This book toggles between the perspectives of many characters each from very different walks of life. Every main character grows over the course of this monolithic tome, however the information about these characters are revealed slowly and with great care. To preserve the mysterious and alluring nature of each character and the entertaining mystery of matching characters to the books vague descriptions on the back of the book, there will be no in depth character summary, however, I will describe the nature of the development in this novel.
The character growth in this novel is internal. Only one character grows in physical prowess over the course of the book, and even this physical change is treated as an afterthought. Instead characters are pushed to the brinks of their beliefs. One hits rock bottom, contemplating the purpose of his unfortunate life, and, by himself, must climb out of the depths of despair. Another must complete a dishonorable mission in order to save her family, but as her worldview changes and widens she must decide for herself if the ends justify the means. One must step up as voice of reason to an authority higher than himself and another clashes with the culture he was raised in. Each character’s actions slowly guide him or her to a breaking point, a place of irrevocable change where they grow and change or fall forever.
The Way of Kings is a masterpiece. The pacing somehow achieves a happy medium between slow and fast, allowing the book to progress steadily without ever feeling like its dragging. The slower pace allows for rich worldbuilding and constant character development, while fast action scenes propel changes in the plot.
The main plot of the book is also broken up by interludes. These interludes are a vector for worldbuilding, often offering new insight or perspectives to the events or culture of the main plot. These interludes are often slow as one-off characters are introduced for a short period, giving readers a glimpse at a life or society at contrast to the main one. Some readers will find this section tedious and slow, while others will appreciate how these small isolated tales contribute to a comprehensive worldview.
Along with a great pacing befitting a book of this size, comes and equally well done plot. As previously mentioned, the story is full of compelling narratives. All of the main story narratives had stakes just high enough for readers to be invested, but not too high as to break suspension of disbelief. Instead of the lives of main characters being at risk, it was often the loss of status or of loved ones. These actions, comparatively insignificant at first, would have lasting effects on the characters and on the situations these characters influence without putting a permanent end to the character, causing even small situations to seem extremely tenuous at all times.
Each of these varied subplots were driven by expertly crafted characters. Each character had different skills and was a force to be reckoned with. Some were intelligent and crafty, others were duty-driven and honorable, and others were powerful yet burdened with great sadness and hopelessness. As previously mentioned, some of the one off interlude characters could seem boring and uninteresting, but every single character had a unique history and motivation of their own. It is rare to find a book that can effectively create a cast of compelling main characters, much less an entire world of side character that feel and act like real humans.
Of course, no Brandon Sanderson novel is complete without his characteristic worldbuilding. Sanderson has done an amazing job building comprehensive worlds like the one of Mistborn and Skyward, however The Way of Kings, his best work yet. The world of Roshar is a beautiful one to behold, full of interesting customs and cultures as well as detailed social structures. He creates scholars attempting to explore and analyze the world around, competing religions attempting to rationalize the world’s mythic history, and an intriguing but compelling case for atheism that does not discredit the religion or the character. Even the landscape, flora, and fauna were explored and explain in great detail, making the world of Roshar feel real and alive. The societies felt real and self-sustaining, something many fantasy worlds fail at. What is even more amazing is that Roshar doesn’t appear to draw on any historical society for its world building. This book is truly the epitome of fantasy world building and deserves all the accolades it receives.
I give this 1,007 page book 5 stars.