Words of Radiance
by Brandon Sanderson · first published 2012
63% recommend38% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Second book in the Stormlight Archive epic fantasy series, continuing from The Way of Kings. It offers a richly built world, a balance of character, plot and action, and an inspiring tone.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
The eagerly awaited sequel to the New York Times bestselling The Way of Kings. Six years ago, the Assassin in White, a hireling of the inscrutable Parshendi, assassinated the Alethi king on the very night a treaty between men and Parshendi was being celebrated. So began the Vengeance Pact among the highprinces of Alethkar and the War of Reckoning against the Parshendi. Now the Assassin is active again, murdering rulers all over the world, using his baffling powers to thwart every bodyguard and elude all pursuers. Among his prime targets is Highprince Dalinar, widely considered the power
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…short-comings. Repetitive dialogue, shoe-horned classic pop-culture references and shallow writing plague this book. If you've got time for a short novel, give it a whirl, but don't expect anything amazing. Words of Radiance - Brandon Sanderson: Book 2 of the Stormlight Archives. If it's an epic by Sanderson, do yourself a favor and board the hype train. You won't be disappointed. It's everything you want in a long fantasy…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2015?” ↗…better). > the book definitely has me feeling inspired and motivated thus far. I found Rhythm of War to be the most (read: exceptionally) inspirational and motivational of the four novels (followed by Words of Radiance) , so I would wager that there will be much more in terms of inspiration in the following novels. And good luck with your reading journey! The Stormlight Archive was truly a wonderful experience to read…
on “Ask HN: What book changed your life?” ↗…audio production company called Graphic Audio, their tagline is "a movie in your mind." The absolute BEST story I have ever heard, in my entire life, is the Stormlight Archives Series - Way of Kings & Words of Radiance books. These are written by Brandon Sanderson. I don't actually read much fantasy when I read fiction it tends to be scifi or historically based. But this series, with the voice actors and the properly…
on “Ask HN: What are the best audiobooks you have ever listened to?” ↗Seen these kind of threads from time to time, and I've got some great recommendations from them. I'll start: * Re-reading Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson. I had forgotten the story leading up to Rhythm of War. I had forgotten how fun Sanderson's world is. * Just finishing up Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. Great book. I didn't read…
on “Ask HN: What are you reading this month?” ↗Brilliant response by Sanderson. I'm new to his work, in the middle of the second book in a series called "Words of Radiance". I find his response to be authentic and reflective of what I get out of his work.
on “Outside: Why Brandon Sanderson likes to write” ↗…Jordan The Fires of Heaven (Book five of The Wheel of Time) - Robert Jordan The Way of Kings (Book one of the Stormlight Archives) - Brandon Sanderson The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien I'm currently reading Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson. Book two of the The Stormlight Archives. I'd say the biggest surprises for me would be Patrick Lee. I DEVOURED these books. The Breach, Ghost County, and Deep Sky are a trilogy.…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2018?” ↗…is from 2005, Bill Watterson, The Complete Calvin and Hobbes. Now Watterson certainly deserves adulation, but above all the others over the past thousand years? #2 is Brandon Sanderson's 2014 novel Words of Radiance (The Stormlight Archive, #2) from his "immersive fantasy epic" that I learned about reading this post. There are only 8 entries from before the year Gutenberg first ruined a perfectly good wine press…
on “Apex Books of Goodreads” ↗…result includes four of the Harry Potter series and five Calvin and Hobbes collections, including the highest-rated The Complete Calvin and Hobbes, from 2005, and second is Brandon Sanderson's 2014 novel Words of Radiance (The Stormlight Archive, #2)
on “The murky math of the New York Times bestsellers list” ↗…Life by Anthony Pompliano (2024) Fiction: - The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester (1956) - Consider Phlebas (Culture Series #1) by Iain M. Banks (1987) - The Way of Kings (2010, Stormlight #1) & Words of Radiance (2014, Stormlight #2) by Brandon Sanderson
on “Ask HN: What did you read in 2025?” ↗