Words of Radiance: The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson -- Review

*Note: Our review is an accompaniment to "Words of Radiance," not the novel itself. While it will greatly enhance your enjoyment and understanding of the book, it is not intended to stand in its place.* The first book in "The Stormlight Archive" series, "The Way of Kings" introduced readers to Roshar, a magical world where giant storms wreak havoc all too often. This review is your go-to source for understanding the next in this series: "Words of Radiance." You can expect much more than you find in a typical review, as we break down the positive and negative aspects of the novel into highly detailed and analytical sections that explain the "why" and not just the "what." Parshendi and men are at war, forced to share Roshar no matter the cost for each side. At the heart of the war are Highprince Dalinar, a military slave named Kaladin, Jasnah (Dalinar's scholarly niece), and Shallan, a troubled protege of Jasnah. There are many stories intertwining in "Words of Radiance," furthering the importance of this expert review. Brandon Sanderson offers exactly what you'd expect from one of his books: a plot packed with unexpected surprises. The war enters a defining phase, as Dalinar takes his armies to the Shattered Plains in an attempt to end the battle for good. Shallan tags along, hoping to discover Urithiru, the city purported to hold the secret to the survival of mankind. The Parshendi make a dangerous choice in their quest to get stronger in advance of the challenge. This review of "Words of Radiance" not only helps you keep the characters, setting, and themes straight, it also offers an alternative outcome that might have helped the novel achieve even greater heights.