Reviews

A Memory of Light by Brandon Sanderson, Robert Jordan

dnandrews797's review against another edition

4.0

This was an excellent conclusion to the Wheel of Time series and wrapped up all the plot points with a neat little bow. There were many powerful moments throughout the entire book, but perhaps the best were Perrin’s face off with the slayer, Rand’s imprisonment of the Dark One, and, of course, Lan’s battle with Demondred.
This book was basically only the last battle and, while it dragged on a little longer than I would have liked in some parts, ultimately ended on a hopeful note and no burning questions. The deaths throughout the book were all well timed and meaningful, especially Egwene, and Faile and Perrin’s reunion was my favourite part of the book.
Overall, a good way to end such a long and poignant journey.

saneyossarian's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.0

dda9's review

5.0

Before reading “A Memory of Light” I would have given Jordan’s/Sanderon’s Wheel of Time series three stars. The first few books are good fantasy. The middle of the series slows down considerably. Book ten was a chore. Book eleven was more interesting and it kept getting better, but it couldn’t make up for the enormous effort required to slog through four or five thousand pages that, frankly, weren’t that compelling. “A Memory of Light” changed that. The Wheel of Time finale is easily one of the most wonderful and poignant books I have ever read. This is the first book that has evoked such feelings of loss from the characters, and such satisfaction from the plot resolution since I read Lloydd Alexander’s “The High King” (Book five of The Chronicles of Prydain) as a boy. This book alone raises the series to four stars simply for setting up this book.
I would also add that this is the most complex novel that I have ever read. With a character count in the realm of “War and Peace” and world creation that rivals—dare I say surpasses—Tolkien, this series is immersive like nothing else. Despite the sometimes slow moving plot, Jordan, then Sanderson do a wonderful job with character development so that by “A Memory of Light” the reader is heavily invested with each character. Sanderson does a marvelous job bringing together the multitude of strings of the plot that Jordan created to weave a fantastic story.
This book started out at a normal pace, but by the mid-point, the plot seemed to be moving so fast that I wasn’t ready for the developments. It sometimes left me (figuratively) out of breath.
I don’t know that I will ever make it through the entire wheel of time series again, but I will definitely reread “A Memory of Light.”

snazzy10101's review against another edition

4.0

When I finally started this book in Dec 2023 almost 2 years since I began this series, I was hit by the largest wave of emotions I’ve had in a while. 6 months later I have finally finished it. I’m yet to listen to the prequel but I’m going to start the whole series again after that.

The star off of my score is due to Brandon Sanderson’s writing style. Although he mimics Jordan’s (imo it’s the best Sanderson has written), to me it lacks the magic of the earlier books. I honestly think that is why I took so long finishing it. 

Biggest flaw of the plot is

Egwene’s death. She (although absolutely desolating the opposition) did not deserve to be the only one of the original characters from the Two Rivers to die (Matt doesn’t count).

kschuster's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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

5.0

kendylldrilling's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

hyzerchan's review against another edition

4.0

It was an ending.

asriram's review against another edition

5.0

This book did a marvelous job of wrapping up all loose ends. The book started out fast, slowed down towards the middle, and picked up during and after Chapter 37 for a marvelous performance. One of my favorite books I’ve read in a while. Brandon did a fantastic job of wrapping up the story.
In short, the book is a near-perfect end to the series, which has quickly made its way into being one of my favorite fantasy series. I had a blast reading this exquisite conclusion to this marvelous series.

frozenfrog's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad tense fast-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

5.0

bugsisshrimp's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.5