Rating: 
Summary: Moving Again
Review: The Wheel of Time is still turning! Frankly, I had my doubts through A Crown of Swords and The Path of Daggers (books seven and eight). The first three books, Eye of the World through the Dragon Reborn, were great. From there, things seemed to get off track and slow down to the point where I thought books seven and eight were a waste. But then, maybe I'm dense. With Winter's Heart, Jordan clearly advances the story line, and brings the series back up to the quality of Dragon Reborn and The Shadow Rising (books three and four). Admittedly, this book started slow. I was half way through before Jordan pulled himself out of the morass of details that had clogged seven and eight, but the logjam finally started to give. The ever-expanding cast of characters began to make more sense. The activity in this book became more engrossing, and the Final Battle is beginning to move into sight. I enjoyed Winter's Heart, and am tempted to go back and read the whole nine books over from the start. That's just the opposite as I felt after The Path of Daggers (book eight), so I can happily recommend this installment in the Wheel of Time series. I said the end is coming into sight, but don't expect to get close in the next couple of books. At this point, I would expect at least four more books for Jordan to bring all the threads together. Still, they say that patience is a virtue. It will have to be, while I wait eagerly for the next book, hopefully in just two years.
Rating: 
Summary: I understand why many people won't give this book 5 stars..
Review: ..because you've probably waited a lot longer for it than me.. I started reading this series this *spring* and now I've read all 9. The books are good, though much slower in the last books, short of WoT. You know what? I like it. It's actually a very good series, and the descriptions of people and areas just add to the depth of the story. Was it worth the money? Sure.Would I say that this was the all-important Fantasy Book of the Millennium worth waiting several years for? Nope. Maybe I'll be more cynical when Book 10 finally arrives, when I've had to wait as long as you, but right now I very very much enjoyed this book. And, very much like many of the readers out there I'd wish the story was already written to it's end, but then rather in 5 books than 1, if they were all coming out this instant. Right now it looks like I'll have to wait many yeeeeeeeeeeears for the end :(, but well.. I can't have all that I want either. Kjella
Rating:
Summary: visiting with old friends
Review: After thousands of pages of character development where we know them better than they know one another, we become interested in how their lives change and grow. This is not a typical good vs. evil epic, these heroes are flawed and struggle with not only saving the world, but everyday problems that distract them. Evil characters have their points of light dimmed beyond where they believe they can change, yet are propelled to action out of fear of the consequences of inaction. In each character's struggle while interacting with other characters, patterns form that leave you feeling that you are missing the trees by looking at the forest. It is often difficult to sense the timeline of what is happening to the other groups of characters yet you know the actions of one create reactions for all. If I were to fault the construction of the epic, it would not be for the major characters and their actions but for the confusion created by the minor characters and feeling the need for a handbook of "who is who in Randland". The best part of the book is the contrast and comparison of the Seanchan attempt to consolidate an extention to their empire and crushing individuality as it attempts to assume and maintain order. Returning to a world of diversification and nations with petty dislikes and distrusts of one another, is their way perhaps the best one to consolidate a united effort in war? Is nationality and individuality a luxury that can only be afforded in a time of peace? In this installment, Rand learns that he cannot save the world on his own. He needs to trust others and by becoming open, sharing his joy and pain, the world stand a chance to overcome the forces of darkness that threaten all. Each time a mystery is solved, there are others that will fill the priority list and keep us enchanted and wanting to know more. We who read this epic have known repeatedly from the beginning of this cycle that there were ages before and ages yet to come with more history and more potential futures than we will ever have time to read, so let those who grumble about milking the storyline fall by the wayside and stop reading...there are enough of us enmeshed in the development of this world of Jordan's creation to go on reading his books without them. This is literary art. Some things just do not need closure and art is one of them.
Rating: 
Summary: 5 Stages of Jordan Fandom
Review: The first 250 pages of this book are some of the most boring fiction I have ever read. I kept wondering to myself why he chose the storylines he did (Elayne & Faile). Does anyone really enjoy reading about Elayne's anguish over the decision to giver her warder a cloak or not. Pick any other storyline (Tinkers and the Song, The Two Rivers, Portal Stones, The Ways ...........) I don't care. Did it really take him 2 years to write this crap ?? That is less than 1 page a day my friends. Really, I started to skim over the chapters that had to do with Elayne and her power moves. I did not miss a thing. The book did pick up when he moved the story to Matt. I kept thinking that this must have been about the time that all of the negative reviews for book 8 started to come out. Really, I just have a hard time believing this is the same guy that wrote the first 5 books. Seems like I'm progressing through the 5 levels of Jordan fandom: (Fanatic (first 5 books), disappointment, denial, anger and finally acceptance) that a once great series has turned into what it is now.
Rating:
Summary: Theme and Variations
Review: In reading the many many reviews of Robert Jordan books, and particularly those who complain, I am struck by the fact that most complainers seemed to like the first four books and have become restive since Jordan branched the formula out. What I mean is this: in the first books, there is a rigid structure in which the story begins with the major characters more or less gathered in one or two locations, then split out into three or four story lines, which all rigidly converge for an epic conclusion in which one of the legendary Forsaken attempt to kill Rand and are defeated - at which point Rand thinks he has won the battle and there is a lot of foreshadowing that IT ISN'T REALLY OVER YET. With all due respect to Mr. Jordan, that formula can grow weary rather quickly. I, for one, am glad that he has increased the complexity of the basic plot. So Mr. Jordan has branched out. The plots flow logically, but there is not this arbitrary "gathering" at the end of the novel. In my opinion, there has been more variety and ingeniousness in the last books than in the first four books. That being said, Winter's Heart does overcome some of the weaknesses in the last two books. First, the main female characters have become more human and less formulaic than in the last two books. Nynaeve, in particular, has redeemed herself from being a screaming harridan into a more complex and nuanced character. Second, the Dragon Reborn's struggle is taken out of a holding pattern and again propelled forward. Specifically, Rand (after spending three books gradually succumbing to increasing instability) appears to have a plan to address the central problem of male channeling - i.e. the Dark One's taint (and what an ingenious solution it is). Third, Mat is back and his adventures are both in character and believable. His introduction to the Daughter of the Nine Moons is handled particularly well. So. . . Winter's Heart is not perfect, but it is a wonderful addition to the series - whether considering the plots or the characters' development.
Rating: 
Summary: a reader
Review: Since book 5, Jordan has been losing touch with his story and more importantly, his characters. Also, his writing seems to be getting worse. It's choppy and seems so drag on and on in some cases. I wish he would stop making his characters complain all the time and create some real dialog. If it wasn't for the last 50 pages, this book would have been a waste. A better series is the "Sword of Truth" by Terry Goodkind. The writing and the plot far exceeds Jordan's.
Rating: 
Summary: an improvement and still a downer
Review: At last, something finally happens. After the downer that was the path of daggers, this is a whiff of fresh air. unfortunately, the meaty part occurs only at the last chapter of the book. Plotlines are left dangling and yet unresolved, I expected the resolution of the BA plot, and was excited on Elaida and Alviarin's reaction on the Rebel's appearance in the gates, but that never occurred, though it was promised in the cover. (whatta gyp). And we have yet another character introduced, Alivia, important somehow in the last battle, yet remains as undeveloped as a carton cut-out. Like other reviewers here said before, you already have great characters, USE THEM. Resolve at least 4 plotlines in every book, well at the very least, tie more plotlines than those that are left unresolved. Less chapters dedicated to Perrin and Elayne, more chapters to those that advance the plot towards the Last Battle. Your fans did not wait for two years for yet another filler. With this book, I's giving him one more chance, please don't make me regret my choice.
Rating:
Summary: stop dicking us around
Review: Before I launch into a harangue on Jordan's detiorating plot writing, I'd like to acknowledge that he is a great writer - and the wheel of time is a great series. 1-6 are tremendous. With that said, there just a few things I want to say. Beginning with book five, and especially in 7-9, Jodan has given us these terribly boring and annoying accounts of immature women, and their minor adventures. I'm beginning to think that Jordan has some distorted or unhealthy perception of women. Maybe all the women he knows are bullies, brats, or snobs? Regardless, the dialogue and plot concerning Nynaeve, Faile, Elayne, and most Aes Sedai accomplish nothing except frustration at all the pettines. The genius of the WOT was Jordan's characterization of the main characters (ta'veren)and many minor (Lan/Moraine, Loial, Isam, Elyas,Thom, the Forsaken, and especially Fain). Also genius, was the sense of history conveyed, the good vs evil drama, and the plot movement. Well the plot movement is coming to a standstill, and all the character development is coming from the annoying and boring wives or girlfriends of the main characters. To top it off, the book length appears to shrink as the spaces between the lines increase. Please Mr Jordan, do your fans a favor - devote 1 chapter to the stupid wives instead of the main characters, and build some plot development with the characters your readers care more about than most of their friends.
Rating:
Summary: Winter's Heart - the best WoT book out in the last few years
Review: Winter's Heart, unlike the last couple WoT books out, definitely has some action in it. For any of you bored by the last few books, just skip to the last twenty or thirty pages for some serious action! We finally hear something from Mat, and he even meets the Daughter of Nine Moons! A few of the things I didn't like, however, included: 1) Egwene and the rebel Aes Sedai never did anything like you expected them to from the end of the last book. 2) Mat's problem of learning how to make fireworks is never really solved, which it probably should have been. 3) The Forsaken show up at the end of the book, but, from the number of good guys there, you'd expect a little more to happen to them. All in all, however, this was a really good book. If you're interested, however, I'd suggest reading books 1-8 first, as all the books after 1 make no sense without having read the previous books. Definitely a good read, though!
Rating:
Summary: Speed to the finish
Review: I think this book revived the series enough to allow for an awesome end to this great series. RJ did an excellent job tying up loose ends with this book and created enough smaller ones to keep his audience anticipating the next book. I expect one maybe 2 more books out of the series, and if it keeps up the pace set in Winter's Heart the end of the saga should be most excellent. If you weren't impressed with the previous two novels then grab this one, it should get you hooked again. I for one think this is one of the better books in the series(at least the best of the last 4) and think RJ should write faster(I want book 10 now! :)
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