Product Description
In this sequel to the phenomenal New York Times bestseller The Fires of Heaven, we plunge again into Robert Jordan’s extraordinarily rich, totally unforgettable world:
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….
A. Doweyko @ 11:32 am
I am an avid reader – I read close to 2-3 books a month. Ever since I laid my hands on the Eye of the World, though, I have been wrapped up in this amazing story. However, I feel that I need to say something about the reviews I have been reading of the Wheel of Time series, and I have to say that some of these reviewers are only in for the “quick fix”. I only have one thing to say to them – “If you don’t like reading, don’t”. This is by far one of the most fantastic and imaginative series I have ever read. Robert Jordan is a creative individual who has done an exquisite job of relating his story to the reader. He uses the descriptive voice like no other that I have read. “When something can be described by 10 words, he uses 250″. So what? Do you think he enjoys writing these long books? He’s trying to paint a picture of this world of his, and it’s fascinating. Keeping track of the characters in the book is really not that hard if you pay attention, especially when there’s a “glossary” in the back of the book to remind you if you do forget. Savor each page, each word, because it is truly a beautiful story.
I have just finished Book 6, and I have to say that this story just gets better and better. Questions are answered, while new ones spring up. Mysteries that are solved only lead to deeper mysteries that you had no idea were there. The compliment of characters gives this series every possible point of view you can get. I started this series only a few months ago, and I have been obsessed by it. The descriptions of Jordan’s world are almost at enjoyable to read as the interaction between the characters. Reviewers complain that the series is too long – that’s because they must not enjoy reading. Me, I hope this series goes on for a while. I have never truly gotten this much enjoyment from a series of books ever. If you read this series, please have the mind set that this is not something to rush through. Lose yourself in it, get whisked away to the Aiel Waste or to Andor and enjoy the great work of this extremely imaginative author.
Erin M. Waller @ 2:20 pm
There are tons of reviews out there that will tell you that this is a horrible book, slow, verbose, and dull, and just as many that will tell you this book is the best they’ve ever read, etc. The truth lies somewhere in between. If you like Robert Jordan’s previous works (which, seeing as you’re considering reading the sixth, you probably do) then you are going to love this book. The conclusion of this book (which the cover – horribly drawn as it is – alludes to) is arguably the best of all those in the Wheel of Time series. It’s dramatic, frought with tension, and rather chilling. Personally, I feel that the 600+ pages that get you there aren’t that bad either; they are also some of the best Jordan has written. If you don’t like his style or his story, though, you won’t like it and I don’t recommend it. It’s as simple as that. But for any Jordan fan – well, what are you waiting for?
C. Blek @ 4:36 pm
This review is for the casual fantasy novel reader, not teenage/young adult fanatics of the series.
Okay, for all of you that have made it through the first five books and are wondering whether or not to continue, don’t. The first four books are pretty solid work, well-developed and fun to read, if not a little long (where is his editor I wonder). But beginning in book 5 everything starts to slow way down. Book 6 is 900 pages and nothing happens. Even worse, the two stated goals at the beginning are not met by the end and it takes the author 100 pages in book seven to wrap things up. Finally, the characters are becoming less and less likeable in each novel, which makes you wonder what’s the point?
My advice is to read something by David Eddings or Terry Brooks, the true leaders in this field.
themickel @ 7:20 pm
Imagine a reporter following around a cranky old couple and recording all their bickering. For 10 years.
Now take that bickering and add tedious descriptions of such amazing items as pots, pans, horse saddles, dresses, taverns, and furniture.
Now add references to breasts after each of these unnessesary descriptions. Better yet – tie breasts into that description somehow.
Next, throw in some interesting fantasy concepts based on Eastern philosophy. Before this takes off and the reader actually starts to get interested, though, add more of the bickering. And a few more breast references. Also, take 13 pages to inform the reader that the protagonist has left their room at the inn and is now in the horse stables.
Do this for 900 pages.
Viola! You now have Robert Jordan’s Lord of Chaos, Fires of Heaven, and, judging by the reviews, every other book that follows in this series.
Don’t get me wrong – I was a big fan of this series. I loved the plot, the concepts Jordan introduced, the Aiel, Aes Sedai, Dragon Reborn, etc. He started with a great story.
Unfortunately he doesn’t end with one.
Most people mention book 6 or 7 turning them off. I started to get suspicious after book 3. That was the first time I finished and said to myself, “Wait, it took him 600 pages for THAT?” Book 4 was even worse, but I was still into it. Book 5 was when I realized it was an ongoing theme. Book 6 was the last straw. I’m done.
Specifically, here’s what I have against the Wheel of Time:
Detail – There’s good detail and bad detail. Tolkein gave histories, insights into dwarven and elvish culture, etc. Things that enriched his fictional universe. This is good detail. A whole page describing what type of dress Nyneve is wearing is not good detail. Two pages describing what Rand saw as he walked to the stables is not good detail. If you take 900 pages to write a book that would have been twice as good if it were 450 pages, you’re not giving good detail.
Breasts – Why is Jordan so obsessed with these? The guy goes out of his way to mention breasts. “Egwene folded her arms beneath her breasts”, “The necklace that held the two rings hanging between Nyneve’s breasts”, “Elayne caught sight of almost-too-low-cut dress that showed part of her breasts.” Robert – just write a detailed, thorough, graphic love scene for yourself and get it all out of your system. Honestly. His books read like a 14 year old boy’s mental commentary while watching Desperate Housewives.
The Women – Jordan’s mental archetype of women appears to be a stubborn, cantankerous, petty, insecure, attractive woman with (you guessed it), prominent breasts. Was his mother this way? Sisters? Wife? I can’t help but wonder, seeing as every woman in his books has the exact same personality. And unfortunately that personality is very annoying.
Nynaeve tugged her braid – Just go ahead and call the next book in this series: The Wheel of Time: Nynaeve Tugged Her Braid.
Those are just a few. I really liked this series to begin with. I wish Jordan had gone a different route than he did, but I can’t take it anymore. There are too many other good books out there to waste time reading 900 pages about Nynaeve’s dresses, Perrin not understanding women, Elayne thinking Rand is a wool-headed man, and, of course, Egwene folding her arms under her breasts.
That is all.
Edwin Priest @ 7:38 pm
I can make it no further. My journey is over. I loved the first and was enthralled with the second parts of my trip. I began to grow weary and slow down in the third and forth. The fifth was a crawl. The sixth, I had hoped, would revive me but alas, my pace was even slower on this even longer section and I feel I have made no progress at all. My journey to Tarmon Gai’don is over, having never reached the end. Ah, you say, it is not the end, but the journey that matters. I longer care for the journey: the scenery is poor, the way is unclear, my companions are dull, and my feet are tired. The seventh section will have to be undertaken by those stronger and more resilient than I. Good luck.