Month: February 2021

Background

The 14th and final book of the Wheel of Time books. Published in January of 2013, the series was completed and the readers get to know what happened between the Dark One and the Dragon Reborn.

My Thoughts

Sadly, the final book was a bit of let down. Sanderson brought a few themes from the 20teens that really didn’t need to be there. (I won’t go into it here because the thought police are active…)

The ending was an ending and it wrapped up quite a bit. That said, there is always plenty of story to continue if someone feels the inclination.

Recommendation

If you’ve already read the last 13 books, what’s another 900+ pages?

Background

Published in Sept of 2010, Towers of Midnight is the thirteenth book in the Wheel of Time series. The group works their way toward the last battle and Rand starts unifying the forces of light.

My Thoughts

There was almost as many questions raised as there were questions answered in this book. Moiraine and Thom? Really? What’s with the Eelfinn and Aelfinn? Wasn’t that needlessly complex to get the gholam? Anyway, the pieces on the board were set for the last book and that’s all I wanted from it.

Recommendation

Almost done…

Background

Published in October of 2009, The Gathering Storm is the twelfth book in the Wheel of Time series and the first book for the series written by Brandon Sanderson. Robert Jordan’s widow asked Mr. Sanderson to finish the series based on the notes Robert Jordan had left. There was a surprising amount of loose ends to tie up and they decided to turn the last book into 3 books to get it done.

My Thoughts

I enjoyed the writing style of Sanderson and I felt he stayed close to the personalities of the characters in the previous books.

Recommendation

It is the beginning of the end and worth the read.

Background

Published in Oct of 2005, Knife of Dreams is the eleventh book in the Wheel of Time series. Much like book ten, there is a lot going on. Notable events are Rand’s maiming and Mat becoming nobility.

My Thoughts

I enjoyed Mat more and more in this book. I don’t like the Seanchan and though this book humanizes them a bit, I felt like it didn’t go far enough. It was an easy read in that it pulled me along.

Recommendation

Good book

Background

Published in 2003, Crossroads of Twilight is the tenth book in the Wheel of Time series. A good deal is going on as several characters are working on their various problems.

Perrin is still trying to save his wife. Mat finally finds out who is “the Daughter of the Nine Moons”. Elayne tries to secure her throne. Rand is resting after cleansing the power. Egwene leads the rebel Aes Sedai in maintaining the siege of Tar Valon.

My Thoughts

I was really swept along with the story in this book. There is so much going on, the 800+ pages weren’t enough to describe what happens next. (I guess that’s why there are another 4 books.)

Recommendation

Good book…

Background

Published in Nov of 2000, Winter’s Heart is the ninth book in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. After the Dark One’s unnatural heat has been dissipated by the “Bowl of the Winds”, the world is covered with an increasing cold.

My Thoughts

Very exciting so far, this book raced by without seeming too much happening. Still there was a lot of character development and I’m slowly enjoying Matt more and more.

Recommendation

It’s the next link, a must read.

Background

Published in Oct of 2008, The Path of Daggers is the eighth book in Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time Series. The shortest book of the series with a mere 687 pages.

Rand is crowned King of Illian and the Dark One’s heat is finally removed by the use of the “Bowl of the Winds”.

My Thoughts

A good book and worth the read. A lot happens in the relatively few pages. The Sea Folk are brought into the story and we learn more and more about the Seanchan. Faile is kidnapped by the Shaido at the end which made by jump to the next book.

Recommendation

The story goes on so it is a must read.

Background

Published in May of 1996, A Crown of Swords is the 7th book in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Rand is accompanied by Min throughout most of the book and becomes needed in his quest. Lan comes back and is given a new purpose. Elaine and Nynaeve search for the “Bowl of the Winds” and Mat finds he doesn’t like to be the one being chased.

My Thoughts

There were a couple of big changes in this installment. First, there seems to be a whole lot of people who can channel. That’s quite the departure from what we’ve been lead to believe so far. There are 1000+ ladies in Ebou Dar? There are suddenly hundreds of men who can channel? Very strange… Second, folks are starting to get along. (Though they are still pretty petty.)

I was glad that Nynaeve can finally channel without having to get angry. That was getting tiresome. On that note, I still don’t see what Lan sees in her. That little love story bothers me. It’s too convenient and doesn’t seem to be based on anything.

Recommendation

All whining aside, I enjoyed it.

Background

Published in Oct of 1994, and over 1000 pages long, The Lord of Chaos is the sixth book in the Wheel of Time series. The book sees Rand captured and abused by Aes Sedai from the tower. He is freed by his friends but he will never trust quite the same. Perrin comes back into the story and his fame grows. Egwene becomes the new Amyrlin over the broken rebel faction of Aes Sedai and she makes Nynaeve and Elayne Aes Sedai as well.

My Thoughts

I like how Egwene grows in this book. Her time with the wise ones seems to have been well spent as it has prepped her to deal with the Aes Sedai who want to use her. You have to feel for Rand as he has to go through some real abuse at the hands of the Reds.

Recommendation

A good read.