The second book in the Stormlight Archive series, “Words of Radiance” feels like a continuation and conclusion of several “The Way of Kings” plot threads. At the same time, introducing new problems for the main characters. Both through the revelations stemming from the answers and from twists that may not be paid off until later books .

Words of Cheerful Radiance

Kaladin may have been the protagonist of “The Way of Kings,” but “Words of Radiance” is where he truly shines. He has several moments of heroism. I’m not sure how well that’s conveyed in the novel, but the Graphic Audio version made me giddy each time those scenes happened.

If flashbacks are the indicator of who the protagonist will be in a given book, Shallan fulfills that role. We finally learn her true backstory in bits and pieces right up until the very end. Before that final scene that feels right out of the Marvel Cinematic Universe post-credits scene.

Together Too Soon?

Maybe I haven’t experienced enough modern epic fantasy to know whether having all characters in the same proximity to each other has been done by the second book in a series. It makes me excited about starting “Oathbringer.” Kaladin goes through the wringer. He is celebrated as a hero only to immediately be vilified by those same people. Those back-to-back scenes are the very definition of stand up and cheer moments. The Graphic Audio experience only amplifies what I assume are already powerful scenes. I’d also be remiss to not mention the freshness of juxtaposing a scene of heroism with one of defeat. Often these scenes are reversed with the low point coming first followed by the stand up and cheer moment. A wonderful subversion of expectations.

The first three and a half parts out of five total in the Graphic Audio adaptation are forgettable aside from a few key moments early on that don’t need that many scenes dedicated to exploring the ramifications. At the same time without these happening, the moments of cheer wouldn’t hit nearly as hard. We see Gavilar’s assassination attempt from Jasnah’s perspective in the first scene. Once the audio goes past those key plot points, a lot of the story is a mix of walking, talking and Shallan’s flashback scenes—interspersed with moments of awesome.

9/10 Stars