Words of Radiance Audiobook By Brandon Sanderson cover art

Words of Radiance

The Stormlight Archive, Book 2

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Words of Radiance

By: Brandon Sanderson
Narrated by: Michael Kramer, Kate Reading
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About this listen

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
Action & Adventure Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Military Fiction Royalty King Assassin Funny Emotionally Gripping War

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

Featured Article: The Best Brandon Sanderson Audiobooks


Brandon Sanderson is one of the best-known and most popular fantasy authors working today. If you're entering his wonderfully magical worlds for the first time, it can be daunting. Never fear! This guide will walk you through the best Brandon Sanderson audiobooks, from his most well-known series to his lesser-known (but equally excellent) standalone novels. So buckle up and get ready for days (yes, literally, days!) of amazing listening.

What listeners say about Words of Radiance

Highly rated for:

Rich World-building Compelling Characters Intricate Storytelling Satisfying Climax Emotional Depth
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Another Excellent Entry

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. If that person were looking for a long book that will hold their attention then I would definitely tell them to pick up both the first and second books.

What other book might you compare Words of Radiance to and why?

The Way of Kings because it is the first book in the series. Both are 1000+ pages that spend time really building a story with great characters that cause you to develop emotions for.

Have you listened to any of Michael Kramer and Kate Reading ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Michael Kramer and Kate Reading did an excellent job at dividing the chapters. The chapters are broken into perspectives. Most of the female perspective chapters are read by Reading and the male perspectives are read by Kramer.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Journey before destination.

Any additional comments?

I would highly recommend this book. Brandon Sanderson is at peak performance with this book. After reading all of his published books I am amazed that he is mastering his craft. This is an epic tale that I cannot wait for the next entry in the series.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Delivered!!

That's the Sanderson I've been waiting for!!!

Picks up the storyline and expands on it.

A couple parts felt a little bit cheezy (ala Stealheart and not Way of Kings), but not too bad.

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Great Book!

Would you consider the audio edition of Words of Radiance to be better than the print version?

For me it is, as I am a truck driver and I can listen while driving, but I can't read while driving.

What did you like best about this story?

It is a very interesting and entertaining story, a lot of ups and downs, twist and turns. Likeable characters, hateable villains, etc.

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

They are a great team. I liked them since the Wheel of Time series.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Epic something, I don't know, I'm not a marketing a-hole.

Any additional comments?

One part of the ending left me depressed, I don't want to give it away, but anyway, I am still looking forward to the next book in the series.

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Great book!

This author is amazing! The way he describes his characters, how they interact, wanting more!!

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Amazing

Captivating and wonderful. The narration only adds to the story. These voice actors are talented and bring the characters to life beyond the words. if you loved the first book, the second will not disappoint. Not by a faint breeze or a storm wind.

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I love this book.

I fear that good will die. but it was a wonderful,book,this,book,was,very,good,I,hope,you,will,read,this,book,and,enjoy,it,as,I,have,the,second,book,of,the,Storm,light,archive

,3rd,book,will,be,interesting,I,look, forwards, to,be able, to,enjoy,it,go,Calitan,storm,blessed, thanks,for,the,wonderful, books.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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I love the story, but.....

First, you cannot beat Michael Kramer and Kate Reading for their performances. They are always outstanding and this book is no different.
I also love Brandon Sanderson. I appreciate the fact that he wants to create a world and a universe with a continuing thread throughout. I just can't help feeling that he has a tendency to get too much into the minutiae. With this book, I started to feel like you do when you go to a 2.5 hour movie and you walk out thinking "that was good but it could have been 30 minutes shorter and still gotten the story done."
It just feels like some of the details could have been left out with no harm to the story and it would have been tighter.
Examples would be things like:
1. The Interludes. I get that these are for world building, but it feels unnecessary and it is hard to track to the story and why some of them are important.
2. Descriptions of meals and other things - Talking about stew and spices and flavor. Again I appreciate the effort, but it feels like it is repeated and unnecessary. Same goes for clothing, safe hands, etc....

This is hard to write, because I appreciate detail. I also appreciate world building. But 140+ hours between 3 books is a LOT to invest. I don't mind investing it if I feel like the story is engaging. The story of the trilogy is great, but I wish some of the details could have been edited down.

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Soars above Way of Kings

First book really picked up in the second half, and Words of Radiance never truly slows from where the last one ended

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Awesome book!

Would you listen to Words of Radiance again? Why?

No, never listen to books twice.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Cal

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

Personality

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

No idea.

Any additional comments?

Great read, couldn't put it down. Lost a lot of sleep!!

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Can't wait for book 3.

The perfect birthday gift (released on my birthday) I prepared by re-listening to book #1. As I made my way through Words of Radiance, it quickly became apparent that as good as Way Of The Kings was, this was better.

I was completely unfamiliar with Sanderson until he was chosen to complete Robert Jordan's Wheel Of Time series. Since then, I've purchased & listened to all of his books (with exception of his young-adult novels). His skill at creating epic fiction surpasses that of Jordan (Great stories that are not filled 15-20% with unnecessarily detailed descriptions of every individuals clothing.)

As I neared the end of this book, I was disheartened by the knowledge that after a 1-week listening binge, I would have to wait another 2-4 years before the next installment became available. (Aside from the fact that this series matches those of Robert Jordan in epic length; Brandon Sanderson manages to write & release other great individual and serial novels at the same time.)

To sum up, Great Story, Great Narration ("Inheriting" Michael Kramer & Kate Reading via the Wheel of Time was a great bonus) add to one of the most enjoyable Audiobooks in several years. My only Caveat is that if you have not listened to Book 1, don't listen to this until you have. It will make a world of difference to your ability to understand and enjoy this work.

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