Hey everyone,

There hasn’t been much activity on here as I have been swamped at work and oon my days off I have been feeling lazy. But not only that I have been very preoccupied with reading this book I am reviewing today. I hope you like it.

Words of Radiance by Brandson Sanderson

(link to the book is from the US edition, as well the blurb)

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.

Published: March 2014

Published Editions: March 2015

Publishers: Gollancz

Genre: Fantasy

Total Pages: 1,217

Goodreads Star Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5 Stars

Review

I just want to mention that my editions of the books are broken down into two books, I do not understand why but it is not an issue.

This book has been my centre focus for the entire month, I wanted to pick this up since I haven’t been reading much Fantasy and I have a grown collection of Sanderson’s books on my physical TBR. I personally enjoyed The Way of Kings in February and I wanted to continue the series. I am loving the characters and the development, I feel that Kaladin had such a big arch in this book I felt so attached to him and felt bad for him. One of the runnings things I noticed was how Kaladin felt about the treatment of light-eyes over dark-eyes, I loved the conversations that Kaladin had about this issue and it’s nice that something like this is not shun away in literature, that this is something that the reader can relate or understand. Beautiful.

I had my wits about Shallan and I loved how there was flashbacks before the first book leading up to Shallan leaving her brothers after the death of her Dad, the introduction to Pattern was great, he has become one of my favourite characters always seeking out the truth but also learning about the world. I do enjoy the relationship that Shallan and Pattern have, it is quite similar to the relationship Kaladin and Syl have but a little bit different.

I tried to explain what this book is about to someone and the only thing to describe is that it is the Knights of the roundtable but each have their own mystical swords. How else can I explain it to people?

I am really loving the progression of this series and I am looking forward to reading Oathbringer, which is probably next month maybe. So far I am enjoying it, obviously it is a big world and it can get confusing but you are easily able to find videos on Youtube that can help you understand the world a bit more. Like Daniel Greene and Captured in Words, two people that I think you should follow.

I hope you liked this review and pick up the series, I really recommend it.

I won’t be doing a monthly wrap-up since this book in the only book I read in the month of June, I will be 28 next month which is crazy to think because I literally still think I am 25, don’t know why, but hopefully I will try and keep up to date on blogging.

Happy Reading xx