Tag: the wheel of time

Book Review: The Path of Daggers (The Wheel of Time #8) by Robert Jordan

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 685 pages
Author: Robert Jordan
Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: October 20th, 1998
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The Seanchan invasion force is in possession of Ebou Dar. Nynaeve, Elayne, and Aviendha head for Caemlyn and Elayne’s rightful throne, but on the way they discover an enemy much worse than the Seanchan.

In Illian, Rand vows to throw the Seanchan back as he did once before. But signs of madness are appearing among the Asha’man.

In Ghealdan, Perrin faces the intrigues of Whitecloaks, Seanchan invaders, the scattered Shaido Aiel, and the Prophet himself. Perrin’s beloved wife, Faile, may pay with her life, and Perrin himself may have to destroy his soul to save her.

Meanwhile the rebel Aes Sedai under their young Amyrlin, Egwene al’Vere, face an army that intends to keep them away from the White Tower. But Egwene is determined to unseat the usurper Elaida and reunite the Aes Sedai. She does not yet understand the price that others—and she herself—will pay.

BARELY SURVIVED.

I don’t really have a lot to say for this one, so it’ll be short and not that sweet.

I’ve heard that these middle books are a slog and that’s how I feel each time. How many more do I have to go?! This felt really rambling and not all that memorable. I spent a lot of time wondering where Rand was and what he was up too. I wish there was a better balance of character points of view. The random ones + the regular main characters + everything else just gets overly complicated FAST.

Character development was low, not much happened and I am ready to move on to the next book. Thank goodness for audiobooks I can speed up.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: Closed door
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: A Crown of Swords (The Wheel of Time #7) by Robert Jordan

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 880 pages
Author: Robert Jordan
Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: November 15th, 1997
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In this volume, Elayne, Aviendha, and Mat come ever closer to the bowl ter’angreal that may reverse the world’s endless heat wave and restore natural weather. Egwene begins to gather all manner of women who can channel–Sea Folk, Windfinders, Wise Ones, and some surprising others. And above all, Rand faces the dread Forsaken Sammael, in the shadows of Shadar Logoth, where the blood-hungry mist, Mashadar, waits for prey.

WHAT A SNOOZE.

It took everything in me to continue this book y’all. Luckily I was warned beforehand that some of these middle books are slowww and I am VERY grateful for audiobooks that crank up to 3x speed.

I hate Mat and most of this book is about him. If you’re someone who does enjoy his character, I bet you’ll like this a lot more than me. I struggle to find one endearing quality about him and while I’m admittedly curious where he ends up in the end, right now I just want to skip to that ending. And what is it with Rand sleeping with any woman who walks into his bedroom? It’s laughable and makes me want to shake everyone too.

Once again, high meh feelings about how Jordan writes women. The amount of times I quirk my head and question what’s being said is non quantifiable because of how often it occurs.

It feels like nothing happened, though I’m sure some of it is important to future books. Glad to be moving on from this one.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: moderate-high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: battle themes, loss of loved ones, near death experiences, rape

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Book Review: Lord of Chaos (The Wheel of Time #6) by Robert Jordan

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 1004 pages
Author: Robert Jordan
Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: October 15th, 1994
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In Lord of Chaos, the sixth novel in Robert Jordan’s #1 New York Times bestselling epic fantasy series, The Wheel of Time(R), Rand al’Thor, the Dragon Reborn, builds his army of Light even as sworn enemies–and supposed allies–move against him.

Now ruling Tear, Andor, and Caemlyn, among other nations, Rand is recruiting all men capable of channeling to be trained as his Asha’man soldiers. The warrior Aiel clans have pledged loyalty to Rand, acknowledging him as their chief of chiefs, even though the Shaido Aiel remain a threat.

Split into two factions, the Aes Sedai of the White Tower and their rebel counterparts both seek to ally themselves with the Dragon Reborn. Rand knows all too well the manipulative nature of the Aes Sedai, no matter which side of their internal war they stand upon. But even he cannot predict just how desperate, cruel, and treacherous they can be.

And in the shadows, the Forsaken and the Dark One are conjuring even more chaos…

INVESTED AGAIN.

I finally feel after finishing this that I am back to being invested (and understanding) of everything happening. Though the book is THICK the review won’t be because these type of epic fantasy books are too hard not to spoil.

Character progression wise I like that there was a difference in general. Some positive and some I’m just curious about. And yay for Perrin being back too! Now that I can better remember everyone I like how things are currently going.

I do not love some of the quirks of Jordan’s writing. Especially about the women. I don’t know, there’s some things that make my head tilt.

Highly recommend listening to these books. The audio is amazing and makes moving through these books a much smoother process.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: large scale battle themes, physical and magical altercations, loss of life, kidnapping, near death experiences

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Book Review: The Fires of Heaven (The Wheel of Time #5) by Robert Jordan

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 912 pages
Author: Robert Jordan
Publisher: Orbit
Release Date: October 15th, 1993
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The fifth book in Robert Jordan’s internationally bestselling epic fantasy series, THE WHEEL OF TIME, now reissued with a stunning new cover design.

The bonds and wards that hold the Great Lord of the Dark are slowly failing, but still his fragile prison holds. The Forsaken, immortal servants of the shadow, weave their snares and tighten their grip upon the realms of men, sure in the knowledge that their master will soon break free…

Rand al’ Thor, the Dragon Reborn, knows that he must strike at the Enemy, but his forces are divided by treachery and by ambition. Even the Aes Sedai, ancient guardians of the Light, are riven by civil war. Betrayed by his allies, pursued by his enemies and beset by the madness that comes to the male wielders of the One Power, Rand rides out to meet the foe.

I SURVIVED.

It’s been a hot minute since I went picked up a book in this series. I got side tracked and now I am once again committing to getting through these books.

I enjoyed this for the most part. There’s some good action and the build is definitely continuing. It’s hard to mention a lot without spoilers to just vaguely saying things are progressing.

The “romances” are completely nonsensical. I don’t understand any of them and they are a bit cringey overall. And every one of these women can do better than Rand. I SAID IT.

Looking forward to the next one!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: high

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