Reviews

Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan

confusedalpaca's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

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

5.0

sloph's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious 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

4.5

I am really enjoying where this series is going. I thought that this book had a lot of growth in the characters and that the plot is really stepping up. I cant wait to see how everything is going to come together. 

nikkifortenberry's review against another edition

3.0

I love the premise of the story and the characters which is why I keep reading these books. But good Lord, Robert Jordan is so long winded. He includes so many details that do nothing for the story. I can’t wait to get to the books that were written in part by Brandon Sanderson. I’m hoping that he gets to the point much faster.

ptrevs's review

adventurous medium-paced

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

3.75

Good, but I feel this is where the series starts to slow down and suffer from really inconsistent pacing. Nothing happens in the first half of this book, then too much happens in the second half. The ending is excellent, and  makes up for the slog of the first half. Taking a break before diving into the next into the series.

janichkokov's review

4.0

A bit of a slog, but worth it in the end. Also made me very eager to start the next one.

aroomforstories's review against another edition

adventurous slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

projectmemo's review against another edition

5.0

 First re-read:

This might honestly be the best book in the series. On to the next one. And just to finish... 6 words:

Kneel or you will be knelt.

connorrooke's review

4.0

Lord of Chaos, the sixth book of the Wheel of Time series, has the dubious distinction of being the last book wherein anything very interesting happens until Winter's Heart, and then for some time after.
Lord of Chaos' most important contribution to the series is the development of the conflict between the two factions of Aes Sedai; the loyalists who follow Elaida in the White Tower, and the rebels based in the small town of Salidar. Rand's story in this book focuses on his dealings with these two factions, how he attempts to manipulate them and how they attempt to manipulate him. The different ways the two sides approach and treat the Dragon Reborn are actually quite interesting, and leads to one of the most tense sequences in the series, and with some of the greatest repercussions.
Rand's descent into madness continues as well, and we see more of how much he places on his shoulders and the extents to which he pushes himself and others to accomplish his goals. Honestly, the way Jordan depicts how a man would cope with literally having the fate of the world as his responsibility is one of the best things about the series. Rand is a figure of legend, a master swordsman, and one of the most powerful channelers in existence, but he has no idea how to live up to his legend, and repeatedly damages himself because of it.
Egwene's story here is the first truly interesting thing to happen to her in the series, and it continues strong through the rest of the novels.
Mat remains the best character in the series, and the way Elayne starts to treat him in this book would have immediately catapulted her to the worst, if Faile hadn't already cemented her position there halfway through her second appearance.

Spoiler

Rand's kidnapping is one of the best sequences in the entire series, and has a greater effect on the fabric of the world than anything but Rand's masterstroke in Winter's Heart. Elaida's power is shaken and the Black Tower announces itself to the world in spectacular fashion, but best of all: Rand gets a bunch of Aes Sedai to stop being insufferable, arrogant, spoiled children. Throughout the whole series, we see Aes Sedai wander about with a level of arrogance typically reserved for gods. Admittedly, they have good reason to act like the world is their toy. But we see many Aes Sedai who are foolish, impulsive, catty, bullying, ignorant - just as human as the rest of the world. When someone is no better than anyone else, but continues on as smug as anything, you start wanting them to be brought down from their pedestal . The rudest characters, the most callous, the most condescending in the series are all Aes Sedai and finally, finally, we see them faced with something they can't ignore, belittle, or patronize. And it feels so good for them to just. Shut. up.

Kneel to the Dragon Reborn, or you will be knelt.

kcrouth's review against another edition

5.0

An exciting read the 2nd time through! An exciting conclusion with the men in black saving the day!

atunk15's review

slow-paced

5.0