Submitting a review for consideration is easy; please first read Slashdot's book review guidelines. Updated: 2008114 by samzenpus
All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective owners. Comments are owned by the Poster. The Rest © 1997-2009 Geeknet, Inc.
Amazon and B&N readers give it good reviews. (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Amazon and B&N readers give it good reviews (Score:5, Informative)
I picked up the book yesterday afternoon, and finished it just before midnight. (Yes, I actually do retain what I read. No, I don't skip anything.)
The characters are all the same people, but Sanderson's versions seem more chatty, and slightly "larger" than Jordan's... I know that's not clear, but somehow Sanderson's intervention has resulted in more detailed character development.
The book is non-stop action. Jordan's last 3 books were *almost* boring - the plot pace had slowed to a crawl. Not true in this book: if anything, it feels like falling down a water slide. Numerous plot elements are wrapped up in just this first book. A lot of those burning questions about who's dead and who's alive are answered. Unlike Jordan's previous volumes, I could actually see this one as a movie (is that good or bad?).
I enjoyed it thoroughly. It was worth the money and the time (though my 6 hours are a pittance compared to the days some of you will spend reading it). I'm already loaning it out to other Jordan fans to read.
Parent
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
You are awesome because you read fast.
Re: (Score:2, Funny)
Re: (Score:2)
This isn't surprising, or even useful. The folks who ordered the book and have written reviews in the 48 odd hours since they would have released are predisposed to like it.
Not to mention they're likely punch drunk from having stayed up two nights running in order to finish this doorstop.
Some thoughts on the series (Score:5, Insightful)
High school was a long time ago, and since then I've broadened my reading interests, read more genres, literature, poetry, more diverse offerings in the "Fantasy" genre, and I took a stab at reading the Wheel of Time again. Read the first book.
It sucked. Hard. All the way through.
Just my opinion, I'm not right or wrong but thats how I feel about it. If you enjoy these books thats great, different strokes for different folks, but this is a big non-story to me, except about milking a cow thats been on life support for dehydration for years and years.
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
I'd still say the first three books were great. 4-8 were deadly, and where most people gave up. 9 was great, 10 was complete WTF boredom, and 11 was a page-turner if I ever read one - for one thing, the story in 9 and 11 was actually GOING somewhere again.
So yeah. Read 1-3. Internet summaries for 4-8. Read 9. Survive 10... somehow. Read 11.
12? Wait and see. :)
Re:Some thoughts on the series (Score:4, Interesting)
I too started WoT in high school (actually, it might have been my last year of Jr. High)
And while I'll agree that reading them now is just not the same...on the same token, the majority of the books are not bad...just average.
The new book...I'm about 2/3 of the way through it, and Sanderson has done a good job at capturing the flavor of the books. And there is definite movement to the end (Book 14 I believe? Expected November 2011)
I accept that the books now suck for you...but they're not really bad books. Jordan milked the series for all its worth without a doubt, and a couple of the books were almost painful to read, and I swear to god if I have to read about the character's opinions about blades of grass again I might resurrect Jordan just to kill him again, but still, its decent fantasy.
Now if ony George R. R. Martin could get out a book faster than 1 every 6 years, I'd be happier. Fucking 4 1/2 years since Feast of Crows and still no next book in sight.
Parent
Re: (Score:2)
Seriously. The next book is already written, WTH is taking so long to publish it? And now a TV series? Finish the books! You can milk the merchandising later. Sheesh!
Re: (Score:2)
I read Elantris and was really impressed, so I have high expectations for Brandon Sanderson's work on this series. He knows how to build the proper amount of tension to keep you turning the pages, and he knows whe
Re: (Score:2)
Adjusting skirts and tugging braids. While glaring.
Re: (Score:2)
Dude, this is George RR Martin. He foresaw and headed off this problem by killing all the characters.
Re: (Score:2, Offtopic)
Just my opinion, I'm not right or wrong but thats how I feel about it. If you enjoy these books thats great, different strokes for different folks, but this is a big non-story to me
Well, isn't it nice of you, then, to take some precious time out of your day to comment on this non-story...
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
I recently re-read the series. Well, that's not accurate. I read 1-3, then half of 4 before switching to a series of summaries online. The summaries quit at 8, so I skim-read 9-11. (Reading when it was entertaining, skimming when it wasn't.)
I was amazed at how much I had forgotten... But I was even more amazed at how much was packed into book 1 compared to Books 4-11. I think they could easily have compressed 4-11 into 3 books, and maybe 2.
Jordan said those books 'wrote themselves' and it's pretty obv
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
I started reading the series as a freshman in high school shortly after the third book came out. I was so impressed that I took the time to write Jordan and managed to carry on a good bit of letter writing back and forth for about a year.
Oddly enough (and I think it REALLY shows) at the time Jordan himself said he expected that he had enough 'story' for about seven books all told. I don't know what changed, or if he just lost his way, but I can say I was irritated that most of the books around 4 and later
Re: (Score:2)
I first started reading the books when I was a senior in high school, I thought the series was amazing at first, especially after the first book, and then the next two or three. Then after that it started to drag. Alot. Nothing significant was happening. Or seemingly random significant things were happening to stir up the plot. I gave up halfway through book 6 or 7 out of boredom and a sense of futility.
Had the same feeling, though I've noticed the clear foot-dragging tendency in the first book already, and got bored to hell and left on the third one.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
I'd have to agree. It was great when I was younger, but since then my tastes have expanded somewhat.
I got into it about the same time, maybe junior high. I was pretty much riveted until the end of book 7 or 8. Then it got *really old* *really fast*. However, I was so smitten with the series back when I was a teen that I made a solemn promise to myself that I would finish the series, no matter what. And here we are, with me approaching 30, and damnit I am still determined to finish this, one way or anot
Spolier Alert. (Score:5, Funny)
IT'S A COOKBOOK!
my thoughts (Score:5, Insightful)
So I went out and bought it Tuesday after work. I finished it on Wednesday. Sanderson does a great job of channeling the early Jordan. I don't know how much of the text was directly written by Jordan, but in the book several storylines are moved forward and a few of them are actually resolved. (Yes! Really!) The book does primarily focus on Rand, over Mat and Perrin, which was a complaint about several of the later books, but I think anyone who had gotten tired of Rand's attitude and behavior will like how the book ends. Egwene and the split of the White Tower is the other primary storyline that is dealt with, and I think that part of the story is perhaps some of the best since the first 3-4 books. There is still a ridiculous amount of stuff going on that isn't explained (yet), but it all feels like it's building in a way that will resolve itself that will be very exciting to read. With Knife of Dreams, you could definitely tell that Jordan was trying to pick up speed with his story, which makes sense, as he had already been diagnosed with amyloidosis and was trying to get as much finished as he could. And that increasing pace definitely is continued in TGS. There are still points where it slows down, but it's mostly done in short scenes with the other characters, which gives the appearance of that same tension and plot speed.
And there are a couple of very, very big shockers. I definitely can't wait for the next two books.
Re: (Score:2)
And there are a couple of very, very big shockers. I definitely can't wait for the next two books.
Oh yeah. I am still reeling.
My Opinion (Score:3, Informative)
This book is a triumph. Bought it on the first day, read it all day long. Very immersive and quite similar to Jordan's writing style...only problem is that some peoples' mannerisms changed (ie, the word 'ain't' suddenly popped into existence.)
Regardless, I recommend buying it if you have not done so already.
PS: Kinda SPOILER here...
Rand gets out of his emo whiny thing.
Re: (Score:2)
Rand gets out of his emo whiny thing.
And dips into serious narcissism that is no longer just self-destructive, is everyone around him destructive.
And Nynaeve continues the awesomeness that she started in KoD.
Sanderson is a very good writer (Score:3, Interesting)
book-a-minute summaries (Score:5, Funny)
The Eye of the World (Book 1):
Rand al'Thor
Tam is my father.
(Nothing happens. Then, nothing happens. Then, unexpectedly, nothing happens. Everything is FRAUGHT with PORTENT.)
Moiraine
Everybody come with me.
Everybody
No. Well, ok.
(They travel a LOT. Something happens that isn't explained. Something happens that doesn't make sense. Something happens.)
Rand al'Thor
Tam is my father.
THE (predictable, cliched, dumb) END
The Great Hunt (Book 2):
Rand al'Thor
I want to do something. But doing this something is probably what the Aes Sedai want me to do, so I will do something else. But doing that something else may be what they want me to do, because they think I think they want me to do the first thing, so I'll decide to do this other thing instead. So I'll just do the first thing, since I want to do it anyway. Screw them.
(Repeat seven hundred times.)
THE END
The Dragon Reborn (Book 3):
Rand al'Thor
Being the Dragon Reborn stinks. I'm out of here.
(Moiraine and the gang CHASE him. But even though they are on HORSES, and he is WALKING, they never CATCH UP. This is supposed to be MYSTERIOUS but is really just a plot CONVENIENCE for Robert JORDAN.)
Perrin
I hate wolves.
(Mat and others show up out of NOWHERE. This is supposed to be MYSTERIOUS but is really just a plot CONVENIENCE for Robert JORDAN.)
Rand al'Thor
I am the Dragon Reborn. (kills the EVIL SUPREME BAD GUY)
Robert Jordan
Fooled you! That wasn't really the EVIL SUPREME BAD GUY! Now I can write forty more books!
THE END
The Shadow Rising (Book 4):
(Everybody HATES Rand, so he BEATS them until they OBEY.)
Rand
I have conquered all sorts of stuff, because I rule.
(Gibbers to self. Five hundred pages pass.)
THE END
The Fires of Heaven (Book 5):
Rand
I found an artifact which gives me limitless power. I think I shall brick it up behind a wall.
(A female character SNIFFS and thinks about her NECKLINE.)
THE END
Lord of Chaos (Book 6):
Rand
I have a secret plan, but I won't tell you about it.
THE END
A Crown of Swords (Book 7):
Rand
Now my secret plan shall be unleashed! Here it is. Are you ready? Are you sure you're ready? I'm going to make it look like I'm attacking this guy. But THEN I will attack some OTHER guy.
(He DOES, and it ALMOST WORKS.)
THE END
The Path of Daggers (Book 8):
Mazrim Taim
I am evil, yaargh! Fear me!
Spooky Voice of Lews Therin
Rand, kill Taim.
Rand
Being powerful sucks. I will brood.
THE END
Winter's Heart (Book 9):
Perrin
I was going to rescue my wife, but that will have to wait for the next book.
Mat
I was going to escape with my friends, but that will have to wait for the next book.
Egwene
I was going to attack Tar Valon, but that will have to wait for the next book.
THE END
Crossroads of Twilight (Book 10):
(Rand BROODS and DREAMS about his THREE WOMEN.)
Minor Characters
There is a large use of the One Power over there. (repeat indefinitely)
Perrin
I was going to save my wife, but that will have to wait for the next book.
Egwene
I was going to attack Tar Valon, but I won't finish it until the
Re:book-a-minute summaries (Score:5, Informative)
Hilarious! But the least you could do is cite the original source [rinkworks.com]. Well, unless your goal was uncredited plagiarism, in which case, bravo, mission accomplished!
Parent
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
Thanks for finding that. I had these summaries transcribed in an old email and couldn't remember the original source other than it was called 'book-a-minute summaries'.
Don't dip your pen in the company ink. (Score:4, Interesting)
Jordan's wife (who also edits the series)
And that right there is the problem with roughly half of the books in this series; weak editing. No one appeared to be keeping Jordan in control and preventing him from spinning off more and more subplots that did little or nothing to move the story forward. Literally thousands of pages where major plot elements were barely even touched upon. I don't presume to understand how the relationship works when you're married to your editor, but it must have some kind of impact on how criticism is applied and conveyed.
I still really enjoy the series as an overall work. I'll definitely read the new one when it's available in an ebook format. I just wish Jordan had had a good editor so he could have finished his masterpiece himself.
Re: (Score:2, Interesting)
Re: (Score:2, Interesting)
Have faith in Brandon Sanderson (Score:4, Insightful)
I think that Harriet did an excellent job choosing Brandon Sanderson to finish her husband's work. It's true that Mr. Jordan became a victim of his success earlier in the series, trying to keep so many threads going at the same time, never daring to kill more than the occasional character, and perhaps trying too hard to develop additional character stories at the expense of the initial handful of major characters. However I look forward to reading this book, and hopefully the final two books. I think that if what I've read of Brandon Sanderson's other work is indicative of how he'll treat the remainder of Robert Jordan's storyline, then it will be a great read.
Re: (Score:2)
Re:Most Sci-fi/Fantasy is teen-lit fare (Score:4, Insightful)
That's awfully presumptuous. Unless you can objectively compare a Vonnegut story to a Niven story, it's all just a matter of (somewhat) informed opinion. I like Lucifer's Hammer more than Moby Dick. Is it better or even as good? Hard to say.
Parent
Re:Most Sci-fi/Fantasy is teen-lit fare (Score:5, Funny)
When people hold up Bradbury over Vonnegut or Niven over Murakami, you know that they aren't reading anything but pulp.
Actually, I know they are reading Bradbury, Connegut, Niven and Mudakami.
Parent
Re: (Score:2)
Exactly. Pulp. :D
Re:Most Sci-fi/Fantasy is teen-lit fare (Score:5, Insightful)
Right. Because reading a book for enjoyment is nothing. You should read them for 'culture' or some other highfalutin crap.
If someone enjoys Bradbury more than Vonnegut, then they do. It's that simple. They are free to say so, even.
I actually like Vonnegut, but that isn't the point. I read different books for different reasons.
Parent
Re: (Score:2)
I enjoy a Kit Kat bar more than caviar. OH NOES, THAT MAKES ME HOPELESS!!!
Re: (Score:2)
Yes, but the world doesn't really need pompous, caviar swilling, judgmental assholes to much, now does it?
Re:Most Sci-fi/Fantasy is teen-lit fare (Score:5, Interesting)
I'm not saying that Robert Jordan is one of the standard Sci-fi/Fantasy authors who simply couldn't write a good story to save their lives.
This is true of all genres. That you limited your analysis to SF/Fantasy shows that you have an axe to grind.
It's just that the vast majority of this genre is little better than unillustrated comic books,
You've now isolated a medium and displayed yet another bias which is absurd.
and most of the readership is too unversed in other forms of literature to provide an objective opinion about a book's quality.
Also true for every genre.
When people hold up Bradbury over Vonnegut or Niven over Murakami, you know that they aren't reading anything but pulp.
I'm not sure that I see what you're driving at. Are you suggesting that Vonnegut, for example, is a pulp author, or are you suggesting that people who cite Vonnegut also read pulp (whatever that is)?
I've read some excellent sharecropper SF. I've read some truly horrendous socio/political fiction. I have yet to run into a genre without an excellent author (though I'll admit that I haven't read a modern romance author worth slogging through). Sure, there are Mercedes Lackeys [wikipedia.org] and Peter Davids [wikipedia.org] out there (both of whom I've read and enjoyed in the same way that I enjoy ice cream, which can be very hard to make well), but when I read Ian M. Banks [wikipedia.org] or Jonathan Letham [wikipedia.org] I get something very different out of the experience. There is a craftsmanship of story that really has nothing to do with genre (as evidenced by the fact that I selected two authors whose SF and non-SF works are well respected).
Any given genre, however, is not only about authorship. Vernor Vinge [wikipedia.org] is a good author, but he's certainly not the best I've read. His novels are deeply insightful when it comes to the future of humankind and technology, though. It's exceedingly rare that those two qualities come together in one author, and so I'm willing to give a good amount of ground. This is also why I enjoy Neil Stephenson's [wikipedia.org] work, who can be brilliant at times, but isn't exactly what I'd call a god of characterization.
To sum up, your statements about the genres of science fiction and fantasy evidence either a profound lack of exposure to either or such a deeply jaded palate that I can't imagine you being able to read more than one or two books a decade that you enjoy.
Parent
Re: (Score:2)
I don't see how a non-native English speaker could be a better writer IN ENGLISH...
Umberto Eco. full stop.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
The vast majority of people who buy books by Umberto Eco do so to prove how "high brow" they are.
the vast majority of assumptions are incorrect, but if you are right that's their loss. i love Foucault's Pendulum and the Name of the Rose.
Re: (Score:2)
the vast majority of assumptions are incorrect, but if you are right that's their loss. i love Foucault's Pendulum and the Name of the Rose.
I'm sorry.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
I don't see how a non-native English speaker could be a better writer IN ENGLISH than an accomplished, talented guy like Niven.
He isn't. He writes in Japanese.
Re: (Score:2)
Dang. Here, I crafted a long-winded reply with lots of examples, and you manage to sum it up in one word. Well done, sir.
Re: (Score:2)
Tor started releasing the prologs before the book came out by that time, so I think the extra long prologs (100pgs) for books 9/10/11 were intentionally supposed to be mini-background stories that could be read independent of the main-character story arcs. It was something wet the pallets or perspective readers and appease die hard fans with something to read until the next book came out. Ask me if the book is good in about a month, I read slowly unlike a lot of people I know, and I just bought the book l
Re: (Score:2)
I finally gave up in digust around the first hundred pages of Winter's Heart. I think the annoying, ridiculously weird Perrin/Faile relationship was the last straw.
So you missed the end of Winter's Heart?! Wow. Go back and read the end if nothing else.
Is it worth picking up again, just to see the conclusion? I can make it through three more books if Stuff Actually Happens.
I say yes, but then I liked Crossroads of Twilight.
Re: (Score:2)
So you missed the end of Winter's Heart?! Wow. Go back and read the end if nothing else.
Yeah, the end was awesome, but it should have been at least 3 chapters instead of just one. You're basically shown the opening moves of a bunch of fights, and then taken straight to the conclusion. Would've been nice to see what actually happened in at least a few of those...
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
New WoT book released; nobody notices for 3 days.
Actually we were all at home reading the book. I almost skipped work so that I could sit at home and read but I refrained. And yes, it was awesome. I am now on my reread already.