, Shallan, and Dalinar Kholin. There is an ongoing war against the Parshendi, caused by the assassination of King Gavilar five years ago. Battles and skirmishes take place across the Shattered Plains and the novel features deep histories, legendary armour and weapons, and sprens of many types. The Way of Kings is a series about two main characters, Kaladin and Dalinar. Kaladin’s flashbacks are well-timed and relate to current happenings, while Dalinar’s sections are mainly current-day scenes dealing with politics, war, and differences in ideals among the highprinces. Dalinar holds dear the ideals of honour and the writings from The Way of Kings, and has started having visions during highstorms.

   The Way of Kings is a story about Shallan, a character who finds herself wanting to become the ward of Jasnah Kholin, Dalinar’s niece. Through this book, we are introduced to Soulcasting and Stormlight, two magic schemes that give the wielders powerful powers and capabilities. Other notable characters include Rock, Sigzil, Moash, and Teft, as well as Wit, a mysterious and riddle-weaving character who has an extremely memorable scene with Kaladin and a flute-like instrument. The Stormlight Archive is an enchanting, majestic, and magical fantasy series. It is 1118 pages long and features a betrayal, battle, showdowns, and resolutions that are well-realised.

   It is rated 9/10 and will be revered in fifty years. It is one of the first recommendations for someone wanting to try adult fantasy.

   The Way of Kings is a goliath and the first in a massive series by Brandon Sanderson. It is a modern fantasy with a feeling of the Wheel of Time. It is a phenomenal feat of a more modern fantasy that still has the feeling of series like the Wheel of Time. It is similar to the Red Rising Saga in the way it is written, story, characters and genre. The Alethi are at war on the Shattered Plains with the Parshendi for the assassination of their king.

    This war has been waged for 6 years and is fuelled by a pact of vengeance. There are skirmishes, large-scale battles, duels, talk of old-magic, scholarly trips into old texts, battles with giant beasts, and mystical Blades. Sanderson’s excellent writing pulls readers from the story.

   The first instalment of The Assassin in White is a work of art, featuring a variety of characters from Dalinar the Blackthorn, Kaladin, Shallan, Adolin, and Szeth. Each character has a unique history, and each has a voice unto themselves. Dalinar is a warrior and brother to the assassinated king, while Kaladin is enslaved and Shallan is a scholar hoping to be Jasnah Kholin’s ward. Adolin is a shardbearing son who sees his purpose in the duel but is unable to act on it due to his father’s codes. Szeth is linked to the entire conflict by one night.

   Dalinar is a man of the Codes, but no longer trusts his own judgement. He is strong, an expert swordsman and warleader, along with Gallant and Rhyshadium, a horse giant.

The Way of Kings PDF Free Download