Rating: 
Summary: This would be a very good book if it wasn't number 10
Review: First the bad news regarding Robert Jordan's new Wheel of Time novel The Crossroads of Twilight. Yet again nothing happens. I not saying this in a completely bad way. The Crossroads of Twilight isn't a repeat of The Paths of Daggers; a book where I am pretty sure, Robert Jordan had run out of ideas and so released a novel which more fortunate readers (those who haven't already read or re-read the series a few times) might want to consider skipping since they probably won't miss a thing. No, in the current novel nothing happens simply because all of the characters seem to be being positioned for something momentous to occur - soon (or rather: in two to three years when the next novel comes out). The Crossroads of Twilight would actually be an exciting book if I didn't know that I would have to wait so long to get my hands on the next installment. It reads like the third book of a series of five, in other words it is full possibilities and interesting. On a more general note: Some of Robert Jordan's more irritating habits are exhibited here in full force. His writing still goes to incredible lengths to explain around the natural way a character might act. Anybody who has read the series knows that sometimes Jordan will avoid a conflicts in order to add a few hundred pages and a dozen sub-plots. A good example from this book consists of this: Consider that in Winter's Heart saidin was cleaned. BUT in Twilight, the author devotes an chapter explaining why Nynaeve, Egwene and Elayne can't meet to resolve - in their minds at least - this issue. Since I have been reading the series for so long, I can understand why Jordan might do this, and I can even see where plot in his next book might go as a result. But understanding and sympathy does not preclude my own personal irritation. On the other hand, one of the two reasons why I continue to read this series, is that it is becoming more and more evident that Jordan plans to do something rather interesting with the way a traditional episodic narrative is handled. In fantasy, or really any type of linear story-telling system there is the inevitable climax. In the case of the Wheel of Time this will undoubtedly be Tarmon Gai'don (i.e. arma Ged'don). But it is beginning to look like, because of Jordan's long-winded and conflict avoiding writing style, the climax of the series will end up being a relatively minor event. Furthermore, because the sub-plots are becoming more and more involved (and with some justification - more and more intriguing), the series will probably continue long after the series has actually ended. This is how I rate it: If this had been the third book of a five book series, it would easily rate either 4 or even 5 stars
If someone had just recommended this series to me last week, and I was coming to the series fresh I would give it either 3 or maybe even 4 stars. However since I just know that everything is going to drag out forever. Since I know that the next book will surely never come. Since I know that anything that may have been resolved here will surely be unresolved when book eleven comes along, I have to reluctantly rate it at 2 stars.
Rating: 
Summary: A whole lot of NOTHING
Review: That's what you'll get. Well, you'll get a lot of nattering, tight-lipped, skirt-smoothing, whining Aes Seda, pages of mundane information, and even more splintered sub-plot lines and new characters. But hey, you've been getting that for the last umpteen books. Cripes, why do I keep reading this series? Because with each new book there's still a glimmer of hope that it will GO SOMEWHERE. But, as with the last few books it goes NOWHERE and it doesn't even get there fast. I *never* skip paragraphs when reading a book for the first time but I found myself skipping page after page in this snail fest. This is the worst so far. Mr. Jordan... it is becoming ever obvious that you are milking this. Just finish it for crying out loud. Please end the misery for us all.
Rating: 
Summary: I know, I know...but, just read the book
Review: I know the book is slow.
I know the book goes almost nowhere.
I know the book does not really advance the plot.
But if you do not read this book...you will be sorry. Let me start by saying my first disappoint came when I found out the page count. How is it there are more characters added with each book, but the number of pages seems to be decreasing (I have not actually checked this, just a feeling). My next dissapoint came when I quickly scanned the book to see who all was in it (something I can't stop myself from doing). Mat get's his piece, a little for Perrin, a bit of Elayne, don't forget Egwene, and oh yeah Rand. Throw in a couple of chapters of the bad guys, and wrap it all up with a quick finish in the last hundred pages. This did not bode well for any real development. (plus I had read the editorial review by this point and was not optimistic) Next I find that we have actually taken a step backwards from Winter's Heart, and get to progress with each character through the ending of the last book. Grrrreat... Finally, by the time I finally reached Rand's part somewhere in the late four hundreds early fives (I don't have the book here to verify, cut me some slack)I was sick of it. By this point all the nasty reviews where up. All the RJ fans swearing to never buy or read him again. I was ready to light my torch and join in with the lynching... But then I pushed on and started in on the last section. And suddenly I found myself unable to put it down. Could it be that RJ could still keep me up reading when I needed to be sleeping? So as I finally closed the book I found that I was strangely satisfied. There I said it, I enjoyed the book. That does not mean I don't still wish he had actually went a little farther with this book. He has really set up the next book. As it stands the pressure cooker is about to explode, as much with the impatience of us dear readers as the characters. So read the book. Expect it to go a short distance, but just enjoy the ride.
Rating:
Summary: Why do I keep reading this?
Review: Okay, so I have been waiting patiently for two years for this book. I admit I am addicted to this series, but if the series continues as it does, I am going to quit cold turkey. I think this last book has been the worst one yet. In September I started reading from the first book. It was a joy to read the first four books. This last one was a decided chore. I have a sneeky suspicion that the word count is dropping with each book. It only took me two days to read this one, and it is not exactly a page turner. More happened in the prologues to previous books in the series. In many ways it seems like this is only half a book. The characters are introduced, put in context of what happened at the end of Winters Heart, they re-hash thoughts already beaten to death in previous books, then just as they begin to develop the story, it ends. I think you could have safely tacked on another 500 page to this book and actually told a story. The 680 pages in this book could have easily been chopped down by a good editor to under 300 pages. The main problems with the 680 pages I did read? The discriptions are getting so long winded and unnecessary. I don't care what someone is wearing anymore, especially a two page discription. How many more minor characters are to be introduced? I only care about the main ones and only if they are doing something. The 100 or so pages devoted to Egwene are the least readable, because she does absolutely nothing. A little bit of action or conflict would have been nice. I would have settled for someone skinning their knee by the end of the book; at least someone important to the story. So what did I like? It is still Jordans universe, even if nothing happens. The relationships between characters are entertaining. Thats about it. My recommendation? If you have read the first nine books, you will buy this one too. Just don't expect too much. It is starting to become a soap opera disguised as a fantasy novel. Final note for Mr Jordan. Think of all the classic fantasy novels that have lasted. Would you want Wheel of Time to be considered a classic. If so you need to write the story and not think about the ... per unit sales.
Rating:
Summary: plod... plod... plod...
Review: Like a gambler hoping for another jackpot, I keep coming back to this series looking for something like the earlier installments. They actually had action, interesting plot developments, and characters you could love or hate. Now we're burdened with too many characters, too many plotlines and sub-plotlines that it's almost impossible to keep characters straight without some sort of glossary/listing. It feels too much like Jordan's drawing this out too much, padding the series to make more books. If you're invested in the series already, wait for the paperback and save your money.
Rating:
Summary: MY PATIENCE IS AT AN END
Review: THE LAST FEW BOOKS IN THIS SERIES HAVE BEEN A WASTE OF ONE OF THE GREAT STORY LINES OF ALL TIME. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I HAD TO FORCE MYSELF TO CONTINUE READING THIS BOOK. NOTHING IMPORTANT HAPPENS ANYMORE. READING THIS BOOK WAS NOT FUN! IT WAS WORK AND AN ORDEAL. I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE THAT WAY!! I WILL NOT BUY THE NEXT BOOK IN HARDCOVER, MAYBE A USED PAPERBACK.
Rating:
Summary: Horrible, useless exposition!!
Review: I am absoultely appalled! How did one of my favorite series deteriorate into a play by play account of ordinary, mundane activities? Nothing was accomplished in this book, that is, nothing that couldn't have been covered in three or four chapters, leaving the extra 500 pages for a real book. The painfully slow pacing of this installment has me seriously considering whether I should even bother picking up the next one, and I am truly disturbed by the prospect of seeing this cherished series continue to degrade. It would be better to leave it unfinished then continue on in this manner.
I'm sure it's obvious, but I advise you not to purchase this book. Get an unlucky friend to summarize it for you. Or go to one of the many fan sites on the web and read a summary of this book, but do it quickly, because this book has the potential to drive off all but the most fanatical "Wheel of Time" fans.
Rating:
Summary: As The Wheel Turns ...
Review: I have been a fan of The Wheel of Time series for quite a while. Unfortunately, the quality of the books has declined quite a bit since Lord of Chaos. Robert Jordan's detailed descriptions, which originally were interesting and helped move the plot forward in the early books, have degenerated into long-winded and quite predictable blatherings that do little to advance the plot of the books. I would like to suggest the RJ change the title of the series from The Wheel of Time to "As The Wheel Turns". Certainly Mr. Jordan has discovered the daytime soap writer's gift for dragging out the smallest event into entire chapters. -Jim
Rating:
Summary: Nothing Happens
Review: Quite literally nothing happens in this book. It is like an aside rather than a main event. This is possibly the most disappointing book I have ever read in this or any other series. There are roughly 50 pages actually worth reading, essentially what you have here is a 700 page prologue. How this book took 2 years is beyond me. After ten books I'm not going to stop now but this book makes me want to. Come on Robert - get us back on track and give us the story we all want at a pace we can all bear!
Rating:
Summary: Hoped for more.
Review: Well, I had hoped that this book would not be a continuation of the painstakingly slow pace that has been set in the last several installments, but it is. I haven't finished it yet, which is surprising in itself since I couldn't wait for this book to come out, but I am about 500 pages into it and I can concur with the other reviews that nothing has happened yet. I wish I could say differently, but there you have it. 500 pages of, in some cases, absurd detail that really doesn't have any bearing on the story. I love the detail of the world RJ has created, but there are pages describing unimportant characters and what they are wearing, and there facial expressions. . . etc. These are the skimming parts, which is something new to me. I usually read every single word ... but this is the first book, besides text books, that I have skimmed over to get to the more important parts. The first books in the series were full of action and moved along great, with a nice climax at the end that kept you fulfilled while whetting your appetite for the next book. I am now joining the ranks who wish RJ would just finish this so we won't have to continue reading these ponderous books each time a new one is released. Obviously I will continue to purchase the books as they are released since I have spent the last ten years reading and waiting for the next one, but I hope the next one, as I did with this one, moves the story along.
So, in conclusion if you are looking for a new series wait till this one is finished and then start from Book 1 "The Eye of the World". The series is worth reading, but would be better if you didn't have to wait three years in between books to be disappointed by the next installment. If you are like me and have invested a lot of time reading and waiting and rereading then I'm afraid you'll just have to suffer through this one and hope the next is better. Hopefully in the next book RJ either kills off some characters or brings the ones he has together so he can talk about them all at once and move a little further done the road to the end.
Sorry I couldn't put a better spin on this, but it is what it is.
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