All 5 Stormlight Books Ranked!

The Stormlight Archive has been one of my favorite series for a long time--I read the first book, Way of Kings, back in 2011 (my first Brandon Sanderson book!) when it was the only one in the series and fell in love. I've revisited the series every time a new book has come out and love each reread.

Stormlight Archive is an epic fantasy series in the Cosmere. The first book follows three main characters, with some random cast interspersed, and the cast expands as the series progresses. There will be ten books total in the series, with a break between the first five and the second five.

With the fifth book just releasing a few months ago, I thought it would be fun to look at which ones are my favorite/least favorite in the series. My post today is ranking them from my fifth favorite to my absolute favorite!

#5 Wind and Truth

Coming in as my least favorite of the Stormlight books is the newest release, Wind and Truth. I have to admit, I was very disappointed in this one. There were some parts I really liked, but for the most part, it was a let down. It felt like the moral focus of the book had changed, there were things that drew me out of the story (like the word "therapist" repeatedly being used), and I found myself not caring about a lot of the plot. I did really enjoy all the sections following Adolin, but I found myself not caring about a lot of the sections in the spiritual realm, hated Honor's flashbacks (they felt very much like exposition to me), and didn't really love most of the sections with Kaladin and Szeth. Add to that the tone shift that I felt and didn't like and it was hard to get through. However, I will say that the parts I did like, I loved and made it worth it to me to read the book.

#4 Rhythm of War

Rhythm of War is the fourth book in the series and before the fifth book came out, this was my least favorite. Something about this one just doesn't pull me through the way the first three do. I suspect part of it is that I get bored by the Venli flashback sections, because we don't really get to see much that we didn't already learn in past books. My favorite parts of the book are the sections that follow Navani and her character arc. On the reread, I also loved Kaladin's sections more than the first time I read it, which helped me like it more as well. That is part of why I put this book as my fourth favorite rather than fifth.

#3 Words of Radiance

Words of Radiance is the second in the series and my third favorite. One of the fun parts of this book is seeing Shallan grow into herself as a character, even as she faces some big struggles. It's also really fun to read about the interactions between Shallan, Adolin, and Kaladin, and to see Dalinar gain confidence. There are a few different mysteries to pull me through and I care so much about the characters and what's happening with them, I can't put it down. And of course, the Sanderlanche is very satisfying at the end. If the other two books weren't so good, this would be a favorite. As it stands, it is squarely in the middle.

#2 Way of Kings

Way of Kings is the first in the series and focuses on Kaladin. In the past, I've had a harder time getting through some of Kaladin's sections because he can complain a lot, but on my most recent reread, I didn't have that issue at all. I devoured the book again (much like I did on my first read). I love all the characters in this book, including Shallan (I know a lot of people don't like her until at least the second book). It's so fun to see Dalinar at the beginning of his journey, to watch Shallan figure out how to be on her own, and to experience Kaladin's character arc. His arc is my favorite thing about this book, especially the payoff at the end--everything you read about him leads up to a choice he has to face and leads him to the choice you as a reader want him to make. It makes me cry every time I read it. And then Dalinar's choice at the end too--it's all just so good. These books are long, but man are the payoffs worth the effort.

#1 Oathbringer

And finally, my favorite book of the series! Oathbringer focuses on Dalinar, who also happens to be my favorite character. I know I am in the minority here and that this is a lot of people's least favorite book. They talk a lot about having an issue with the pacing. I have never experienced that myself, though on my most recent reread, I could see why they would say that as the first half of the book not only doesn't get into a lot of the Dalinar plotline yet, but also follows the characters attending a lot of meetings. It still doesn't bother me, but I can see it.

The reason this is my favorite book is because of the ending and the way all of Dalinar's struggles (including in his flashbacks) all lead up to the ending. I am literally getting goosebumps sitting here writing about it. I cry every time and it leaves me motivated to be a better person. On this most recent reread, I noticed the theme of taking responsibility for your own choices is not only woven into Dalinar's pov at the climax, but also into Kaladin's conflict. It is so brilliantly put together, it makes me want to go reread the book just talking about it. I don't think I've ever read an ending that has hit me as hard as the ending of Oathbringer.

That is how I would rank the 5 Stormlight books! Despite being disappointed with the fifth book, I'm super excited for when he writes the next five books and to see what else he comes out with. Do you read Brandon Sanderson? What are your favorite books by him? How would you rate the Stormlight books?