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Lord of Chaos (The Wheel of Time, Book 6)

Lord of Chaos (The Wheel of Time, Book 6)

List Price: $7.99
Your Price: $7.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: In which monotony sets in...
Review: By the accounts I have read, Robert Jordan's fantasy megaseries "The Wheel of Time," the ninth volume of which is due for release in late 2000, was originally intended as a six-volume saga. Whatever the motivation--more money made on more volumes, characters or fantasyland more interesting (and thus worth more verbiage) than first estimated, what have you--the original plan is moot, and we the readers are faced with a series half again as long as first advertised, with no end in sight. This situation would be more palatable if the events that take place within "The Wheel of Time" had not begun to follow the monotonous pattern that this episode first set up, to wit: Rand Al'Thor flits about various kingdoms under his nominal control to no apparent purpose, Aes Sedai women scheme and plot against him and each other, other female characters bicker and argue, all while the forces of darkness pull strings in the background and seemingly have the better knowledge of what is really happening--better, in fact, than the reader does.

In sum, not much of any real import or consequence happens until the last 100 pages, which would mean more if the book weren't 1000 pages long; the acceleration in this last section is exhilarating, but part of this effect is achieved by the 900-page buildup, which any sensible reader (a category I apparently do not fall under) cannot be blamed for avoiding entirely. It is extremely difficult to avoid the obvious conclusion that in this volume, not to mention the previous and subsequent ones, Jordan could very easily have accomplished the same narrative without slaughtering quite so many trees.

None of these comments have any meaning, of course, if you have become so infatuated with the characters or with Jordan's fantasyland that no amount of description of the minutiae of these people's lives could ever be enough. Those who have finished the first five volumes and are not so enthralled, however, should note that the investment in time and attention that will be required to see Jordan's tale completely through may be more than you are willing to give. If so, this is the place to quit. As far as technical considerations are concerned, the prose is still slick but occasionally poor, and given to recycling some of the same passages again and again.

Overall, my impression is that after getting past the Tolkien pastiche of the first few volumes, Jordan was doing a fine job of exploiting a highly imaginative fantasyland. It seems a genuine shame that he would let his narrative bog down like it does here.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: The Lord of Chaos
Review: Not a too bad book overall, but I believe there wasn't hardly any progress in the book. The only major thing that happened was killing part of the shaido and making the Aes Sedai bow to him. That fulfilled part of the prophecies so it is some progress. However, chasing the Aiel and the Aes Sedai with Rand did get a little boring. Also, the only big thing that Elayne and Nynaeve did was get closer to the Bowl of Winds. The action scene at the end of the book did raise my impression of the book a little. It was actually good to see the Asha'men figthing and Rand actually being able to use his power. I think a little faster plot is in order.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Read for the Enjoyment of Reading!
Review: I am an avid reader - I read close to 2-3 books a month. Ever since I laid my hands on the Eye of the World, though, I have been wrapped up in this amazing story. However, I feel that I need to say something about the reviews I have been reading of the Wheel of Time series, and I have to say that some of these reviewers are only in for the "quick fix". I only have one thing to say to them - "If you don't like reading, don't". This is by far one of the most fantastic and imaginative series I have ever read. Robert Jordan is a creative individual who has done an exquisite job of relating his story to the reader. He uses the descriptive voice like no other that I have read. "When something can be described by 10 words, he uses 250". So what? Do you think he enjoys writing these long books? He's trying to paint a picture of this world of his, and it's fascinating. Keeping track of the characters in the book is really not that hard if you pay attention, especially when there's a "glossary" in the back of the book to remind you if you do forget. Savor each page, each word, because it is truly a beautiful story.

I have just finished Book 6, and I have to say that this story just gets better and better. Questions are answered, while new ones spring up. Mysteries that are solved only lead to deeper mysteries that you had no idea were there. The compliment of characters gives this series every possible point of view you can get. I started this series only a few months ago, and I have been obsessed by it. The descriptions of Jordan's world are almost at enjoyable to read as the interaction between the characters. Reviewers complain that the series is too long - that's because they must not enjoy reading. Me, I hope this series goes on for a while. I have never truly gotten this much enjoyment from a series of books ever. If you read this series, please have the mind set that this is not something to rush through. Lose yourself in it, get whisked away to the Aiel Waste or to Andor and enjoy the great work of this extremely imaginative author.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A worthwhile series, but includes major faults.
Review: Now I want to start off saying that in the long run The Wheel Of Time is worth the boring, hair pulling needless speech that so often bubles up explaning nothing that just adds more pages to the book. Also I find that i REALLY dislike the way the women in the book are always spouting off gender slurs degrading the worth of the male gender. At times it is so bad that i would put the book down.The women always seem to bully the men to do what ever they desire, it was enough to make me sick. Other than that it is one of the best series I have ever read

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The best book I have ever read!
Review: This is THE best book I have ever read! I disagree with the reviewers that say this book has flaws. There might be a few small ones but, but they make a big deal of them because they are too picky! Any time a great book like this comes along they can't find big things to complain about so they complain about the tiny things. They say that Robert Jordan goes into too much detail, sure he goes into detail! His main objective in the detail is to give you a clear picture in you mind so that you can understand what's happening better. If you like detailed books you will like this book. If you don't, sorry, but you are missing a good book!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Amazing
Review: This is most definately the most amazing series I have ever read. Robert Jordan is an wonderful fantasy writer and i intend to keep through all of them until he decides to finish the series. People commented negitively on the way he uses a good vocabulary and large descriptions of the little things, but the simple truth is, its the little things that make the mental picture. I must say keeping up with all of the names is sometimes tough, but its interesting the way he makes up all the original names.

If you liked books like the lord of the rings and when you were younger the chronicles of Narnia, then this series is for you.

I did have some frustration when Perrin didnt come into the 5th book seeing hes my favorite character, but it made me all the more happy at his return in the 6th.

Overall, this book is a definate must read for fantasy fans

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Very good overall
Review: This series is great overall, but the indivual books have their weak points, the endless little threads of subplots are great when they tie into the main story, but often they go on and on without tieing in. The man/woman relations are really strange, men and women arent that different. Nynaeve is sooo annoying. Otherwise, a great story, read it and see the good points for yourself.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Draws you in
Review: Obviously Jordan got caught up in a couple characters and didn't give equal attention to all in this novel but he more than makes up for it in the fast pace style present in this book. I was flipping pages like a mad man. I love this book and have nothing bad to say about it. Definitely worth reading and owning. Don't get it from the library because you then have to give it back and after reading it you will know how hard that is.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: WOW
Review: Three fantastic novels in a row, this is very special! Lord of Chaos is my personal favorite in the series so far (I've read through Path of Daggers)! In this book, Rand becomes a SERIOUS force to be reckoned with politically due to his Black Tower and his budding domination over the Aes Sedai!

Sure, Rand's a blabbering paranoid freak, but he's still got enough wits to hold his growing empire together. Perrin returns to prominence. The three lads from Emond's Field seem to no longer be the best of friends, their lives have separated to a great degree. The Aes Sedai who fled the White Tower upon Elaida's ascendancy are regrouping in Salidar and plotting a return to power.

This book is very long, but the first 75% is basically a build-up to the last 25%. This last couple hundred pages of the book is where Jordan delivers some of the best fantasy action I've ever read, masterfully tying together a couple threads into a brilliant culmination of events that leaves the reader gaping in awe. The ending is pretty sudden and although only a few Aes Sedai are sworn to him, the precedent is set and there is a sense of overwhelming (though bloody) victory.

Most of the concepts in this book won't make sense unless the reader has completed the previous novels. The first three books are great, but to me books 4-6 are the best. Just read them ALL! Unfortunately, the pace set in this book is dramatically altered (for the worse) in the next two books.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Interesting pet peeves
Review: Lord of Chaos was an excellent continuation to the WOT series--exciting and entertaining--but if I have to read someone described as "plump" one more time, I might throw the book out of the window. It made me laugh to read other reviews in which people pointed out the things that I had noticed: his fixation with the word 'breasts', how horribly rude Nynaeve is without any reedeming qualities to her, and the strange relationship between men and women in Jordan's books. I'll keep on reading, of course. It's a nice way to pass the time.


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