Words of Radiance
Ratings1,248
Average rating4.7
I read Way of Kings a little while back, and while I enjoyed it, it didn't really completely capture me and I put off reading this one. I'm glad I came back to it though, because I really got into this book.
I think it can be a little cheesey at times, but I love the idealistic characters and the way they learn about their powers over time. I will definitely get to Oathbringer sooner.
Mysterious, dangerous magic, vendettas and high stakes battles keep you on the edge for this entire book. Characters you want to succeed have moments of glory, mixed with despair.
This was probably the best book of the first three. It was pretty amazing. However, I stopped reading the third book because it just felt so... slow. I can't really say why. It felt like all the progress we made was reset and everything was starting over and I just didn't have the patience to continue reading. I will come back to this series from the beginning, but for now... this book is a 5 star.
After Reading the way of kings I thought to myself, “How could Brandon Sanderson do better than that”... he did.
My only criticism of this book is the pacing of the beginning. Unlike the first book, which had a slower, more deliberate rhythm, this one felt rushed at the beginning.
Enjoyed book two, though it could probably have been a hundred or three pages lighter. If you get to book two, pay attention to the vignettes between parts - they all come back at some point to be relevant again. If you sloughed though book one, you should keep reading book two, Sanderson does a decent job of keeping the story going. My only complaint was I felt like there was a little too much foreshadowing/obvious outcomes. Then again, this is Sanderson, so book three will probably turn all of that over on its head and prove everything we thought we knew was wrong.
This book will never get old. The wow moments are a little less impactful on audiobook than they were reading it the first time but I still had chills and had to completely stop to process at a few different points. If you listen, just be ready for the sanderlanche to be interrupted by long strings of numbers every once in a while. The first time that happened I was completely thrown off.
I had heard before reading this that it was the best of the series so far. I disagree. Its still good, but I wasn't quite as engaged as I was with The Way of Kings. I still really enjoyed the characters, but I feel as if the plot and pacing were drawn out artificially at some points. Also the "witty" diologue that Sanderson writes for certain argument scenes was a bit cringe. When they move past that and get down to brass tax about themselves as people though, it becomes really great character work.
These opinions are liable to change upon reflection or reread. This is coming fresh off of just finishing it.
Following up the unforgettable journey of The Way of Kings was always going to be hard, but somehow Sanderson even managed to surpass it. Now that our three main characters are finally together, their journeys reach greater heights and even lower lows.
Still excels in heartbreaking back stories. Characters grow in believable and engaging ways. Sometimes however, you want to reach out and strangle some of them for the choices they are making but it mostly works out. Lots of moral questions to think about. Some are answered divisively from what I gather from other readers including myself but they are believable still. There's still alot of setup and a relaxed pace early on but the minor conflicts are enough to keep you going. The world remains interesting and vividly described. A good read.
this book had some serious highs! love how sanderson builds up to the epic battles, specifically the big arena showdown and the whole finale in this one. but tbh the book felt pretty bloated overall.
kaladin's still my fave, but some of the earlier chapters with him and adolin and shallan always switching pov are so stormin' infuriating. i get the whole clash-of-personalities thing, but it got old real quick, especially when so many more interesting story elements were glossed over instead.
the world-building still takes my breath away however, and i found myself really falling head over heels for the interludes this time around, such a neat way to expand the wider world as the story rolls on.
Brandon Sanderson said, “Words of Radiance? BET”
OKAY BUT FOR REAL HOW DO I EVEN PUT INTO WORDS HOW GOOD THIS BOOK WAS??!?
Like got be giggling over adolin, kaladin AND SHALLAN?? Book one me would have LAUGHED IN YOUR FACE. Also the entire kaladin arc was CHEF KISS. UGHHH AND THE CHASM SCENE??? Played like the best movie scene in my head. TIME TO KING ARTHUR AND THE KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND SOREN THIS SHITTTTT BOOK 3 HERE I COMEEEEE
It's 1:30 in the morning and I'm just stunned. What an epic second installment. This book just help push everything that was great in the first book and hits its stride. A tad disappointed in one character being absent most of the book. But that's just a personal thing. GO READ THIS SERIES
While this was a long listen - (Audiobook Graphic Audio) it was such a good story. I needed to take several breaks to come down to earth after some of the major climaxes happened. I'm not sure I could push though without the help of audiobook but I cannot recommend this book and series (so far) enough!
One of the best books he's made that's for sure. No,I'd say one of the best fantasy books ever made. It's incredible how he managed to keep the ball rolling after the first book ending.
The pacing was excellent, all the characters and their development were all very rewarding to read and discover. Shalan's backstory was great, all the new powers and spreen were great too and many other things that just worked and improved the flow of the story that I could just keep talking all day about it.
All of Kaladin's fighting were great if you've read you know that there are 2 scenes in particular that it's just so hype.
10/10 book.
Shallan was amazing in this. I loved her already in the first book but she barely in it and very timid. I loved her attitude in this book. I was a bit frustrated with the characters, no one knew about each other and they kept everything secret, which is the most annoying thing. But it did make the ending more satisfying, for sure. Good these books are long, but they are always worth it.
How can you morn your favorite characters when all of them return from dead? Looking at you, Szaeth, Syl, and Jasnah.
this book and series has been absolutely amazing and has been the only book i can actually pick up and read for hours at a time
