The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson

It's all a matter of context. As I look back over one of the very first reviews from this blog SEVEN years ago (where has the time gone!), I am amazed at the difference. With a completely different context, The Way of Kings was a completely different book for me. I remembered certain plot points and all of the characters, but the context of my perspective made it an entirely new book.

The true brilliance of Brandon Sanderson was appreciated in this read through. The time structure and odd quotes at the beginning of each chapter is a little off to me still, but there are a lot of points and context that need set up for this series. The structure was better appreciated this time around. 

We begin with the ancient history of Roshar, and then proceed up to the story of the main protagonists. Major events are broken into Parts with (what I'm assuming will become important) side stories as Interludes between each event.

The Way of Kings also follows the personal history of Kaladin woven throughout the book. These chapters serve as building blocks for why Kaladin has become a part of Bridge Four, and why he reacts in his way.

The personal concepts of honor and glory, how we interact with our world, magic, and the afterlife just really speak to an epic fantasy. It is Sanderson's ability, however, to make those concepts left to the reader to ponder (showing not telling) that makes his series my favorite books to read. I really want a spren of my own.

As I had read this book previously, and did still mostly remember the story, there were large swaths that I skimmed through, making this read through move along better than I hoped for a book coming in at 1,100 some pages. I closed out the book thinking about the "more" to life, and incredulous at the difference seven years can make. People's response to this book will be a benchmark of character for me.