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4.45 AVERAGE
4.45 AVERAGE
I liked the story, and the character development within. Gosh forbid I even found myself not wanting every Whitecloak character to be erased from history with balefire for the first time since Book 2.
I was continuously confused by the timeline however. It seemed like the story was happening at 3 different paces and at three different times for the characters. There would be a chapter from Perrin or Rotel's POV that was days behind one from Egwene's POV, and that was a day or so behind one from Min's POV. My only complaint, and the reason it wasn't a 5⭐ book for me.
An update after a 2nd reading: I did not remember the time jumps and they were just as confusing for their inclusion the second time through. Other random spoiler-free thoughts... this was a really strong book for the secondary and ancillary characters; I cried after every scene with the Golden Crane (again); Aviendha's visions hit different the second time; heckin' snakes and foxes.
I was continuously confused by the timeline however. It seemed like the story was happening at 3 different paces and at three different times for the characters. There would be a chapter from Perrin or Rotel's POV that was days behind one from Egwene's POV, and that was a day or so behind one from Min's POV. My only complaint, and the reason it wasn't a 5⭐ book for me.
An update after a 2nd reading: I did not remember the time jumps and they were just as confusing for their inclusion the second time through. Other random spoiler-free thoughts... this was a really strong book for the secondary and ancillary characters; I cried after every scene with the Golden Crane (again); Aviendha's visions hit different the second time; heckin' snakes and foxes.
this book continued sanderson’s streak of crafting an engaging story that gives payoffs to the threads jordan set up earlier in the saga. the middle of the book felt like it dragged on a bit, but there were some good twists and character development moments. i particularly liked the flash-forward to the future of the aiel, as well as perrin’s acceptance of the wolf within. it also gave a fitting ending to verin’s story, and she’s been one of my favorite characters from the start.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you, Brandon Sanderson, for revitalizing this series. Such a good book. So much plot, and so much coming together of the hints that were dangling for books. Can't wait another month for the final book!
Entertaining, as always. I'm glad things are finally beginning to wrap up. At the same time, things are not always going badly for the characters, and there have been very few unexpected Darkfriends in the last couple of books, and it's been almost jarring.
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
~Spoilers~
This was one of the best books in the series so far. Yet, I feel severely misled by the title. I assumed "Towers of Midnight" referred to the Tower through which Matt was going to try and save Moiraine. Instead, 3/4s of this book are about Perrin finally getting his shit together. Don't get me wrong, it was great to finally see Perrin get over his insecurities and step up (though I wish it had happened like 3 books earlier) but it wasn't what I was expecting. And it turns out the Tower Matt enters isn't even the Towers of Midnight! According to the glossary, the Towers of Midnight are a Seachan fortress across the sea, which did not come up even once in this book as far as I recall.
Egwene continues to be a frustrating character. She is so competent and does such a good job as Amyrlin, but she falls into the same trap as all the other Aes Sedai, of assuming that she knows best. Her immediate decision to try and undermine Rand without even trying to talk to him to determine his reasoning is infuriating. And Elayne decides to agree with her based on nothing! Without talking to him either! Like, what is the point of his so-called childhood-friend or his love interest if they have absolutely no faith or trust in him at any given moment? Rand has really grown throughout the series, especially in these last two books and at times it seems like the only character who noticed, or cared, was Min.
Matt remains one of my favourites, though I have no idea how carefree Matt and literal slaver and colonizer Tuon are supposed to work out. Complete mystery there. He is really clever and brave, when he decides he wants to be, and his choices to save Moiraine are brilliant. I assume Moiraine will be one of the women helping Rand with Callandor, and maybe Nyneave will be the other.
Aviendha is another who I don't think should be romantically involved with Rand anymore, but her arc in returning to her homeland and facing a new trial of seeing the future downfall of her people as her test to become a Wise Woman was very interesting, and I'm hoping there will be some resolution about that in the last book.
It feels like there has been so much buildup to this moment when the battle will begin and yet now that it's here (only one more book!) It seems like there's far too many loose ends. I'm super nervous about it.
This was one of the best books in the series so far. Yet, I feel severely misled by the title. I assumed "Towers of Midnight" referred to the Tower through which Matt was going to try and save Moiraine. Instead, 3/4s of this book are about Perrin finally getting his shit together. Don't get me wrong, it was great to finally see Perrin get over his insecurities and step up (though I wish it had happened like 3 books earlier) but it wasn't what I was expecting. And it turns out the Tower Matt enters isn't even the Towers of Midnight! According to the glossary, the Towers of Midnight are a Seachan fortress across the sea, which did not come up even once in this book as far as I recall.
Egwene continues to be a frustrating character. She is so competent and does such a good job as Amyrlin, but she falls into the same trap as all the other Aes Sedai, of assuming that she knows best. Her immediate decision to try and undermine Rand without even trying to talk to him to determine his reasoning is infuriating. And Elayne decides to agree with her based on nothing! Without talking to him either! Like, what is the point of his so-called childhood-friend or his love interest if they have absolutely no faith or trust in him at any given moment? Rand has really grown throughout the series, especially in these last two books and at times it seems like the only character who noticed, or cared, was Min.
Matt remains one of my favourites, though I have no idea how carefree Matt and literal slaver and colonizer Tuon are supposed to work out. Complete mystery there. He is really clever and brave, when he decides he wants to be, and his choices to save Moiraine are brilliant. I assume Moiraine will be one of the women helping Rand with Callandor, and maybe Nyneave will be the other.
Aviendha is another who I don't think should be romantically involved with Rand anymore, but her arc in returning to her homeland and facing a new trial of seeing the future downfall of her people as her test to become a Wise Woman was very interesting, and I'm hoping there will be some resolution about that in the last book.
It feels like there has been so much buildup to this moment when the battle will begin and yet now that it's here (only one more book!) It seems like there's far too many loose ends. I'm super nervous about it.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Towers of Midnight does something similar to what The Dragon Reborn did, taking the perspective away from Rand in order for us to get a better idea of his change through the eyes of those around him. It was effective then and it's effective now and Rand's chilling out was a long time coming and is fantastic to see. Perrin's (chronologically weird) journey and trial was fantastic as well, finally giving him some kind of closure with the Whitecloaks as well as another showdown with Slayer. Mat's confrontation with the Snakes and Foxes was also everything I hoped it would be. I was actually anxious to get to the Tower, almost looking ahead to see when that task would start. Egwene, once again, proves herself even more badass than our three ta'varen. She took over the entire tower and defeated a Forsaken AND fought off the Seanchan all without that added magical Pattern nonsense. Lan is also growing on me more than I thought he would, his ride to the Blight an absolute joy to read and the confrontation suitably amazing by the time the book ends.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Most definitely not my favorite of the Wheel of Time books, but still a worthy addition to the series.