Book Review: The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson (Part 1)
A little while back, my boyfriend and I were strolling through Barnes and Noble and I asked him to pick me out a book. I usually rely on the library for my book fix (I'm a bit of a book dragon), but that day, I had a $50 Visa gift card burning a hole in my wallet. I'm always a bit cautious when approaching the fantasy section, as I've found male fantasy authors tend to be especially egregious when portraying women (check out r/menwritingwomen or r/nothowgirlswork to see what I mean). However, my boyfriend assured me that Brandon Sanderson could write women well, so I decided to give his books a try. I ended up purchasing the first two books of the Stormlight Archive series: "The Way of Kings" and "Words of Radiance."
“Life before Death.
Strength before Weakness.
Journey before Destination.”
― Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings
Now, before we go any further, be aware that there might be mild spoilers ahead, so tread carefully.
Summary
In case you're unfamiliar with The Stormlight Archive, it's a stunning epic fantasy series set in the enchanting world of Roshar. And when I say stunning, I mean that you can sense the love and passion Brandon Sanderson pours into every single paragraph. The story primarily revolves around three main characters: Kaladin, a former soldier turned slave; Shallan, a scholar and artist; and Dalinar, a warlord seeking vengeance for his brother.
“Too many of us take great pains with what we ingest through our mouths, and far less with what we partake of through our ears and eyes.”
― Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings
The Alethi people are locked in an ongoing war against the Parshendi, and amidst the battles, an ancient power begins to awaken. There are layers of political intrigue, secret societies, hidden agendas, and masterful world-building. It's impossible to condense all the events of the first two books into just a few paragraphs, so all I can say is: go read them. Trust me, it's worth it.
Review & Takeaways
I won't sugarcoat it—these books are hefty (and I've just picked up the next two, which are even bigger!). However, unlike many fantasy authors like George R. R. Martin who seem to revel in unnecessary details (fight me, GOT fans!), I never once found myself bored or overwhelmed by Sanderson's storytelling. There's heart in every single page, and if you're not yet a fan of big books, this series will convert you.
“The world isn't fair? What a huge revelation! Some people in power abuse those they have power over? Amazing! When did this start happening?”
― Brandon Sanderson, Words of Radiance
Out of all the characters, my absolute favorite is Kaladin. While I enjoy Shallan and Dalinar's chapters (especially in the second book), there's something about Kaladin that deeply resonates with me. He's had everything ripped away from him—family, freedom, pride—by an unjust upper class, yet he manages to thrive against all odds. He experiences profound loss, battles with despair, and somehow finds the strength to persevere. What I love most is that his journey isn't instantaneous; he has to put in the work. He makes mistakes, breaks promises, and fights against his own sense of hopelessness every step of the way. He's a genuine and beautifully flawed character, which makes his redemption in the second book all the more satisfying.
“Somebody has to start. Somebody has to step forward and do what is right, because it is right.”
― Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings
For me, these books are about hope. They're about choosing to be a better person, even when the world seems stacked against you and everything is falling apart. You can still choose kindness. You can still choose to keep going, to fight the good fight. In today's world, we need that reminder more than ever. It's easy to look around at all the chaos and feel defeated. That's why I find fantasy, especially well-written fantasy like this, so incredibly beautiful. Ordinary people have so little control in our communities, much less in larger society. Meanwhile the wealthy sit on top of their dragon hoard while the floodwaters rise around us. But fantasy teaches us that tyrants can fall and the most humble among us can be more powerful than kings.
In the book, there's this legendary group called the Knights Radiant. I shared their First Ideal at the beginning, but I want to mention it again, along with my interpretation of what the words mean:
Life before Death: Death comes for us all, but before we die, we have the incredible opportunity to live. Simply surviving, counting down the days until our final moments, isn't enough. We must treasure every moment, seize every opportunity, and appreciate every breath.
Strength before Weakness: Obstacles are chances for growth. We owe it to ourselves to keep trying, to keep fighting. Focus on our strengths, be grateful for what we have, and never give up.
Journey before Destination: There will always be new goals, greener pastures to reach. If we fixate solely on the end, we'll never find true happiness. Most of our lives are spent on the journey itself, so we better learn to savor every step.
I highly recommend this series to anyone, even those who aren't typically drawn to fantasy. I'm about to dive into the third book, Oathbringer, and I'll be sure to update you with another review soon. Stay tuned!
You can pick up The Way of Kings, Words of Radiance, and the rest of the Stormlight series at your local library. Or, purchase the set at Bookshop.org to support local bookstores, thrift some copies at thriftbooks.com, or purchase on Amazon.
