The Way of Kings contains approximately 386,000 words.
The Way of Kings, the first book in Brandon Sanderson's epic fantasy series The Stormlight Archive, spans around 386,000 words across its 1,007 pages in the US hardcover edition. This substantial word count places it among the longer fantasy novels published in recent decades, comparable to other epic fantasy works by authors like George R.R. Martin and Robert Jordan.
Word count comparison with other epic fantasy novels
| Book | Word Count | Pages (US Hardcover) |
|---|---|---|
| The Way of Kings | 386,000 | 1,007 |
| A Game of Thrones | 298,000 | 694 |
| The Eye of the World | 305,000 | 814 |
Structure and content breakdown
The novel's extensive length allows Sanderson to develop multiple intricate storylines, introduce dozens of characters, and build a complex magic system and world. The book contains 75 chapters divided among three main character perspectives, plus interludes that expand the narrative scope beyond the primary storylines.
Impact of word count on reading experience
The substantial word count contributes to the immersive quality of the story but also requires significant time investment from readers. Most readers report taking between 20-30 hours to complete the novel, depending on reading speed and familiarity with Sanderson's writing style.