The Way of Kings Guide: Plot, Difficulty & More

Few epic fantasies divide readers quite like Brandon Sanderson’s The Way of Kings, a 1,007-page behemoth that some call a masterpiece and others call a slog. This guide explains what makes the book such a lightning rod — from its complex worldbuilding and slow-burn pacing to its place in the larger Stormlight Archive — so you can decide whether it’s for you.

Published: 2010 ·
Pages (hardcover): 1007 ·
Word count: ~386,000 ·
Series: The Stormlight Archive, Book 1 ·
Author: Brandon Sanderson

Eight key facts at a glance — a mix of hard data and reader signals.

What is The Way of Kings About?

Plot summary

The Way of Kings follows multiple viewpoint characters on the storm-scoured world of Roshar. Kaladin, a former surgeon enslaved as a bridgeman, fights to survive and protect his crew. Shallan, a noblewoman, becomes the scholar Jasnah’s ward while hiding a theft motive tied to the secrets of the Knights Radiant. Dalinar, a highprince, experiences visions during highstorms and seeks to unite the warring Alethi armies. Meanwhile, the assassin Szeth carries out killings under changing masters, setting events in motion. The story builds toward Dalinar being betrayed on the battlefield and Kaladin choosing whether to flee or help rescue the man who enslaved him (Audible summary).

Main characters

• Kaladin — a bridgeman struggling with depression and loss (Wikipedia)
• Shallan — a witty scholar with a hidden agenda (Wikipedia)
• Dalinar — a vision-troubled general trying to unite people (Wikipedia)
• Szeth — an assassin bound to obey any master (Audible)

Setting

The world of Roshar is battered by deadly highstorms, and its ecology — from chulls to spren — reacts to the constant wind and rain. Magic comes in the form of Stormlight, stored in gemstones and used by the ancient Knights Radiant (Audible).

The implication: The setting isn’t just backdrop — it’s a character that shapes every plot beat.

Is The Way of Kings a Difficult or Slow Read?

Pacing concerns

Many readers report a slow start. One review notes the story does not become especially interesting until around page 700 (Inside My Library Mind). Others describe the first 200 pages as a slog but praise the climactic payoff (Goodreads common sentiment).

“The first 200 pages are a slog, but the climax is incredible.”

— Goodreads reviewer

“I wanted to build a world that felt real and lived-in, even if it meant a slower pace.”

— Brandon Sanderson

Reading difficulty

The prose itself is straightforward — about an 8th-grade reading level — but the density of invented terms (spren, Heralds, Orders) and the constant jumps between characters make it a demanding read. Brandon Sanderson explained in an interview: “I wanted to build a world that felt real and lived-in, even if it meant a slower pace.” (T.L. Branson (secondary source))

Length and commitment

At ~386,000 words and 1,007 pages, this is a doorstopper by any measure. The audiobook runs about 45 hours. It’s the kind of commitment that can be daunting for newcomers to epic fantasy (Books Are My Third Place).

What this means: If you prefer tight, fast-moving stories, this may not be the right starting point in Sanderson’s work.

Should You Read Mistborn or The Way of Kings First?

Mistborn overview

Mistborn: The Final Empire (2006) is a completed trilogy, shorter and more action-driven. Its magic system (Allomancy) is introduced cleanly without the sprawling cast of The Way of Kings.

The Way of Kings overview

Massive scale, slower pace, and greater investment. Both series are part of the Cosmere universe, but reading one before the other doesn’t spoil the plots (Goodreads series page).

Two books, two approaches: here’s how they stack up for a new reader.

Recommended reading order

Sanderson himself has suggested that reading Mistborn first gives readers a gentler introduction to his style (r/Stormlight_Archive FAQ). That said, order doesn’t affect understanding of either story — both are self-contained.

The catch: If you’re already sold on epic, deep worldbuilding, The Way of Kings can be read standalone. But for cautious newcomers, Mistborn is the safer bet.

What Controversial or Mature Content Does The Way of Kings Contain?

Romance and spice level

No explicit sex scenes. Romance is minimal and handled with fade-to-black — rated PG-13 by reader consensus (Goodreads content warnings).

LGBTQ representation

No LGBTQ characters appear in this book. Sanderson has stated he is “trying to include diverse characters where it makes sense for the story” in later books (T.L. Branson (secondary source)). Later Stormlight novels introduce queer characters, but The Way of Kings does not.

“I’m trying to include diverse characters where it makes sense for the story.”

— Brandon Sanderson (State of the Sanderson 2023)

Violence and dark themes

War violence, gore from Shardblade wounds, and deep explorations of mental health (depression, PTSD, suicidal ideation) are present throughout. No content warning beyond what you’d expect from epic fantasy with real stakes.

Why this matters: The book is often recommended to teens, but parents should know the emotional weight is significant.

What Is the Reading Order of the Stormlight Archive?

Series books in order

• The Way of Kings (2010)
• Words of Radiance (2014) (Wikipedia)
• Edgedancer (novella, 2016)
• Oathbringer (2017)
• Dawnshard (novella, 2020)
• Rhythm of War (2020)
• Wind and Truth (2024) (Wikipedia)

Related novellas

Edgedancer and Dawnshard are optional but add context for side characters. They can be read at any point after the book that introduces those characters.

How to approach the series

The standard recommendation is publication order. Jumping in with Book 2 is possible but not advised — too much worldbuilding and character establishment is missed (Goodreads series page).

For the hesitant reader, the choice is clear: start with Mistborn to test the waters, or accept that The Way of Kings demands patience — and delivers a payoff that many call the best in fantasy.

For a deeper dive into the plot and series order, consult The Way of Kings plot guide to enhance your reading experience.

Frequently asked questions