The Way of Kings: Difference between revisions
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==Pre-publication== |
==Pre-publication== |
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The [[publication]] of ''The Way of Kings'' was delayed when Sanderson, instead, decided to focus on his [[Mistborn series|Mistborn trilogy]].<ref name="blog_page_explanation" /> |
The [[publication]] of ''The Way of Kings'' was delayed when Sanderson, instead, decided to focus on his [[Mistborn series|Mistborn trilogy]].<ref name="blog_page_explanation">{{cite web|url=http://www.brandonsanderson.com/blog/785/Baffled-Editor|title=Brandon Sanderson Blog: Baffled Editor|publisher=[[Brandon Sanderson]]|date=May 12, 2009|accessdate=February 27, 2010}}</ref> |
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On June 10, 2010 the prologue and the first three chapters of the book were released, along with an introduction by Sanderson, as a preview on the Tor website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brandonsanderson.com/blog/894/Preview-THE-WAY-OF-KINGS-on-Tor.com|title=Preview THE WAY OF KINGS on Tor.com|accessdate=2010-06-10}}</ref> |
On June 10, 2010 the prologue and the first three chapters of the book were released, along with an introduction by Sanderson, as a preview on the Tor website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brandonsanderson.com/blog/894/Preview-THE-WAY-OF-KINGS-on-Tor.com|title=Preview THE WAY OF KINGS on Tor.com|accessdate=2010-06-10}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 18:37, 14 October 2010
 First Edition Book Cover | |
| Author | Brandon Sanderson |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Isaac Stewart Ben McSweeney Greg Call |
| Cover artist | Michael Whelan |
| Language | English language |
| Series | The Stormlight Archive |
| Genre | Epic fantasy |
| Publisher | Tor Books |
Publication date | August 31, 2010 (official) |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 1007 (Hardcover) |
| ISBN | 978-0-7653-2635-5 |
The Way of Kings is an epic fantasy novel by Brandon Sanderson that was released on August 31, 2010 by Tor Books.[1] It is the first volume in a planned ten-novel[2] series called The Stormlight Archive.[3]
Plot
The world of The Way of Kings is one constantly assaulted by hurricanes, referred to in the book as highstorms.[3] Flora and fauna have evolved to cope with this condition.[3]
In response to an attack by malignant entities (known as Voidbringers),[3] the "Almighty" fashions magical weapons and suits of armor, called Shardblades and Shardplates.[3] The "Almighty" equips knights, known as Radiants, with these,[3] and, eventually, the Radiants defeat the evil Voidbringers.[3]
Then, for unknown reasons, the Radiants turn against mankind, ignoring their cause and vanishing. They leave their Shardplates and Shardblades for all that want them, thus creating wars and strife.[3] The book begins at a phase where warlords have, for many years, been gathering armies around Shardblade-wielding fighters.[3] These armies fight over possession of the remaining Shardblades,[3] in an attempt to acquire enough for a decisive advantage.
Sanderson describes the plot specific to The Way of Kings on the Barnes and Noble forums:
The book follows a young spearman forced into the army of a Shardbearer, led to war against an enemy he doesn't understand and doesn't really want to fight. It will deal with the truth of what happened deep in mankind's past. Why did the Radiants turn against mankind, and what happened to the magic they used to wield?[3]
Viewpoint Characters
The primary chapters within the book are told from the viewpoint of several major characters, while the book's interludes are told from the viewpoint of other characters (not all of which repeat).
- Prelude: Kalak, one of ten Heralds of the Almighty. This takes place 4,500 years before the events of the first chapter.
- Szeth-son-son-Vallano, 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 wielder of Stormlight.
- Kaladin: 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.
- Shallan: 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.
- Dalinar Kholin: 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Characters in a single interlude only:
- Ishikk: A resident of the Purelake region of the world.
- Nan Balat: A minor lighteye from Jah Keved. Brother to Shallan.
- Rsyn
- Axies the Collector
- Baxil
- Geranid
Pre-publication
The publication of The Way of Kings was delayed when Sanderson, instead, decided to focus on his Mistborn trilogy.[4]
On June 10, 2010 the prologue and the first three chapters of the book were released, along with an introduction by Sanderson, as a preview on the Tor website.[5]
On July 8, 2010, the next three chapters (4-6) were released in audio format exclusively on the Tor Website.[6]
On August 5, 2010, chapters 9 and 11 were released exclusively on the Tor Website. Tor wrote that they did not release chapters 7, 8, and 10 because they wanted to focus on the storyline of Kaladin, one of the main characters.[7]
On August 26, 2010, chapters 12 and 13 were released exclusively on the Tor Website[8]
Reception and sales
An early review from the website Unshelved gave the book a positive review.[9]
A review from Elitist Book Reviews pointed out small problems with the book, but gave an overall positive opinion of the book.[10]
In its first week of release the book was #7 on The New York Times Best Seller list.[11] In subsequent weeks the book was #11,[12] #20,[13] and #25.[14]
The website SFReviews.net gave the book a mixed review, praising Sanderson's writing and creativity, but criticizing its extreme length and overall dearth of action.[15]
References
- ^ "Amazon.com: The Way of Kings". Amazon.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "Brandon Sanderson: EUOLogy: My History as a Writer". Brandon Sanderson. October 2008. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Re: Post Questions For Brandon Sanderson Here!". Barnes & Noble. Retrieved February 27, 2010.. The book has 75 chapters, along with a prelude, a prologue, an epilogue, and nine interlude chapters.
- ^ "Brandon Sanderson Blog: Baffled Editor". Brandon Sanderson. May 12, 2009. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "Preview THE WAY OF KINGS on Tor.com". Retrieved 2010-06-10.
- ^ http://brandonsanderson.com/library/catalog/The-Way-of-Kings_Sample-Chapters/
- ^ "*New* Chapters 9 & 11 of the Way of Kings: Now Available Exclusively on Tor.com." 18 Aug. 2010 <http://www.tor.com/wok/register.>., also from email from Tor.com to members
- ^ "*New* Chapters 12 & 13 of the Way of Kings: Now Available Exclusively on Tor.com." Tor.com: 26 Aug. 2010. 26 Aug 2010 <http://www.tor.com/wok/register>., also from email from Tor.com to members
- ^ "Unshelved review of "The Way of Kings"". Retrieved 2010-08-27.
- ^ "Elitist Book Reviews: The Way of Kings".
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|Accessdate=ignored (|accessdate=suggested) (help) - ^ "The Way of Kings is a New York Times Bestseller". Retrieved 2010-09-08.
- ^ "Best Sellers: Hardcover Fiction." The New York Times, 17 Sept., 2010. 4 Oct., 2010 [1].
- ^ "Best Sellers: Hardcover Fiction." The New York Times, 24 Sept., 2010. 4 Oct., 2010 [2].
- ^ "Best Sellers: Hardcover Fiction." The New York Times. 1 Oct., 2010. 3 Oct., 2010 [3].
- ^ "SF Reviews.net: The Way of Kings / Brandon Sanderson". Retrieved 2010-09-22.