The Way of Kings

I’m a big fan of the Cosmere, and have been saving The Way of Kings for after I’ve read most of the other books such as the first era of the Mistborn series. At over 1,000 pages, it can be daunting, especially for a book where there is a lot of build up, politics and character building. However, the payoff is worth the journey, and the journey worth the payoff.

The biggest thing you need to know about The Way of Kings is that the world we are set into is one of generations of historical mystery and legends that nobody quite understands the full story behind. The main characters we get POVs of are Kaladin, Dalinar, and Shallan, all part of the kingdom Alethkar. Each of them have their own personal journey of searching and perservering to change into something better throughout the events of the book. Each has their own approach to how they find that path. Sanderson doesn’t leave this purely to our imagination, he does an incredible job of filling us in on their stories and the world around them.

Alethkar is in war with the Parshendi (a completely different species from the Alethkar that are human), which we get the sense has been an endless war with no sight of a conclusion. Sadeas who holds a high title in the army, sends ‘bridgemen’ to create a path for the army’s cavalry, taking on the brunt of the attacks. Kaladin leads one of these bridge crews as a slave of Sadeas. However, throughout the book we see him go from being a member of the bridge crew to leading them and finding safe and new techniques that kept the bridgemen alive. We get to know Kaladin’s crew more intimately, and their different roles: Rock, Teft, Moash and more, each have their own story and background. Meanwhile, Dalinar and Shallan are on their own journeys.

Throughout the book you learn of oaths, honors and ideals, big themes that seeps into the story, and carry a larger meaning. Kaladin meets Syl, a fairy like being who reminds me a little of Navi who follows Link in the Legend of Zelda. Syl is a spirit attracted to and attached to Kaladin, and we see them develop a friendship. Her character also grows through the bond with Kaladin, and ultimately we see Kaladin transform with her. Nothing is more satisfying than when we read Kaladin swearing ideals and oaths and transforming into a hero with the help of Syl and his own personal journey and growth. The same goes for character defining moments that came from the journey we see Dalinar go through during the book.

There’s too much to cover in one review, but the biggest takeaway is what I mentioned earlier: the journey and the payoff are worth it. If you’re a fan of fantasy, have read the other Cosmere series such as Mistborn then I highly recommend The Way of Kings.

“Life before death. Strength before weakness. Journey before destination.”