Rating: 
Summary: A Failure in Pacing
Review: This book here, number 10, does set up three of four major subplots, things that have been going for 2 or 3 books now, to complete in the next book. Black Ajah in the Tower, Egwene's army, Perrin chasing the Shaido, Mat's "Daughter of the Nine Moons" prophecy, Rand meeting the Seanchan... even some quality character development, although not with Rand unfortunately. All of it gets a little tap along, to the point where we can feel at least half of these plots will reach an enjoyable climax... in the next book.Good for that. Unfortunately, NOTHING happens in this book. I will finish the series. I may even BUY HARDCOVER of the entire series -- when it is done. If the series were done, CoT would be a mildly frustrating step along, but it would be tolerable -- if I had the coming book 11 to read immediately after finishing. But I don't, and won't for a whole year now! Living in the present, book 10 here was two years of waiting prior, and then two years after, for an episode in which NOTHING happens. This folly is the result of Jordan not pacing himself. Normally, what an author does is decide how many books in the series, and structure up the plot so major events happen in every book, and each book satisfies on its own while still building up to something larger... or at least providing an entertaining diversion, but always each episode can satisfy on its own. Like episodes in a season of any TV show. Not a hard concept to grasp. Jordan doesn't do this. He doesn't even KNOW how many books his series will take, and has never known. This has always had its effect, detracting somewhat from the series. New things keep cropping up, and since book 5 or 6, we've had no feeling that it's heading anywhere, only plodding along. Jordan promises us it is, but we can't see or feel it. In book 10 here, it comes to a head even worse, as I've described. Major events happened in book 9, and we can assume exciting stuff happens in book 11, but book 10 fell between the cracks. Jordan just doesn't pace himself. I recommend waiting to buy and read this book, until an exciting book comes along in the series, then reading them together. Check the reviews on Amazon. This book is holding steady at 1.5 stars, when all the others in the series have at least 4 stars. When a good book comes along -- the next one, we can hope -- read them together. You'll be able to appreciate the series then, without feeling the frustration.
Rating: 
Summary: The hamster is dead but the wheel is still turning.
Review: I have found that I am severely disappointed in this latest installation of The Wheel of Time. The series started out in such a magnificent fashion. The characters were likable, the plot advanced well and the story was entertaining and exciting. I couldn't put the first four books down. I read five through nine at a bit of a slower pace but they were still enjoyable although nearing book eight the characters have dissipated into whining people who could have solved some of their problems by simply talking to each other. Rand has gone from a likable youth to a whining and moaning young man. I know that his character has many pressures but he has hardly advanced as a character in the past few books.
Rating:
Summary: Cruxifiction of a good Series!
Review: Yes, like that reviewer under me posted: There were some memorable scenes in the early books. I mean, Jordan's weaknesses (Characters, Theme) where even then clearly there, but the strength's (mainly good paced Plot, Drama etc.)overshadowed them. The Guy who went mad because of the blade from Shadar Logoth was Padan Fain...and you know what i totally despised in Winter's Heart? When Shadar Logoth was destroyed...because it was an interesting concept: An evil City, that was in it's own way as powerful and sinister as the Dark One.
And City and The Dark One were in a state of War. Hence, the crucifixion of the Myrdraal and Fains Charisma as someone utterly evil, who was also something entirely OTHER. And what happend in Book Number Nine? Didn't Fain fight with Lan and Rand? I remember Fain was quite easily overcome. Aaargh. Problem with Wheel of Time is that the Heroes are too powerful. I mean, Rand, Mat and Perrin never loose a Battle. Granted, Tolkien had the same problem, Sauren was a loosah who lost against a bunch of dwarfs with hairy feet, but come on! We're talking about dramatics here, Mr. Jordan. You have to make the Evil Side far stronger than the Good Ones. Now is just babble this babble that...women, who are not thinking and acting like women ( I mean,honestly, do you know women who are like Egwene or Nynaeve? I hope not!). It's just plain boring, and it's boring because TOR wants to cash in and Jordan doesn't have the guts to end this series and start a New One. Well, penny for your thoughts...
Rating:
Summary: When will it ever end
Review: I cannot remember when I first started reading this series. It may be trite and cliche but Tolkien created a master epic in 3 books. Now there have been 10 books and if they all move things along at the pace of this last book he must have plans for 10 more. I was already frustrated by previous books so I checked this last one out from the library. I will never buy another book in the series. However I feel compelled to read them. Like many I was really sucked in by the world and characters Jordon created. Now I just want a conclusion. My current favorite series is the Fire and Ice series by George R.R. Martin.
Rating:
Summary: Hard to Remember the Beginning Plot Elements
Review: I just finished this book. I'll admit I probably wouldn't have read it if I had to pay for it, but I work at a bookstore and so got to read it for free. I read it on my lunch breaks and it still took me a couple of months to chew through. This is the first book in probably five or six years by Jordan that I have read, and I was a bit disappointed as to how far his prose has decayed. I won't restate the typical and completely justified complaints regarding this book, and if almost 2,000 reviews averaging only 1.5 stars doesn't convince you, then perhaps the one slightly new point I bring to this may.
I noticed in this book that practically none of the plot elements from the first couple of books are even mentioned, much less dealt with in detail. For instance, does anyone remember when that guy that went insane over the dagger (can't remember his name, because Jordan hasn't dealt with him in approx ten years) crucified the mordraal (sp?)? Wasn't that just the most powerful and wicked scene painted on paper? Weren't the mordraals kind of creepy and cool? Whatever happened to trollocs? Remember when Rand grabbed his (step?)father's sword out of his cabin and fought off those trollocs in the middle of the night? Wasn't that exciting? Remember what a stud Lan was and how you totally wanted to be like him? Wasn't the ogier culture kind of interesting? Does anybody even think about these plot elements anymore?
I'm just bringing up these points because I noticed in this latest book that none of those elements exist. Nothing really exciting or interesting happens. In fact, nothing happens at all. Now, don't get me wrong. Not every book needs to be a rollicking sword-and-sorcery amusement park ride. But this IS the fantasy genre, not history or modern literature (not particularly known for its action sequences). It's ok if Jordan no longer likes the use of steel or magic to solve plot problems, but those problems STILL need to be solved, at least in some way. He also needs to do so in a rapid enough manner (maybe over the course of one 600 page book?) to keep even the most dedicated of reader's attention. Frankly, none of us are the most attentive of readers, if we compare ourselves to, say, 16th century French nobility. Perhaps they had the time to slog through what is, at this point, NEARLY 6,000 PAGES OF PROSE. In my life, with my schedule, I just need a little more than court intrigue and silly one-dimensional caricatures to keep me interested.
Rating:
Summary: Hey, my Wheel of Time stopped. Somebody wind it!!
Review: Too many characters, glacial action. Here is a summary of all the action in this book. Perrin chops the hand off of a captured prisoner to get information on his kidnapped wife, Faile. A minor character is stabbed (but healed), and the perpetrator is shot in the back with a crossbow. That's it. All of the action in the entire book, summarized in two long sentences. To be sure, there is plenty of tea drinking and hand wringing and various groups of women talking to each other. I suppose that the series is making progress, as we have moved from reading about how much lace they wear in Ebou Dar to how much embroidery they wear in Jurador. Clearly, Robert Jordan would rather write about hemlines and necklines than sword fights and magic duels. I want a refund on the last five books (books 6 through 10).
Rating:
Summary: A call to action
Review: I'm glad to see all the bad reviews for this book. I started reading the Wheel of Time when I was in grad school in 95. I think the series was on about book 5 or 6 by then, and I happily read through the available books. The next one came out shortly thereafter, and I even bought the hardcover copy I was so excited to read it. Then 2 more years passed, and I read book 8. 2 more years, book 9. 2 more years, book 10. I've pretty much forgotten anything that has happened in the early books, and now all I remember is how painfully slow things happen. I expect Jordan to die before he finishes the series, leaving everyone hanging. And to make it worse, he releases a prequel to the series before he's even finished it? I refuse to buy any more of his books until (at least) he finishes the series. Perhaps if we all boycott the books, Jordan will wake up and realize he can't milk us for 10 more books and will end the thing.
Rating:
Summary: Please add the choice of "0" stars...this book deserves it..
Review: Garbage...pure garbage. Like most WOT fans I LOVED the first three books, and very much enjoyed books 4-6. Then I read book 7 and thought, "What the hell?" Then I bought book 8 and declared that I would never give Jordan another cent of my money. I read the last two books, I must admit, but I got them at the library...Jordan will never again get a cent of my money. Also I skimmed books 9 and 10. Guess how long it takes to read a 700 page book if you skip all the crap you have already read 10 times before and just skim the actual things that the characters say? I'll tell you...it only takes a couple hours. How can a man write 4 700+ page books (books 7-10) and barely have the plot progress? It boggles the mind. After skimming book 10 you know what I think? I don't even care any more. He could tell me that book 11 is the last book and will wrap everything up splendidly...guess what? I DON'T CARE!! I still won't read it. My interest in Rand and his friends is totally and completely gone. Way to waste what was once a great story just so you could separate your loyal fans from their hard earned cash. Jordan can bite me.
Rating:
Summary: What really happened
Review: Somewhere in the middle of Lords of Chaos, George RR Martin, Robin Hobb, Tad Williams and 10 other great writers (13 in total) captured the real Robert Jordan and had him stilled. This made him vomit. Also he started spending a great deal of time in Telawhateverthenameis where his dress kept changing to a low-cut affair that caused him to continually pull on his newly grown braid.
Rating:
Summary: No Superlatives--good or bad
Review: Unlike many people, I will not say this is the worst book I've ever read. I've been in school too many years for that. However, I will say that it is a disturbing continuation of a trend Jordan clearly began with The Path of Daggers. For those who maybe lost track of the series, you'll remember that the first five books are generally noted to be great. Heck, I'll even say the first seven books were great. I had no problems with the series to that point. Then came The Path of Daggers. The problem with that book was that it was somewhat inconsequential. Example (spoiler), to my recollection, the Aes Sedai army moved through gates to the country surrounding Dragonmount to begin their siege of Tar Valon at the end of The Path of Daggers (cf. p. 670). In Winter's Heart, they appeared to be back in Murandy (cf. p. 578). Not to mention that at the end of Crown of Swords, Mat was under a pile of rubble, under which he remained until the middle of Winter's Heart. Winter's Heart stands out amongst the last three books in that it is the one book in which something actually takes place. I think that the major problem that most people will have with Crossroads of Twilight is that nothing happens (not entirely true, a couple of "oooh" events do take place). That is to say that there is no climax to this book at all. When you turn the last page and find a glossary following, there is a good chance you will ask aloud, "Where's the rest of the story?" In the end, herein is the major problem of this book above all others: there is no climax for any of the major storylines. A better title for this book would likely be "A Day in the Life of." That is what it comes out to: each storyline progresses minutely, building up to something that hopefully will come in the next book, but very little advancement is made in any of them (except in one or two storylines). You could well read the teaser about this book and have someone catch you up for a minute or two before the next book and be ready to go. And therein is the tragedy of this book. It also bears noting that the story begun in the prologue (which was sold on the internet in e-book form before the actual release of the book) is entirely dropped after the prologue ends. The book completely fails to continue that story. Jordan lost in the last three books (with a slight exception in WH) what made him so good in the first seven books: a sense of purpose and a story that actually moved. When the next book comes out, I think it will be apparent to many that this book could have been condensed a bit and slapped on to the next one. Crossroads of Twilight was a disappointment.
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