The Way of Kings (2010) (edit title/settings)

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Summary edit see section history

Characters edit see section history

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• Dalinar: Add a description of this character.
• Der Mann
• Kaladin
• Kopf
• Blick
• Boden
• Jasnah Kholin
• Fels
• Adolin
• Stein
• Kalak: One of ten Heralds of the Almighty. His name is used in exclamation during the course of the book.
• Frau
• Stirn
• Schulter
• Weise
• Sadeas
• Wasser
• Sohn
• Hellheit
• Dann
• Diener
• Ende
• Speer
• Holz
• Stelle
• Messer
• Hellherr
• Vater
• Lage
• Kugel
• Blatt
• Knie
• Recht
• Jezrien: King of and one of ten Heralds of the Almighty. His name is used in exclamation during the course of the book. Looked young, like a man barely into his thirtieth year. He wore a short black beard that was neatly trimmed. Though he hadn't worn a crown in centuries, his royal manner lingered. He always seemed to know what to do.
• Krieg
• Brückenmänner
• Tisch
• Bruder
• Talenel aka Taln: One of ten Heralds of the Almighty. Had a tendency to choose seemingly hopeless fights and win them. He also had a tendency to die in the process.
• Osten
• Tod
• Grund
• Geld
• Gasse
• Stimme
• Grimasse
• Schallan
• Ishar: One of ten Heralds of the Almighty. Believed that as long as there was at least one of the Heralds bound by the Oathpact, it may be enough. He believed that it might even be enough to end the cycle of Desolations.
• Gavilar Kholin: The former Alethi King who died 5 years earlier, brutally assassinated by the "Assassin in White". His death put an end to the peace treaty he had just signed with the Parshendi engaging the whole kingdom in a fruitless war to settle the "Vengeance Pact". It was known that he had hallucinations towards the end of his life, speaking in gibberish and mentioning an ancient book entitled "The Way of Kings."
• Szeth-son-son-Vallano aka Szeth-son-Neturo aka The Assassin in White aka Truthless of Shinovar: An assassin from the land of Shinovar. He refers to himself as a "Truthless" who must serve those who bear his Oathstone. Bearer of a Shardblade and a Windrunner. As a truthless he is forced to obey those who own his Oathstone although he cannot kill himself nor give his blade to anybody. Owned by the Parshendi five years prior to the beginning of the story, he had been ordered to kill Gavilar for reasons he, himself ignores. Since then he's been owned by petty thieves and crooks who never understood the extent of his abilities.
• Kaladin Stormblessed: A darkeye, or peasant, from the nation of Alethkar during the main timeline of the book who is forced to serve on a bridge crew in the army of Highprince Sadeas. Formerly an apprentice learning surgery from his father, and a member of the army of the Brightlord Amaram.
• Tien: Kaladin's younger brother. Small for his age, he always wore a smile and had a strange fascination for stones. He died brutally during the war. His death started a change in Kaladin...
• Syl: A mysterious windspren who slowly changes after meeting Kaladin. At first just a normal spren, she discovers she has a name - an oddity for a spren - slowly starts to remember her forgotten past and understand human concepts such as "death", "lying", "good" or "bad". She develops a true friendship with the young bridgeman.
• Shallan Davar: A minor lighteye, or noble, from the nation of Jah Keved. Her family has fallen on hard times after the death of her father. She seeks to be accepted as the ward & student of the scholar Jasnah Kholin, sister to King Elhokar of Alethkar. A skilled artist who can with a single glance remember and recreate a scene.
• Navani Kholin: Widow of King Gavilar, mother of King Elhokar and Jasnah. A skilled artifabrian (one who creates devices known as fabrials).
• Wit: The King of Alethkar's "Wit", similar to a Jester. His real name is unknown but he also refers to himself as Hoid, a recurring name in Brandon Sanderson's works.
• Dalinar Kholin aka the Blackthorn: A Highprince of Alethkar, brother to the slain King Gavilar, uncle to the current king. Nicknamed the Blackthorn. A general who helped unite the kingdom with his brother. A man who experiences visions during the highstorms. Bearer of a Shardblade and Shardplate. The former King's younger brother and current King's Uncle. Cannot forgive himself for not being able to protect his brother when the latter was assassinated five years earlier. One of the few Highprinces who follow the Codes, is fiercely loyal and overprotective of the King. Has strange visions containing bits and pieces of the past when highstorms occur which threatens his position as it diminishes his credibility. Shardbearer.
• Adolin Kholin: A lighteye of Alethkar and heir to his father Dalinar's highprince seat. A skilled duelist and a bearer of a Shardblade and Shardplate. Dalinar's oldest son. Is 23. Believes his father is going mad but still fiercely loyal to him. Hope his father regain his Alethi spirit and fights back the rumors that surround him. Suspects Sadeas of plotting against his father and eventually the King and is sure his father is going mad. Shardbearer.
• Renarin Kholin: Dalinar's youngest son. Known to be a bit "slow" and of not having inherited Dalinar's talent for swordsmanship like his older brother. Although belittled by other highprinces, Renarin doesn't feel any animosity or jealousy towards either his father and brother to whom he remains fiercely loyal.
• Lady Navani: King Gavilar's widow. Mother of Jasnah and Elhokar, she's a scholar who specializes in fabrial engineering. Has been courted by both Gavilar and Dalinar in her younger days before choosing to marry Gavilar. Her feelings for Dalinar are obscure although she appears to be the only woman - with Jasnah - that Dalinar fully trusts.
• Brightness Jasnah Kholin: Only daughter of Gavilar, Jasnah is a heretic scholar who calls herself a "Veristitalian" i.e she searches " for answers in the past, reconstructing what truly happened" choosing "projects that <she> feels were misunderstood or misrepresented" in order "to better understand the present". She currently studies the voidbringers and the legends about the radiants which she thinks must be related to the assassination of her father. She is also one of the most powerful soulcaster of the Kingdom of Alethkar which is quite particular since she's no believer and only ardents are allowed and given the secrets of using soulcasting. Wise but fiercely independent, she likes to think for herself and hates the way ardents want everybody to believe in what they consider the truth.She is also extremely fond of her uncle Dalinar.
• Elhokar Kholin: The Alethkar King. Brother of Jasnah, he took his father's place after his brutal assassination. Described as paranoid, he's certain assassins are out there to kill him. Still quite immature, he relies heavily on the advice of highprinces Sadeas and Dalinar to rule his Kingdom although his paranoia has led him to suspect Dalinar of plotting against him. Completely clueless when it comes to authority and political intrigues, he doesn't know that his very decisions are making the Kingdom even more instable.
• Teft: Bridge Four's second in command under Kaladin.
• Brightlord Torol Sadeas: One of the two most powerful Highprinces of Alethkar. Former friend of Dalinar
• Rock: One of the first members of Bridge Four to accept Kaladin as Bridgeleader. Horneater and former cousin of a Horneater noble.
• Moash: A bridgeman.
• Brother Kabsal: Ardent who befriends Shallan in Kharbranth. Tells Shallan that he is on a mission to convert Jasna to Vorinism. Possible love interest to Shallan.
• Dallet: Kaladin's second-in-command while in Amaram's army.
• Sigzil: A bridgeman.
• Highmarshal Amaram: Lighteyes war hero and famous general who recruits Kaladin and Tien while in Hearthstone.
• Leyten: Bridgeman in Kaladin's crew. Is injured early on but is treated by Kaladin and becomes a vital part of the crew.
• Dunny: A young bridgeman
• Brightlord Lamaril: Brightlord in charge of the bridge crews.
• Dabbid: One of the bridgemen in Bridge Four of Kaladin's crew. Is injured on a bridge run and loses the ability to speak.
• Vstim
• Tvlakv: A slave-trader.
• Drehy: A member of Kaladin's bridge crew.
• Danlan Morakotha: Adolin's latest girlfriend. She is a scribe for Dalinar.
• Gaz: Seargent of the bridge crews.
• King Taravangian: King of Kharbranth.
• Derethil
• Brightness Hashal: A lighteyes officer who becomes commander of the bridgemen
• Highprince Hatham
• Hesina: Kaladin's mother. Particularly witty.
• Makkek: One of Szeth's masters. Ambitious.
• Nightwatcher: Wielder of the Old Magic
• Cenn: A young boy who fought in Kaladin's spear-squad in Amaram's army.
• Highprince Ruthar
• Janala: One of Adolin's many girlfriends.
• Harl
• Ashir
• Alabet
• Coreb: One of the members of Kaladin's spear-squad in Amaram's army.
• Nohadon: Ancient Philosopher King, wrote The Way of Kings, and ruled during the Desolations.
• Sigzil: A Worldsinger and bridgeman in Kaladin's crew. He has seen much of the world.
• Geranid
• Inkima: One of Adolin's friend's girlfriend. She has an annoying laugh and doesn't look good in red.
• Eylita
• Maib
• Natir
• Hoid: One of the King's Wit's many names.
• Nanha Terith
• Smokestance
• Tukks: Taught Kaladin how to fight with a spear.
• Brightlord Matal: Oversees the bridgemen of Sadeas' army.
• Nu Ralik
• Yake
• Varth
• Yalb: A sailor who accompanied Shallan to the Pallaneum.
• Gare
• Malasha: One of Adolin's many girlfriends.
• Hallaw
• Baxil
• Master Artmyrn
• Bluth
• Hobber: A member of Kaladin's bridgemen crew.
• Brightlord Havrom
• Heb
• Took
• Ishikk
• Brightlord Roshone: The citylord of Hearthstone.
• Rilla
• Luesh: A servant of Shallan's family.
• Avaran
• Kadash
• Khav
• Jakamav
• Jam
• Skar: A member of Kaladin's bridgemen crew.
• Natam
• Shen
• Gadol
• Nan Balat: Shallan's oldest brother. Married.
• Tozbek
• Axies: A man with really bad luck.
• Kelek: One of the ten heralds. Also known as Kalak. His name is often used as an exclamation.
• Thresh
• Laral: A lighteyes from Hearthstone. Kaladin had a crush on her as a young boy.
• Prince Renarin: Adolin's younger brother and Dalinar's youngest son. He suffers from a "blood weakness" and does not go to battle.
• Narm
• Toorim
• Taffa
• Laresh
• Highprince Vamah
• Lopen: A one-armed man with a Hezdredian accent. He is a member of Kaladin's bridgecrew.
• Malop: A member of Kaladin's bridgecrew. Not the brightest orb in the spherepouch.
• Dalar
• Peet: A member of Kaladin's bridgecrew.
• Scrak
• Brightlord Wistiow: A citylord of Hearthstone.
• Brightlord Resi: Champion Shardbearer of Highprince Sadeas' army.
• Bashin
• Lirin: Kaladin's father, and local surgeon of Hearthstone. People think what he does is unnatural. He never charges for his services.
• Rysn
• Bisig
• Asha Jushu: One of Shallan's brothers.
• Gabrathin
• Alaxia
• Jost
• Vun Makak
• Durk
• Miliv
• Naget
• Elthal
• Reesh
• Grump
• Toral
• Highprince Aladar
• Brightness Litima: One of Adolin's many girlfriends.
• Amark
• Maps: A member of Kaladin's bridgecrew. He has a birthmark shaped like his homeland on his chest.
• Stormfather: A Vorin/Alethi deity.
• Corl
• Earless Jaks: A member of Kaladin's bridgecrew.
• Teshav
• Teleb
• Szeth-son-son-Vallano aka Szeth-son-Neturo aka The Assassin in White aka Truthless of Shinovar: A deadly assassin from Shinovar. Cursed to do the bidding of his masters.
• Sani
• Seeli
• Alakavish
• Highprince Roion
• Gavashaw
• Uncle
• Nalan ' Elin: A herald of the Last Desolation.
• Brightlord Amaram: The first Brightlord Kaladin served under.
• King Elhokar: Gavilar and Navani's son and Dalinar's nephew.
• Emuli

Quotes edit see section history

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

  The Radiants

• “"wine was the great assassin of both tradition and propriety"” “But expectations were like fine pottery. The harder you held them, the more likely they were to crack.”“"An excuse is what you make after the deed is done, while a justification is what you offer before." p753”

  Au-Nak

• “"I must proclaim that no good can be achieved of false means. For the substance of our existence is not in the achievement, but in the method. The Monarch must understand this; he must not become so focused on what he wishes to accomplish that he diverts his gaze from the path he must take to arrive there" p818”

  Extract from the Way of Kings told by Dalinar to King Elhokar and HIghprince Sadeas

• “"wine was the great assassin of both tradition and propriety"”

• “But expectations were like fine pottery. The harder you held them, the more likely they were to crack.”

• “"An excuse is what you make after the deed is done, while a justification is what you offer before." p753”

  Au-Nak

• “"An excuse is something you claim, but do not believe (...) while a justification is something you actually believe." p753”

  Highprince Hatham

• “"The finest defense of character is correct action. Acquaint yourself with virtue, and you can expect proper treatment from those around you." p 819”

  Dalinar

• “"'Care, but not too much. Take responsibility, but don't blame yourself.' Protect, save, help--but know when to give up." p 875”

  Lirin, father of Kaladin quoted by Kaladin

• “"The death is my life, the strength becomes my weakness, the journey has ended."”

  A scholar

• “"It strikes me that religion - in its essence - seeks to take natural events and ascribe supernatural causes to them. I, however, seek to take supernatural events and find the natural meanings behind them. Perhaps that is the final dividing line between science and religion. Opposite sides of a card." p 979”

  Jasnah

• Popular Highlights from Kindle Customers

• “‘And so, does the destination matter? Or is it the path we take? I declare that no accomplishment has substance nearly as great as the road used to achieve it. We are not creatures of destinations. It is the journey that shapes us. Our callused feet, our backs strong from carrying the weight of our travels, our eyes open with the fresh delight of experiences lived.

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• For the substance of our existence is not in the achievement, but in the method.

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• “The purpose of a storyteller is not to tell you how to think, but to give you questions to think upon. Too often, we forget that.”

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• The means by which we achieve victory are as important as the victory itself.”

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• ‘Life before death. Strength before weakness. Journey before destination.’”

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• “The finest defense of character is correct action. Acquaint yourself with virtue, and you can expect proper treatment from those around you.”

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• I myself find that respect is like manure. Use it where needed, and growth will flourish. Spread it on too thick, and things just start to smell.”

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• But expectations were like fine pottery. The harder you held them, the more likely they were to crack.

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• “Death is the end of all men!” Dalinar bellowed. “What is the measure of him once he is gone? The wealth he accumulated and left for his heirs to squabble over? The glory he obtained, only to be passed on to those who slew him? The lofty positions he held through happenstance? “No. We fight here because we understand. The end is the same. It is the path that separates men. When we taste that end, we will do so with our heads held high, eyes to the sun.”

  Highlighted by 107 Kindle customers

• “You will find wise men in any religion, Shallan, and good men in every nation. Those who truly seek wisdom are those who will acknowledge the virtue in their adversaries and who will learn from those who disabuse them of error.

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Setting & Locations edit see section history

• Renarin
• Splitterklinge
• Taffa
• Lohn
• Parschendi
• Kluftteufel
• Roschar
• Sturmlicht
• Alethkar
• Farben
• Roion
• Mündel
• Gaz
• Alethi
• Seil
• Wissenschaft
• Sind
• Bergen
• Hellauge
• Janala
• Szeth
• Sattelgurt
• Essen
• Stadtherrn
• Brückenmannschaft
• Handbewegung
• Nuatoma
• Kabsal
• Gavilar
• Brückenlauf
• Kholinar: Capital of the Alethkar Kingdom. Currently administered by King Elhokar's wife.
• The Shattered Plains: This is the place where Parshendi and Alethi battle to gain gemhearts. On an almost daily basis, Alethi and Parshendi race to gain control of the plateaus when Chamsfiends - sort of crab-like monsters within which gemhearts glow - appear. Here bridgemen such as Kaladin and his colleagues have to carry bridges to allow Alethi soldiers to pass from plateaus to plateaus. Although the capital of Alethkar is Kholinar, due to the ongoing war with the Parshendi, most of the Kingdom and all of the highprinces with the King have been living there for more than 6 years.
• Natanatan aka the Granite Kingdom: The name of the Kingdom which, according to ancient legends, used to be located on the current Shattered Plains. The reason of its mysterious disappearance is unknown.
• Sesemalex Dar: Capital of the Kingdom of Emul. One of the most ancient cities in Roshar (the World the story is taking place in), a city built into carved rocks in the ground. Rumored to have been named by Jezrien also known as Stormfather.
• Kharbranth
• Roshar
• Palanaeum
• Jah Keved
• Hearthstone: Small city where Kaladin grew up.
• Urithiru
• Shinovar

Organizations edit see section history

• Parshmen: Add a description of this organization.
• Knights Radiant: Soldiers of legend who fought against the Voidbringers. First people to wield Shardblades.
• Ghostbloods

First Sentence edit see section history

Table of Contents edit see section history

Glossary edit see section history

• Thunderclast: An enormous stone beast with a vaguely skeletal shape, long limbs, and riblike protusions from its chest. It has granite shoulders and deep red eyes, set in an arrowhead shaped face. Its hand is as long as a man is tall.
• Surgebinder: One who practices Surgebinding. The Radiant's were an order of Surgebinders.
• Surgebinding: A talent where the wielder uses the power of Stormlight. To power Surgebinding, the user literally consumes Stormlight, drawing the light through their mouth into their bodies. They must then hold their breath to keep the Stormlight contained, which in turns allows them to invoke their abilities. As a Surgebinder invokes their abilities, the Stormlight that is used slowly leeches out of their bodies through their pores, causing the wielder to glow, or radiate light. The more powerful the ability the more powerful the glow. The Radiant's were able to use Surgebinding and Windrunning is a type of Surgebinding.
• Dustbringer: Describe this term.
• Shardblade: powerful swords which have the ability to cut through any non-living matter with ease. When used on living creatures they can kill with a single cut, when the blade passes through the spine, or render limbs useless when they cut through them. The only known defenses against a Shardblade are Shardplate.
• Desolation
• Oathpact
• Radiants
• Windrunning: Windrunning is using Surgebinding to affect gravity. It is described in three methods known colloquially among members of the Windrunners as the "Three Lashings." These are the Basic Lashing, Full Lashing, and Reverse Lashing.
• Mashala: Formal term for "Aunt" in the Alethi language.
• Spren: Spirit-like beings in the land of Roshar which either cause, or are drawn to, different conditions or emotions.
• Fabrials: Devices that use Stormlight to perform various functions, such as heating a room, blocking pain, Soulcasting, etc.
• Thaylens: Renowned traders and merchants native to an island nation. Possessed of very long white eyebrows and white beards on the males
• Alethi: Native to the nation of Alethkar, the Alethi are members of one of the four Vorin nations. They have a famed military heritage and are possessed of tan skin and dark hair.
• Veden: Native to the Vorin nation of Jah Keved, the Vedens are characterized by pale skin and reddish hair.
• Shin: A race native to the region of Shinovar, Shin have large eyes, bald heads, and stand shorter than most others, averaging roughly five feet tall.
• Parshendi: A proud, tribal race native to the Shattered Plains which possess a warrior culture. The Parshendi are viewed by many other races as savages. They have mottled red and black skin that forms patterns unique to each individual, and are at war with the Alethi during the novel's main timeline.
• Horneaters: A relatively rare race, Horneater is actually a term used by other races to describe them. They possess reddish hair, dark skin, and stand well over seven feet tall.
• Natanatani: Native to the Vorin nation of Natanatan, the Natanatani often wear gloves and have faintly bluish skin
• Soulcasting: a practice where objects are changed from one form to another. It has been shown to turn rock into smoke, purify the blood from poisons, and create food, and has many other uses. The only known practitioners of soulcasting are Jasnah Kholin, and the Ardents of the Vorin religion.
• Shardplate: full plate armor which both protects and strengthens their wearer. The armor provides protection against Surgebinding, as one wearing the armor cannot be "lashed" directly.Repeated strikes at the same spot on the armor by regular weapons or Shardblades can cause the armor to crack and break. The armor can be repaired or "regrown" though it is costly to do.

Themes & Symbolism edit see section history

• Heroism: Describe this theme.

Series & Lists edit see section history

Followed by Words of Radiance.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

1. Brandon Sanderson (Author)

Other Contributors:

1. Michael Whelan (Cover Artist)

First Edition edit see section history

Awards edit see section history

• Whitney Awards (2010: Best Speculative Fiction award, winner)
• Whitney Awards (2010: Novel of the Year, winner (tie))
• The New York Times Best Seller list (August 2010)
• David Gemmell Legend Award (2010: Best Novel, winner)

Classification edit see section history

• Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
• Dewey: 813

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Mostly because of the intense concepts and philosophy, not to mention the length, detailed and complicated world, mention of whores, the topics of slavery and human shields, and war-tempered violence as well as terrifying fantastical imagery.

Subjects edit see section history

• Books › Science Fiction & Fantasy › Fantasy › Epic

Links to Supplemental Material edit see section history

• Art/Maps The Way of Kings

More Books Like This edit see section history