Michael's Reviews > The Way of Kings

** spoiler alert ** This is an extremely enjoyable read. The world is exceptionally well built and described. The characters are genuine, and you find yourself really relating. I cried multiple times because the characters said and felt things that I feel no one else understands in me, and I don't care if Chuck knows it either. The reveals are shattering, and when the characters do something you really care. The story arc with Shallan caused me a lot of anxiety, and Kaladin's struggle of caring is one you want him to overcome, yet you know it's never that easy when you are completely exhausted. Dalinar's naivete is almost frustrating, as is his son's lack of support. When Dalinar did what he did for Kaladin, I found myself saying NO! but then glad that he did, and just... ugh. I can't even form a coherent review.

Yes, it is long. No, it is not non-stop action. The great thing about a song is when it isn't the same monotonous thing all the way through. The quiet parts of a loud song are all the more meaningful. In the same way, people want short, no thinking books that are nothing but thrill after thrill, and it's tiring and poor development to do something like that. Action sells Transformer movies, but a book series has to have greater depth than that, and the action would be so muted if it was a constant factor.

1,000 pages later and none of the characters are boring, never was there a page that felt as if it was written just to fill pages, the plot has not bored me yet. The author doesn't preach at you, but he does say meaningful things. He is a mormon, yet his writing is not an attempt to persuade you as many religious authors do. It is an entertaining book that doesn't have a bunch of sexuality disgusting nonsense like Game of thrones with its overly graphic brother-sister relationships. The action is very balanced, with good description without glorifying it, unique actions scenes with creative world building elements like the stormlight, and neither pacifist or overly gory. In a world that relies on nothing more than sex and blood, this was extremely refreshing. Not overly predictable, although some parts could be guessed if you had been paying close attention.

It never felt tedious though you feel the character's frustrations. Sanderson had me second and third guessing whether Dalinar is crazy or sane.

I fully intend to continue with this series, and I already have volume two purchased. This series has also helped me to deal with Robert Jordan's leisurely "wheel" series, which I am reading. Although you get an ok look at the world, it leaves you wanting more. I'm ready for book 2, I don't feel like I need a break.

He occassionally repeats stuff, as many as 3 times, but in a 1,000 page book with so much stuff to remember, it hit a lot different than Stephanie Meyer's continual repetition of the same basic information. Onward!