The Stormlight Archives hooked me in the first chapter of the first novel!

Brandon Sanderson builds an epic world with his depiction of Roshar. He begins with an introduction to their slave trade and some of the unfortunate soles that are trapped in slavery. One slave in particular captures our attention, Kaladin Stormblessed. We begin to learn his history, his ability to survive at all costs, and his seemingly ever increasing strength.

Kaladin’s character is built so intricately that I can easily say he is the most well-depicted protagonists in the entire series of The Stormlight Archives (and the series is HUGE). As his magic grows (this is a slow process), so does his relationship with his Spren, Syl. Spren are magical creatures that most people tend to ignore because they are so whimsical and mindless. However, Syl seems to form a bond with Kaladin and her mental capacity grows as their relationship deepens. It is one of my favorite duos in the series. Syl adds a touch of humor and lightness to the story.

Through the series, we are slowly introduced to the true history of the realm, the storms that ravage the land, and the war that has plagued the earth for centuries.

We learn that there was once a Knight’s Radiant who could protect Man against the atrocities that face them. We learn that the Knight’s Radiant eventually fell, but their magic could be restored… enter Kaladin. Kaladin and the world’s quest to reintroduce the Knight’s Radiant spans across years of trials and tribulations. We see Kaladin’s rise of power, we watch as he develops into an irreplaceable hero and builds the trust of kings.

The series is truly remarkable and engaging from the very first chapter. Brandon Sanderson builds many characters beautifully. Although we most closely follow Kaladin, we also get to know his teammates and his adversaries. There are many charming characters throughout the novels that we grow close to and learn their histories. The story arch of each of his novels in the series are unique and pull you further into the world of Roshar.

I highly recommend the series – start with The Way Of Kings as your first read. It builds a great baseline for the rest of the series.