The Patient Giant of the Fantasy Genre

Brandon Sanderson has achieved something marvelous here. From the very opening scenes it is crystal clear that you are reading an author who has developed a fantasy world of incredible depth and detail. In these early action scenes he demonstrates a refreshingly ingenious form of combat magic, depth of character and hints at the world beyond. As the book unfolds the sheer scale of his imagination is revealed as the history, geography, flora, fauna, religion and mythology of his creation is revealed. This is done gradually without huge long paragraphs of description to bog things down.

The characters too are thoroughly detailed and explored through conversation, flashbacks to previous times and even their dreams. There are no one-dimensional heroes or villains here, nothing in that sense is spoon fed as the characters have a constant struggle to find their right path. When reading this book time and again you will imagine you know where something is heading and be pulled up short. Sanderson is a very patient author and doesn’t take the easy plot route often.

Of course with a book of this length the narration is important, forty-six hours of monotone would make this hard going and the idea of splitting the narration is a very sound one. Michael Kramer is excellent, he rumbles through the book adding real gravitas and atmosphere to Sanderson’s often grim world and its inhabitants. Kate Reading is eloquent and very precise but clearly not everyone’s cup of tea. I’m afraid she’s not mine, her intonation is too often lacking the correct inflection making her sound like an automaton at times. She does read much less of the book than her counterpart but I still think the audio sample should have included some of her reading to help prospective purchasers make an informed decision.

All told this is a book that demands respect, it does take an investment from you to get through it but the rewards are incredibly rich. I was hooked in from the brilliant opening scenes which included some very innovative ideas. Sanderson is a genuine giant in the fantasy genre and those wanting depth, detail and new ideas coupled with a gripping story will definitely want to head this way. The last few hours of the story are as good as anything I have read.

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77 people found this helpful

good story slightly ruined by Kate reading

I thoroughly enjoyed the story and Michael Kramers narration of it but every time it came round to Kate Readings parts it just completely sucked me out of the story, she ends the last word of every sentence with this weird downwards and then upwards inflection and once you notice it, it's all you can focus on. this would be a 5 star if the entire narration was Kramer but I'm bumping it down due to Reading.

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32 people found this helpful

Recommended

Not having the time the read this book (or perhaps the strength to lift it) I chose to listen to it.

I confess that I got 2-3 hours in an realised my mind had wondered so much that I had no idea what was going on. That is not good. However, on a second attempt I got up to speed and really enjoyed it. At first I was a little miffed that the readers are American. I generally don't like that. Reading isn't my preferred reader by any means. Kramer and Reading read all the Wheel of Time books on audio and I wasn't that attracted to her then - I have only listened to the first one. Her intonation is quite annoying at times. Perhaps not to the north american ear but it is to mine. I get through 3-4 audio books a month so I've listened to a few now.

Otherwise, it's a great book and worthy of the David Gemmell Legend Award for fantasy. It's high fantasy with a broad sweep and a different feel with Shardblades, light-eyes, great use of the stormlight in allowing wielders of it to 'lash' themselves to walls and ceilings such that 'up' becomes 'down' and so on. Great world building and vision with some truly memorable characters. High fantasy at its best.

If it wasn't for Reading, I would have given it a 5.

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30 people found this helpful

Another sensational Sanderson book

Amazing as always, quite slow to start and get into the full swing of things compared to say, Mistborn, but nonetheless an excellent read that charges on into its sequel with full force.

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1 person found this helpful

Epic indeed!

Having listened to and enjoyed the Mistborn trilogy and Elantris by Brandon Sanderson I was hoping this huge audiobook would raise a high bar even further, but I felt at times it got a bit bogged-down in its “epic-ness”. 45 hours is a big listening-time investment. Although I enjoyed the novel I ended up slightly disappointed; I’d give it 7 out of 10, a decent though not earth-shattering (or even plains-shattering) score. I’d hoped for more, based on the reviews it’s garnered. Not sure exactly what more I could have wanted, I just felt slightly underwhelmed.

The Roshar world-building is deep and magic systems are complex; it takes quite a while to “get into” the story and characters but it does eventually happen and things fall into place. As this is the first of a projected ten novels complexity and detail is to be expected. We are introduced to many peoples, locations, flora and fauna of Roshar – I’d definitely recommend a visit to Brandon Sanderson’s web-site to download some of the beautiful maps and striking drawings you don’t get with an audio download.

A word on the narration; the readers do an adequate job (they also read the Mistborn books), diction is clear and they generally stress the right words in a sentence. Personally I prefer British accents; I guess I’m biased!

Although at times it felt like a chore to persevere I do think it was worth it in the end. I will definitely be ordering the next audiobook (out next week) but I’d listen to anything by GRRM (if only!), Abercrombie, Mark Lawrence or Scott Lynch first.

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1 person found this helpful

swords shields magic honour!

A brilliant book , take some time to get into the story and the characters , there is alot to take in . Some big revelations near the end and still some mysteries, but book 2 and 3 are already out so ill be diving straight back in . Buy it !

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it was good

I thought that sometimes the narrator lacked a bit of power in the war scenes but he was clear and concise .

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What a page turner, not perfect but brilliant

This is the best book ive read in a while, full of action and suspense and innovation

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Takes a while to get going but man oh man!

great book that takes a while to get going
it's 45 hours long
wish it was 60 hours longer!

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epic start to an epic saga

it does take a bit of time to start, but it is well, well worth it. Few stories have gripped me like this one. Magician in my younger years, possibly, but for me as an adult this book gives so much more.

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