HomeCompareThe Way of Kings vs Empire of Storms
♥ HEAD-TO-HEAD MATCHUP

The Way of Kings vs Empire of Storms

Side-by-side compatibility check. Same read? Different vibes? Here's what the mood bars say.

THE CONTENDERS

Meet the matchup

The Way of Kings cover
The Way of Kings
by Brandon Sanderson
🌶️ 1/5 ★★★★★ 4.65
Epic FantasyHigh FantasyAdult Fantasy
See full profile →
VS
Empire of Storms cover
Empire of Storms
by Sarah J. Maas
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3/5 ★★★★★ 4.63
YA FantasyFantasy RomanceEpic Fantasy
See full profile →
COMPATIBILITY CHECK

How their vibes compare

Left bars = The Way of Kings. Right bars = Empire of Storms. Bigger = stronger signal.

10%
Romance
55%
100%
Fantasy
85%
60%
Pacing
100%
60%
Darkness
80%
The Way of Kings
Empire of Storms
SHARED DNA

What they have in common

These are the genres, moods, and tropes both books share.

Epic Fantasy Found Family
WHERE THEY DIVERGE

Key differences

The details that set these two apart.

Spice Level
The Way of Kings1/5
vs
Empire of Storms3/5
Page Count
The Way of Kings1007
vs
Empire of Storms693
Rating
The Way of Kings4.65/5
vs
Empire of Storms4.63/5
Unique Genres
The Way of KingsHigh Fantasy, Adult Fantasy
vs
Empire of StormsYA Fantasy, Fantasy Romance
Unique Moods
The Way of KingsEpic & Immersive, Found Family, Hard Magic, War & Honor
vs
Empire of StormsEpic Adventure, Dark & Intense, Action-Packed, Emotionally Gripping
THE VERDICT

So... which one wins?

Read The Way of Kings if you want a epic & immersive, found family vibe and high fantasy. Read Empire of Storms if you want more heat and a quicker read and a epic adventure, dark & intense vibe and ya fantasy.
Start with The Way of... → Start with Empire of Storms →
Can't decide? Take the quiz →
BEFORE YOU DECIDE

Quick answers about this matchup

Is The Way of Kings or Empire of Storms better?
It depends on what you're craving. The Way of Kings leans more epic & immersive with found family, while Empire of Storms is more epic adventure with fated mates. Pick The Way of Kings if you want epic & immersive, pick Empire of Storms if you want epic adventure.
Which is spicier, The Way of Kings or Empire of Storms?
Empire of Storms is spicier at 3/5 compared to 1/5.
Should I read The Way of Kings or Empire of Storms first?
If you want something longer to start, go with Empire of Storms at 693 pages. Otherwise, pick whichever mood appeals more right now.
Are The Way of Kings and Empire of Storms similar?
Yes — they share Epic Fantasy DNA. But they diverge in mood and heat level, which is why readers often compare them.
What should I read if I liked both The Way of Kings and Empire of Storms?
Look for books that blend Epic & Immersive with Dark & Intense. Check our mood pages for more curated picks.
class="nl" aria-label="Newsletter">

Can't decide? Get a personalized match every Friday.

One handpicked book every Friday — matched to your mood, spice level, and reading style. Zero spoilers.

Get my match →
Spoiler-free · Unsubscribe anytime · No spam

Every comparison on Sort By Cravings is based on a full read-through of both titles. Mood bars, spice levels, and trope DNA are assigned editorially — not scraped. Read our editorial standards.

Get matched every Friday.

One mood-profiled book pick, every week. Spice-rated and compatibility-checked before it hits your inbox.

Get my weekly match →
Spoiler-free · Unsubscribe anytime
📚 Browse all comparisons →