The Way of Kings

I do not know how to start this review. I feel like if I start listing down all the good things in this book, I'll just end up copying the whole book down word-to-word. That's how good it was. But let's try to write a coherent review as best as it can be done, without any spoilers. Most of the reviews on goodreads are more about the author and less about the characters so let me try to sell this book based on the characters, and not the reputation of the author (He's great, though :D).

I bought the Gollancz UK editions which consists of two parts per book, so that I could carry this book around with me and not be overwhelmed with the sheer number of pages in it. After having finished book one, all I want to say is – Increase the page count! Give me moreee!

Part One contains the slow building up of a crescendo, making us familiar with the characters and their motivations through their backstories. Part Two is just chaos left and right which leaves you gasping in horror!

Dalinar Kholin is a Brightlord of Alethkar, whose brother was the King (murdered in Chapter 1), and is now fighting alongside the other Brightlords of Alethkar on the Shattered Plains to fulfil the Vengeance Pact (The words mean exactly what they sound like). So Roshar is a world where men don't really live by honour (much like our real world). They do what they like, they subdue those they think to be lesser than them, and they don't trust each other, even if they all serve the same king.

Now, this is where Dalinar differs from them. Dalinar lives by something called as ‘The Codes', which tells you how to live your life with honor. How to live with obedience and principals – and not lavishly. If you are a soldier, then you should act like one in all facets of your life, and should not be lax at any given point of time. After his brother's death, Dalinar started wondering why his brother had acted differently during his last years, and started following in his footsteps by following the teachings of a book called ‘The Way of Kings' (yes, it's an actual book in the story). Now this book says, that a King should not ask his people to do something that he himself won't be willing to do.

In short, Dalinar Kholin is the one good Brightlord in this storming book (everyone else can go jump into a chasm!).

“We follow the codes not because they bring gain, but because we loathe the people we would otherwise become.”

Kaladin

“Somebody has to start. Somebody has to step forward and do what is right, because it is right.”

Shallan

“Brightness...I believe you stray into sarcasm.”
“Funny. I thought I'd run straight into it, screaming at the top of my lungs.”

Things I liked:

Things I didn't like:

- Sadeas -_-