Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan

Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan

My review from 2010.

My latest thoughts:

The last 10 chapters or so of this book saved it. There is so much time spent maneuvering and preparing for action, that it feels starved for action, but at the end of the book things really pick up. Don't get me wrong, I'm still enjoyed this story, and I can appreciate a lot of the build up as necessary stepping stones to where Jordan is taking us, but this is what makes the series challenging for many. If you are looking for a direct plot line to the end, this is not the series for you. Even the action that does take place is largely meant to shape and build the characters. What Rand goes through at the end of this book has to shape his actions going forward. The same goes for Egwene.

I don't like the conflict between Perrin and Faile. It may just be that I don't like marital discord, or maybe I just can't believe that two people could be so stubborn, or less communicative. I don't know, but I find it annoying. I think part of what bugs me is that it is totally disconnected from the larger conflict. It isn't going to affect the dark vs light struggle, and it is annoying, so why include it? You may argue that it humanizes Perrin and gives him an opportunity for growth as a character in his own right, but other conflicts could have done the same thing. As I think about this, I compare Perrin to Mat and his conflict with the Aes Sedai, which also bugs me. I think they bother me for the same reason. They feel like distractions, where personal conflicts more tied into the main conflict could have still provided some of the same opportunities to growth.

Then again, I'm not in the emotional love story crowd. There are probably some fans who are eating up the inter-marital drama.

I'm still enjoying this journey more than I thought I would. Maybe it is because I am older, or more patient? On to book seven!

The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan

The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So I read this back in 2010, and gave it 3 stars at the time, based on the slowing pace. This time through the series I remembered that impression, and have been dreading the coming slow down. And guess what, it isn't really an issue for me this time. I'm sure that some psychologist has studied the phenomenon of expected events that never happen because they were expected, and it probably has a name, but I don't know what it is called, only that it happened. It could be due to my intellectual growth (unlikely) or my speed of reading this time (more likely). In any case, I am enjoying the series.

I will mention two aspects that could be better. First, Mat is getting really whiny. I see the need to develop his personality and relationship with Aes Sedai, but considering the world he lives in, his views are often over the top. Being healed, for example, is a function of humankind's basic will to live. His attitude about that doesn't make sense. His complaints come out as whiny in most cases. Stop complaining and grow up already.

Second, I understand that these books were already long, but I don't like unaddressed plot lines. Perrin has been mostly absent for 2 books. And where is Padan Fain? Again, I can see how it would be necessary to limit the scope of an already long book, but at the same time it feels like something is missing.

The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan

The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Read my thoughts from my 2009 reading here.

The Shadow Rising has a lot of spreading plot lines. The cast is on the move and there is more character development for everyone. Still the pace keeps up, as much as it can with all of the relationships that need to happen and with all of the conversations that need to take place. I liked learning about the Aiel, and find their cultural uniqueness to be both creative and intriguing.

What do I want to know now? What is to the east of the Waste? And across the Aryth Ocean? If the whole world is at stake, and we are aware of those other lands, they have to be brought into the story at some point. Perhaps the Seanchan will resolve one of those. ..

Who is the most annoying character? Nynaeve. She is so whiny and obnoxious. I understand that characters need room to grow. Especially this early in a series of this scope, but enough already. I'm ready for her to grow up. She is like that exasperating teenager that you want to grow up and move out, even though you still love them and want to see them succeed...

This book is still a solid 4 stars for me. Due to previous readings, and the reputation of this series as being slow and boring, I didn't know if I would still be handing out 4 stars at this point. I'm pleasantly surprised.