The Way of Kings
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
The Way of Kings is a highly regarded epic fantasy novel praised for its immersive world-building and powerful climaxes, though it is frequently described as a polarizing 'slow burn.' While many readers consider it a masterpiece of the genre, others struggle with its massive length, heavy exposition, and deliberate pacing.
Pros
- Exceptional world-building, specifically the creative setting of Roshar
- Highly rewarding endings that 'floor' readers who persist through the setup
- Strong character development and effective setup for a large-scale epic series
- Considered 'comfort food' for fans of high fantasy
Cons
- Significant pacing issues, particularly in the middle sections and flashbacks
- Heavy use of exposition and 'info-dumping' that can feel like a 'brutal slog'
- Functional prose that some readers find plain compared to more literary fantasy authors
- Opening sequences that some feel rely too much on 'telling' rather than 'showing'
Caveats
- The book is approximately 1,000 pages long and often requires multiple attempts before the plot 'clicks' for new readers.
- Opinions on the prose are mixed; it is often described as 'fine' but lacking the depth of other top-tier fantasy writers.
Best for
- Fans of massive, multi-volume epic fantasy series
- Readers who prioritize detailed world-building and lore
- Those who enjoy a slow build-up leading to a high-stakes climax
Avoid if
- You prefer fast-paced narratives with immediate action
- You are sensitive to repetitive exposition or 'video game tutorial' style writing
- You dislike books with heavy use of dream sequences and flashbacks
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 122-month half-life. The evidence is drawn from 26 mentions with a median age of approximately 575 days, reflecting a consistent and stable consensus on the book's strengths and weaknesses.
Sentiment
14 positive (54%) · 8 mixed (31%) · 4 negative (15%)
Trust + time weighted score: +39% · raw score 38%
What redditors said (10 of 26)
Tons of them, but my biggest surprise was The Way of Kings. I put it down twice. It just wasn’t clicking. The second time it was a year before I came back. And then I was absolutely floored by the ending.
But I do love it and would love more people I know to read it so at could talk about it lol.
The Way of Kings is truly spectacular though with Words of Radiance close behind.
I think The Way of Kings is probably the greatest fantasy novel I've read. The world building, the characters, the plot are all excellent. Roshar is such a creative accomplishment.
Unfortunately, The Way of Kings has severe pacing issues. The middle sections are overindulgent with flashbacks and dream sequences, which I often find to be lazy storytelling. ... Overall, I liked it, but didn't quite love it as much as I thought I would.
Overall, I liked it, but didn't quite love it as much as I thought I would. It's a good showcase of Sanderson's strengths as a writer, but also shines a light on some of his weaknesses. ... Unfortunately, The Way of Kings has severe pacing issues.
I do think I still much prefer Way of Kings, Warbreaker, and Shadows of Self at least
It's now on my top 5 books of all time list with Oathbringer, 11/22/63, A Storm Of Swords and The Way Of Kings behind it.
I was not a fan of Way of Kings. I felt like every other paragraph was just exposition.
I haven't been able to find the same level of excitement that I used to experience with books like... *The Way of Kings*
Compare
The Way of Kings vs The Lord of the RingsThe Way of Kings vs PiranesiThe Way of Kings vs Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell
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