I read The Way of Kings Prime so you don't have to

The Way of Kings Prime by Brandon Sanderson is the original 2002 version he wrote long before the official Way of Kings ever came out in 2010. Today, I run down all the differences between the Way of Kings and the Way of Kings Prime. Strap in...it's a long one.

CHAPTERS
00:00 - Spoiler Warning
00:39 - What is Way of Kings Prime?
01:56 - How this video is set up

WORLDBUILDING
02:50 - Locations
04:33 - Nature
05:44 - Desolations
06:02 - Religion
08:05 - Hierarchy
09:02 - Shardblades/Plate

10:55 - MAGIC SYSTEM

16:45 - CHARACTERS
16:55 - Kaladin
18:01 - Taln
18:51 - Shallan
20:00 - Jasnah
21:26 - Dalinar
22:58 - Renarin
23:51 - Adolin
24:01 - Szeth
25:06 - Taravangian
26:21 - Elhokar
26:44 - Other characters and family tree

28:05 - PLOT

48:16 - OPINIONS
1:02:49 - Should you read WoK Prime?

Socials

[akernis]

This was a fantastic analysis. When I read WoK Prime I thought it was a decent book in and of itself, but leagues below where the canon WoK ended up.
As Stormlight is one of my favourite series I glad to see how much better the new version is.
And I thought that you did a really good job finding and describing all the changes.

I'm pretty sure that Meridas' counter point is Amaram. Given that Amaram's first name is Meridas, and that Gavliar wanted him engaged to Jasnah in the WoR prologue (though she obviously wanted nothing to do with him.)

[trewaldo]

Sanderson's thoughts are expressed like an open book every time he posts a video of his lectures or interviews. It's not surprising he wants to share his draft to readers. 😅
Wow, what a lengthy video you've just made! You have really drilled down to the details of the world itself. Great video! 😍🤓🥰

[storieswithc]

I think even between the Mistborn trilogy and Stormlight Archive there was a massive improvement in the treatment of female characters. I absolutely love Mistborn but there are definitely some eye-roll moments when it comes to the women. I think as he's become more successful, he's really put effort into getting and *listening* to sensitivity readers, which I appreciate. It's always nice when someone is humble and motivated enough to be open and willing to listen, and it absolutely shows in his work. Maybe being a university professor has also motivated self-reflection as well? Even the Writing Excuses podcast evolved over the years to include more diverse speakers. Sanderson is totally my safe-space when it comes to not wanting to read upsetting things (especially involving the female characters).

Nice video, I was curious about Prime but probably wouldn't have had the time to read it!

[TheBookishMom]

You are the real MVP for this hour-long video!

[VoidLantadd]

Brother Lhan totally reminded me of Llarimar from Warbreaker.

[scottockerman]

Although this book was trying to do too much, I still love that it sounds like Brandon just has always had really cool twists. I love the whole thing you talked about Taln and how we find out he was crazy only for it to turn out that he was a herald. It also definitely is interesting to see how Brandon took all these ideas he tried to do too much with and explored them more fully in different books.

With that said I would find it really interesting for him to explore the whole mad vs being a herald in a different book because we don't really get that in the actual stormlight archives anymore, while it seems like he has explored the other ideas to a much greater degree.

[ryanratchford]

Poor Shallan! Way of Kings, Kaladin kills her brother. Way of Kings Prime, Kaladin kills her betrothed! Poor girl can't catch a break even through the multiverse!!!

[Rhedak]

I found the book very interesting but kept missing stormlight and spren.

Also spoilers but

I was very sad that Taln died. It seemed like such a waste. This book makes me very much look forward to the Herald viewpoints in the books 6 to 10

[neiliusflavius]

My guess would be that the wedding night scene didn't come across well partly because it was written several years before he was married and therefore lacking experience to write it sensitively. I've not read it (yet?) so I may be completely wrong.

[faerdineth]

As I saw this video I immediately downloaded and read wok prime (didn't know it was out there before) and just today I finished it and watched your video :D
I totally agree with you especially on the females in the book
I think the most interesting was the paying for magic part like with merin. I mean how would this be in following books? Would there be a solution like practicing and it would be better? Can't imagine big and long wind runner fights with this handicap...
Oh and also wasn't there a hint that balenmar was a herald at the end? He reminded me also a bit of a not so witty wit :D
Thanks for the video :)

[rock]

I will never have the courage to read WoKP because Kaladin is my favourite character and I can't imagine him in any other role

[VenusAsABoy]

I'd love to read the Prime version but I'm so bad at keeping track of all the plot and worldbuilding details in these massive books. I'd get everything mixed up so bad