Words of Radiance
2005 • 1,328 pages

Ratings935

Average rating4.7

15

Words of Radiance, Book 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.

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Series

Featured Series

5 primary books10 released books

The Stormlight Archive

The Stormlight Archive is a 10-book series with 10 primary works first released in 2005 with contributions by Brandon Sanderson. The next book is scheduled for release on .

The Way of Kings
Words of Radiance
Edgedancer
Oathbringer
Dawnshard
Rhythm of War
Das Herz der Sonne
Wind and Truth
The Stormlight Archive - A Pocket Companion to The Way of Kings and Words of Radiance
El Archivo de las Tormentas: Una guía de bolsillo para El camino de los reyes y Palabras radiantes

Series

21 primary books70 released books

The Cosmere

The Cosmere is a 70-book series with 1 primary work first released in 2005 with contributions by Brandon Sanderson, Брандън Сандерсън, and Rik Hoskin.


Reviews

Popular Reviews

Reviews with the most likes.

June 18, 2018
adam
AdamFounder

Mysterious, dangerous magic, vendettas and high stakes battles keep you on the edge for this entire book. Characters you want to succeed have moments of glory, mixed with despair.

October 14, 2017
markjanderson86
Mark AndersonSupporter

Amazing. This book told a great story and ended amazingly. Brandon Sanderson gets better with every book he writes. Bravo.

March 23, 2014

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#34 in What are your favorite books of all time?

When you think back on every book you've ever read, what are some of your favorites? These can be from any time of your life – books that resonated with you as a kid, ones that shaped your personal...

#1
The Lord of the Rings
#2
Dune
#3
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