Teaser Tuesdays : The Gathering Storm and Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan

Teaser Tuesdays is hosted at Should Be Reading.

Share 2 teaser sentences from your current read. Be careful not to include spoilers.

The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan

From Page 325

It comes, Hopper agreed. If Shadowkiller falls to the storm, all will sleep forever. If he lives, then we will hunt together. You and us.

Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan

From Page 533

And then - from the midst of the blackness, from the center of the uproar and the tempest - a tiny sliver of light split through the evil. Like a candle's glow on a very dark night. The light shone upward, toward the distant sky, like a beacon. So frail.

Review : The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan

Title : The Shadow Reborn Author : Robert Jordan Reading Dates : 16 Jan 2012 - 22 Jan 2012 Total Pages :1001
The Wheel of Time The Eye of the World The Great Hunt The Dragon Reborn The Shadow Rising The Fires of Heaven Lord of Chaos A Crown of Swords The Path of Daggers Winter's Heart Crossroads of Twilight Knife of Dreams The Gathering Storm Towers of Midnight
From Amazon : The seals of Shayol Ghul are weak now, and the Dark One reaches out. The Shadow is rising to cover humankind. In Tar Valon, Min sees portents of hideous doom. Will the White Tower itself be broken? In the Two Rivers, the Whitecloaks ride in pursuit of a man with golden eyes, and in pursuit of the Dragon Reborn. In Cantorin, among the Sea Folk, High Lady Suroth plans the return of the Seanchan armies to the mainland. In the Stone of Tear, the Lord Dragon considers his next move. It will be something no one expects, not the Black Ajah, not Tairen nobles, not Aes Sedai, not Egwene or Elayne or Nynaeve. Against the Shadow rising stands the Dragon Reborn.....

Book Review of The Shadow Rising.

The Shadow Rising splits the focus between Rand’s plans to win the Aiel’s support and Perrin’s attempts to rid the Two Rivers of invaders. In addition, there is also Elayne and Nynaeve’s hunt for the Black Ajah.

But while the women’s task is the most dangerous, I consider it among the most boring bits of the book. By contrast, while Rand doesn’t really do much, I found his story and Perrin’s to be the most engrossing. The reason being the conceit all female characters share in The Wheel of Time’s series, that men are idiots and only women know what needs to be done. As far as I can tell, it is often their meddling which causes everyone’s plans to go awry. Worst, it is that very attitude which leads to everyone being unwilling to discuss their plans.

Of course, the funniest and most irritating part was how everyone, especially the Aes Sedai, wanted to guide The Dragon Reborn, resorting to any tactic to get their way. All these people who believe they know the Prophecies of the Dragon better, and yet forgetting that most important detail of all. If these prophecies foretell of the one who will lead them in battle against The Dark One, then why is it that he should follow their instructions and not the other way around ?

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? Definitely.
• Would I want to read the next book in the series ? Yes.
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? Yes.
• Who would I recommend this too? All fantasy readers.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Buy it. The series is a keeper.

Teaser Tuesdays

Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge; Tea & Books Reading Challenge

Teaser Tuesdays : Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan

Teaser Tuesdays is hosted at Should Be Reading.

Share 2 teaser sentences from your current read. Be careful not to include spoilers.

Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan

From Page 295

"Yet what I remember best about them was when Trollocs surrounded Emond's Field. The Tuatha'an stood on the green with children strapped to their backs, the few of their own that survived and ours. They would not fight - it isn't their way - but if the Trollocs overran us, they were ready to try to carry the children to safety. Carrying our children would have hampered them, made escape less likely than it already was, but they asked for the task."

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

It's Monday What Are You Reading ? is hosted at Book Journey.

Where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.

What I Read:

• Crossroads of Twilight by Robert Jordan
• Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan

What I Reviewed:

• The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan
• The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan

What I’m Reading:

• The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan

What I Plan to Read next:

• Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan

Review : The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan

Title : The Dragon Reborn Author : Robert Jordan Reading Dates : 12 Jan 2012 - 16 Jan 2012 Total Pages :674
The Wheel of Time The Eye of the World The Great Hunt The Dragon Reborn The Shadow Rising The Fires of Heaven Lord of Chaos A Crown of Swords The Path of Daggers Winter's Heart Crossroads of Twilight Knife of Dreams The Gathering Storm Towers of Midnight
From Amazon : The Dragon Reborn--the leader long prophesied who will save the world, but in the saving destroy it; the savior who will run mad and kill all those dearest to him--is on the run from his destiny. Able to touch the One Power, but unable to control it, and with no one to teach him how--for no man has done it in three thousand years--Rand al'Thor knows only that he must face the Dark One. But how? Winter has stopped the war-almost-yet men are dying, calling out for the Dragon. But where is he? Perrin Aybara is in pursuit with Moiraine Sedai, her Warder Lan, and Loial the Ogier. Bedeviled by dreams, Perrin is grappling with another deadly problem--how is he to escape the loss of his own humanity. Egwene, Elayne and Nynaeve are approaching Tar Valon, where Mat will be healed--if he lives until they arrive. But who will tell the Amyrlin their news--that the Black Ajah, long thought only a hideous rumor, is all too real? They cannot know that in Tar Valon far worse awaits... Ahead, for all of them, in the Heart of the Stone, lies the next great test of the Dragon reborn....

Book Review of The Dragon Reborn.

The Dragon Reborn is mostly told from the point of view of Perrin Aybara. The pro is that I get a clearer picture of what’s happening in Perrin’s head. And with Perrin’s abilities as a Wolfbrother surfacing, I also know what’s going on with the other protagonists in the story. All this in addition to what readers are shown of what’s actually happening with the other characters of course.

The con is that I would have loved to spend more time following Rand this time round since he’s decided to go on the attack instead of letting himself be pushed into a corner.

Other than that, the ending of The Dragon Reborn was a bit of a let-down. While the build-up to the final confrontation in Tear succeeds in generating the needed tension and suspense, the actual event itself does not seem to warrant all the initial hoohah. Somehow, the ease with which the supposedly impregnable Stone of Tear was taken, seems to ridicule everyone’s earlier disbelief on how it can be done.

Still, The Dragon Reborn is one of my favourites in the series if for no other reason than this is when Rand makes his first significant move against The Dark Lord.

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? Definitely.
• Would I want to read the next book in the series ? Yes.
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? Yes.
• Who would I recommend this too? All fantasy readers.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Buy it. The series is a keeper.

Teaser Tuesdays

Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge; Tea & Books Reading Challenge

Teaser Tuesdays : Winter's Heart and Crossroads of Twilight by Robert Jordan

Teaser Tuesdays is hosted at Should Be Reading. Share 2 teaser sentences from your current read. Be careful not to include spoilers.

Winter's Heart by Robert Jordan

From Page 377

Circling him slowly, she continued her study, fingering the lace at his wrist, touching the black silk scarf tied around his neck, lifting the edge of his cloak to examine the embroidery. He endured it, refusing to shift his stance, glowering fit to match Tylin. Light, he had bought horses without so thorough an examination! Next, she would want to look at his teeth!

Crossroads of Twilight by Robert Jordan

From Page 752

Tactics. Put your opponent of balance. Come to think, women and battles were not that different. Both wrapped a man in a fog and could kill him without trying. If he was careless.

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted at The Story Siren.
Anyone can participate. IMM is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week.

Borrowed:

Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan

The Wheel of Time turns, and Robert Jordan gives us the eleventh volume of his extraordinary masterwork of fantasy.

The dead are walking, men die impossible deaths, and it seems as though reality itself has become unstable: All are signs of the imminence of Tarmon Gai'don, the Last Battle, when Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, must confront the Dark One as humanity's only hope. But Rand dares not fight until he possesses all the surviving seals on the Dark One's prison and has dealt with the Seanchan, who threaten to overrun all nations this side of the Aryth Ocean and increasingly seem too entrenched to be fought off. But his attempt to make a truce with the Seanchan is shadowed by treachery that may cost him everything. Whatever the price, though, he must have that truce. And he faces other dangers. There are those among the Forsaken who will go to any length to see him dead--and the Black Ajah is at his side....

Unbeknownst to Rand, Perrin has made his own truce with the Seanchan. It is a deal made with the Dark One, in his eyes, but he will do whatever is needed to rescue his wife, Faile, and destroy the Shaido who captured her. Among the Shaido, Faile works to free herself while hiding a secret that might give her her freedom or cause her destruction. And at a town called Malden, the Two Rivers longbow will be matched against Shaido spears.

Review : The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan

Title : The Great Hunt Author : Robert Jordan Reading Dates : 8 Jan 2012 - 12 Jan 2012 Total Pages :681
The Wheel of Time The Eye of the World The Great Hunt The Dragon Reborn The Shadow Rising The Fires of Heaven Lord of Chaos A Crown of Swords The Path of Daggers Winter's Heart Crossroads of Twilight Knife of Dreams The Gathering Storm Towers of Midnight
From Amazon : The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow. For centuries, gleemen have told of The Great Hunt of the Horn. Now the Horn itself is found: the Horn of Valere long thought only legend, the Horn which will raise the dead heroes of the ages. And it is stolen.

Book Review of The Great Hunt.

The Great Hunt has a slower pacing than The Eye of the World but even so I was never bored. Like the first book, there seemed to be much I missed in my prior reads of the book and now I have the luxury of re-considering the significance of some of these events and characters.

The other thing I find interesting in The Wheel of Time is how the author has me vacillating on who is my favourite among the main characters in the story. Depending on from whose point of view Jordan is writing, by turns I find myself being irritated or sympathetic to any one of the 3 main male protagonists.

On the other hand, I always find myself annoyed at how the female characters are portrayed in the story. Always with the “I know best” attitude while getting in the way of men’s plans. While the women are as strong and capable as the men in Jordan’s world, it seems rather ridiculous to me that all of them do not believe any of the men capable of doing anything without the women to lead them. So much so that I always tend to skip parts of the story which spend too much time on the female protagonists.

The best part of the book though is the ending. It was surprising the first time to see things come to a head so early on in the series that even now I wonder if there was more to it. Still, this book always leaves me with the feeling that this is but the beginning of something extraordinary. A strong incentive read the third book in the series, The Dragon Reborn.

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? Definitely.
• Would I want to read the next book in the series ? Yes.
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? Yes.
• Who would I recommend this too? All fantasy readers.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Buy it. The series is a keeper.

In My Mailbox

Teaser Tuesdays

Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge; Tea & Books Reading Challenge

Teaser Tuesdays : A Crown of Swords and The Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan

Teaser Tuesdays is hosted at Should Be Reading.

Share 2 teaser sentences from your current read. Be careful not to include spoilers.

A Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan

From Page 719

"You have to dry off sooner or later, Rand," she said, holding up a long piece of white toweling with both hands. She stood a good three paces from the tub, and the Maidens had all backed into a watching ring. Min's smile was so innocent any magistrate would have found her guilty on that alone. "Come and get dry, Rand."

The Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan

From Page 567

Perhaps the bedchamber was a very good idea. No matter how forward it was. Making herself smile - and blushing when she realized how easy it was to smile, thinking of that huge bed - she gripped the front of his shirt, preparing to rip shirt and coat from his back right then and there.

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

It's Monday What Are You Reading ? is hosted at Book Journey.

Where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.

Read:

• A Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan
• The Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan

Reviewed:

• The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

Currently Reading:

• Winter's Heart by Robert Jordan

To Read:

• Crossroads of Twilight by Robert Jordan

Review : The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

Title : The Eye of the World Author : Robert Jordan Reading Dates : 1 Jan 2012 - 10 Jan 2012 Total Pages :782
The Wheel of Time The Eye of the World The Great Hunt The Dragon Reborn The Shadow Rising The Fires of Heaven Lord of Chaos A Crown of Swords The Path of Daggers Winter's Heart Crossroads of Twilight Knife of Dreams The Gathering Storm Towers of Midnight
From Amazon : The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

Book Review of The Eye of the World.

It has been a long time since I last read a Wheel of Time book, but this re-read of the first book soon reminded me why I’m addicted to the series despite some of my grievances.

Each book starts off slowly with me wishing that Robert Jordan would get on with the story and spare me some of the details in the telling. However before I know it, I find myself immersed in the world of the Wheel of Time and not wanting to stop reading. Hooked by the numerous twists and turns of the story as well as being amazed that I’m able to keep up despite the large number of characters.

And this re-read is even better since with the benefit of “foresight”, I’m able to understand the significance of those “pesky” little details more. First off, there’s the realization that Jordan actually left plenty of clues sprinkled throughout The Eye of the World to indicate who the Dark One is really after. Of course I completely missed it the first time I read the book but now it seems pretty obvious to me. Then, there’s the groundwork he lays for the subsequent books. None of which I would have realized prior to reading those books. Sometimes it almost felt as if I was reading the story the first time round.

I’m definitely looking forward to see what I missed in the next books of the series.

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? Definitely.
• Would I want to read the next book in the series ? Yes.
• Would I want to own my personal copy if I didn’t already own it ? Yes.
• Who would I recommend this too? All fantasy readers.
• For those looking to read the book, would I recommend buying or borrowing the book? Buy it. The series is a keeper.

In My Mailbox

Teaser Tuesdays

Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge; Tea & Books Reading Challenge

Monthly Wrap-Up : January 2012

Number of Books Read per Month:

I failed to meet the target I’d set for the number of books read per month. This was due to the length of the books read. But this means I have to try and catch up in the coming months.

List of the Books Read:

• The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
• The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan
• The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan
• The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan
• The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan
• Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan

Challenges:

I've signed up for 5 challenges for 2012.

• 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge
• Tea & Books Reading Challenge
• 2012 Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge
• What's In a Name 5 Reading Challenge
• Eclectic Reader Challenge 2012

But I've only started reading books for 2 of those challenges.

Since I've already met my target for the Tea & Books Challenge, I've decided to upgrade to the next level of the challenge.

Monthly book expenses :

I failed to adhere to the book budget I had set for myself and added a number of books to my to-be-read pile this month. So, I need to spend less next month.

Summary :

Overall, January 2012 could have been better, but I didn't do too bad either. I missed a number of the targets I had set for myself at the beginning of the year, but nothing I can't catch up on yet.