About the Book
The Way of Kings is the opening volume of Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive, one of the most ambitious ongoing fantasy series in print. This Gollancz edition splits the original book into two parts; this is Part One.
The story is set on Roshar, a world defined by massive, recurring storms called highstorms. The ecology, architecture, and culture of every civilization on the planet has been shaped around surviving them. The central character in this part is Kaladin, a former soldier with medical training who finds himself enslaved and assigned to one of the most dangerous labor details on the Shattered Plains, a fractured battlefield where a prolonged war has ground on for years over Shardblades: ancient, near-magical weapons of enormous military value.
Sanderson builds this world methodically. There are multiple point-of-view characters, a structured magic system, and a significant amount of in-world history delivered through interludes and flashbacks. This is not a light read, or a light listen. The book is long, deliberately paced in places, and expects the reader to track a lot of moving pieces. Readers who bounced off Sanderson's prose in shorter works may find the audio format helps carry them through the slower stretches.
Narration & Audio Performance
Kate Reading is a veteran of fantasy audiobooks, probably best known for her long-running work on Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series alongside Michael Kramer. She handles female characters and general narration; Kramer typically handles male-led sections in full Stormlight productions. In this split Gollancz edition, the narration arrangement may differ from the US Macmillan release, if you have listened to the full US version with both narrators alternating, be aware the experience here may vary.
Reading's performance is competent and measured. Her pacing suits the material, she doesn't rush through world-building passages or overplay action sequences. Character voice differentiation is clear enough to follow without confusion, which matters in a book with this many named characters. Her tone stays even across long stretches, which is a practical advantage for a book of this length and density.
The main limitation is one of fit rather than quality: Sanderson's prose is functional rather than lyrical, and the narration reflects that. Listeners expecting dramatic performance or theatrical voice acting will find this restrained. That restraint is actually appropriate for the material, but it does mean the audiobook won't carry you past disengagement on its own, you need to be invested in the story.
The Audible Verdict
The narration is solid and professional, and the audio format is a workable way to get through a very long book. Kate Reading handles the material well. That said, the density of the world-building, names, factions, magic system rules, in-world terminology, means listeners who miss a passage can lose the thread more easily than readers who can flip back a page. This is a good free trial credit choice for established Sanderson readers or epic fantasy fans willing to commit to the runtime. If you are new to Sanderson, consider sampling before committing a paid credit.
Listen on AudibleIs This Book a Good Fit for Audio?
Epic fantasy with a linear central narrative is generally a good fit for audio. You follow Kaladin's story in sequence, and the arc has enough momentum to sustain long listening sessions. Sanderson's structure here, chapters, interludes, flashback sequences, translates cleanly to audio without relying on visual formatting.
The challenge is density. Sanderson introduces a large cast, multiple continents' worth of proper nouns, and a magic system with specific mechanics. In print, readers can pause, re-read, and consult the glossary. In audio, you are moving at the narrator's pace. Listeners who are already familiar with Sanderson's style or who have read the book before in print will get the most out of this format. First-time listeners who are detail-oriented and patient will still do fine, just expect to rewind occasionally.
Popular Listener Questions
Is this the same as the full US edition of The Way of Kings?
No. This is the Gollancz UK edition split into two parts. The full US audiobook is a single unabridged release. If you want the complete book in one audiobook, look for the Macmillan/Tor edition. This Part One covers roughly the first half of the novel.
Do I need to have read anything else before starting this?
No prior reading is required. The Way of Kings is the intended entry point for the Stormlight Archive and the broader Sanderson universe known as the Cosmere. Some Easter eggs exist for existing Sanderson readers, but the main story is self-contained enough to follow without prior context.
Is this a good audiobook for commuting or background listening?
Commuting works well if your commute is long enough for meaningful chunks, 30 minutes or more at a stretch. Background listening is not recommended. The world-building requires attention, and passive listening will leave you confused by names and factions.
Is Kate Reading the only narrator on this edition?
Based on the available metadata, Kate Reading is the listed narrator for this Gollancz edition. The full US release pairs her with Michael Kramer for alternating POV characters. It is worth checking the Audible sample to confirm the production format of this specific edition.
Similar Audiobooks
Kate Reading narrates the Wheel of Time series alongside Michael Kramer. Fans of her work on Stormlight will find the same narration style applied to Robert Jordan's similarly large-scale epic fantasy.
Patrick Rothfuss's Kingkiller Chronicle shares Stormlight's deliberate pacing, detailed world-building, and focus on a single protagonist's trajectory across a large canvas.
Mistborn: The Final Empire
If you want to try Sanderson's style in a shorter, more contained book before committing to Stormlight's length, Mistborn is the standard recommendation. Also narrated by Michael Kramer.
Words of Radiance Part One
The second Stormlight Archive book in the Gollancz split format. The logical continuation once you finish this volume.
Joe Abercrombie's First Law trilogy appeals to the same readers who gravitate toward detailed fantasy world-building, morally complex characters, and extended series commitments.
Audiobook Details
| Title | The Way of Kings Part One |
|---|---|
| Author | Brandon Sanderson |
| Narrator | Kate Reading |
| Genre | Epic Fantasy |
| Year | 2021 |
| Publisher | Gollancz |
| Abridged | Unabridged |
| Cast | Single narrator |
| Author-narrated | No |
Ready to listen?
The Way of Kings Part One is available on Audible and is a reasonable choice for a free trial credit if you are ready to commit to a long, dense fantasy series.
Open on Audible