Summary: After escaping from Sadeas’s camp with Dalinar’s aid, Kaladin has everything
he’s ever wanted: a battalion of soldiers, all under his command. Dalinar, on the other hand,
finds himself in much more trouble than before, with Sadeas’s betrayal splitting the highprinces
into two sides, making it much more difficult to unite them. Meanwhile, Shallan and Jasnah are
traveling to the Shattered Plains in search of Urithiru, in the hopes they can prevent the return of
the voidbringers.
Somebody: Kaladin, Dalinar, Shallan, Adolin
Wants: Kaladin wants to protect the king and his family at all costs. Dalinar wants to
unite the highprinces, as well as refound the Knights Radiant. Shallan wants to learn how to
become a Radiant, and wants to marry Adolin so that her family can be safe from the men who
threaten them.
But: When the assassin in white returns, Kaladin realizes that he must master his
newfound powers, or be destroyed in the wake of the assassin. Shallan returns to the Shattered
Plains with news of Jasnah’s death, causing the already struggling Kholin family to face a wave
of grief. Meanwhile, Adolin plans on earning all the Shards in the kingdom through duels, though
after his first few, he finds that most people are either too scared or too cocky to fight him.
So: Kaladin begins training his stormlight, and eventually masters the powers the
assassin holds as well. Shallan begins looking for Urithiru, though finds herself in increasing
trouble as more and more people seem to be searching for the same place, all with different
motives. Adolin faces four shardbearers in a single duel, though with Kaladin’s help, he is able
to narrowly come out victorious. Dalinar looks to the center of the plains, preparing a strike on
the Parshendi to finally end the war.
Then: Dalinar, Adolin, Shallan, and the rest of the army go to the middle of the Shattered
Plains, where both Urithiru and the Parshendi army are supposed to be. Kaladin stays at the
warcamp after an injury, but after saving the king from an assassination attempt, he goes to the
center of the Shattered Plains to battle the assassin in white. After an intense battle against the
Parshendi, Shallan brings everyone to the gateway to Urithiru, and teleports them to the
mystical city just as Kaladin takes down the assassin, winning the day.
Opinion: Words of Radiance may be one of Sanderson’s strongest works yet. With
excellent pacing, a thrilling plot, and a deeper dive into a few of the world’s characters and
magic system, this book truly manages to shine.
Though I’d argue this book was stronger than the first, it had a few issues as well. There
were a few chapters that were tedious to read, and Kaladin was plain unlikable for most of the
book. Despite these small details, the book really was an amazing read. If you’ve already read
Way of Kings and enjoyed it, then this book is a great way to follow up on it.