The Wheel Of Time *Possible spoilers*
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- HighLordKevin
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The Wheel Of Time *Possible spoilers*
If you like a fantasy saga that always keeps you guessing, always on the edge of your seat, and constantly biting your fingernails, read The Wheel Of Time books by Robert Jordan. The story of Rand Al'Thor and his rise from the adopted son of an old farmer to The Dragon Reborn and his battle to stay alive and stay sane until the Battle of Tarmon'Gaidon rivals even the Lord Of The Rings books by J.R.R. Tolkien.
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My frustration with this series is that the author doesn't appear to be in any hurry to finish it. He has so many subplots and minor characters going, over the last few books the mainplot lines seem to have not moved much at all.
However, I will give him credit for having created a well-thought out world, very detailed, with a lot of back-history. He also is a very good writer of battle scenes, which is a weakness of some other fantasy writers.
This is of course, a matter of personal taste. I generally don't get into very rambling things, and like a lot of action in my stories. For those readers who enjoy a lot of details then Jordan is probably perfect for them.

However, I will give him credit for having created a well-thought out world, very detailed, with a lot of back-history. He also is a very good writer of battle scenes, which is a weakness of some other fantasy writers.
This is of course, a matter of personal taste. I generally don't get into very rambling things, and like a lot of action in my stories. For those readers who enjoy a lot of details then Jordan is probably perfect for them.

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Made it through book 4 and then couldn't take it any more. I agree with Danlo, Read A Song of Ice and Fire by Martin and than compare the two.
Although I must admit, Jordan does have a large and loyal fan base so he must be doing something right. I just can't take the lack of immediacy and tension in the story.
Just my opinion.
Although I must admit, Jordan does have a large and loyal fan base so he must be doing something right. I just can't take the lack of immediacy and tension in the story.
Just my opinion.
War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself. John Stuart Mill
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Well, I like to read, but since I don't know much about the authors I've always had trouble choosing what to buy - After reading this thread, and hearing some other mentions of WoT, I decided to have a look at the series, so I've just ordered one of the books on amazon. If I like, then I might continue with the series. I think I'll move onto ASOIAF after that.
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The first four were good. Entertaining with an interesting, if a bit simple dichotomy between the sexes. After that... eh. The only one that sticks in my mind was Winter's Heart, but that just made the next one seem that much worse (it was really bad... so bad that if it hadn't been the... what, 10th?... book in the series, I would not read another one after that, of which, there appears to be 3 more, each one probably taking about two years to publish). If you're trying to kill some time and aren't in any particular hurry to see a story end, it's a pleasant world to immerse yourself in. If you do decide to start the books though, just remember, you were warned.
"It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past.”
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Lady Thea--I 2 initially liked Brooks---The 1st Shanarra book was cool and I even wanted 2 name my kid, if I ever had one, after one of the main characters. Even if it almost was a blatant LOTR ripoff. I also really dug the concept and 1st book in the Knight of the Word series: Running with the Demon. Un42nately Brooks, 2 me, goes out of his way 2 destroy his initial good efforts by writting sequels...
Last edited by danlo on Tue Jun 10, 2003 12:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
fall far and well Pilots!
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The Magic Kingdom for Sale books were fun, too. Along the lines of Stasheff's spellsinger books. I'm a sucker for the regular guy transplanted to fantasy realm type stories (obviously
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"It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past.”
-George Steiner
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That is a very common complaint, i'll admit!Dag son of Dag wrote:I`m sorry for the blasphemy, Earthfriend...But LotR can be just a biiiit dull at times.


But put LotR in it's cultural and historical context, and for pure originality it leaves WoT for dead!



Just one hobbits opinion

Stone and Sea are deep in life,
two unalterable symbols of the world;
permanence at rest, and permanence in motion;
participants in the Power that remains.
two unalterable symbols of the world;
permanence at rest, and permanence in motion;
participants in the Power that remains.
Now Now gentleman please don't go off topic. Try to remember that the purpose of this thread is to bash <Ahem> excuse me, discuss the Wheel of Time series. ;^)
P.S.
Sorry to all of you that like the series! I just couldn't help myself. I respect your right to your opinion and if you like the Wheel of Time who am I to judge. <Runs away and hides>
P.S.
Sorry to all of you that like the series! I just couldn't help myself. I respect your right to your opinion and if you like the Wheel of Time who am I to judge. <Runs away and hides>
War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself. John Stuart Mill