The Way of Kings
First edition book cover
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| Author | Brandon Sanderson |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Isaac Stewart Ben McSweeney Greg Call |
| Cover artist | Michael Whelan |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Stormlight Archive |
| Genre | Epic fantasy |
| Publisher | Tor Books |
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Publication date
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August 31, 2010 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover and paperback), audiobook, e-book |
| Pages | 1007 (Hardcover) |
| ISBN | |
| OCLC | 799352269 |
| 813/.6 | |
| LC Class | PS3619.A533 W375 2010 |
| Followed by | Words of Radiance |
The Way of Kings (WOK) is the first book of The Stormlight Archive epic fantasy series written by American author Brandon Sanderson. It was published by Tor Books and released on August 31, 2010. In 2011, it won the David Gemmell Legend Award for best novel. The unabridged audiobook is read by narrator team Michael Kramer and Kate Reading. Upon first publication, The Way of Kings consisted of one prelude, one prologue, 75 chapters, an epilogue and 9 interludes. It was followed by Words of Radiance in 2014.
The publication of The Way of Kings was delayed when Sanderson instead decided to focus on his Mistborn trilogy. 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. On July 8, 2010 the next three chapters (4-6) were released in audio format exclusively on the Tor Website. 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. On August 26, 2010 chapters 12 and 13 were released exclusively on the Tor Website
The backstory of the novel revolves around a recurring disaster known as the Desolation where monstrous Voidbringers ravage the world and human life hangs in the balance. To counter the threat, the Knights Radiant (so named for their glowing aura and eyes) possess magical armor and swords known as Shardplate and Shardblades as well as magical powers. The last Desolation was believed to be the final one, and has become a time of myths and legends, in particular as the Knights Radiant left behind their weapons and armor and disappeared into obscurity. In reality, the Knights Radiant could no longer bear the great burden and lied. Their discarded armor and swords remain as some of the most priceless heirlooms.
The magic of the world is based on gemstones that glow with light for many weeks after reoccurring, powerful storms known as high-storms. These commonplace gemstones are also used as mundane currency in merchant transactions, as well as interior lighting at night in wealthy houses and palaces. Drawing in this "stormlight" energy is what fuels magical talismans of priest-wizards (the gem encrusted gloves called Soulcasters) that convert into another form, such as stone into grain, or people into stone, and powered gemstone constructs known as fabrials, such as a fabrial that creates red light and heat to replace wood in a fireplace. Soulcasting and fabrials are typically only owned by the nobility. The nobility is also based on eye color, blue eyes being seen as the purest royalty due to the association with the legendary Knights Radiant who had glowing eyes.
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