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The Wheel of Time #1-8
The Wheel of Time: Boxed Set
The Wheel of Eye of the World, the Great Hunt, Dragon Reborn, Shadow Rising, Fires of Heaven, Lord of Chaos, Crown of Swords, and Path of Daggers
First published November 15, 1990
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About the author
Robert Jordan
672Ìýbooks16.7kÌýfollowersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ database with this name.
Robert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr., under which he was best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He also wrote under the names and Jackson O'Reilly.
Jordan was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He served two tours in Vietnam (from 1968 to 1970) with the United States Army as a helicopter gunner. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with bronze oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star with "V" and bronze oak leaf cluster, and two Vietnamese Gallantry Crosses with palm. After returning from Vietnam he attended The Citadel where he received an undergraduate degree in physics. After graduating he was employed by the United States Navy as a nuclear engineer. He began writing in 1977. He was a history buff and enjoyed hunting, fishing, sailing, poker, chess, pool, and pipe collecting.
He described himself as a "High Church" Episcopalian and received communion more than once a week. He lived with his wife Harriet McDougal, who works as a book editor (currently with Tor Books; she was also Jordan's editor) in a house built in 1797.
Responding to queries on the similarity of some of the concepts in his Wheel of Time books with Freemasonry concepts, Jordan admitted that he was a Freemason. However, "like his father and grandfather," he preferred not to advertise, possibly because of the negative propaganda against Freemasonry. In his own words, "no man in this country should feel in danger because of his beliefs."
On March 23, 2006, Jordan disclosed in a statement that he had been diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis, and that with treatment, his median life expectancy was four years, though he said he intended to beat the statistics. He later posted on his Dragonmount blog to encourage his fans not to worry about him and that he intended to have a long and fully creative life.
He began chemotherapy treatment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, in early April 2006. Jordan was enrolled in a study using the drug Revlimid just approved for multiple myeloma but not yet tested on primary amyloidosis.
Jordan died at approximately 2:45 p.m. EDT on September 16, 2007, and a funeral service was held for him on Wednesday, September 19, 2007. Jordan was cremated and his ashes buried in the churchyard of St. James Church in Goose Creek, outside Charleston.
Robert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr., under which he was best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He also wrote under the names and Jackson O'Reilly.
Jordan was born in Charleston, South Carolina. He served two tours in Vietnam (from 1968 to 1970) with the United States Army as a helicopter gunner. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with bronze oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star with "V" and bronze oak leaf cluster, and two Vietnamese Gallantry Crosses with palm. After returning from Vietnam he attended The Citadel where he received an undergraduate degree in physics. After graduating he was employed by the United States Navy as a nuclear engineer. He began writing in 1977. He was a history buff and enjoyed hunting, fishing, sailing, poker, chess, pool, and pipe collecting.
He described himself as a "High Church" Episcopalian and received communion more than once a week. He lived with his wife Harriet McDougal, who works as a book editor (currently with Tor Books; she was also Jordan's editor) in a house built in 1797.
Responding to queries on the similarity of some of the concepts in his Wheel of Time books with Freemasonry concepts, Jordan admitted that he was a Freemason. However, "like his father and grandfather," he preferred not to advertise, possibly because of the negative propaganda against Freemasonry. In his own words, "no man in this country should feel in danger because of his beliefs."
On March 23, 2006, Jordan disclosed in a statement that he had been diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis, and that with treatment, his median life expectancy was four years, though he said he intended to beat the statistics. He later posted on his Dragonmount blog to encourage his fans not to worry about him and that he intended to have a long and fully creative life.
He began chemotherapy treatment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, in early April 2006. Jordan was enrolled in a study using the drug Revlimid just approved for multiple myeloma but not yet tested on primary amyloidosis.
Jordan died at approximately 2:45 p.m. EDT on September 16, 2007, and a funeral service was held for him on Wednesday, September 19, 2007. Jordan was cremated and his ashes buried in the churchyard of St. James Church in Goose Creek, outside Charleston.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
December 3, 2008
This is another series that I had a hard time getting into. Once I made it through the first couple hundred pages, though, I was hooked. Seriously hooked. I couldn't put the books down. The series has really colorful characters that are easy to get attached to, it's filled with foreshadowing, and the world that it's based in is really original and beautiful. So it really came as a shock when I was halfway through book four and I realized that I was reading nothing but descriptions of tapestries and different styles of dresses. Seriously. He goes on about individual outfits for PAGES. But what could I do? I was already hooked. So I read the next 10 or so books thinking that maybe I would ride through the dull parts and it would get amazing again. Nope. I would still recommend the first three though. Just ignore all the hints of cool things to come. They never really happen. It's like those ads in the back of the paper for really hot escorts - they have the pictures and everything - but when it comes down to it it's really just an apartment full of sub-par blow up dolls and old cat ladies.
January 4, 2008
Read the first three and stop. Its a great standalone trilogy and I think was intended to stop there until the money making possibilities were realized.
I wish the story could have continued, I was very excited to read about Mat and the daughter of the nine moons however id rather have not spent three books for the bowl of winds that never got to do much.
Oh well. Just read the first three and be happy rather than bitter and indignant like the rest of us who got dragged on for decades of our life to get nothing in the end for our loyalty.
I wish the story could have continued, I was very excited to read about Mat and the daughter of the nine moons however id rather have not spent three books for the bowl of winds that never got to do much.
Oh well. Just read the first three and be happy rather than bitter and indignant like the rest of us who got dragged on for decades of our life to get nothing in the end for our loyalty.
June 23, 2012
Love it. I started reading the series in 1994, when I was still in high school and fell in love with it at once. By the time I started reading, the first 6 books were already released, so to begin with it was just a matter of going to the library to get the next one. After that the waiting began. Not only for each new release, but also in the story itself, the pace became slower, and there were more parts that felt like "you had to get through it to get to the good stuff".
Me and my sister, who also got hooked, sometimes joked that Robert Jordan would die before he finished the series, but were shocked when it actually happened. Luckily Brandon Sanderson agreed to help finish the series. The last books also have picked up in pace again, and are seriously action packed.
I find it hard to describe why I fell in love with this series, now close to 20 years ago. It has been part of my live for so long, that it will be strange when the last book finally will be released in 2013.
I guess it is the scope, the epicness of it all,
Me and my sister, who also got hooked, sometimes joked that Robert Jordan would die before he finished the series, but were shocked when it actually happened. Luckily Brandon Sanderson agreed to help finish the series. The last books also have picked up in pace again, and are seriously action packed.
I find it hard to describe why I fell in love with this series, now close to 20 years ago. It has been part of my live for so long, that it will be strange when the last book finally will be released in 2013.
I guess it is the scope, the epicness of it all,
February 8, 2008
The Eye of the World is the first book in the long line that is The Wheel of Time series. Some are better than others but I liked them all. They are long and very complicated with an ever expanding story line. Some people don't like that but I do so these are great books for me.
Very simply put the story follows a small group of people from humble origins that help change their world. Each in their own way and sometimes not for the better. This is fantasy so the story evolves around each persons unique abilities.
With each new book the story gets more and more vast . You wonder how in the world the author is going to put everything together. There are about 11 books in the series and they are all quite long. So when is the next book due out? Robert Jordan died a couple months ago. We will never know how it turns out.
Very simply put the story follows a small group of people from humble origins that help change their world. Each in their own way and sometimes not for the better. This is fantasy so the story evolves around each persons unique abilities.
With each new book the story gets more and more vast . You wonder how in the world the author is going to put everything together. There are about 11 books in the series and they are all quite long. So when is the next book due out? Robert Jordan died a couple months ago. We will never know how it turns out.
September 17, 2007
Robert Jordan was one of those authors who got me into the genre of epic fantasy. The stories were wonderfully crafted, the characters remarkably memorable, and the ideas often innovative. I have very fond memories of long hours reading this series.
I stopped reading it at some point, when I realized that little progress was being made toward an eventual ending, but the early books in the series will always hold a special place in my heart. And with Jordan's passing the series will never come to resolution. But perhaps it shouldn't - the books all open and close with the wheel of time, and the notion that there is no beginning or end. Nonetheless, fantasy lost one of its giants today. Rest in peace.
I stopped reading it at some point, when I realized that little progress was being made toward an eventual ending, but the early books in the series will always hold a special place in my heart. And with Jordan's passing the series will never come to resolution. But perhaps it shouldn't - the books all open and close with the wheel of time, and the notion that there is no beginning or end. Nonetheless, fantasy lost one of its giants today. Rest in peace.
January 16, 2009
AM so sad he died before finishing the last book.
Liked the first couple the best. The middle ones were ok and the last few were good again.
Liked the first couple the best. The middle ones were ok and the last few were good again.
March 7, 2013
This series was all over the map. The first three books were absolutely magnificent. Unfortunately Jordan became enamored of his own voice and led readers through thousands of completely unrelated pages of story. There were too many main characters and too many things going on for this to be a good book series (and I just finished the entire series last week). Jordan also fell into the trap of description (again liking the sound of his voice a little too much). What did the people across the desert have to do with the story and why were they mentioned at all? As much as I enjoyed Mat's story, it was totally unnecessary to the main plot except that Jordan kept torturedly returning him to it. Mat and Perrin should have remained loyal secondary characters. Jordan could have told Rand's story in three or four books, then moved on the Mat and Perrin if there was interest and demand. He wrote for the money after all; how else do you explain Books Nine and Ten (The same story twice from different characters). They should have been one book and mercilessly edited.
Mind you, I love Jordan's lush and rich writing style in the first three books. I am not a proponent of Hemingway's style, especially in Epic Fantasy. Sorry, this series just ended up getting on my nerves.
Mind you, I love Jordan's lush and rich writing style in the first three books. I am not a proponent of Hemingway's style, especially in Epic Fantasy. Sorry, this series just ended up getting on my nerves.
January 7, 2013
It is possible that some people might really enjoy this series, so to gauge whether it you might like it, you might want to see my ratings for other fantasy books.
The series really starts out well. Jordan created a really unique world and the characters are interesting at face. The narrative begins to die after the third book, however. The development of the characters is either poor or nonexistent and their motives seem to twist to fulfill whatever plot purpose Jordan had intended. I think what you will end up getting with the Wheel of Time series is good writing with poor storytelling and character development. The series definitely has its moments, but in terms of grittiness and detail it has nothing on George RR Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series and its memorable characters, epic scope, world creation pale to Steven Erickson's Malazan Book of the Fallen series. The Malazan Book of the Fallen and Song of Ice and Fire are the current standards I use to compare other fantasy series. They are both superb books. If they did not exist for comparison than the Wheel of Time series might actually get another star by me.
The series really starts out well. Jordan created a really unique world and the characters are interesting at face. The narrative begins to die after the third book, however. The development of the characters is either poor or nonexistent and their motives seem to twist to fulfill whatever plot purpose Jordan had intended. I think what you will end up getting with the Wheel of Time series is good writing with poor storytelling and character development. The series definitely has its moments, but in terms of grittiness and detail it has nothing on George RR Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series and its memorable characters, epic scope, world creation pale to Steven Erickson's Malazan Book of the Fallen series. The Malazan Book of the Fallen and Song of Ice and Fire are the current standards I use to compare other fantasy series. They are both superb books. If they did not exist for comparison than the Wheel of Time series might actually get another star by me.
December 25, 2007
So far I'm very happy with this series and it's made for a fun summer read - something to sink your teeth into so to speak... Yes, Jordan gets a little repetitive sometimes and I probably wouldn't have started this if I'd realized that the series isn't completely written yet (frustrated enough as I am with ASoIaF) but otherwise there are some great characters, ideas and twists and turns (for those into fantasy of course). I hate the awful 'van art' style covers - some of the worse I've seen.
September update: finished series, was about 3/4 way through book 11 when I heard that Robert Jordan has passed away. Very sad, I suppose everyone leaves with things left undone but it seems particularly sad that RJ didn't get a chance to personally finish telling this story to all his many readers. I read that he left notes and outlines with his family so I guess it'll be up to them now.
December update: They've announced the author who'll finish the last book using Jordan's notes, etc. Not due to be published until Fall '09. damn.
September update: finished series, was about 3/4 way through book 11 when I heard that Robert Jordan has passed away. Very sad, I suppose everyone leaves with things left undone but it seems particularly sad that RJ didn't get a chance to personally finish telling this story to all his many readers. I read that he left notes and outlines with his family so I guess it'll be up to them now.
December update: They've announced the author who'll finish the last book using Jordan's notes, etc. Not due to be published until Fall '09. damn.
March 10, 2019
This a big commitment...
I want to start this review by being very explicit -- don't start unless you have the time to finish in one go (over many months). There is so much detail and so many characters (all sounding similar) that it would be difficult to get through without an online guide...or if you just give up caring.
I posted the images of the books, spines out -- I want you to fully understand the commitment you are making. It took me about a year to finish all 14 books. I haven't decided if I want to spend additional time reading the prequels; certainly not any time soon. Below are my short notes on each book (not summaries of the plot) and the number of pages per book:
#1 The Eye of the World (written by Robert Jordan) -- 753 pages
Very interesting world, very well defined, with many nuances. I liked the characters. It was a bit long-winded, but enjoyable.
#2 The Great Hunt (written by Robert Jordan) -- 658 pages
After reading the first book, I felt committed to continuing. I was still enjoying the story. And for the first time, I noticed just how much "The Game of Thrones" and "Harry Potter" 'took' from this fantasy. The parallels were numerous and kept coming. I feel like "The Wheel of Time" is the true original. It is both deeper and wider than either of these other fantasy series.
#3 The Dragon Reborn (written by Robert Jordan) -- 673 pages
Once committed to this story, I've read it one book after the other. For if I didn't, I wouldn't be able to keep up with all of the names and places. There is a LOT to remember! I wish there was a way to click on the name in the book and get a quick recap of who this was... I don't know how people read these books when they had to wait for the next installment for several years. Thank goodness I didn't start these until they were all done.
#4 The Shadow Rising (written by Robert Jordan) -- 1051 pages
Okay, this is where I've invented the term Peril Loop -- a continuous series of bad events that happen to the main character in a story -- and Peril Loop Fatigue � how the reader feels when too many improbable bad events happen to the main character one after another in a continuous barrage of peril. Book 4 is where I almost stopped reading these series several times. Enough is enough!!!!
#5 The Fires of Heaven (written by Robert Jordan) -- 926 pages
Still reading...
#6 Lord of Chaos (written by Robert Jordan) -- 1049 pages
I've made it this far...
#7 A Crown of Swords (written by Robert Jordan) -- 902 pages
I love how detailed the world developed in this fantasy is. Everything seems motivated by deep time events. You get a sense of how customs and people changed based on historical events. This is far better than "The Game of Thrones." Robert Jordan must have a library-worth of notes... Unfortunately, I don't.
#8 The Path of Daggers (written by Robert Jordan) -- 669 pages
This one is a bit shorter. Is Mr. Jordan getting tired? As much as I love the millions of details, I'm getting exhausted... I heard about these series many years ago, way before I read "The Game of Thrones" (GoT). I figured as a writer, I should read "The Wheel of Time" as a great example of world development. I have a lot to learn... Yet, GoT HBO series was in some ways an improvement over the book -- the stories were tightened up; many characters were combined; unnecessary details removed altogether. I will NOT be reading the last book of GoT if it ever comes out...
#9 Winter's Heart (still written by Robert Jordan) -- 705 pages
Like in any story, you fall in love with some characters more than others. Mr. Jordan is careful to give equal time to all his main characters and to develop their storylines fully. But I feel like the main story is getting sidelined...
#10 Crossroads of Twilight (still written by Robert Jordan) -- 832 pages
For all of the details, some main ideas are starting to get lost. Still reading...
#11 Knife of Dreams (still written by Robert Jordan) -- 886 pages
So glad that I'm reading this as an e-book version -- I don't have that much room in my house...or in my purse -- I read everywhere; and if I had to carry these books, I would have serious back problems.
#12 The Gathering Storm (written by Robert Jordan AND Brandon Sanderson) -- 861 pages
I began reading these series partly because Brandon Sanderson was one of the authors. He picked up writing the series towards the end. Brandon has an amazing imagination and I love his writing style. I think "The Wheel of Time" books are the better for having him as a co-author. Still, this story is getting long in the tooth.
#13 Towers of Midnight (written by Robert Jordan AND Brandon Sanderson) -- 977 pages
When will this end?! I love long books...but this is too much! And things are getting muddled. The story is getting lost in the details... Who are these people?!!
#14 A Memory of Light (written by Robert Jordan AND Brandon Sanderson) -- 1025 pages
Aside from Book 4, this was the worst of the bunch -- too long; too many unnecessary plot points while the main plot points are left unresolved. I couldn't wait for this one to end. Some interesting bits, but overall a disappointment. Peril Loop Fatigue. Peril Loop Fatigue. Peril Loop Fatigue.
Overall review: the best-developed fantasy world I have ever read. But too long, too meandering, too lost. These series should have been shorter, tighter, more intense. The "side" stories were entertaining and might have been a nice addition as stand-alone novellas, but they should not have been included in the first read-through. People will probably hate me for writing this, but I'm also one of those who believe GoT would have benefited from some judicious editing. And did I mention Peril Loop Fatigue? How many readers gave because they just got too tired of the main characters continuously battered by bad guys and fate? At some point, such twists of fate stop being engaging and become burdensome. Still, for the sheer scope of vision, I rate the whole series as 4 stars. Some books are better than others...
I want to start this review by being very explicit -- don't start unless you have the time to finish in one go (over many months). There is so much detail and so many characters (all sounding similar) that it would be difficult to get through without an online guide...or if you just give up caring.
I posted the images of the books, spines out -- I want you to fully understand the commitment you are making. It took me about a year to finish all 14 books. I haven't decided if I want to spend additional time reading the prequels; certainly not any time soon. Below are my short notes on each book (not summaries of the plot) and the number of pages per book:
#1 The Eye of the World (written by Robert Jordan) -- 753 pages
Very interesting world, very well defined, with many nuances. I liked the characters. It was a bit long-winded, but enjoyable.
#2 The Great Hunt (written by Robert Jordan) -- 658 pages
After reading the first book, I felt committed to continuing. I was still enjoying the story. And for the first time, I noticed just how much "The Game of Thrones" and "Harry Potter" 'took' from this fantasy. The parallels were numerous and kept coming. I feel like "The Wheel of Time" is the true original. It is both deeper and wider than either of these other fantasy series.
#3 The Dragon Reborn (written by Robert Jordan) -- 673 pages
Once committed to this story, I've read it one book after the other. For if I didn't, I wouldn't be able to keep up with all of the names and places. There is a LOT to remember! I wish there was a way to click on the name in the book and get a quick recap of who this was... I don't know how people read these books when they had to wait for the next installment for several years. Thank goodness I didn't start these until they were all done.
#4 The Shadow Rising (written by Robert Jordan) -- 1051 pages
Okay, this is where I've invented the term Peril Loop -- a continuous series of bad events that happen to the main character in a story -- and Peril Loop Fatigue � how the reader feels when too many improbable bad events happen to the main character one after another in a continuous barrage of peril. Book 4 is where I almost stopped reading these series several times. Enough is enough!!!!
#5 The Fires of Heaven (written by Robert Jordan) -- 926 pages
Still reading...
#6 Lord of Chaos (written by Robert Jordan) -- 1049 pages
I've made it this far...
#7 A Crown of Swords (written by Robert Jordan) -- 902 pages
I love how detailed the world developed in this fantasy is. Everything seems motivated by deep time events. You get a sense of how customs and people changed based on historical events. This is far better than "The Game of Thrones." Robert Jordan must have a library-worth of notes... Unfortunately, I don't.
#8 The Path of Daggers (written by Robert Jordan) -- 669 pages
This one is a bit shorter. Is Mr. Jordan getting tired? As much as I love the millions of details, I'm getting exhausted... I heard about these series many years ago, way before I read "The Game of Thrones" (GoT). I figured as a writer, I should read "The Wheel of Time" as a great example of world development. I have a lot to learn... Yet, GoT HBO series was in some ways an improvement over the book -- the stories were tightened up; many characters were combined; unnecessary details removed altogether. I will NOT be reading the last book of GoT if it ever comes out...
#9 Winter's Heart (still written by Robert Jordan) -- 705 pages
Like in any story, you fall in love with some characters more than others. Mr. Jordan is careful to give equal time to all his main characters and to develop their storylines fully. But I feel like the main story is getting sidelined...
#10 Crossroads of Twilight (still written by Robert Jordan) -- 832 pages
For all of the details, some main ideas are starting to get lost. Still reading...
#11 Knife of Dreams (still written by Robert Jordan) -- 886 pages
So glad that I'm reading this as an e-book version -- I don't have that much room in my house...or in my purse -- I read everywhere; and if I had to carry these books, I would have serious back problems.
#12 The Gathering Storm (written by Robert Jordan AND Brandon Sanderson) -- 861 pages
I began reading these series partly because Brandon Sanderson was one of the authors. He picked up writing the series towards the end. Brandon has an amazing imagination and I love his writing style. I think "The Wheel of Time" books are the better for having him as a co-author. Still, this story is getting long in the tooth.
#13 Towers of Midnight (written by Robert Jordan AND Brandon Sanderson) -- 977 pages
When will this end?! I love long books...but this is too much! And things are getting muddled. The story is getting lost in the details... Who are these people?!!
#14 A Memory of Light (written by Robert Jordan AND Brandon Sanderson) -- 1025 pages
Aside from Book 4, this was the worst of the bunch -- too long; too many unnecessary plot points while the main plot points are left unresolved. I couldn't wait for this one to end. Some interesting bits, but overall a disappointment. Peril Loop Fatigue. Peril Loop Fatigue. Peril Loop Fatigue.
Overall review: the best-developed fantasy world I have ever read. But too long, too meandering, too lost. These series should have been shorter, tighter, more intense. The "side" stories were entertaining and might have been a nice addition as stand-alone novellas, but they should not have been included in the first read-through. People will probably hate me for writing this, but I'm also one of those who believe GoT would have benefited from some judicious editing. And did I mention Peril Loop Fatigue? How many readers gave because they just got too tired of the main characters continuously battered by bad guys and fate? At some point, such twists of fate stop being engaging and become burdensome. Still, for the sheer scope of vision, I rate the whole series as 4 stars. Some books are better than others...
November 18, 2008
I began reading these books as a young teen. The first two were interesting enough to keep me going. But as I kept plowing through his dense books, I found that at the end of the fourth or fifth book NOTHING had really happened in the thousand pages except to run about and keep tabs on his overly complex world. As I realized this, I found that the slowing going had come to a halt, and for me, there wasn't a reason to keep reading. So, I stopped.
Then Jordan died without finishing his final book. And, funny thing, a fellow I went to graduate school with, Brandon Sanderson, was selected to be the writer to write the final book. Our cubicles were near each other, and I remember him talking about different books he was working on and how he had gotten a contract with Tor Book . . . So, now he's trying the impossible, which will probably make or break his career in a sense. Good luck to him. Though, honestly, I probably won't bother to read it when it comes out next year.
Then Jordan died without finishing his final book. And, funny thing, a fellow I went to graduate school with, Brandon Sanderson, was selected to be the writer to write the final book. Our cubicles were near each other, and I remember him talking about different books he was working on and how he had gotten a contract with Tor Book . . . So, now he's trying the impossible, which will probably make or break his career in a sense. Good luck to him. Though, honestly, I probably won't bother to read it when it comes out next year.
March 1, 2008
Okay, so I had seen these books a billion times and I was always scared off by the cover art. Have you seen the cover art on these shits? It's so fucking heinous. It's like the worst second-rate, low-budget ass, D&D artwork you could possibly imagine. However, one day I overheard one of my professors, Dr. Lehtola, talking about World of Warcraft, and naturally I immediately joined that conversation and let her know that I, too, am a geek. She told me to read this series of books, boldly claiming "It's better than Lord of the Rings". Now, I didn't believe her, but she does have 'Dr' in front of her name, so I gave it a shot.
These books are fucking fantastic. Each is between 700-1000 pages and there are currently 11 of them. I read them all over the course of a single semester. If you like Lord of the Rings, read this shit. You're not a real geek if you haven't.
These books are fucking fantastic. Each is between 700-1000 pages and there are currently 11 of them. I read them all over the course of a single semester. If you like Lord of the Rings, read this shit. You're not a real geek if you haven't.
April 19, 2008
I tried reading this series several times before finally being in the right "mood." The first three or four books are pretty good (3-stars) but then there's a long fallow period where NOTHING happens until book 10.
Jordan's quirky take on male-female relationships also becomes annoying after 1000+ pages (actually it gets annoying far sooner).
Finally, and perhaps the most telling failure of the series, is that there is nothing to fight for. Understandably, most rational people would like to avoid living in a world ruled by an evil god but the "good guys" of the book ain't so "good" and it's hard to want them to succeed. I realize that, alas, this is the way real life is as well but even our world has figures and creeds that promise a better life. The lack of such in the Wheel of Time, I think, detracts from its power.
Jordan's quirky take on male-female relationships also becomes annoying after 1000+ pages (actually it gets annoying far sooner).
Finally, and perhaps the most telling failure of the series, is that there is nothing to fight for. Understandably, most rational people would like to avoid living in a world ruled by an evil god but the "good guys" of the book ain't so "good" and it's hard to want them to succeed. I realize that, alas, this is the way real life is as well but even our world has figures and creeds that promise a better life. The lack of such in the Wheel of Time, I think, detracts from its power.
March 27, 2008
This is a series of 11 books (only 8 shown in the title above), with the 12th and final yet to be published. It is a LOT of reading but this is an amazing series if you are into epic fantasy like . It can get long and there are some plot lines that are less interesting than others, but overall this series has kept me more interested than any other fantasy series.
Just realize that you are getting into a huge, dorky fantasy series with an unthinkable quantity of fictional, impossible to pronounce names. But it will certainly draw you in and make you want to live in their world and become the main characters.
Just realize that you are getting into a huge, dorky fantasy series with an unthinkable quantity of fictional, impossible to pronounce names. But it will certainly draw you in and make you want to live in their world and become the main characters.
February 18, 2013
The "Wheel of time" series is by far the best books that i have read.I started reading it last year and couldn't stop till i finished it all. I was reading some other series when i first saw this.But i stopped it and started reading this.i could't get all the books here.So i got eBooks and read in my computer.
The no of characters in these books. It gets hard to keep track of them all.And the detail Robert Jordan goes to is great.
It is a really long story and i wouldn't suggest it to those who doesn't have the patience to read it all. Because some parts of the story are not as interesting and some might just give up.
But if u keep reading.I promise you.It will be one of the best that you have read.
The no of characters in these books. It gets hard to keep track of them all.And the detail Robert Jordan goes to is great.
It is a really long story and i wouldn't suggest it to those who doesn't have the patience to read it all. Because some parts of the story are not as interesting and some might just give up.
But if u keep reading.I promise you.It will be one of the best that you have read.
February 11, 2008
I started reading this series back in 1992 and it sucked me in! I fell in love with the characters and the story and would buy the books brand new in hardcover when they were released. I lost interest after about the first six books, though. It's hard to keep up with the storylines when you go a couple of years between books. I just saw a couple of the newer books at Dollar Tree, though, so I've been thinking about getting back into it!
I just read in someone else's review that Robert Jordan was up to his 13th book in the series when he passed away in Sept 2007. I guess we'll never know how it ends...
I just read in someone else's review that Robert Jordan was up to his 13th book in the series when he passed away in Sept 2007. I guess we'll never know how it ends...
March 8, 2016
The whole series is incredibly frustrating. No character ever manages to understand any of the most basic things about the others. They all completely lack empathy and chalk up all of their misunderstandings to gender difference. The characters are all just so stupid! They can never (never!!) figure out whats going on with each other. I cannot get invested in characters that dumb.
Additionally: the novels make a big deal about Matt being a prankster and a joker, but, aside from the first thirty pages of the first book, the only joke he ever makes is "women are crazy" and he's (remarkably) the most openly sour character in the books. in no way is he a joker.
Additionally: the novels make a big deal about Matt being a prankster and a joker, but, aside from the first thirty pages of the first book, the only joke he ever makes is "women are crazy" and he's (remarkably) the most openly sour character in the books. in no way is he a joker.
January 24, 2008
okay, so, five stars...that means i like these books better than, say, slaughterhouse five, cloud atlas, love in the time of cholera, and most books ever written right? i mean, not really. these books, and others of their ilk (harry potter, LOTR, etc) are something else for me...its almost like comparing movies to tv or tv to theatre, is the most enjoyable tv show better than a great piece of theatre? who knows. its just different. but if you like fantasy (even of the oft derided sword-and-sorcery type) and are willing to give up a year or two of your reading life, you can't go wrong.
May 7, 2014
This series was ok. I was interested enough that I read the entire thing, but I don't think I would recommend it to my friends. I really enjoyed the first three books, but then it bogged down and became tedious. There would be a great action sequence and then several extremely boring chapters about dresses or other random things not essential to the plot. I was also really bothered that the main character was having a relationship with 3 different women.
March 16, 2011
The first few books of this series are at the top of my list as some of favorite books ever. Yes- the series does get LONG and somewhat bogged down later, but I love it anyway. There is light at the end of the tunnel with only one more book left to be published. It has been a wonderful- enjoyable ride.
What a tragedy that Robert Jordan isn't alive to see the grand finale....
What a tragedy that Robert Jordan isn't alive to see the grand finale....
July 19, 2013
As an avid fantasy reader, I decided to give this series a try. It was very good...until I got to the fourth book. By then, I was tired of it.
The big problem with Robert Jordan is that he's too long-winded. He goes on and on forever in his writing, even moreso than Stephen King.
Approach this book series with caution; it'll very likely give you ending fatigue.
The big problem with Robert Jordan is that he's too long-winded. He goes on and on forever in his writing, even moreso than Stephen King.
Approach this book series with caution; it'll very likely give you ending fatigue.
April 28, 2009
God, I love this series. It just sucks you right in. I have been waiting for the last book for a few years now... It might be long (11 books) but it is definitely worth it and u really won't even notice the length.
July 30, 2009
Another favorite set - one that, just like Little House on the Prairie, I maintain on my personal shelves and recommend to students. This Sci-Fi set is very engaging and thoroughly satisfying... it's about time for me to read them again!
January 8, 2010
A fantastic series. Sometimes it gets bogged down and a little but it always comes back even better than before. I thought we were doomed after Robert Jordan died, but his wife found a wonderful replacement auther in Brandon Sanderson.
May 30, 2009
My favorite fiction series of all time. I have read (and re-read) every book in the series that has been published to date. A brilliant fantasy world that is wonderfully epic in scope.
February 5, 2010
Awesome! In depth characters, no gruesome goryness or sexual stuff, no swearing, and I still can't wait to see how it all turns out in the end. These I reread all the time.
June 2, 2010
entertaining yet annoying
June 7, 2010
Robert Jordan has a way of giving great detail to his fantasy world. It's amazing!
December 19, 2020
I read 1-14 over the span of nearly two years and thus all the books run together. I would not be able to tell you where one book ends and the other starts. But I can tell you that I have never read a more impressive series (I do feel the need to state that the first time I attempted to read this, I only made it to book 6. It was my second time through that I made it through all 14 books). The scope of Jordan's world is incredible and leaves you with the sense that there is so much happening simultaneously in so many different places. It is the most lived-in world that I have read, always hinting at more. I struggled greatly at the beginning (maybe the first three books or so?) with the way Jordon wrote women and the assumptions he made about their way of thinking and speaking. That changed drastically as the series went on and it became clear that Jordan holds both women and men in equal respect. Many people complain of the "slog" in books 8-10 or so, but as I read them all straight through I didn't feel particularly slogged down. Despite some flaws in pacing, initial characterization, and obvious plot armor, I cannot more highly recommend the Wheel of Time.
February 9, 2019
When I was reading this book series everything was full of ups and down. When I started to read the book, it lead me to other and then to other. For the whole series I'll rate the complete book series as 4 stars. There are many thoughts about the whole series. It really is a good book fantasy fiction series.
The characters are definitely good and really well developed in the series and the plot is good. I found the book interesting and would definitely recommend this book to all fantasy lovers.
The characters are definitely good and really well developed in the series and the plot is good. I found the book interesting and would definitely recommend this book to all fantasy lovers.
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