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4.45 AVERAGE
4.45 AVERAGE
Most definitely not my favorite of the Wheel of Time books, but still a worthy addition to the series.
I hate to say it but the injection of Brando Sando into this series really was a necessary boost. I'm starting to get that sad feeling that I'll soon be leaving this series behind
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
SO EXCITED! I'm starting it when the kids go to bed. Book 13 of 14, I've been reading in this universe for over two decades. Ex ... ci ... tid. Okay, I've read it now. A lot of moving everyone into position for the final book. Glad to see hope, progress, maturation. One more year!
Reread 2020: Wow, almost exactly 10 years since I first read this. Second reread, floowing along with the TOR recaps. Still shock and awe, still all the major feels, still finding things I missed the first two times through. Still thank Brandon Sanderson with all my heart for finishing this series right.
Reread 2020: Wow, almost exactly 10 years since I first read this. Second reread, floowing along with the TOR recaps. Still shock and awe, still all the major feels, still finding things I missed the first two times through. Still thank Brandon Sanderson with all my heart for finishing this series right.
The book was dragged out too much. I expected that would be the case, so it was definitely not anything surprising. Obviously big moments setting up the end. After 13 books I’m going into the last book feeling relieved, rather than intrigued for the end. It appears that each book was promising something that never came. As to characters - Mat is just a touch more himself compared to book 12. Egwene is still nothing like herself, all for the better. It’s a pity we only got glimpses of the future at Rhuidean. In general the visions there have been by far the most interesting plot point in the series.
I sincerely hope that the last book has absolutely no filler, as this would tilt me to no end.
I sincerely hope that the last book has absolutely no filler, as this would tilt me to no end.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I admit, I'm finishing the series more out of loyalty than addiction. I started the first book in the early 90s. Ironically picking it off the shelf at a used book store because the cover caught my eye. It was early in my fantasy/sci-fi awakening. I think I'd read a few of the Forgotten Realms and Dragon Lance books, maybe the Shanaras... That first book seemed like such an improvement from what I'd read in the genre up until then. It set the bar a little higher from then on. I admit, it felt like the books lost their way a bit around the 5th (Fires of Heaven) or 6th (Lord of Chaos) installment. But I never gave up on them.
I would not say that the series has found it's way again under the pen of Brandon Sanderson (who has picked up the series after Robert Jordan's death) However, he has done an admirable job continuing Jordan's vision. I've read that Robert Jordan had the rest of the story outlined. Or at least the major plot points and ending sketched out. I wouldn't say that the change in authors has been seamless. Sanderson puts a genuine love for Robert Jordan's world in his writing. He knows these characters and he cares about them. But he doesn't know them as well as Robert Jordan. The characters feel a little thinner now. If you've read and love this series your memories of these characters from past books will fill in the gaps. But it feels like they are moving into caricatures. I'll give Sanderson his due though, his scenes with military engagements are stronger that Robert Jordan's.
I'm planning on finishing this series out. I've come this far, and even if this book had been a miserable mess I would have finishes it out and read it, and the next/last book as well. But this book wasn't bad. There was at least one moment that would have made the book worth it all on it's own. The trio of friends (Mat, Rand and Perrin) have been separated for so long now. We get a reunion in this book. And I'm not going to lie, I got a warm fuzzy.
You can feel things coming together, it feels like a run up to the last book. All the pieces are in place. If you've come this far, it's worth finishing out. And Brandon Sanderson did a fine job of continuing Robert Jordan's story, and he'll do a fine job writing Robert Jordan's ending. But I can't help that feel that Robert Jordan himself would have made the difference between a good book, and a great book.
I would not say that the series has found it's way again under the pen of Brandon Sanderson (who has picked up the series after Robert Jordan's death) However, he has done an admirable job continuing Jordan's vision. I've read that Robert Jordan had the rest of the story outlined. Or at least the major plot points and ending sketched out. I wouldn't say that the change in authors has been seamless. Sanderson puts a genuine love for Robert Jordan's world in his writing. He knows these characters and he cares about them. But he doesn't know them as well as Robert Jordan. The characters feel a little thinner now. If you've read and love this series your memories of these characters from past books will fill in the gaps. But it feels like they are moving into caricatures. I'll give Sanderson his due though, his scenes with military engagements are stronger that Robert Jordan's.
I'm planning on finishing this series out. I've come this far, and even if this book had been a miserable mess I would have finishes it out and read it, and the next/last book as well. But this book wasn't bad. There was at least one moment that would have made the book worth it all on it's own. The trio of friends (Mat, Rand and Perrin) have been separated for so long now. We get a reunion in this book. And I'm not going to lie, I got a warm fuzzy.
You can feel things coming together, it feels like a run up to the last book. All the pieces are in place. If you've come this far, it's worth finishing out. And Brandon Sanderson did a fine job of continuing Robert Jordan's story, and he'll do a fine job writing Robert Jordan's ending. But I can't help that feel that Robert Jordan himself would have made the difference between a good book, and a great book.
It doesn't matter what anyone says about this book. If you've read the first 12, you're going to read it. If you're contemplating starting with book one of the series - don't.