The Wheel of Time is back!

[Dante1847]

no thread for this, eh? thats ok, Im hoping the seemingly small group of fans in the forums will unite here.

yesterday, Book 12 of The Wheel of Time--The Gathering Storm--was released...just over 4 years since the last novel was written, and since we've lost the original author and gained a new one. Opinions of whether or not this is good for the series have already been said here , but I think no one can dispute the excitement generated over the simple continuation--or reemergence, or rebirth, however you may describe it--of this great contemporary fantasy series.

all reviews Ive read thus far have been very positive. whether that is out of simple knee-jerk gratitude for the series coming back to life, or out of legit, sincere criticism, I am anxious to find out.

post your thoughts on The Gathering Storm, other books in the series, or your thoughts on the series

[CycoMiko138]

I was a big fan of this series in the beginning. As time went on, the story seemed to drag a bit, especially in books 7-10, although I did still enjoy them. I haven't read any reviews of the new novel, but I hope Brandon Sanderson does Jordan's epic work justice. I'll definitely give the final books a chance, if only to find out just how Jordan intended to end the series.

[kiggidykev]

My wife has been saying that she isn't looking forward to this book because of the new author picking it up. She's worried that the flow and tone of the books may change dramatically.

[Der_Lex]

I was a big fan of this series in the beginning. As time went on, the story seemed to drag a bit, especially in books 7-10, although I did still enjoy them

I have to agree with this, although I have to add that Jordan is pretty terrible at writing female characters. I always find myself begging for Elayne- and Egwene-centric chapters to be over as soon as possible, and other than Verin and Moiraine, all of the Aes Sedai and Wise Ones pretty much have interchangable personalities: aloof, whiny and cranky. I know Jordan tried to write strong women, and I applaud that, but he failed miserably. There are more flaws in his writing (Rand becoming too powerful too soon, so Jordan had to resort to excuses to keep him in check, the Forsaken never posing a credible threat because they're completely ineffective and get easily beaten by untrained farm kids), but overall I still enjoyed the books, so I definitely want to know how the series ends.

And Kev, Jordan's wife is still editing the new books, so I think the continuity and flow won't be all that different.

[Wolfbeckett]

Oh shi..... I forgot this was coming out! And I have no car to get to the bookstore nnnooooooooooo! I need to try to convince someone to drive me to Barnes & Noble.


I know Jordan tried to write strong women, and I applaud that, but he failed miserably.

Well I think he succeeded in some cases, but the problem is that his female characters are divided into two types: headstrong and willful or simpering noblewomen idiots, and real people aren't like that. A few of his female characters come across as genuine (Moiraine, Verin, Min, Aviendha [sometimes, not early on though], Birgitte) but most of them fall under the Too Annoying to Live category. It makes you wonder how exactly anyone in their world ever manages to reproduce when 95% of the women are so irritating.

[bermuddy]

most of them fall under the Too Annoying to Live category. It makes you wonder how exactly anyone in their world ever manages to reproduce when 95% of the women are so irritating.

he writes nonfiction? :D

[Wolfbeckett]

he writes nonfiction? :D

Maybe he writes non-fiction about Muddy land but here on earth many ladies are quite nice :P.

[bermuddy]

Maybe he writes non-fiction about Muddy land but here on earth many ladies are quite nice :P.
according to your statistic, about 5% would be nice. that sounds about right :D

[RockBandRocker]

What is "The Wheel Of Time" and is it any good?

[Wolfbeckett]

What is "The Wheel Of Time" and is it any good?

The Wheel of Time is a series of fantasy novels. Whether or not it's any good all depends on the reader. It's a VERY long series which does seem to drag slowly at times. If you are a patient person, then the payoff is definitely there, but if you have a short attention span you probably won't get much out of it.

[RockBandRocker]

The Wheel of Time is a series of fantasy novels.

What kind of fantasy?

Gothic, Medieval, Steam Punk or Modern?

[Wolfbeckett]

What kind of fantasy?

Gothic, Medieval, Steam Punk or Modern?

Medieval I guess, swords and sorcery type stuff.

[Der_Lex]

What kind of fantasy?

Gothic, Medieval, Steam Punk or Modern?

High fantasy, in a medieval/renaissance-type setting.

It's pretty good, but not as good as my personal favorite fantasy series, the Malazan books by Steven Erikson and Ian C Esselmont, and the Song of Ice and Fire books by George RR Martin.

[RockBandRocker]

Hmm...

It has been a while since I've read any high fantasy (the last time being "The Lord Of The Rings" in junior/high school). Maybe I should check out this series when I feel better (and have the time to sit and read a book).

[kiggidykev]

And Kev, Jordan's wife is still editing the new books, so I think the continuity and flow won't be all that different.

Ah, that`s good news then. I know she has already jumped ship and started to read a dozen other series since the last book of Jordan`s series, so hopefully whatever new book will be able to keep her interest.

[Der_Lex]

Ah, that`s good news then. I know she has already jumped ship and started to read a dozen other series since the last book of Jordan`s series, so hopefully whatever new book will be able to keep her interest.

Is there anyone who doesn't do this, though? I know I'm reading at least five different series at the moment. If I had to wait for one series to be finished before starting another, I'd spend a lot of time twiddling my thumbs. :D

[ArmsAreLoud]

Heh, I'm still on like Book 6 of this series. I don't like reading multiple books at one time, so my reading of books I want to read basically stops during the school year.

[Dante1847]

I know Jordan tried to write strong women, and I applaud that, but he failed miserably.

I think Jordan's failures with some female characters are offset by awesome ones like Min and Aviendha. Easily two of my favorite female characters, and though I agree that the Egwene/Nynaeve/Elayne chapters get tedious quickly, Im still curious enough to see what happens with them toward the end.

crossing my fingers that Sanderson does a good job with this


Heh, I'm still on like Book 6 of this series. I don't like reading multiple books at one time, so my reading of books I want to read basically stops during the school year.

you're on a good one: Book Six is arguably one of the best, as it changes the entire dynamic in the relationship between Rand and the Aes Sedai, which had prior been largely characterized by Rand being their puppet. Plus you get the Asha'man involved, and they kick ass

[davidshek]

I think I stopped reading these books after Book 8 or 9, can't remember which since it's been many years. I just grew way too weary of Jordan's ridiculously slow pace in the later books.

[Dante1847]

I think I stopped reading these books after Book 8 or 9, can't remember which since it's been many years. I just grew way too weary of Jordan's ridiculously slow pace in the later books.

thats likely attributable--I think Der Lex said it first--of Jordan losing control of the story. Hopefully Sanderson brings the various storyline threads together more, and the reviews Ive been reading have been saying he does just that.

[davidshek]

thats likely attributable--I think Der Lex said it first--of Jordan losing control of the story. Hopefully Sanderson brings the various storyline threads together more, and the reviews Ive been reading have been saying he does just that.

He needs to pull a Goodkind and just finish the freaking story already.

[Der_Lex]

He needs to pull a Goodkind and just finish the freaking story already.

Finishing his story was the only good thing Goodkind ever did. Better still would have been if he had called it quits after the first book, which is the only decent book in the series. After that, he makes all the same mistakes Jordan did (most notably the overly powerful main character that needs to be restricted in ridiculous and far fetched ways) and makes it even worse by forcing his inane philosophical and political views down the reader's throat. I managed to grin and bear that for a few books, but I gave up after Faith of the Fallen, which is one of the worst books I've ever read, and reads like a slow-witted twelve-year-old's attempt to write an Ayn Rand novel.

As for Jordan, I have to agree that book six is one of my favorite books in the series too. It's a shame that a lot of the cooler developments got diminished with the introduction of the character that seems to embody all of Jordan's worst things about writing women, Cadsuane. It's very rare that the introduction of one single side character can seriously lessen my enjoyment of a fantasy series, but she managed to do that. And how.

[davidshek]

Finishing his story was the only good thing Goodkind ever did. Better still would have been if he had called it quits after the first book, which is the only decent book in the series. After that, he makes all the same mistakes Jordan did (most notably the overly powerful main character that needs to be restricted in ridiculous and far fetched ways) and makes it even worse by forcing his inane philosophical and political views down the reader's throat. I managed to grin and bear that for a few books, but I gave up after Faith of the Fallen, which is one of the worst books I've ever read, and reads like a slow-witted twelve-year-old's attempt to write an Ayn Rand novel.

You do make some decent points, but I found the overall series to be quite enjoyable (although you're right, Faith of the Fallen was easily the worst of the entire lot). It gets much much better after that one, and the last few in the series are fantastic, IMO. :)

[Wolfbeckett]

As for Jordan, I have to agree that book six is one of my favorite books in the series too. It's a shame that a lot of the cooler developments got diminished with the introduction of the character that seems to embody all of Jordan's worst things about writing women, Cadsuane. It's very rare that the introduction of one single side character can seriously lessen my enjoyment of a fantasy series, but she managed to do that. And how.

Ugh, Cadsuane. Every new WoT book I read, I spend the whole time just fervently hoping that someone balefire's her ass out of existence, effectively retconning her out of the entire series. I friggin' wish.

[Dante1847]

Ugh, Cadsuane. Every new WoT book I read, I spend the whole time just fervently hoping that someone balefire's her ass out of existence, effectively retconning her out of the entire series. I friggin' wish.

you're forgetting about Nynaeve....I wish for the same thing, every time she grips her freaking braid

[Wolfbeckett]

So I got the book yesterday and finished it about half an hour ago. I won't spoil anything in this thread but let me just say... HOLY ****! This book was AWESOME! Any doubts I may have had about Brandon Sanderson are gone, he did a freaking fantastic job. I was riveted to my chair the WHOLE time, only stopping last night when exhaustion forced me to go to sleep around 3:30 AM. Not a single chapter was boring. I am extremely satisfied and also extremely excited for the next one. Seriously if any fans of this series on this board have not picked up the new book yet, DO SO ASAP!

[Dante1847]

So I got the book yesterday and finished it about half an hour ago. I won't spoil anything in this thread but let me just say... HOLY ****! This book was AWESOME! Any doubts I may have had about Brandon Sanderson are gone, he did a freaking fantastic job. I was riveted to my chair the WHOLE time, only stopping last night when exhaustion forced me to go to sleep around 3:30 AM. Not a single chapter was boring. I am extremely satisfied and also extremely excited for the next one. Seriously if any fans of this series on this board have not picked up the new book yet, DO SO ASAP!

cant tell you how happy I am to see this. my worry is that the actual quality of the book will be grossly disproportionate to the anticipation Ive had over it. havent picked it up yet, but damn I cant wait to get my hands on it

[Der_Lex]

I'll definitely pick it up next month or so. At the moment I'm about 200 pages in Erikson's Dust of Dreams, which is possibly even better than the previous books in his series.

One criticism that I've read quite often online is that Sanderson has trouble writing Mat, though. Did you get that impression as well?

[Blackjack041277]

I tried getting through Eye of the World after many, many people recommended it above else.

It was the boringest thing I'd ever attempted to read, the textbook to the class on lexicology I took in Germany included. I couldn't handle more than 100 pages of it.

[Wolfbeckett]

I'll definitely pick it up next month or so. At the moment I'm about 200 pages in Erikson's Dust of Dreams, which is possibly even better than the previous books in his series.

One criticism that I've read quite often online is that Sanderson has trouble writing Mat, though. Did you get that impression as well?

Hmm Mat did seem a bit different, but overall he wasn't important in this story so it didn't bother me. One chapter of his actually had me LOLing for reals. But even Mat wasn't that different, it was just a bit more noticeable with him. Fortunately there is a built in excuse, he just got married in the last book, so it makes sense that worry for his new wife might affect him a bit in this one. Overall though it wasn't a big enough deal to bother me a bit, maybe I'm just more tolerant than the rest of the fandom ;).

[Dante1847]

Hmm Mat did seem a bit different, but overall he wasn't important in this story so it didn't bother me. One chapter of his actually had me LOLing for reals. But even Mat wasn't that different, it was just a bit more noticeable with him. Fortunately there is a built in excuse, he just got married in the last book, so it makes sense that worry for his new wife might affect him a bit in this one. Overall though it wasn't a big enough deal to bother me a bit, maybe I'm just more tolerant than the rest of the fandom ;).

yeah I think its fair to say you need some degree of patience to enjoy WoT. for the past six months, Ive been re-reading all the books straight through, after which I can dive right into The Gathering Storm with no gaps in memory for what's going on. Right now Im finishing up Crossroads of Twilight--which has the worst Egwene chapters ive ever seen; DAMN it do I hate her as Amrylin, I liked her a lot better when she was getting her ass handed to her by Wise Ones--so i should be grabbing the new book in a few weeks, month tops

re: Mat. He is one character I would hate to see become "boring". A gambler, drinker, womanizer...thats everything a man needs to be. Why change that??

[Wolfbeckett]

He wasn't boring in any way. Just a bit different. He was still very entertaining.

And without spoiling anything specific I can reassure you that Egwene is WAY more awesome in this book than she was in CoT.

[Dante1847]

He wasn't boring in any way. Just a bit different. He was still very entertaining.

And without spoiling anything specific I can reassure you that Egwene is WAY more awesome in this book than she was in CoT.

cool, just so long as it doesn't involve a dozen chapters on her dreams.....

one thing I always loved about this series is that it never reduced the awesomeness (in my opinion) of the three main characters: Mat, Perrin, Rand.

[Dante1847]

reviving this thread--grill me, if you will--due to a most unusual and unexpected sighting today. While driving to work, the car in front of me had a bumper sticker that read "I Killed Asmodean".

what a world

and I still haven't read The Gathering Storm, which Im kicking myself over

[Colt_Steele]

While driving to work, the car in front of me had a bumper sticker that read "I Killed Asmodean".
I want that sticker.

[Dante1847]

bumping this to acknowledge that Book 13--Towers of Midnight--is due on shelves Nov 2nd.

Right now, I'm about 350 pages into The Gathering Storm, which I'm really enjoying....but damn, is Rand's character pissing me off. I know he's protective but he's such an ass around Aes Sedai

[Wolfbeckett]

Finish the book before rushing to judgements!

I am doing a reread of the series right now, I'm on Winter's Heart (about 2/3 of the way through it), definitely not getting through this reread before 13 comes out. I think I will finish it before reading 13 though, so I won't read this one right when it releases, maybe like late in November or in December or so.

[Dante1847]

Finish the book before rushing to judgements!

well, I think Rand's been like that for a while. plus, some of the things he does just doesn't make sense. For example, he establishes the Black Tower and yet never visits it. I mean, he doesn't trust Taim and yet he's going to let him run the Tower completely unchecked? And every time he talks to the Asha'man, he's like "I'll kill you". Oh yeah, way to go...nothing alienates your guys more than telling them you'll kill them every chance you get.



Ill probably do a re-read of the entire series (again) over the next year. I'd rather wait for Towers of Midnight to come out on paperback, which could take up to a year to happen.

[Dante1847]

cool trailer for Towers of Midnight, which comes out this week


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apJJ0NzOXEg