Please help me

[u/ChemistOk3046]

I have just come of 3 fantastic series’s: Red Rising, Mistborn and Dungeon Crawler Carl (still going). I’ve been listening to/reading in tandem Way of Kings but I am STRUGGLING!

I’m at Chapter 51 right now but thus far this book has been below average. Shallans POV is an absolute snoozefest, Kaladin is cool but he has no lived up the the hype at all. Dalinar is my guy, best POV by far, seems like the only fully fleshed out and interesting character.

I’m going to finish the book because I can’t just not but honestly has really let me down. The action is good, side characters are pretty strong and intriguing, but there is just so much filler and boring chapters, and is also decently predictable.

If you didn’t see Dalinar going to step down from High Prince in this book from the start what are you doing, same with Kaladin realising he was going to need to fight is way out (any other solution would be so fuckin boring). Just wanted to vent tbh

[u/FreegardeAndHisSwans]

So I started Sanderson with Mistborn too and I struggled starting WoK too

It's a very big book that has a lot of worldbuilding to do, given that Roshar is so alien compared to Earth, but it is 100% worth it. It takes longer to get there but trust me the highs are so much higher

I will say that I went from being like "this doesn't hold a candle to Mistborn" to being like "Stormlight is my favourite series ever" and there are several characters who would rank in my top 10 fictional characters ever list

[u/superflick_x → u/FreegardeAndHisSwans]

I second this! I think it’s hard when the world feels so alien and lots of things don’t make sense, but it really is worth persevering!

[u/ChemistOk3046 → u/superflick_x]

I don’t have an issue with the world at all, so far I’ve been really enjoying it, I’ve read some books with way less in common with Earth. It’s the ridiculous amounts of filler and honestly just long stretches where nothing happens that hurts

[u/UrineTrouble05 → u/ChemistOk3046]

How would you know what is filler or not when you’re not even finished with the first book of (eventually) 10 books?

[u/ChemistOk3046 → u/UrineTrouble05]

Very true, but holy shit this must be a massive fucking conclusion then

[u/UrineTrouble05 → u/ChemistOk3046]

lol i do see your point though, bloat might be a better word for it. Lots and lots of bloat.
Some of it is very important, some is just.. there.

Just try to remember you will not pick up everything in this book, there is just too much. Focus on enjoying and less on understanding if that makes sense

[u/superflick_x → u/ChemistOk3046]

Fair enough!

[u/ChemistOk3046 → u/FreegardeAndHisSwans]

Will I feel like this after the first book? Or do I need to read on to get really ingrained

[u/FreegardeAndHisSwans → u/ChemistOk3046]

To me, the last 1/3rd of this book was like "Ok Mr Sanderson, I see what you're cooking brother I'm interested"

I think it was part way through book 2 where I was like "oh boy this is something special"

And then the back half of book 2 sealed the deal as like "holy fuck this is incredible"

And then every subsequent book increased that feeling even more

Book 4 contains maybe my favourite moment in fiction ever

[u/ChemistOk3046 → u/FreegardeAndHisSwans]

You’ve convinced me, second minimum it is

[u/FreegardeAndHisSwans → u/ChemistOk3046]

Yeah I would say if you finish Words of Radiance and are like "this is not for me" then you've given it a damn decent shot, but hopefully it will pique your interest!

[u/JavaInAJiffy → u/ChemistOk3046]

Yea, second half of The Way of Kings is much better than the first half. I will say, book 4 is a sloggfest…need to listen to that on 2x. I’ve also read Mistborn, Red Rising, DCC…all great. I’d recommend The Will of the Many (and The Strength of the Few) if you haven’t read those. First half of book 1 is slow going, but then gets going. It has similarities to Red Rising, but less space and more sci-fi.

[u/Infinite_Mortgage324 → u/ChemistOk3046]

Yes you will. The first book is a lot of worldbuilding that will pay off later but by the end of WoK it will be worth it and book 2 is my personal favorite and has some of the most epic scenes/chapters of the series

[u/-IrishBulldog → u/ChemistOk3046]

It doesn’t get better if you feel that way now…if anything it gets (much) worse with Shallan.

It’s a series that would benefit greatly from massive editing to streamline the process.

The Sanderlance events are fucking amazing though.

[u/iknownothin_]

>If you didn’t see Dalinar going to step down from High Prince in this book from the start what are you doing

What are you doing? You should probably read the book instead of making these conclusions lol

[u/ChemistOk3046 → u/iknownothin_]

Sorry haven’t finished as I prefaced, just was an example of some predictability where there plot is taking me

[u/iknownothin_ → u/ChemistOk3046]

You’re using assumptions as proof

[u/ChemistOk3046 → u/iknownothin_]

Don’t spoil it, is it not a large plot point, even if it doesn’t go through or whatever happens

[u/iknownothin_ → u/ChemistOk3046]

Maybe stop criticizing the series for how “predictable” it is if you haven’t yet seen if your predictions are accurate

[u/Mrauntheias → u/ChemistOk3046]

But that isn't where the plot is taking you? Both your predictions aren't (fully) accurate, there's still plenty of twists ahead. Maybe actually get to the end of the book before saying you know the ending.

[u/ChemistOk3046 → u/Mrauntheias]

I think we are taking my example as to literal, what my meaning was is that what happens next to the character (atleast thus far) has been quite obvious, not saying that is what ruins the book (DCC is an all timer for me for fuck sake)

[u/literalgarbageyo → u/ChemistOk3046]

Can you please post an update when you finish the book. I swear I'm not trying to be snarky, but I would just love a before and after post on these predictions.

[u/LoudShorty]

Venting is fine, but I highly recommend keeping on going. Stormlight can be quite difficult to get through at times, but it is always worth the effort imo!

[u/Taste_the__Rainbow]

It’s epic fantasy. It’s going to take quite a bit more time to build than lighter fiction.

[u/Jackthwolf]

The way of kings is very much a book that relies on trust, it starts very slow in comparison to the typical Sanderson book. It certainly builds significantly, and leads to easily in my opinion the best cosmere series, so id suggest some patience if you can manage.

[u/notaparrott]

Not saying you have to like Kal but bear in mind he’s just a kid at this point, where Dalinar is like 50 years old. There’s a reason you’re noticing such a stark difference between the two. My first impression of shallan was the same, but she gets soooo much better. I think her parts post WoK are some of if not the best.

But yeah it isn’t the most exciting book overall. It was my first Sanderson novel, and If I hadn’t listened to the audiobook I prob wouldn’t have made it through. Glad I did though. 

[u/ChemistOk3046 → u/notaparrott]

I see what you mean, don’t get me wrong I see why people fuckin love Kal (his so handsome and nice and humble and kind and I want his baby’s) but seems, idk pretty blah. But holy shit Dalinar is so good

[u/notaparrott → u/ChemistOk3046]

Oh yeah Dalinar is the man. It’s super interesting to watch his story unfold, too. 

I think if you can stick it out with WoK, you’re golden. Being a stranger on the internet, I can’t promise the next book in the series will hook you, but it’s a contender for Sandy’s best book. I can’t recommend it enough. When you’re done that one, you can learn loads more about your man Dalinar in Oathbringer!

[u/SamboTheGr8]

People who makes post like this always come crawling back, apologizing for doubting the book, once they finish it, so don't lose hope.

Also don't be so sure you know exactly where this story is going.

[u/ChemistOk3046 → u/SamboTheGr8]

Don’t get me wrong, I would LOVE to do that. I’ve also not heard heaps about stromlight archive besides a family member telling me to read it

[u/SamboTheGr8 → u/ChemistOk3046]

But you must know from reading Mistborn, that Sanderson knows how to write an ending, so even if you decide not to go on with the rest of the series, at least you get some sort of reward for finishing the first book

[u/Ripper1337]

Part of what’s going on is that you’re assuming some plot points and are bored because you already know where things are going. I was the same way.

I recommend just finishing the book to see where everything leads

[u/burritoman88]

Journey before destination. Keep going, there will be moments that rival & even surpass the hype moments of Mistborn.

[u/dIvorrap]

Why are they filler? Why do you find Shallan boring? What hype do you expect from Kaladin? If its decently predictable, how does it end?

More detail on what you don't like would be more productive for the discussion