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A review by sambora
Words of Radiance Part Two by Brandon Sanderson
5.0
Words Of Radiance - Part 2 is some of the most well crafted fantasy fiction I've ever read. Top marks.
*This will be a spoiler free review of Book 2 of The Stormlight Archive; Words Of Radiance.*
First of all I want to mention that I believe Words Of Radiance works better read as a whole, rather than divided into it's two parts. That, or the divide came just a few chapters too early for me. Everything I felt was missing from [b:Words of Radiance, Part 1|21098320|Words of Radiance, Part 1 (The Stormlight Archive #2, Part 1 of 2)|Brandon Sanderson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1439186570l/21098320._SY75_.jpg|43207682] was given to me within the first few chapters of Part 2. I'm not sure if this was intentional or not.
We had some of the best characterisation of the series take part within these pages and we were introduced to a couple of new faces that were a welcome addition to the ensemble (looking at Lift and Wyndle here, as well as a handful more).
The characters arcs were melded together perfectly and interwoven in a way that left me feeling both cheated AND excited at the end of EVERY chapter - torn between wanting to stick with the current POV and looking forward to what our next character was up to.
SO many questions were answered and we had some seriously satisfying revelations! The fight scenes were masterful, Adolin's duels were great to read and seeing Szeth and Kaladin in action is SO much fun.
Shallan's flashbacks, despite being a little predictable, were very engaging and I look upon her in a much more favourable light now, after not being entirely convinced by her character during The Way Of Kings. I think that is partly because of her newly found independence, drive and motivation, but on this I shall say no more so as to avoid spoilers.
Seeing Kaladin through the eyes of Shallan and Adolin was interesting too. Seeing how others, beside Dalinar, Gaz and the lads in Bridge Four, see him made ME view him differently. It was really well done. Although... his incessant hatefulness (despite current affairs) IS getting a tad old.
Wit also has more of an open appearance in the latter half of this book and drops a boat-load of information regarding the wider Cosmere in a rare moment of liberal clarity from Sanderson.
It really draws me in knowing there is SO MUCH more story to be told - so many more books to be read in this universe. It makes me really care and pay attention to every detail, although I am certain that I still overlook references and hidden easter eggs!
The world building is as flawless as ever. We see a lot more of this magnificent world through the eyes of both new and familiar characters. During this part, more than all the others, I found myself checking the map at the front to help with the geographical placements of events, which is great in my opinion. It makes it feel so real.
Anyway, I could rave about the brilliance of this series for ages. If you've read this far, thank you. And if you have yet to read these books... Just do it. Put the other books in your TBR pile aside and give these a try as soon as you can. You won't regret it.
5 stars for Sanderson. I am very much looking forward to both Edgedancer and Oathbringer!
Happy reading folks!
*This will be a spoiler free review of Book 2 of The Stormlight Archive; Words Of Radiance.*
First of all I want to mention that I believe Words Of Radiance works better read as a whole, rather than divided into it's two parts. That, or the divide came just a few chapters too early for me. Everything I felt was missing from [b:Words of Radiance, Part 1|21098320|Words of Radiance, Part 1 (The Stormlight Archive #2, Part 1 of 2)|Brandon Sanderson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1439186570l/21098320._SY75_.jpg|43207682] was given to me within the first few chapters of Part 2. I'm not sure if this was intentional or not.
We had some of the best characterisation of the series take part within these pages and we were introduced to a couple of new faces that were a welcome addition to the ensemble (looking at Lift and Wyndle here, as well as a handful more).
The characters arcs were melded together perfectly and interwoven in a way that left me feeling both cheated AND excited at the end of EVERY chapter - torn between wanting to stick with the current POV and looking forward to what our next character was up to.
SO many questions were answered and we had some seriously satisfying revelations! The fight scenes were masterful, Adolin's duels were great to read and seeing Szeth and Kaladin in action is SO much fun.
Shallan's flashbacks, despite being a little predictable, were very engaging and I look upon her in a much more favourable light now, after not being entirely convinced by her character during The Way Of Kings. I think that is partly because of her newly found independence, drive and motivation, but on this I shall say no more so as to avoid spoilers.
Seeing Kaladin through the eyes of Shallan and Adolin was interesting too. Seeing how others, beside Dalinar, Gaz and the lads in Bridge Four, see him made ME view him differently. It was really well done. Although... his incessant hatefulness (despite current affairs) IS getting a tad old.
Wit also has more of an open appearance in the latter half of this book and drops a boat-load of information regarding the wider Cosmere in a rare moment of liberal clarity from Sanderson.
It really draws me in knowing there is SO MUCH more story to be told - so many more books to be read in this universe. It makes me really care and pay attention to every detail, although I am certain that I still overlook references and hidden easter eggs!
The world building is as flawless as ever. We see a lot more of this magnificent world through the eyes of both new and familiar characters. During this part, more than all the others, I found myself checking the map at the front to help with the geographical placements of events, which is great in my opinion. It makes it feel so real.
Anyway, I could rave about the brilliance of this series for ages. If you've read this far, thank you. And if you have yet to read these books... Just do it. Put the other books in your TBR pile aside and give these a try as soon as you can. You won't regret it.
5 stars for Sanderson. I am very much looking forward to both Edgedancer and Oathbringer!
Happy reading folks!