Roshar is a world of storms and rocks. Superstorms of incredible strength sweep across the rocky landscape. Fleeing from them, strange animals hide in shells, bizarre plants hide in the ground.

Centuries have passed since the fall of the Radiant Knights, but what remains from them are the Armor and Blades of Shards, the possession of which transforms ordinary people into invincible warriors.

On the Shattered Plains, there is a war with the mysterious Parshendi people, who several years ago organized the assassination of King Alethkar. The former warrior Kaladin, who, due to circumstances, became a slave, ends up in a brigade of bridgemen, suicide bombers who, under a hail of arrows from the Parshendi, drag bridges to transport the army across the chasms.

Crown Prince Dalinar Kholin, commander of one of the Alethi armies, brother of the late king and the uncle of the current ruler is concerned about the prophetic visions that appear to him during superstorms.

Young Shallan strives to meet the king’s sister Jesnah, who is known as an outstanding scientist, but also as a heretic. Although Shallan sincerely desires to become Jesnah's student, not all of her intentions towards the future teacher are honest and noble.