Rating:  Summary: Best Fantasy Collection Ever Written Review: I have been reading the Wheel of Time series since the first book came out and this is my favorite series ever. However, it's not for everyone. Jordan is probably the most descriptive writer I have ever read and he will describe everything he possibly can in one situation in order to set the mood properly. This makes his books, and the chapters, very long. Some people don't like long and descriptive, elaborate writing like this, I do, and I believe that Robert Jordan is the best author I have ever read. Read the series in order, starting from the first book, and it will make a lot more sense and be much more enjoyable reading. I've gone back and read all of them over again at least twice.
Rating:  Summary: A pretty good book Review: Well, I only gave this three stars because, honestly, there is a good 500-600 pages that could have been clipped. The same thing as in the first book. Not that it's that big an issue, it is wonderful for a writer to show a world in so much detail, however in this case, as well as The Eye of The World and The Fires of Heaven most of all, the action is scarce and what little happens happens at the very end. So, down to it, this book has I think the shortest of the epic battles at the end, taking one chapter. Perrin, who was completely missing from the previous book, makes a long awaited return, yet it is saved until the very end for his arrival. To make it more strange, the prologue is 6 times the length of most of the chapters, and most of the good parts of the plot happen there, not in the rest of the story. Still, this one was conclusive, and I felt after reading it, it would have made a fair ending, having tied so much, yet of course, there remains the issue of the rebel Aes Sedai. Fortunately, I've found that with this series, speed-reading through certain parts enhances the pace, if you're willing to backtrack a page or two every now and then.
Rating:  Summary: Being his seventh book I would expect more Review: Jordan started off this series with a bang. Now it seems like he is slowing everything down. Everything seems to be a repeat. Rand never seems to be very forward on what his plans are. This book started to really confuse me on where Jordan was going with this series.
Rating:  Summary: One of the best of the series! Review: So books 1 3 6 & 9 are the best in my opinion, but the best of the best have to be 6 and 9. This book has non stop action as opposed to book 5, where there is barely any action and mostly women bickering about clothing. There are major plot twists in this book that take you by supprise, and if you have read books 1-5 previous to reading this book, they will most likely make you jump for joy. At times it can be long winded and a bit boring, but they are few, short, and far between. So ignore what you hear from everyone about Robert Jordan being evil for writing his seiries so long... that's what makes it so great. I suggest you start from the first book if you are new to the series and no matter what do not give up on the 5th book. Don't worry about how long the books are... i got so involved in the first 3 books that i read all three in about 3 weeks. Size doesn't matter.... or atleast in books. ;)
Rating:  Summary: Great read Review: pretty good read. Not as good as the first or second novels.
Rating:  Summary: Instant Classic Review: oh light!!! could i love rand any more than i do? robert jordan comes back at us with his sixth installment, and there are some major happenings & shocking revelations in this book. and amazingly we are still given even more information and history regarding the wheel of time world. it's so amazing! do not be mislead, the wheel of time series is NOT light reading; however, despite its weight & depth, it is the most consuming & riveting read you will find. this book has more action than book five & therefore, i give it five stars.
Rating:  Summary: Loved Reading It!!! Review: "Kneel, or you will be knelt." Has there been a more powerful or significant sentence in this series? The seeds of mistrust have been sown in Rand, and we have to wonder if the 'Chaos' in the book's title refers to the events that mistrust engenders, or the maelstrom in the Dragon Reborn's mind. Before that moment, we have rooted for Rand, empathized with him... But now we are more aware than ever of the power he wields, and the delicate balance he struggles to maintain between sanity and insanity. LOC is RJ greatest accomplishment to date, a complex, involving book with a dizzying number of subplots, plot twists, and powerful scenes. Take Egwene's character: she admits things and meets her toh with an Aiel's courage, then uses the world of dreams to get to Salidar, then find out someone wants her for something, then begins to manipulate them with a skill that would make Moiraine proud. Now consider that Egwene was basically a MINOR character in this book, and you can see how detailed LOC really is. RJ stuffs a lot into 700 pages (hardcover) and none of it seems extraneous or indulgent. PLOTTING: So many things happen to advance the main plot that I have to wonder how RJ keeps track of it all. Does he have a big blackboard at home where he diagrams the whole thing, or what? LOC has enough plot threads to weave a sweater with, and he manages to cover everybody important. The opening prologue is an excellent example of RJ getting us up to speed on what minor and major characters are doing, and he does the same thing in the epilogue, too. CHARACTERIZATION: We thought Rand was a hard man before, but after Dumai's Wells...Wow. Talk about your earth-shaking psychological impact. We also see Egwene settling into her role as a forceful, crafty leader, and Perrin as the reluctant hero, while Mat unwittingly becomes a father figure to young Olver. PACING: Despite juggling so many plot threads, RJ never slows the pace, using alternate threads to create an ebb and flow effect. For example, right Rand gets kidnapped, RJ jumps to Ebou Dar to heighten the suspense of the former thread. BEST SCENE: It has to be Dumai's Wells. No scene in the series has been more powerful, or more unforgettable. I can still see the Asha'man exploding the Shaido to bits in my mind. (Try getting that by TV censors!) MOST POV: This is a tough call. It's probably Rand, but I'd have to count chapters to be sure, because Egwene, Min, Elayne, Mat and Perrin all get a lot of attention. Then there's all the minor characters, from Pedron Niall and Morgase to Sammael and Graendal, who get paragraphs and chapters. OVERALL: For better or worse, LOC is the book that all future volumes will be compared with, and I know that sounds unfair, but...Let me put it this way - I just finished reading it, and I could read it again right away. That's how much I loved reading LOC. Sorry for my rambling on, and making the review so long. Hope it helps!
Rating:  Summary: Still Good, But Not My Favorite Review: Another massive tome from fantasy writer Robert Jordan leads to more questions than answers. Rand begins to pull together a group of men who can channel, while big changes are in store for Egwene, Nyaneve, and Elayne. Some new characters are introduced including a false dragon named Taim who looks like he'll be around for a while, and a welcome addition back to the fold is Perrin and his wife Faile. My only beef with the book is Jordan's need for an editor. After reading again and again about how low or high a bodice is cut, and the inner details of city after city it begins to get tedious by page seven hundred. I also didn't think this book really took off until about half way through with scads of exposition to wade through. Still, you have to marvel at a man who can write the volume he does with no apparent end in sight and still manage to keep his characters mostly compelling.
Rating:  Summary: As to When Robert Jordan Will Stop Writing Review: As to when Robert Jordan will stop writing, he himself said, on the flaps of one of his books, "when I'm in my grave." So everyone wondering when it will end, there is your answer. Robert Jordan has not stopped letting us live in that other world for these passed ten years, and i more than hope he's influenced some people's imaginations to create worlds of their own and share those also with the rest of us:). It has been written that Robert Jordan should not have a pen, that when he is done and in the grave he will be a monument to mania, and a mania for writing at that.For those complaining the story never ends there are more, even among those who complain that will be sorry to see it truly end. As to the quality of Robert Jordan's writing I also tend to agree with the saying that when a person is a genius all who are mediocore complain jealously. I have read up to book six now, and I mean to read the rest. If Jordan could be compared to any writer, storywise or style-wise, I would not do it with Tolkien. I would do it with, instead, Frank Herbert. If anything, Rand at times reminds me of Paul, and the female Aes Sedai left over after the breaking the Bene Gesseritt. I am tired of the condescending tones of those who hold themselves in erudite, snide positions, denying writers like Jordan and Tolkien their rightful places in American and English literature. I think it is important that we do not forget the mythology of our ancestors, and that we need mythology now; and that is what Jordan provides, a mythology for us now. That's why Edmund Spenser wrote the Faerie Queen. Now that singular piece de resistance is considered a fine part in the canon of English literature. In American literature Ray Bradbury is included in some high school classes, but for the most part, Americans lack any real fantasy in their literature anthologies, excluding Edgar Allan Poe, Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court and perhaps another couple from a hundred years ago. This is sad. Robert Jordan deserves a place in our American literature anthologies now, as do many other writers. If Jordan is never recognized by the literati, it does not matter, for his work is in the hearts and minds of many. Jordan, in my mind, deserves the same spot in being taught in literature classes, not just in a scifi/fantasy course. To me, Jordan is a symbol of what can be done when you are succesful, just as Stephen King is (his writing style I may not like but the man is a good, succesful writer!) and it may not be what everyone in your creative writing class agrees with, nor your professor, but as long as you know what you are doing, you had better well do it! As to this particular book in The Wheel of Time series, I am very pleased to see Nynaeve has matured. WARNING, SPOILERS AHEAD! Yes she is still Nynaeve, but Nynaeve is honest, and she does admit when she is wrong and thereby helps open herself to Saidar and get rid of the block. Jordan does a good job tying her personality flaw/strength of determination of stubborness to her block to saidar. As far as I'm concerned, I'm glad Nynaeve is proud, and other than the constant braid pulling she is one of my favorites. She's come along way from thinking Saidar, or handling anything with the One Power is filthy. I think this had a lot to do with her block as well. As for the three women tied to Rand, for all the strength Jordan weaves into them, it seems to me they're pretty well wrapped around Rand. I for one would just find someone else! After all, Elayne could have, and Egwene did. I really like the unexpected turn with Egwene and Gawyn coming into the beginnings of a love that is, in a word, dreamy! Perrin is one of my favorite characters, perhaps because he reminds me of my husband in the physical description at the least. I truly hope Faile does not have to share him with another woman, then I will stop liking Perrin. I hope that what Min saw is only Berelain wanting to trap Perrin to prove something to Faile, and that whoever Min saw in white as being Berelain's love is not Perrin, but a gai'shan. Mat's character has come along since the begiining; he realizes he can't have such a narrow mind. I think Mazrim Taim is really going to turn out to be Damandred. They both have hook noses. Is that resurrected by the dark one chick Lanfear again? But what's with Saidin being wielded by her, but she's really a guy. Whoa, Jordan. I think Balzac would enjoy this. As for the Aes Sedai in general, what galls me is how they really do not want to share power with the men! That's the base motive. All this time I thought they were concerned mainly for safety. But when Rand gets his men together he doesn't call them Aes Sedai, like I thought he would since Aes Sedai applied to male and female before the breaking, instead he calls them something different, making a separation. Well, well, well, I hope Elayne gets to Andor is put on the throne. Ciao.
Rating:  Summary: Lord of Chaos: Is Rand getting Randy? Review: Shocking to some readers, Rand has engaged in un-connubial sex with Aviendha. The tension has been building all along, but it still surprised me. Does Rand feel more than friendship and attraction for Aviendha? Do all three, Min, Elayne and Avindha have to be bonded in marriage of some kind to him, or will they just committ to protecting him in some way, I wonder. What surprises me most is Rand's attitude about it. He seems bashful one moment still, and in denial the next. The point is, he has definitely not done what he would have if he was still just a young man "off the farm" so to speak. A couple of books back he wouldn't have done the act in the first place, becuase he would have realized with the shield-maiden and cultural background she wouldn;t marry him. The thing that irritates me most about Rand right now is his wallowing in angst over the Aiel women who have died and his discombobualation when it comes to the women in his life. It seems Jordan sprung Aviendha on Rand in a Chani-Paul Atreides very Herbertesque parallel. In fact the three women bonded to Rand by fate is one thing but the contrived feeling that is coming from Rand's interactions with them and his failure to grow in this way after all that's transpired so far is a major flaw, in my estimation. Even Nynaeve has matured to the point where she realizes what's most imprtant to her is Lan. Rand is being a mumbskull thinking if he doesn't committ or tries to shield himself from female relationships as much as possible he won't hurt them, since as the reader and Rand himnself has said, what's going to happen in the wheel of time is going to happen anyways. I can see this is being used as a point of conflict but I don't think it's a worthy one and I hope Rand figures that out soon, since whenever he's not waging war or mucking about in politics he thinks of the women in his life.
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