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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I felt Rand's relative absence more than expected, for all that I've pronounced myself as tired of the whole "chosen one denies they're the chosen one" thing. Perhaps because, having proclaimed himself the Dragon at the end of book two, he has instead decided to speedrun destiny and beeline for an any% completion on killing the Dark One.
The best parts of this book, the trio of Egwene + Elayne + Nynaeve at the White Tower, are best because that's the only piece of the story where characters are doing something in one place for an appreciable amount of time. Travel is the bulk of what folks are here to do, and it's fine travel with no shortage of plot points of interest, but it does mean that wider consequences of the characters' actions are typically only heard about at a distance. Our rurally-inclined protagonists tend to rush on before they witness the impact of anything they're doing. It does feel at least feel as if we're moving past the time when the main characters both know too little and are never in a position to exert real agency, over where they go or what they do. This was another book where the resolution largely felt like it all fell together just because everyone showed up at the place they were destined to, and while I am continuing my leisurely journey though the Westlands, I am glad to have reason to hope that this is another pattern which will soon be disrupted.
The best parts of this book, the trio of Egwene + Elayne + Nynaeve at the White Tower, are best because that's the only piece of the story where characters are doing something in one place for an appreciable amount of time. Travel is the bulk of what folks are here to do, and it's fine travel with no shortage of plot points of interest, but it does mean that wider consequences of the characters' actions are typically only heard about at a distance. Our rurally-inclined protagonists tend to rush on before they witness the impact of anything they're doing. It does feel at least feel as if we're moving past the time when the main characters both know too little and are never in a position to exert real agency, over where they go or what they do. This was another book where the resolution largely felt like it all fell together just because everyone showed up at the place they were destined to, and while I am continuing my leisurely journey though the Westlands, I am glad to have reason to hope that this is another pattern which will soon be disrupted.
adventurous
funny
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:
No
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book I did not find as interesting as the previous 2 because not a lot of action happened until the very end. But the end was very good.
adventurous
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Enjoyed this book a lot more than ‘The Great Hunt’ enough that I will soldier on to continue. The characters are beginning to surprise me and that’s usually a good sign for me…
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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:
Complicated
The accelerator on 'Rand is kuh-raaazy' might have been pressed a bit too quickly here because I definitely recall the narrative pulling back on it a bit in the next book. I do enjoy his entire bizarre vision quest with the crew of hapless heroes following in his wake, trying to make sure he doesn't get himself killed. Unfortunately it also leads to the introduction of one of the loathsome characters in the series: completely obliterating Faile from the narrative would be a change worth applauding in the tv show honestly. But rereading and discovering how little time or patience Moiraine actually has for her was highly enjoyable.
The White Tower situation is seriously silly and makes Siuan look incompetent. How long were they even back/under punishment before she sent them off again?
Mat is still kind of unreasonable in this (particularly given Aes Sedai just saved his life and are trying to prevent him starving himself) but he's improving. Rereading this makes it clear how easy it might be to edit Thom out of the series wholesale though.
Is there a Forsaken more irrelevant than Be'Lal? I think not.
Emond's Field 5 Power/Bearableness Ranking:
1. Nynaeve
2. Rand
3. Perrin
4. Mat
5. Egwene
The White Tower situation is seriously silly and makes Siuan look incompetent. How long were they even back/under punishment before she sent them off again?
Mat is still kind of unreasonable in this (particularly given Aes Sedai just saved his life and are trying to prevent him starving himself) but he's improving. Rereading this makes it clear how easy it might be to edit Thom out of the series wholesale though.
Is there a Forsaken more irrelevant than Be'Lal? I think not.
Emond's Field 5 Power/Bearableness Ranking:
1. Nynaeve
2. Rand
3. Perrin
4. Mat
5. Egwene
"The end of the third book of The Wheel of Time."
I love that he titles the last chapter "The Last Chapter" in each book. I get so excited when I hear it. Lol.
Loial and Perrin are still my everything. Loial is just adorable and Perrin and his falcon are 🥰🥹 Matt and Thom's journey was a whole lot of fun too. I really appreciated how much of this book was NOT in Rand's pov. He's interesting, but definitely not my favorite character.
Book 4 JUST became available to borrow before I left for work today, perfect timing. 👏😁
Fave quotes:
"Everywhere I go you humans are doing things. Hurrying and scurrying. Having things happen to you. How can you stand so much excitement?"
"Why, it is like old times. Sneaking away in the night with enemies behind us and maybe enemies ahead. And danger in the air and the cold tang of adventure." Oh, my dear sweet Loial. You're such a writer. 😆
adventurous
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