Review: A Memory of Light - Robert Jordan

In the Field of Merrilor the rulers of the nations gather to join behind Rand al’Thor, or to stop him from his plan to break the seals on the Dark One’s prison – which may be a sign of his madness, or the last hope of humankind. Egwene, the Amyrlin Seat, leans toward the former.

In Andor, the Trollocs seize Caemlyn.

In the wolf dream, Perrin Aybara battles Slayer.

Approaching Ebou Dar, Mat Cauthon plans to visit his wife Tuon, now Fortuona, Empress of the Seanchan.

All humanity is in peril – and the outcome will be decided in Shayol Ghul itself. The Wheel is turning, and the Age is coming to its end. The Last Battle will determine the fate of the world . . .

My thoughts:

Once upon a time long long ago a young girl newly addicted to fantasy went looking for more to read. And so she found The Wheel of Time and fell happily in love. Fast forward almost 17 years and I finally got the last book. In the mean time the author passed away and my heart was broken until I heard that Brandon Sanderson would finish it from Jordan's notes.

Honestly what can I say. For the first 300 pages I was all I have it! I have it!!! I did not stop to eat or even pee. I just read on. I read on while bf was looking for books at the library (as we had just been by the post office to get my book). I was a zombie that did not want to stop. Had I not had a job I would have read all night long. Now sadly that did not work :(

900 pages of battles, of death, destruction, heart ache, surprises. I can't say anything because that would spoil it all. A thrilling conclusion.

But I can say that I hate the effing Seanchan. Haha, what else is new. They are just a messed up slave society.

Rand, aww, I remember why I had a character crush on him in the first place. Some characters disappointed me, some made me happy, some made me sad.

And the end then. I feel very conflicted about the end. It was the end I had seen. I am happy about the end, but at the same time the end made me want more. It felt like there could be more. Maybe I am just sad that it's the end. I have spent too many years in this world. Oh I want to re-read book 1 again :D

Conclusion:
It was a great finish to this series, I will miss it and of course I recommend this series to all. Even if some of those middle books move slowly ;) But the thing is that when I read them the first time around I devoured them all.

Cover:
Really? I know that he got an older look in his eyes after he accepted his faith but this guy looks like 40

Series: The Wheel of Time #14
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 909
Published: January 2013 by TOR
Source: Own

Review: Towers of Midnight - Robert Jordan

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.

My thoughts:

First just let me say how much I hate the Seanchan, and they are not even the bad guys, well ok they are bad, but not THE bad guys. Here we get insight into what might happen if the world comes out ok after the last battle. And I will only say that I hope everyone last Seanchan ends up in a Trollock pot and get eaten. There is no hope for this world and the Seanchan is so ruthless in that their way is the only way.

Yup hating the Seanchan.

Find myself understanding *coughs* sort of, Galad. Kind of even like that idiot.

Elayne is a complete moron. The babies must have addled her brain.

How did Egwene become so wise so fast? Please.

Lan is riding to his doom, go Lan!

Mat wants to save Moiriane. One would think he could go to his wife and get that idiot to see some sense first. Grr Seanchan scum.

Rand is all peaceful..freaky.

Perrin is cool. Faile is meh.

Berelain finds her true love, why is everyone really pretty or handsome in this book?

Finding more LOTR parallels.

And everyone is moving towards the Last Battle...does that mean the final book is 900 pages of battle!? o_O

Conclusion:

YAY I can't wait for the last book. Yes I am harsh at times but I love this series.

Covers: 

These UK ones are dull

Hopefully I will manage to give you a review of book 14 soon if the postal Gods will smile upon me

And this concludes my WOT re-reading challenge, yay

Series: The wheel of time #13
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 843
Published: 2010 by Orbit
Source. Own

Review: The gathering storm - Robert Jordan

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.

My thoughts:

I read my other review of this book and found it interesting (here, I was very happy back then) I really liked Rand before, now, eh, he is so dark and, I guess just not the guy for me this time around. I am more of a Perrin gal.

No more thinking of that other review. What did I think here...? Some things happened that I had totally forgotten, it has to do with the Black Ajah. Good thing I read it again then ;)

I am craving the end now, oh how slowly this series moves. It sure shows when I have read all in a year. I am also discovering plotholes. Time is moving strangely. No time at all has really passed, still Rand has gone insane, Elayne is preggers and Egwene got a new personality. 

Conclusion:

But it's a great series, even if we could have skipped a few books in the middle ;)

Cover

LOL! Ok so you can't see it that good but the woman in the back has some bad looking hooker make-up on, that and her boobs. So I get the impression that it's a brothel and he just could not get it up so he blew a hole in the wall and rushed out to curse at the sky.. ;)

Series: The Wheel of Time #12
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 783
Published: 2009 by TOR
Source Own

Review: Knife of Dreams- Robert Jordan

The Re-Read Challenge Continues and I am close to the end.

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.

Fleeing Ebou Dar through Seanchan-controlled Altara with the kidnapped Daughter of the Nine Moons, Mat attempts to court the woman to whom he is half-married, knowing that she will complete that ceremony eventually. But Tuon coolly leads him on a merry chase as he learns that even a gift can have deep significance among the Seanchan Blood and what he thinks he knows of women is not enough to save him. For reasons of her own, which she will not reveal until a time of her choosing, she has pledged not to escape, but Mat still sweats whenever there are Seanchan soldiers near. Then he learns that Tuon herself is in deadly danger from those very soldiers. To get her to safety, he must do what he hates worse than work...

In Caemlyn, Elayne fights to gain the Lion Throne while trying to avert what seems a certain civil war should she win the crown...

In the White Tower, Egwene struggles to undermine the sisters loyal to Elaida from within...

The winds of time have become a storm, and things that everyone believes are fixed in place forever are changing before their eyes. Even the White Tower itself is no longer a place of safety. Now Rand, Perrin and Mat, Egwene and Elayne, Nynaeve and Lan, and even Loial, must ride those storm winds, or the Dark One will triumph

My thoughts;

First omg the blurb is so FREAKING long.

What can I say that I have not said a million times before? So boring reviewing a big series.

Rand will loose something in this one. Oh and the power is cleansed by no one believes it, idiots.

Egwene is better in this one as she is a prisoner and talks back and gets birched.

Tuon is still a bitchy little thing, I mean Pet pet pet! Yeah I would have slapped her. She does get a bit, a tiny bit better in the end. But I still hope she dies in the end.

While Mat is annoying as he just tries his best, but then in the end, yes then he is cool again.

Perrin is looking for Faile. Oh you idiot, you should know better!

Faile is being all Faile and making plans.

Nynaeve is not seen around a lot but she does rally the forces.

Elayne is totally being the MOST boring person in the book, babies yada yada whatever.

Oh and I hate how the Seanchan is all "oh you superstitious people". Drives me bonkers, I wish some trollocs could come and eat them.

But this book is better than the last few. Things are happening ;)

Series: the wheel of time #11
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 784
Published: 2005 by Orbit
Source. My own

Review: Crossroads of Twilight - Robert Jordan

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 al'Vere, 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 Asha'man will remain to defend the world against the Dark One, and nothing can hold the Asha'man themselves back from total power except the Aes Sedai and a unified White Tower.

In Andor, Elayne Trakland 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 al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn himself, has cleansed the Dark One's 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. 

My thoughts:

Ok so I love this series, therefore I can say this, arghh, so bloody boring! Honestly, it works when you read it for the first time but these middle books are NOT re-read books. By the Gods no.

Rand did..something.

Elayne and Egwene makes me sleepy as always. Totally skim chapters

Perrin is trying to rescue Faile, it sure takes time.

Mat kidnapped the Daughter of the Nine moons. Whatever the snakes said I would just tosh that little bitch overboard. He has the patience of a saint.

1 million other characters plotted and did things. 

So yes, not a book that was fun to re-read. Some parts yes, but then the boring peeps come and have like a 100 pages and then in the middle are all those strangers that also have a POV.

Still WOT IS THE BEST fantasy series ever!

Series: Wheel of Time #10
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 846
Published:  December 7th 2003 by Tor Fantasy
Source: My own

Wheel of Time re-reading challenge: Book 8 and 9

Series: The Wheel of Time #8

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 685

Published: 1998 by TOR

Source. Shelf

Ok so I love this series to death, but this book was pretty boring. What happened?

Eh...Elayne and Nynaeve moved reallllly slowly and suddenly something big happened and I was all excuse me? That's a theme, everything moves slowly but the big things are over in a blink of an eye. I do not like Elayne by the way.

Perrin was in the woods...

Logain showed up again.

A few people gathered in the beginning and then was never seen again..what?

Rand was going crazy and hunting Seanchan and I hate those f*ckers.

I yawned here and there. Egwene was doing something boring as usual.

Hehehe, yeah I know, anyone reading this review would not want to read this book. It's just that it was 700 pages and nothing at all happened.

Series: The wheel of time # 9

Pages: 780

Published: 2000 by TOR

I do love thee awesome series but what on earth do >I have left to say? these middle books are just fillers.

Elayne is Queen and doing stuff there.

We meet the Daughter of the Nine Moons. Never did like that brat and I can't say I want Mat to marry her. Mat who is a queen's pet in this book. Silly really.

Rand is out doing stuff and hunting rogues.

Perris looses Faile, who by the way should deal with her jealousy issues.

I came to think of the perfect guy for Tenobia, yup, he is so gonna marry her if they meet.

What else, well people ran around in castles, woods and talked. Pretty much it.

On another note! A month left until the LAST BOOK!

Review: A Crown of Swords - Robert Jordan

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..

The WOT re-reading challenge continues

My thoughts:

What should I say about book 7 then...hm...I mean the last book I talked and talked about the characters and truth be told not that much has happened to make me feel one way or another.

Well Nynaeve met Lan again, I liked her more at once as they got it on. But he needs to remove that stick from his behind. All Warder and stiff. Maybe she will stop tugging that braid now.

Oh Mat, quite the rake these days...grrrrr The Seanchan are coming.

Not much happened when it all comes down to it. Elayne and Nynaeve looked for a bowl to fix the weather. Mat drunk and chased women. Rand was Rand, must get Sammael, can't sleep with Min and be in love with A and E. Some Forsaken learned a lesson. And that was pretty much it.

Conclusion:

By now the books move slooooooooooooower. Still I love it, and I did read it over a month so it went slow indeed. But that is the pace I have set for this re-read challenge.

Cover:

These UK covers are boooooooring.

Series: The Wheel of Time #7
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 762
Published by Orbit (first puböished 1996)
Source: My own

Review: Lord of Chaos - Robert Jordan

2012 The Wheel of Time re-reading Challenge

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....

My thoughts:

Another long one, 1000 pages, book 6, well you get the general idea. So for this re-read review I will look at the characters.

Rand, honestly I always thought I had a crush on him, but so far nothing has stirred at this front. He is just crazy, laughing by himself and talking with Lews in his head. He is rather pompous too.

Mat, was this the book where I suddenly did not heart Mat anymore? I think so. He was rather pompous too.

Egwene, do I like her yet *laughs* No, and this is the book where she spends some time on Gawyn's knee. She is just too nice.

Elayne, eh, little less I love Rand Please.

Nynaeve, now look at that, I am starting to like the braid tugging woman.

Perrin, How on earth did I think he was boring when I was a teen? He is a cutie!

Mazrim Taim, Grrrr, he has plans, I know it! (as I can't remember anymore what will happen later on, LOL). Still I like him.

Galad, do you really need to ask? I HATE HIM. Down with the White Cloaks!!!!

Alanna, Grrrrr, that bitch. Unforgivable.

Logain, I wish he would do something soon..*hearts*

Min, and to think I found her dull too. I like her snappy comments.

Faile..I so do not understand women *Perrin, Mat and Rand agree*

Gawyn, That idiot has a stick up his behind. Do not trust the one rumor you hear. Arghhh, I want to ring his dang neck.

Not much about the Seanchan, but I can still put it here that I hate them, down with the Seanchan!

The Forsaken, I like bad guys. They are so evil.

Berelain, I think that I did not like her the first time around, but she is a maneater and I approve.

The Aes Sedai, idiots. All around.

Scared yet? Yes there are A LOT of characters in this series..a LOT.

Aviendha, truth be told I am pretty neutral but I just find her silly for going all, oh no! I can't sleep with Rand again, he belongs to Elayne..uh, your people's custom is to share a man. So what is the problem?

Tallanavor, ok so he is not around much, but he is a cutie!

Whitecloaks, they have to be mentioned again cos I despise them.

Awesome series!!!! :D Even if things move really..really..really slowly.

Cover:

ROFL! Do not even get me started

Series: Wheel of Time #6
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 1011
Published: 1994 by TOR
Source: My own, duh

Review: The Fires of Heaven - Robert Jordan

...Into the forbidden city of Rhuidean, where Rand al’Thor, now the Dragon Reborn, must conceal his present endeavor from all about him, even Egwene and Moiraine.

...Into the Amyrlin’s study in the White Tower, where the Amyrlin, Elaida do Avriny a’Roihan, is weaving new plans.

...Into the luxurious hidden chamber where the Forsaken Rahvin is meeting with three of his fellows to ensure their ultimate victory over the Dragon.

...Into the Queen’s court in Caemlyn, where Morgase is curiously in thrall to the handsome Lord Gaebril.

For once the dragon walks the land, the fires of heaven fall where they will, until all men’s lives are ablaze.

And in Shayol Ghul, the Dark One stirs...

My thoughts:

Ok time to say something clever again, 5th book, all almost 1000 pages it seems. It just gets harder to harder to review this series, not to mention since I have already read it before too.

Starting to like good old Rand again but Mat is still such a favorite. I like the memories in his head and how he becomes something more. And still such a rascal.

Hey, where was Perrin!?

Nyn and Elayne was all over the world doing their stuff. And obsessing over Rand much?

Min, Siuan and Leane, I did like these three together and especially when they get into trouble.

Egwene still bores me.

Ok, is there any POV I am missing? Aviendha, I just wish she could stop talking about protecting Rand for Elayne. Come on woman! You are from a culture where women share a man anyway.

So lots of POVS, duh. Exciting things happening, like the Aiel leaving the Waste. War coming. Rand learning about Saidar. And much much more.

Conclusion:

I can stop reading at a page and jump back 2 weeks later. That is how well I know this series by now.True love.

Cover:

Lol, Rand's coat. He looks so weird.

Series: Wheel of Time #5
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 989
Published: 1993 by TOR
Source: Own

Wheel of Time Challenge: The Shadow Rising

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.....

My thoughts:

What to say now about my re-read of this book.. I shall ramble on!

First of all, Rand.. Rand, Rand, Rand. I always remembered him so fondly and I did love him in later books. But here, do I love him? Not so much. He is rather crazy, keeps to himself and mumbles. Oh well, maybe I will fall once more.

Perrin, I always remembered not liking his chapters back when, but now, damn that man is cool. Slays trollocks and saves a village.

Mat, he does not have an adventure of his own yet so he is just a follower.

The women, I put them all together since they are alike. Why on earth Nynaeve and Elayne is hunting the Black Ajah I do not know. Who puts "children" after bad guys? Crazy, but done for the story. Anyway they are more fun away from everything *coughs boring White Tower*

Oh yes the boring White Tower fell and people were slaughtered. Finally it got interesting there. Gawyn is an idiot and Galad *eyeroll*

I still hope the Seanchan will go back to the hell they come from. They must burn!! Together with those all holy White cloaks. I hate people who tries to convert others and if they do not want to they are killed.

Lots happened, 1000 pages after all. Aiel, The Waste, revelations about who the Aiel really were, and meeting Asmodean, yum.

Conclusion:

So this was what I had to ramble on about. I can't review something I know too well. This seems to be more for people who know the books.

Series: Wheel of Time #4
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 1006
Published: 1992 by TOR

WOT Challenge:The Dragon Reborn - Robert Jordan

The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

Rand Al'Thor is the Dragon Reborn-- able to touch the One Power, but unable to control it. Rand knows only that he must face the Dark One in a battle to the death. Ahead of him lies the next great test for...

The Dragon Reborn.

Series: The Wheel of Time #3, Genre: fantasy, Pages: 674, Published: 1991 by TOR

Here we go:

Honestly, it's too hard to write a review of a book that I have read many times, of a series that I have read many times. I am so used to the books, the characters are old friends. I can't present them properly... 

But ok, Rand, poor Rand he is so crazy. When exactly did I start to fall for him before? Cos no he is just insane the poor boy as he flees from everyone. 

Then we have Mat, I never really liked Mat but this time around it's different. I like him, and that glimmer of mischief in his eyes. Of course that happened in this book as in previous books he has been insane like Rand. 

Then we have Perrin, the first time around I never liked him, I wonder why cos there is nothing wrong with Perrin. He talks to wolves and here he finds he true love. 

The women, no honestly I just can't like them any time around. Egwene, Elayne and Nynavene get intro trouble, tug on their braids and think about men. They are just no fun, or is it that Tar Valon is boring? Might be. Oh and speaking about Tar Valon. Ever since someone mentioned it on a forum all I see when I look at a map of the city is a certain female....just go look (I blame a certain forum for getting that idea into my head.)

Luckily no Seanchan or many White Cloaks as you know, I hate those bastards. 

The Aiel show up, always did like them. 

Dark friends and evil beings are hunting our lead characters and even though I have read this book before I could not put it down at times.

PS. It seemed people though that Rand is a dragon last time, no no, he is just called THE Dragon. There are no dragons.

And what do I have to finish with..

Recommended!!!

The place where I snark about the cover:

HAHA. Honestly what are they wearing? And look at Rand lol

Review: The Great Hunt - Robert Jordan

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. For centuries, gleemen have told the tales of The Great Hunt of the Horn. So many tales about each of the Hunters, and so many Hunters to tell of... 

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.

Genre: Fantasy, Series: The Wheel of Time #2, Pages: 707, Published: 2006 (1990), Publisher: Orbit, Source: My own

My thoughts this time around:

Re-reading it for the..well I have read it a lot 

Rand knows he is the Dragon and does not yet believe it. I like the beginning in Shienar and how they hunt the horn later. Because here the threads are coming together and we are starting to believe. 

As always my fav parts are the Rand ones, he is a bookboyfriend for a reason. The Mat and Perrin parts are good too. But the women parts, eh, boring as always. But that is just cos I keep favorites. I never did care to read about Egwene and her buddies in the White Tower. I just want to get to the good parts. Who cares about women.

Honestly what can I say about a book I have re-read lots of times? I still hate the Seanchan! The Children of the Light must die! Fain is annoying and, well I really hate the Seanchan ;) 

I re-read this over the course of 1,5 months. I could just stop in the middle of a page and pick it up days later. I know this story, and I love it. 

Conclusion:

Recommended. 

Review: The Eye of the world - Robert Jordan

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.

Pages: 814
Published: 1990 by Tor
Genre: Fantasy
Series: The wheel of time #1

My thoughts this time around:

I am re'reading these books for my WOT challenge and just like so many times before I loved the book. I know it by heart now because I have read it so many times before.

I love Rand and what he is to become, he will always be my fav. His and Mat's journey in this book is my part and of course when he meets the queen. Gotta love that part and how everyone tells him that he looks like something. Awww, to read that the first time around.

When the book ended I wanted to pick up the next one at once. That is how good this series is, even though I have also re-read book 2 a bunch of times. But I wanted to know what is going to happen...even though I already knew. There is magic in this series, a nostalgic longing grips me every time.

I am not going to go on and on, because I could, I will just keep it short. Awesome series that should be read.

"We rode on the winds of the rising storm, 

We ran to the sounds of the thunder. 

We danced among the lightning bolts, 

and tore the world asunder."  

Review: Towers of Midnight - Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson

 The Wheel of Time, book 13

Genre: fantasy
Pages: 843
Published: November 2010

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.

Plot:

A whole lot going on! Just read the blurb.

My thoughts:

Omg, omg! I have been in such a reading frenzy, barely been able to put down this incredibly big and heavy book. I have read like crazy, and fast, because I just wanted to get to the end. I have been lamenting, and swearing. Oh how I love The Wheel of Time.

I do not even know how to start, or where. I'll just write whatever pops up in my mind.

Perrin, never been a big fan of him but here I was cursing cos I wanted to read faster and get to his chapters. He had a meeting with those nasty white cloaks (oh have I despise those righteous bastards!) Especially that idiot Galad, but, I am not going to say anything more. Mat, he had quite the adventure as he is searching for Moiraine, who should be dead. And he has to deal with those weird foxes and snakes again. But way too little Rand. He was just in and out trying to fix things and prepare all for the last battle. Also I finally think I know who is leading The Forsaken now, I can't wait to see if I am right. As for the male madness, Rand has fixed that, but how the Black and White tower will stand in the future is anyone's guess.

The women still annoy me, honestly what is up with that? And why is Min always the one who gets to travel around with Rand, his little tomboy who hates to wear dresses *rolls eyes*, and pregnant Elayne is just left in Andor. Dunno if I like what she is doing with her new kingdom. Anyway the only woman I can seem to stand is Berelain, she is a flirt and she knows what she wants.

Rambling much, yeah.

The Last Battle, it's actually just around the corner. I never thought that would happen. This book picks together all the pieces and shoves all the armies to the north. The next book, oh I hope it's not 800 pages of battle! Because it looks to be that way.

Hate hate the Seanchan, those bloody idiots will ruin the world. I can see it now, the last battle won and the Seanchan conquering the world *grinds teeth*, I wish Rand would use balefire and wipe them all out. I used to hate the whitecloaks like crazy( because they are religious zealots), but now all my hate is directed towards the Seanchan who wants to conquer and destroy. And who doesn't even believe there is a dark lord in wait to swallow the world in darkness.

Recommendation and final thoughts:

Hell yeah! Read this series, it is just the way I want my fantasy, I love it beyond words. Sure there are A LOT of characters, a lot of things going on, but if I can keep up with it when I am reading like a madwoman then it should be a piece of cake when reading normally (which I do when I re-read, lol.)

Ok, calm down. I am must try to write something clever. Get my act together.

This book managed what I never thought it would, put pieces together and move forward. It made me ache that I do not have book 14 and must wait a whole year. And when I get that book I will read it like crazy again. This is my one and only autobuy.

Have I made it clear I freaking loved the book? ;)

Thank you Brandon Sanderson for putting together this book so nicely.

Reason for reading:
Hello, auto buy!

Cover: yawns, no I do not like when all the covers are alike.

Reviewx2: The Eye of the World + The Great Hunt

The Eye of the World

The Wheel of time, book 1

Genre: Fantasy
Published: 1990
Pages: 814

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.

But one truth yet remains, and what mortal men forget, the Aes Sedai do not...What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

I got the urge to re-read, and when that happen you have to follow. I love this series, and I have read this book a lot of times.

Rand al`Thor lives in a little village and is looking forward to the coming of spring. But the village is attacked by Trollocs, something that they only thought lived in myths. A woman who turns out to be an Aes Sedai singles out him and two of his friends, Matrim Cauthon and Perrin Aybara. The trollocs are after them so they flee together with the Aes Sedai, her warder, a gleeman, and Egwene who also wants adventure. Soon they all will face more things than they ever thoguht was possible, and they will find out who the trollocs and the Dark One wants, and why. The world will never be the same.

"We rode on the winds of the rising storm,
We ran to the sounds of the thunder.
We danced among the lightning bolts,
and tore the world asunder."

I am not gonna go on for long because I have read it too many times. But I love this concept, normal countryboys finding that they are a part of something big. A big bad hero, monsters, magic and a quest for good. A world falling apart, political intrigues and big wars. This kind of epic fantasy is always going to be the fantasy that is closest to my heart, and it will always be the kind I love the most.

And in this one we see the beginning of the quest, all the boys change, Egwene and Nynavene finds their own destinies, and the world is showed before us. And what a world it is.

 

The Great Hunt, book 2

Pages: 705

Published: 1990

The Forsaken are loose, the Horn of Valere has been found and the Dead are rising from their dreamless sleep. The Prophecies are being fulfilled - but Rand al'Thor, the shepherd the Aes Sedai have proclaimed as the Dragon Reborn, desperately seeks to escape his destiny.

But Rand cannot run forever. With every passing day the Dark One grows in strength and strives to shatter his ancient prison, to break the Wheel, to bring an end to Time and sunder the weave of the Pattern. And the Pattern demands the Dragon.

After having finished book 1 I could not stop myself, I needed to know what happened next! Even if I have read it a bunch of times and could recite the book in my sleep ;) But that is what a good book can do, make you wanna read it so bad, even though you have read it many times before.

Here Rand al`Thor is told he is the Dragon reborn, Lews Therin Kinslayer, the man who went mad and destroyed the world. Rand is sure the Aes Sedai wants another false dragon to play with and he wants to escape and forget about it all. But he has also found out that he can channel, use magic, and being a mad that means he will go crazy, and perhaps kill all those he love. Before he can leave the Horn of Valere is stolen and he and his friends leave in search of it. He cannot run from his destiny.

Rand has grown a bit here, but he is scared. Because of what his has learnt about himself, and because he is told he is the Dragon. He is my fav character. It took a couple of re-reads for me to like Nynaneve but now I do like her and Lan. Egwene, well I do confess I tend to read those Aes Sedai parts pretty quick. I did it again, cos I wanted to get to the good parts. Like Rand in Cairihien. Mat, well it took some time to like him too, but now when reading it I do, even if he is moody here cos of a "poison" dagger. Perrin, well he is a very silent kind of fellow, but re-reading this I do love what he becomes, a wolfbrother.

A great series that I do recommend. Unforgettable heroes and quests. A good start.

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: I like the first one, but even if Moiriane is not that tall she just looks like a kid here. But very fantasy pretty. The second, well I think it's the Uk version and they are all the same. Boring

Reason for reading: Re.-read cos this is LOVE.

Final thoughts: If you love fantasy then read this.

Review: The Gathering Storm - Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson

The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson

The Wheel of Time, book 12

Genre: fantasy
Pages: 784
Published: October 2009

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 make up A Memory of Light. 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.

Magician by Raymond E.Feist may be the best fantasy book ever written, but WOT is the best fantasy series in the world. I know many thought it just keep on going and going, but that only means more for me to love.

When I in 2007  learned that Robert Jordan had passed away I was devastated. Not only cos of selfish reasons (cos that had been my biggest fear even before I heard he was ill), but also because he was a master with what he was doing. And I know he loved his books and his fans. But then I heard that his legacy would go on, because Jordan had until the end kept on working. The chosen person was Brandon Sanderson, who was a big fan of his works (and an accomplished writer). Jordan had left notes, materials, outline, and written sections, and Sanderson filled in the holes. The finished project was huge and later it was realized the book had to be made into 3.

First let me say that I felt like I was reading Robert Jordan own writing, only here and there I noticed Sanderson's voice. Mostly when it came to explanations. Things we knew, but perhaps he wanted to make sure to all that he also knew, then again it had been a while so it was all good. I did not mind. The script is still Jordan's, it just needed a new producer to put it all together. I had been very afraid that I would see too much of Sanderson, but he melted together just fine and put in his own voice. I approved.

Ok spoilers. Not other way to do this!

Rand is still going crazy, oh how I love him! Not to mention Lews Therin. It is getting darker and people around him is staring to loose faith. Egwene is still a prisoner and trying to undermine Elaida's control. I never really liked Egwene really but for some reason I like her now. Elayne was no where to be soon, no Lan either, and no Logain. I really hoped he didn't die and I forgot. Aviendha came by briefly (here I did notice the new writer). Some Mat and Perrin, but not much. Getting a bit annoyed by Mat, I am afraid he will stand with those stupid Seanchan. Oh I despise them, they can't believe in the Forsaken, they treat people who can channel like crap, and if they win in the end I will go insane.

Moraine is really still alive!? Asmodean? I am pretty sure Rand will die :( Oh and Gawyn is an idiot, and don't even get me started on the Children of the Light. Where is Morgause? Get home and talk to Gawyn, please! This world is going to hell even if they win the Last battle. Well at least I still love the Aiel.

That was some of my thoughts while reading, yes I hate a lot of people there, grrr, and I love a great deal too. There is always someone to like and hate. People to root for, and people to hope the Shadow take (*coughs Children of the Light, mostly Galad and The Seanchan*)

This book picked up the pace, and the whole book is one big "The storm is coming, let's make haste and ride up north". I was really enjoying it, things played out, armies moved, people died. Sure they are not at the last battle yet, The Forsaken is still free, there is still wars going on, and the Shadow is causing big ripples in the thread. But they are close, so if the last book is all about the war. Then the second will finally bring everyone together. It has been some time since that.

By the way, Elayne, the babies, shouldn't she be due soon, and oh that will go to hell too. Cos of that idiot everyone thinks is the father. Hopefully Rand will stop by Caemelyn...and perhaps get blinded by Galad or Gawyn? Oh yes I can see that.

This was mostly a post of all the characters, cos how else can I talk about a series I have been reading for 13 years?

This is great fantasy, I love it to pieces, even if I might never read book 15 two times depending on the outcome. Yes Rand is a fictional crazy boyfriend. I love to re-read this series, and this is to me great fantasy, epic fantasy that is so richly created it takes your breath away.

Thank you Brandon Sanderson for doing a great job with this epic legacy.

Robert Jordan -James Oliver Rigney, Jr.- (October 17, 1948 – September 16, 2007)

Blodeuedd's Cover Corner: Not liking it at all. If you look closely you can see how rich her make-up is, and to say this nicely, well she looks like a lady of the night, perhaps Rand destroyed a brothel.

Reason for Reading. My own copy, have been waiting for 3 years to read it.

Final thoughts: LOVE IT. WOT is fantasy at its best.