Words of Radiance
The Stormlight Archive, Book 2
Failed to add items
Sorry, we are unable to add the item because your shopping cart is already at capacity.
Add to basket failed.
Please try again later
Add to wishlist failed.
Please try again later
Remove from wishlist failed.
Please try again later
Adding to library failed
Please try again
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
£0.00 for first 30 days
LIMITED TIME OFFER
Get 3 months for £0.99/mo
Offer ends December 16, 2025 11:59pm GMT.
Prime members: New to Audible? Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Just £0.99/mo for your first 3 months of Audible.
1 bestseller or new release per month—yours to keep.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, podcasts, and Originals.
Auto-renews at £8.99/mo after 3 months. Cancel monthly.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically.
Words of Radiance
Narrated by:
Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
Buy Now for £16.99
-
Narrated by:
-
Kate Reading
-
Michael Kramer
About this listen
Return to a planet swept by apocalyptic storms, a world tipping into war as aristocratic families move to control the shard blades and shard plates, ancient artifacts from a past civilisation that can win wars.
As the world tips into a war for control of the mythical artifacts of power made from Shard, characters are swept up into new dangers which will threaten their integrity and their lives.
Huge, ideas-filled, world-spanning fantasy from a master of the genre.©2014 Dragonsteel Entertainment LLC
Listeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
Sanderson has written a book that seals his spot as one of the greatest fantasy writers
This novel is epic fantasy at its finest
Roshar is a fully realized world . . . Words of Radiance is excellent
Words of Radiance should be the paragon of excellence by which all sequels should hold themselves to
Jaw-droppingly awesome and entertaining
Words of Radiance solidified that Sanderson is one of my all-time favorite writers . . . nothing short of exhilarating
The Way of Kings was one of my early forays into the epic fantasy genre, and it got me hooked. I have since worked my way through many other series in this genre, with Peter V Brett, Patrick Rothfuss, George RR Martin, Joe Abercrombie, and Robert Jordan added to my list of favourites (and probably in that order of preference too) but, in excited anticipation of this sequel, I listened again to Stormlight book one….and in my opinion, it’s still the best!! Indeed it was even better on the second listening as I noticed so many more clever nuances I’d missed on the first pass…..and so my expectations for book two of the series were set very high. Happily, Words of Radiance didn’t let me down. It didn’t miss a beat; it just kept right on where Way of Kings left off. The pace never let up, no “padding in the middle” (my pet peeve when it comes to sequels) and not once in almost 50 hours of listening did a character say something out of sorts or disappoint me for the sake of a convenient plot twist (although perhaps Shallan could have managed one of her quips when she realised she wasn’t the reason for Kaladin’s chasm survival after all!).
I love these characters, and after two books in the series I feel l really know them. They are so well developed as individuals – both their strengths and shortcomings (the narration helps too – it’s been consistent across both books, and the attitude in the tone of the narrator definitely contributes to their characters).
There is humour in this book too – I found myself grinning on more than one occasion: the banter between Kaladin and Adolin, Shallan’s quick tongue, Rock’s observations and Wit’s….well…..Wit’s wit (and I have to admit it, but I so haven’t sussed Wit yet? Just when I’ve decided he’s one of the good guys, there’s an interlude and I’m thrown again – but he is just so likeable!!) .
The plot twists and turns, with new teasers with every interlude – never predictable. The label of epic is more than justified. Sanderson is definitely a master story teller – how does he do it??
Another thing that has always set Stormlight aside from other fantasies in my mind is the sheer enormity and originality of the “new world” that has been created. This imagery is augmented in Words of Radiance. Whereas with most fantasies I can see references or nods to our known cultures, with Stormlight, Sanderson has managed to create a whole new ecosystem too. Also, typical of Sanderson, the magic system is thoroughly conceived and cohesive. It truly is a whole new world, and it’s all very impressive. Overlay this with Sanderson’s creative story-telling and plot weaving, and you have a very enjoyable journey.
In a bid to understand a little more of what makes Sanderson tick, and how he manages to conjure such imagery, I went to brandonsanderson.com (I was also fishing a little - looking for hints at what might be coming next - I was bereft at the characters having deserted me for another few years). Apparently he started work on Stormlight over 15 years ago, and has written “hundreds of thousands of words worth of worldbuilding for it”. This level of investment and preparation clearly shows – it’s manifested as an epic, satisfying experience for his readers.
Although Words of Radiance ends with many, many loose ends and much left unexplained, it’s still a very satisfying cliff-hanger.
Regarding the narration; Michael Kramer is brilliant as usual, and even Kate Reading gets her pronunciation of key names correct this time. (I think she's better than she was in book one? I know many reviewers didn't like her, although I was ok with her).
If you haven’t yet read Way of Kings, you could possibly jump right into this series with this book, but you’d be short-changing yourself. Do start at the beginning. Indeed, I almost envy you if you’re still at the start of this journey – it is a treat. Hopefully it won’t be another four year wait ‘til the next instalment, but I have to admit that I might just be prepared to wait longer than I would like if the quality stays this high – these books are so intricate and detailed that I would fear the implications of simply “churning them out” (although with 5 books planned for this series, and another possible 5 as a sequel, shorter intervals would be appreciated – I need to still be around to read the last instalment!).
10/10! Enjoy!!
Outstanding - again!…and very much worth the wait.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Would you consider the audio edition of Words of Radiance to be better than the print version?
yes the performance of both Micheal Kramer and Kate Reading brought the characters to lifeWhat did you like best about this story?
The interaction of the main protagonists as they closed on each other to a fantastic thrilling endingWhich scene did you most enjoy?
the final confrontation with.....nope spoilersDid you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Yes both in equal measureAny additional comments?
yes, why do we have to wait another 6-8 months for the next book, get your act together Brandon...58% done Pffttt........you just enjoy being cruel to your fansFantastic, A Great Successor to the Way of Kings
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Good story and narration
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
When is the next one coming out? I can't cope!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Would you listen to Words of Radiance again? Why?
Yes. There are many characters and threads. The first time listening was hurried due to the thrill of an unknown story. I would want to listenagain to get more of the details. The book can stand a second and third examination, I am sure of it.What did you like best about this story?
Kaladin struggles with what he is growing into. The development of his personality from a wictomized slave to a radiant knight, engaged in fighting to save others. Bu also the great focus and dept given to the female lead character in this book. She gives a new dimension to the storry compared to the Way of Kings. I look forward to follow her in the next books in the series. The two spren are also interesting lead characters that provide both humor and depth to the story.Which scene did you most enjoy?
Far too many to rank!Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
The book is far too long for that!Even better than the way of kings.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.