Words of Radiance

The Stormlight Archive, Book 2

By: Brandon Sanderson

Narrated by: Michael Kramer, Kate Reading

From number one New York Times best-selling author Brandon Sanderson, Words of Radiance, audiobook two of the Stormlight Archive, continues the immersive fantasy epic that The Way of Kings began.

Expected by his enemies to die the miserable death of a military slave, Kaladin survived to be given command of the royal bodyguards, a controversial first for a low-status "darkeyes". Now he must protect the king and Dalinar from every common peril as well as the distinctly uncommon threat of the Assassin, all while secretly struggling to master remarkable new powers that are somehow linked to his honorspren, Syl.

The Assassin, Szeth, is active again, murdering rulers all over the world of Roshar, using his baffling powers to thwart every bodyguard and elude all pursuers. Among his prime targets is Highprince Dalinar, widely considered the power behind the Alethi throne. His leading role in the war would seem reason enough, but the Assassin’s master has much deeper motives.

Brilliant but troubled Shallan strives along a parallel path. Despite being broken in ways she refuses to acknowledge, she bears a terrible burden: to somehow prevent the return of the legendary Voidbringers and the civilization-ending Desolation that will follow. The secrets she needs can be found at the Shattered Plains, but just arriving there proves more difficult than she could have imagined.

Meanwhile, at the heart of the Shattered Plains, the Parshendi are making an epochal decision. Hard pressed by years of Alethi attacks, their numbers ever shrinking, they are convinced by their war leader, Eshonai, to risk everything on a desperate gamble with the very supernatural forces they once fled. The possible consequences for Parshendi and humans alike, indeed, for Roshar itself, are as dangerous as they are incalculable.

©2014 Dragonsteel Entertainment, LLC (P)2014 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

2015 Audie Audiobook of the Year Winner, Winner

2015 Audie Award Finalist, Short-listed

2014 Audible.com Best of the Year, Long-listed

2014 Apple iBooks Best of the Year, Long-listed

OMG AMAZING!

If you could sum up Words of Radiance in three words, what would they be?

IT'S FUCKING AMAZING

What was one of the most memorable moments of Words of Radiance?

Renarin Crashing while jumping off the battlements over and over and over again..

What does Michael Kramer and Kate Reading bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

They do a great job bringing the story to life

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

the whole book moves you

Any additional comments?

I love this book

Missed opportunity

For the life of me, I cannot understand why, if you have a male and a female voice Actor, Why you would not have the male read the male parts and the female read the female parts. Instead they split the duties of reading the book. Just when you are used to hearing a character sound a certain way, the other voice Actor puts their spin on it. Why would you have a female doing male voices when you already have a male voice actor? Otherwise....they read well.

Sanderson's magnum opus

Would you listen to Words of Radiance again? Why?

Yes, you almost need to. The amount of detail and life breathed into the world and characters is staggering and begs for multiple readings.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sil. She has a jovial and whimsical nature that reminds me of childhood. Her interactions with Kalidin are always fantastic.

Which character – as performed by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading – was your favorite?

I think Dalinar is Michael Kramers finest work.

Any additional comments?

Mistborn series is childs play when stacked up against this more mature and artful masterpiece. Must read for any fantasy fan.

Dosen't dissapoint. Great Sequel

If you could sum up Words of Radiance in three words, what would they be?

Fall then Rise

What did you like best about this story?

The suprises at the begining and and end of the book that caught me off guard. I also liked how the book answered questions from the last book partly and expanded on the world and gave us more questions.

What about Michael Kramer and Kate Reading ’s performance did you like?

The switch between their voices for male and female viewpoints was great, they really know their characters voices, though kate could practice male shouts of pain and horror a bit more.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, unfortunately I couldn't take the time off and stay up for 2 days straight.

The Wind Walker has arrived his name is KALADIN!!!

I wished the whole book was about Kaladin and read by Michael Kramer. In book two Kaladin takes over the Kings guard and he takes the slaves of bridge 4 to a different status. DALINAR is at the point in his life to leave his Black Thorn days behind and become a politician. Dalinars son Aladun Is winning all the schard blades in the kingdom and it won't be enough to stop the white assassin. But the assassin is after The High Prince Dalinar not the King and only Kaladin can save him. After three schard barerrs can't defeat the white assassin Kaladin finds out he is special he finds out he is the Knights Radiant but he's not the only one!!! Later on in the book Shallan comes into her own and with her own schard peace she finds out she is special like Kaladin and she is the only one that can stand up to Kaladin!!! The two will grow together and become unstoppable. It's up to Dalinar to lead his people into the future and bring the Radiance together. I've read almost every book by Brandon Sanderson and this is by far his best series so far and that's a huge boast!!! Must read