Rating: Summary: Sad disintegration Review: This book marks the sad disintegration of what might have been a great series by Robert Jordan into a verbose, confusing, fragmented, unsatisfying mess. Those who dared to compare him to Tolkien in his earlier works will lament with me the death of what might have been. Save yourself some money. Go to the bookstore and read the last chapter. That will keep you informed enough to make sense of what comes in the next book-maybe, and, it will keep you from having to slush through page after page of boredom. Were it not for a desire to find out what finally happens to Rand and the world, I would probably give up on this series.
Rating: Summary: Confusing the characters after so long Review: I started reading the WoT series back in the beginning of June. I'm a fast reader and unfortunately, I didn't pay close attention to who was who. In the first books of the series, Jordan went over characters in each book, but in the last 3 or 4 books, he stopped. By the time I read Winter's Heart, my memory had gone fuzzy on some of the characters. I would recommend the University of Chicago's website because it has a WOT section that has an extensive list of characters and descriptions (if you have trouble, any search engine should find it). Overall, I think the first 5 books were the best because Jordan covered all the main characters about equally, but now each book seems to cover 1 or 2 extensively and basically leave everyone else out. I hope that Jordan gets the next book out soon because I'm anxious to see how the series ends, but not so fast that the book fails to live up to the previous books.
Rating: Summary: could be better, can't be worse Review: the book it self isn't bad, but it goes on and on while standing still. how many times do i have to read the men's frustrations over women ? why does elaine have to "think" of all the politics behind every noble whose name is very important to remember, yet that very important noble will not be mentioned again ? why is perrin even mentioned in this book, his wife is kidnapped, but for some reason the author decides to tell me how he feels helpless and frustrated and makes me feel that perrin is not a figure worth mentioning in this book ? why is perrin being neglected throughout this book with relatively only a few pages about him and absolutly no progress in his plot ? and why, why do i have to wait for another book for so long ? eventualy i'll just be fed up with this rate of buisness and leave this series to more exciting ones !
Rating: Summary: Finally... Review: There is a good deal to complain about in this book, but nearly as much as with the last few books.The complaint I have is not necessarily in the exquisite detail which is what sold many of us long ago, but in the rehashing of said exquisite detail over and over. Some things seem to be described a coulpe times each book... that's 18 times by now... The secret is to just skip the fluff, which is now boring, and to get on to the actual events that transpire in the novel. Fortunately, unlike the last couple, this one has a lot going on and was, once again, a rather good read. I would have given it only a '3' though... but the ending is tremendous and actually has me pumped up and ready for the next book. I hope he continues the torrid pace now that threads seem to be weaving back together, and finds a way to end it with book ten.
Rating: Summary: Worth Suffering Through Review: I know that a lot of you out there are reading these reviews, and you see all these people saying "I quit. No more." I even read a review stating that they quit a hundred pages prior to the end of Winter's Heart. That's sad, because if that person had read just another twenty pages....I would like to express my condolences for these people now (a moment of silence, if you please)...okay. Now, I won't deny that there was a bit of a downturn starting in A Crown of Swords and set in quite firmly with The Path of Daggers. But I implore you, PLEASE don't give up early. Winter's Heart starts off dull, I willingly admit that. But starting with Chapter 15 (the reintroduction of Mat Cauthon), things take an upturn. Mat's ending is pretty decent, and Rand's is nothing short of spectacular; it rivals the ending of Book Two, only lacking in length. I don't plan to give away anything, due to a complaint voiced in yet another review I've read, but my opinion is, if you've started this series, finish it out. It's well worth your time (and effort). Book 7 isn't all THAT bad, and Book 8 can be gotten through, with some patience. Book 9 should be read solely for the ending. Trust me on this one...I'm a hard-to-please reader myself, and I almost quit, too; but like I said, stick it out, and you'll be as well as can be expected.
Rating: Summary: Too many threads but much better than books 7-8! Review: I realize that the vast majority of those who read these critiques are devoted to the series already and will read this book regardless of what I say, but... Positives - the conclusion to WH is exciting and is worth the wait, believe it or not! Some of my major who-is-who questions were answered and the story manages to progress enough to keep me interested. I was very happy to read about the three Two Rivers boys again in the same book! Things happen in this book you have been looking forward to, but don't get too overly disappointed if it was not as grand as you envisioned. RJ rarely writes that way. There were also some loyalty questions answered about who-serves-who and who is truly devoted to the Dragon Reborn. So you lovers of the Light will be pleased, and Dark Friends, well... Negatives - too many threads! If you are like me you believe that RJ has already provided enough detail and sub-plots to have created a realistic and understandable world, but he has burdened the story line with too many. There is no real leadership in any character. Where are the natural leadership abilities people have that attract other leaders? Every single character, with the exception of Cadsuane that I can see, displays only positional/situational leadership. Communications - the weakest link in any campaign; ever since book one I have felt that the main characters need to improve their communications. Egwene, Elayne and Rand need to communicate in order to maximize their effectiveness. The same holds true for the Forsaken. Just imagine how much more effective they could be. They need a natural leader more than anyone! Regardless of the weaknesses, this book will hold your interest and blast you away with its climax!!
Rating: Summary: The wheel picks up the pace and turns faster... Review: Everyone knows that the Wheel of TIme series is excellent through The Fires of Heaven. Lord of Chaos, although it did have its moments (coughcoughDUMAI'S WELLScoughcough), was overburdened with too much politics. Its name shoulda been "How to [Anger] Aes Sedai in Three Easy Steps." A Crown of Swords and The Path of Daggers started to pick up the pace a little, but some events got dragged out way too much. Although this fault keeps up in Winter's Heart, it is much better and puts some adventure back into this epic. Although Egwene ought to have deposed Elaida, Elayne should be queen be now (and why doesn't RJ just go ahead and kill Faile already???), there are some truly great parts, such as Mat's return to the series in Seanchan-occupied Eby Dar, and Rand's quest to cleanse the Dark One's tain from Saidin. Although Winter's Heart isn't the return of WoT in full force, it does promise an amazing (The Shadow Rising-Quality) sequel.
Rating: Summary: I love it, I love, and I love it - but you don't have to - Review: Yes, I am a Wheel of Time fan. The way I see it, after reading these books, people either love them or truly hate them. Look at all these reviews! They're almost all either 5 stars or 1 star. My advice is to give it a shot. If you don't like it, then put it down and read something else, no harm done. Simple as that. BUT, if you do get to like it, then most likely you will fall completely in love with the series, and you will thank God for the day you read this review.
Rating: Summary: A Heron Marking His Pen Review: I am unimpressed with the complaints brought to bear on this book and the series at large. It remains, in my opinion and others', the modern benchmark for a fantasy series. I would begin with the disclaimer that I am totally biased in favor of the series as that I have been hopelessly addicted since book one. Yet I have no regrets save one: I wish I hadn't discovered Jordan's dazzlingly engrossing world until the series was complete. It's a similar feeling to the one I get when I think of Lucas' Star Wars. People need to be patient and let the Wheel do its work and if they cannot find the patience within themselves their loss. Kudos to Mr. Jordan for another heady installment, and can I just say: Matt is a ... I am looking forward to Battles yet to come and I secretly hope that once Tarmon Gaidon reaches its conclusion, Jordan will begin writing of the Age of legends so we can find out what the hell a Shock Lance and a Sho Wing are...
Rating: Summary: Good overall Review: Yet another wonderfull addition to Jordan's line. To light readers it would probably seem too heavy but for the serious Jordan fan the book is filled with incredibly thickening plots, just the stuff we like. Admittedly too slow every now and again but the end makes it all worth it. I read the last few chapters 3 times!
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