Review : Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan

Title : Towers of Midnight Author : Robert Jordan Reading Dates : 22 Feb 2012 - 28 Feb 2012 Total Pages :941
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 Last Battle has started. The seals on the Dark One’s prison are crumbling. The Pattern itself is unraveling, and the armies of the Shadow have begun to boil out of the Blight. The sun has begun to set upon the Third Age. Perrin Aybara is now hunted by specters from his past: Whitecloaks, a slayer of wolves, and the responsibilities of leadership. All the while, an unseen foe is slowly pulling a noose tight around his neck. To prevail, he must seek answers in Tel’aran’rhiod and find a way--at long last--to master the wolf within him or lose himself to it forever. Meanwhile, Matrim Cauthon prepares for the most difficult challenge of his life. The creatures beyond the stone gateways--the Aelfinn and the Eelfinn--have confused him, taunted him, and left him hanged, his memory stuffed with bits and pieces of other men’s lives. He had hoped that his last confrontation with them would be the end of it, but the Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills. The time is coming when he will again have to dance with the Snakes and the Foxes, playing a game that cannot be won. The Tower of Ghenjei awaits, and its secrets will reveal the fate of a friend long lost. This penultimate novel of Robert Jordan’s #1 New York Times bestselling series--the second of three based on materials he left behind when he died in 2007--brings dramatic and compelling developments to many threads in the Pattern. The end draws near. Dovie’andi se tovya sagain. It’s time to toss the dice.

Book Review of Towers of Midnight.

Since the previous book, The Gathering Storm, it seems like I’ve been caught in a whirlwind, the excitement and revelations coming almost non-stop throughout the entire story. At no point, did I want to stop reading. Even events affecting the minor characters in the world of the Wheel of Time feel weighty and has me wondering what happens next.

The most fun I had in the book though was with the 3 male protagonists. I enjoyed their parts in the tale here because each of them seems to have come in their own. Not only have they gained confidence in their choices, they’re actually impressing or confounding many who have considered them to be fools, especially the women. Even putting them off balance at times. It was about time to have them put in their place.

As for my usual complain about the female characters in the series, they’re not so annoying here but I do think that Egwene has made too many wrong choices here. And I’m guessing that her hiding of certain facts to preserve the image of the White Tower will have a severe impact on the Last Battle. It will be interesting to see how things play out.

What more can I say ? At the end of the book, I wished that I had the last book in hand because I wanted to read it now. This next year is going to be a long wait.

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

Review : The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan

Title : The Gathering Storm Author : Robert Jordan Reading Dates : 17 Feb 2012 - 21 Feb 2012 Total Pages :824
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 : Tarmon Gai’don, the Last Battle, looms. And mankind is not ready. The final volume of the Wheel of Time, A Memory of Light, was partially written by Robert Jordan before his untimely passing in 2007. Brandon Sanderson, New York Times bestselling author of the Mistborn books, was chosen by Jordan’s editor--his wife, Harriet McDougal--to complete the final book. The scope and size of the volume was such that it could not be contained in a single book, and so Tor proudly presents The Gathering Storm as the first of three novels that will cover the outline left by Robert Jordan, chronicling Tarmon Gai'don and Rand al'Thor's final confrontation with the Dark One. This short sequence will complete the struggle against the Shadow, bringing to a close a journey begun almost twenty years ago and marking the conclusion of the Wheel of Time, the preeminent fantasy epic of our era. In this epic novel, Robert Jordan’s international bestselling series begins its dramatic conclusion. Rand al’Thor, the Dragon Reborn, struggles to unite a fractured network of kingdoms and alliances in preparation for the Last Battle. As he attempts to halt the Seanchan encroachment northward--wishing he could form at least a temporary truce with the invaders--his allies watch in terror the shadow that seems to be growing within the heart of the Dragon Reborn himself. Egwene al’Vere, the Amyrlin Seat of the rebel Aes Sedai, is a captive of the White Tower and subject to the whims of their tyrannical leader. As days tick toward the Seanchan attack she knows is imminent, Egwene works to hold together the disparate factions of Aes Sedai while providing leadership in the face of increasing uncertainty and despair. Her fight will prove the mettle of the Aes Sedai, and her conflict will decide the future of the White Tower--and possibly the world itself. The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

Book Review of The Gathering Storm.

While The Gathering Storm is the first of the books not completed by Robert Jordan himself, I think I wouldn’t have noticed any difference if I hadn’t just re-read the entire series. As it is, I only noticed issues such as lost items re-appearing back without any explanation or certain phrases belonging to one culture being used by another. This doesn’t impact the tale itself, just unexpected reminders.

Anyway, the pace really picks up with The Gathering Storm. Suddenly, so many things are occurring at the same time with the main characters, primarily involving Rand and Egwene’s groups.

I found Egwene’s handling of the Aes Sedai to be both admirable and fitting. Yet, at the same time, I still can’t like most of the female characters in the series. I really cannot understand this believe they have that they must be the one in control for things to turn out right. My sympathies are all with the men on this.

On the other hand, after all the doom and gloom affecting Rand, it is wonderful that he seems to have found his balance again. I’m really eager to see how these changes will affect The Last Battle and his dealings with everyone else. And maybe, pay back those insufferably arrogant Aes Sedai.

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

Review : Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan

Title : Knife of Dreams Author : Robert Jordan Reading Dates : 11 Feb 2012 - 17 Feb 2012 Total Pages :793
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 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.

Book Review of Knife of Dreams.

First off I have to say that Knife of Dreams is the first title in the series which I could not link to what was happening in the story. It doesn’t really have any bearing on the story but perhaps someone could enlighten me on what it means or is referring to here ?

In any case, events are finally moving again in Wheel of Time. Also, while each of the male protagonists are moving separately, all are related to the Seanchan whether it is knowingly making a devil’s bargain with them, attempting to make one or accidentally making one. And where it will all lead to has definitely hooked me to read on again.

Aside from this, the book once again shifts my “allegiances”. Mat is my favourite character in this one. His courtship of Tuon is both funny and sweet while his skills as as a general rather than his luck comes more into play, leaving plenty of tension and excitement.

On the other hand, Perrin’s fixation on his wife is rather annoying. instead of coming off as an extraordinary love, I felt like it was a very selfish one. If in achieving his goal, they lost the war, whatever he did would have become meaningless.

As for Rand, all the events involving him now are rather depressing that I can’t help pitying him. Imagine fighting for people who hate, fear or even see you as nothing more than a tool, knowing that all you’ll find is death even in victory. Knowing that even if you won the war for them, none of these people would ever thank or appreciate your sacrifice. It is all I can do not to shake the lot of them, even those who are supposed to be his friends.

As the Dragon Reborn’s tale progresses, more and more I’m rooting for a miracle to save them all because it certainly seems as if they’re all being manipulated by the other side. Still, I can’t seem to see how a happy ending would be possible here no matter how hard I wish it.

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

Review : Crossroads of Twilight by Robert Jordan

Title : Crossroads of Twilight Author : Robert Jordan Reading Dates : 6 Feb 2012 - 11 Feb 2012 Total Pages :822
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 : In the tenth book of THE WHEEL OF TIME from the New York Times #1 bestselling author Robert Jordan, the world and the characters stand at a crossroads, and the world approaches twilight, when the power of the Shadow grows stronger.Fleeing from Ebou Dar with the kidnapped Daughter of the Nine Moons, whom he is fated to marry, Mat Cauthon learns that he can neither keep her nor let her go, not in safety for either of them, for both the Shadow and the might of the Seanchan Empire are in deadly pursuit.Perrin Aybara seeks to free his wife, Faile, a captive of the Shaido, but his only hope may be an alliance with the enemy.Can he remain true to his friend Rand, and to himself?For his love of Faile, Perrin is willing to sell his soul.At Tar Valon, Egwene alVere, the young Amyrlin of the rebel Aes Sedai, lays siege to the heart of Aes Sedai power, but she must win quickly, with as little bloodshed as possible, for unless the Aes Sedai are reunited, only the male Ashaman will remain to defend the world against the Dark One, and nothing can hold the Ashaman themselves back from total power except the Aes Sedai and a unified White Tower.In Andor, Elayne Trakand fights for the Lion Throne that is hers by right, but enemies and Darkfriends surround her, plotting her destruction. If she fails, Andor may fall to the Shadow, and the Dragon Reborn with it.Rand alThor, the Dragon Reborn himself, has cleansed the Dark Ones taint from the male half of the True Source, and everything has changed. Yet nothing has, for only men who can channel believe that saidin is clean again, and a man who can channel is still hated and feared even one prophesied to save the world. Now Rand must gamble again, with himself at stake, and he cannot be sure which of his allies are really enemies.

Book Review of Crossroads of Twilight.

I don’t like to say this about a favorite series but I think the Wheel of Time could have done without Crossroads of Twilight. Not that the story here was not needed, but that it would have been better to include the significant bits into Winter’s Heart.

Crossroads of Twilight is told from many different point of views and the main character, Rand al’Thor hardly makes an appearance. What it shows are the effects of his actions at the end of Winter’s Heart.

Only Rand’s closest friends manage to link the effect of his actions to him, even if they do not know what it is he has done. And then, only his male friends trust that whatever it is, is important and to the good.

As for the rest of the world though, once again the women have leapt to the wrong conclusions while believing themselves to be smarter than everyone else. And how they choose to rectify the supposed problem is definitely going to cause problems in the fight against the Shadow.

All in all, as the story progresses, I begin to understand why the Light seems to be in a losing battle. No matter what they may say, everyone is fighting for their own ambitions. Rather than fighting to save the world, they are thinking only of keeping their own nations, people or organizations whole. Yet, while the Wheel of Time does seem to be getting bleaker with the telling, I’m really hoping for a good ending.

It would be simply be too heartbreaking otherwise, after following the growth of the characters for so long.

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

Review : Winter's Heart by Robert Jordan

Title : Winter's Heart Author : Robert Jordan Reading Dates : 5 Feb 2012 - 6 Feb 2012 Total Pages :678
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 goodreads : The eagerly awaited sequel to The Path of Daggers, the New York Times #1 bestseller that swept the nation like a firestorm. Rand, with Min, is on the run, and Cadsuane, in Carhien, is trying to figure out where he is headed. Mazrim Taim, the leader of the Black Tower, is revealed to be a liar. Faile, with her companions, is a prisoner of Sevanna's Sept. With Elyas Machera, Berelain, the Prophet, and an "army" of disparate forces, Perrin is moving through country rife with bandits and roving Seanchan. In Ebou Dar, the Seanchan princess known as Daughter of the Nine Moons arrives. In Tar Valon, the schemers and counter-schemers in Elaida's White Tower are shaken to the core when the rebels appear suddenly outside the walls.

Book Review of Winter's Heart.

Winter’s Heart had me on tenterhooks for most of the book. Like Rand, I couldn’t help suspecting the motives of Cadsuane Sedai especially since for all intents and purposes, she was manipulating him to accept her advice.

At the same time, after a long absence, Mat is back in the picture again. His meeting with his fated wife is definitely one of the memorable scenes in the book. And even though I hardly know Tuon, I already feel that she’s the perfect one for him. Yet, Mat and Tuon’s union seems more impossible than any other in the world of the Wheel of Time. Reading how they manage it is definitely going to be interesting, especially since they are fighting on opposite sides of warring nations which seem to have absolutely nothing in common with each other.

The ending was another surprise. While Rand has managed to fulfill another of the Prophecies of the Dragon, he has also left himself in a vulnerable position. I’ll be reading Crossroads of Twilight next to find out the aftermath of his actions.

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

Review : The Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan

Title : The Path of Daggers Author : Robert Jordan Reading Dates : 4 Feb 2012 - 5 Feb 2012 Total Pages :643
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 goodreads : For millions of fans around the globe, the wait is over. Sequel to the international blockbuster bestseller A Crown of Swords, this epic volume continues one of history's greatest fictional journeys and the most extraordinary work of American fantasy ever published--The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and worldwide bestselling series--The Wheel of Time. The phenomenal tale that is mesmerizing a generation of readers now continues. 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.

Book Review of The Path of Daggers.

The Path of Daggers has the slowest pacing of the entire Wheel of Time series so far. Worst, the entire story seemed to drag on that I almost gave up on finishing the book. I probably would have except it is book 8 in the series.

The story told here is not entirely without interest. Some significant turning points in the story are reached; most important being that Rand finds himself biting off more than he can chew. Yet, the telling of the tale seems lacking. Too much time is wasted in building up to these events. If I weren’t a fan of the series, I would have simply stopped reading altogether. It is only the wanting to know what happens next that kept me glued to the tale.

After the earlier books, The Path of Daggers was a let-down but not a book you could skip and keep abreast of the story.

My conclusions :

• Would I re-read the book ? Probably.
• 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

Review : A Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan

Title : A Crown of Swords Author : Robert Jordan Reading Dates : 29 Jan 2012 - 3 Feb 2012 Total Pages :856
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 goodreads : Elayne, Aviendha and Mat come ever closer to the bowl ter'angreal that may reverse the world's endless heatwave 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...

Book Review of A Crown of Swords.

A Crown of Swords is a mixed bag. I enjoyed the beginning and the ending but the middle parts nearly bored me to tears. The reason is simple. The beginning and end of the book focuses on Rand’s plans while the middle focuses on Elayne and Nynaeve’s.

While Rand doesn’t appear much in the book, it is those parts which I find most interesting. Certainly, those bits had me revising some of the guesses I made on the future direction of the story and the role of a number of the characters.

On the other hand, Elayne and Nynaeve seem to spend a great deal of time either condemning everyone else as fools or deciding what everyone else should be doing. So much so, that I don’t find myself missing out on the story at all despite skimming through those parts. The only thing of interest here is that which concerns Mat. I certainly had myself a good laugh at his horror and embarrassment to discover the tables turned when he becomes the object of a queen’s attentions.

A Crown of Swords has the funniest bits in the Wheel of Time, even if I find the focus on the female protagonists annoying.

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

Review : The Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan

Title : Lord of Chaos Author : Robert Jordan Reading Dates : 24 Jan 2012 - 29 Jan 2012 Total Pages :987
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 : In this sequel to the phenomenal New York Times bestseller The Fires of Heaven, we plunge again into Robert Jordan's extraordinarily rich, totally unforgettable world: On the slopes of Shayol Ghul, the Myrddraal swords are forged, and the sky is not the sky of this world; In Salidar the White Tower in exile prepares an embassy to Caemlyn, where Rand Al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, holds the throne--and where an unexpected visitor may change the world.... In Emond's Field, Perrin Goldeneyes, Lord of the Two Rivers, feels the pull of ta'veren to ta'veren and prepares to march.... Morgase of Caemlyn finds a most unexpected, and quite unwelcome, ally....And south lies Illian, where Sammael holds sway....

Book Review of Lord of Chaos.

As the title suggests, Lord of Chaos ups the tension in The Wheel of Time. The Dark Lord has begun to move even if we aren’t able to figure out his plans yet. And Rand finds himself balancing numerous factions which are either openly or secretly hostile to him. Really, even though this is not my first time reading Lord of Chaos, I couldn’t put the book down for wondering when all those balls Rand was juggling would collapse. Especially, as there are very few friends left which he can wholly trust.

Egwene too faces similar difficulties as Rand and she should have my sympathies, but once again I merely found her methods exasperating. While I enjoyed reading how she handled the other Aes Sedai, turn and turn about being fair and all, I found her decisions regarding Mat arbitrary and exasperating. It is no wonder the men in the world of the Wheel of Time do not want to deal with the women. She doesn’t even bother to ask his or Rand’s reasons, simply deciding that whatever foolish plan they have in mind couldn’t rival her needs.

It is really funny since I would expect myself to side with the women against the men. Yet, often I think that all the female characters need be taught a lesson. Without their interference, certain issues would probably have been resolved sooner or perhaps not even been raised. It is not that there aren’t times when I believe them to be right. It is just that their views makes them insufferable and hard to live with most of the time.

Still, Lord of Chaos has one of my favorite endings in the Wheel of Time 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.

Teaser Tuesdays

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

Review : The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan

Title : The Fires of Heaven Author : Robert Jordan Reading Dates : 22 Jan 2012 - 24 Jan 2012 Total Pages :889
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. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow. Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time.

Book Review of The Fires of Heaven.

The Fires of Heaven mostly focuses on Rand and the female protagonists of The Wheel of Time. As in the previous books, the most boring and annoying parts of the story belong to the women. They may play important roles in the overall scheme of things but their attitudes or at least the way they are written is irritating. Everyone of them seems to think they know better than the rest and that everyone should obey them. Especially in their dealings with the men. Often, they decide what information can be shared and what cannot because they believe only they are capable of deciding what actions need to be taken.

As for Rand, The Fires of Heaven shows how much he has changed as a person, not only what he is but who he is. Not only has he realized that he will need allies to win The Last Battle, he has begun to manipulate them when he feels it necessary. Yet, unlike with the female characters, I’m not disgusted or annoyed by his actions. This is because he doesn’t justify his actions as because he knows best. And because he only resorts to these tactics, when reason and truth fail to get him what he needs. At least he tries to win their support with the truth regarding events affecting their world, keeping secret only those facts which affects his battle strategy.

The most interesting sequence in this book though, is the fight between the Shaido and the Aiel clans that follow Rand. The earlier battles seem to make it as something exciting. Here, the toll it takes on the people and the uncertainty or uselessness of plans in the actual fight is more clear.

Overall though, The Fires of Heaven feels more like the eye before the storm. There is a sense of waiting throughout the book as Rand and the other characters pursue their prey. I can’t wait to read on.

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

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

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

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

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