The Way of Kings
Brandon Sanderson, 2015
When a young scholar challenges ancient religious doctrine, they force a confrontation between faith, logic, and the true nature of divinity. A sweeping epic of idealism and intellectual defiance.
Feels like curiosity and defiance. About morality, faith and freedom.
A page from the book
If mathematics is independent of God, where does human morality belong?
“I just don’t see how anything could be outside God’s decrees.” The king shook his head, bemused. “Brightness Jasnah, I don’t mean to argue but isn’t the very definition of the Almighty that all things exist because of him?”“If you add one and one, that makes two, does it not?”“Well, yes.”“No God needs to declare it so for it to be true, Jasnah said. “So, could we not say that mathematics exists outside the Almighty, independent of him?”“Perhaps.”“Well,” Jasnah said, “I simply claim that morality and human will are independent of him too.”“If you say that,” the king said, chuckling, “then you’ve removed all purpose for the Almighty’s existence!”“Indeed.” Brandon Sanderson.Sanderson, who is known for meticulously detailing his magic systems, approached the philosophical debates in this book with the same structural rigor he applies to world-building.
Books that feel like this
More by Brandon Sanderson
Mistborn
Brandon Sanderson, 2006
A street thief who burns metals for luck is pulled into a heist against a god-emperor—and a world buried in ash.
The Well of Ascension
Brandon Sanderson, 2007
A young Mistborn and a scholar-king try to hold a freed city together while an army gathers outside and old prophecy starts to look like a trap.
The Hero of Ages
Brandon Sanderson, 2008
A world buried in ash, a town bracing for monsters, and an emperor who takes command before anyone can object.
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Questions readers ask
- What is The Way of Kings like?
- Feels like curiosity and defiance. About morality, faith and freedom.
- What should I read after The Way of Kings?
- If you liked The Way of Kings, try The God Delusion (Richard Dawkins), Glint (Raven Kennedy) and The Will of the Many (James Islington).
A taste of the feed
If you're only good because someone is watching, is it goodness?
Do you really mean to tell me the only reason you try to be good is to gain God’s approval and reward, or to avoid his disapproval and punishment? That’s not morality, that’s just sucking up, apple-polishing, looking over your shoulder at the great surveillance camera in the sky, or the still small wiretap inside your head, monitoring your every move, even your every base though.
The God Delusion · Richard Dawkins
The fury of someone who refuses to accept what you've settled for.
He shakes his head. “No, Auren. You’re the one that needs to burn. You need to spark to life and fight. Stop letting him dull you, stop letting the whole fucking world trample you,” he shouts, making me flinch from the vehement demand. “If you tried, you could shine brighter than the fucking sun. Instead, you’ve chosen to sit back and wither.
Glint · Raven Kennedy
Every fair system needs an impartial judge, and every judge is a person.
A fair system only works if there’s an unbiased means of assessing merit. When there is no pride or selfishness involved.” He gives a soft snort, shaking his head. “Which means that fair systems cannot exist where people are involved.
The Will of the Many · James Islington
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