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mattiedancer's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Writing: 2.25⭐️/5
*Some Spoilers*
The repetition in Jordan’s writing returns, but this is not my biggest complaint with this novel. My biggest complaint is the first half of the novel (so just a very short 500 pages) is dedicated to misogyny and sexism. The amount of times I wanted to stop reading this book because it really felt like Jordan didn’t like writing about women (at least, clothed women) was honestly too many.
And then, the second half. It’s not a review of a Jordan novel without conflicting opinions. And, wow, did Jordan deliver. The second 500 pages contained some large sections of prose that I thoroughly enjoyed. The section when Rand is in Rhuidean and witnessing the history of the Aiel? Wow. So cool. The section where Rand is fighting in Rhuidean? So damn interesting.
So, I’m gonna do the only thing I can: I’m splitting the difference. The first half of the book would have truly been a 2, the second half about a 3.75. And so, he gets a 2.75.
Characters: 3⭐️/5
*Some Spoilers*
I wish Jordan could keep his characters a touch more consistent. I did enjoy some of the growth around Faile, though I still can’t stand how both she and Perrin treat each other. Mat’s sections left him feeling useless and tangential to the story, with only a few sections (outside of his objectification of every woman ever) being of true importance. However, I did find Rand all the more interesting and complex in this section. Overall, I just wish the characters could keep a consistent voice and tone, instead of feeling like traced outlines of who they could be. Also, just really wish not every male character resorts to misogyny at the first little shove.
Plot: 3.75⭐️/5
*Some Spoilers*
The plot is unnecessarily slow at the beginning of the novel, leaving chapters upon chapters to be padded with misogyny and sexism and the forbidden ankles of serving gals. As the novel picked up, I found myself thoroughly entertained and enthralled to see what happened next (outside of the comments on women’s bodies and all the women just getting naked randomly). Perrin’s sections seemed the most contrived with the slowest moving sections where Jordan had people conveniently forget or become unwilling to do things in order to send them to do them later (hey, Loial). Also, we have an entire section where we are led to believe the stakes against Perrin are high, only to have Perrin pull a “well actually” on delivering those stakes. Felt unnecessarily confusing. However, I will say Rand and Nynaeve/Elayne’s sections were truly enjoyable, and I looked forward to their rotation. And, Jordan’s battle scenes are quite fun to read, even if they’re a bit predictable.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Those who read books one, two, and three of The Wheel of Time (The Eye of the World, The Great Hunt, and The Dragon Reborn) and are able to overlook some misogyny
Content Warnings?
- Toxic relationships, blood, gore, abuse, domestic abuse, war, sexual assault, toxic friendships, gaslighting, misogyny, sexism, death, murder, injury, injury detail, sexual harassment, emotional abuse, slavery, animal death, child death,
Post-Reading Rating: 4.25⭐️/5
I actually enjoy the ending of Jordan’s books, generally a lot more than the beginning.
Final Rating: 3.25⭐️/5
I can see why, outside of the misogyny, people love the story. The misogyny is so overwhelming though, like too much cilantro in an otherwise savoury dish – when I’m allergic to cilantro.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, Blood, Death, Toxic relationship, Child death, Domestic abuse, Sexism, War, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
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