The Way of Kings
The Way of Kings is an epic fantasy novel by American author Brandon Sanderson and the first book in The Stormlight Archive series.
The Way of Kings is an epic fantasy novel by American author Brandon Sanderson and the first book in The Stormlight Archive series. It was first published by Tor Books on August 31, 2010. The novel is set in Sanderson’s Cosmere universe and follows several interwoven storylines on the world of Roshar.
Publication
The Way of Kings was published on August 31, 2010, by Tor Books. It is the opening volume of The Stormlight Archive, which was planned as a long-form fantasy series.
Plot and setting
The novel is set on Roshar and centers on a world shaped by ancient wars, magical orders, and recurring catastrophes called Desolations. Its narrative follows several characters whose stories gradually intersect.
Main characters
Major characters include Kaladin, a soldier turned slave; Dalinar Kholin, a highprince troubled by visions; and Shallan Davar, a young scholar seeking training and information. Their perspectives drive much of the novel’s structure.
Series context
The Way of Kings begins The Stormlight Archive, a fantasy series that is part of Sanderson’s Cosmere setting. Later books continue the larger narrative and world-building introduced in the first novel.
Canada
The novel is widely available in Canada through English-language trade publishing and is part of a major contemporary fantasy series read by Canadian audiences.
Key facts
- It is the first novel in The Stormlight Archive series.
- The book was published in 2010 by Tor Books.
- It is set on Roshar, in Sanderson’s broader Cosmere universe.
- The story includes multiple point-of-view characters, including Kaladin, Dalinar Kholin, and Shallan Davar.
- The novel contains a prelude, prologue, 75 chapters, an epilogue, and nine interludes.
The novel is widely available in Canada through English-language trade publishing and is part of a major contemporary fantasy series read by Canadian audiences.
Frequently asked questions
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References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Way_of_KingsSupports: Author, genre, series membership, publication date, setting, and structural details.
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stormlight_ArchiveSupports: Series context and the relationship of The Way of Kings to The Stormlight Archive and the Cosmere.
- Internet Speculative Fiction Database — https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?1139069Supports: Bibliographic details including title, author, publication date, language, and series number.
- Brandon Sanderson Official Website — https://www.brandonsanderson.com/pages/the-stormlight-archive-seriesSupports: Official series context describing The Way of Kings as the opening novel of The Stormlight Archive.