Brandon Sanderson Community discussion

I found Elantris dragged a little and Way of Kings was way better, i felt the same about Kaladin and Raoden as characters but there are a 'few' similarities.

Here is my rambling response...

I admit that they are both trying to inspire a group of broken people and have a strong sense of honor, but I think they are very different on the inside. Well maybe not "Very" different, but different enough that they feel separate to me.

Kaladin is prone to brooding and introspection, filled with doubts etc. Which make his successes so much sweeter in my opinion. Raoden is much more confident - albeit he still struggles with various obstacles.

Additionally, (and I can't quite explain how this really takes effect) Kaladin is fiercly loyal to those he trusts, but trusts very few (granted he will move heaven and earth to protect anyone). Raoden on the other hand sees the good in everybody and trusts freely.

I wonder how Raoden would act if given the abilities and experiences that Kaladin finds himself in. What would he do with bridge 4 and at the tower for example? Both are resourcesful and committed, but I don't think Raoden has the same level of courage and capability that Kaladin has

I tend to agree with Micahel on this one. Raoden is a much more optimistic and trusting character, whereas Kaladin suffers from depression and due to life experiences, is much more wary of people.

I also see their origin stores as very different. In one, we have a good noble rising up and discovering his powers (more like the standard fantasy trope, but with a noble) and in the other we have a middle-class rural lad discovering his (more in-line with the standard fantasy trope...but very different at the same time because of his personality).

@Hasham - That was a great question. I've been thinking about it all day. Keep up the good work.

I had the same thought when reading the book. I read Elantris first, and when reading Way of Kings, I had the sense that Kaladin was a better Raoden and Shallan was a better Sarene. Better in that Sanderson's writing and characterization is better now than in his first book. It's not a perfect analogy of course, but both characters seem to be doing a lot of similar things to their analogues in Elantris. Raoden is a capable leader from page 1 and doesn't really change much during the book, whereas Kaladin grows over the course of the first book into a leader. It's almost like Kaladin is Raoden's origin story. Shallan/Sarene also have some differences, but they are both witty smart women who say things without necessarily thinking if they should.

Haha I can't believe this thread. I literally though the exact same thing when reading elantris. While there are little differences in personality traits I think Sanderson has definitely used a great character like Raodin to create Kaladin, though just altered him to fit the world and landscape of Stormlight better

I think Raoden is far more skilled as a leader, where as Kaladin is far more like a warrior. They both care dearly about their people however. I don’t know. I think they’re more different than alike.