Sephis latter book musings

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This will be just like my other thread, except about books 9 to 14, and the prequel.


Book 9 has done it. Its the second time this series has approached what I see as true greatness! (the other time was dragon reborn. Though my favorite moments in the series might arguably be the ones from the book I hate most, book 4: perrins defensive battles of the two rivers)

I admit, the first arcs with Perrin and Elayne were slow and dragged on too much. My two favorite characters... and thier arcs are the weakest part of the book. Go figure! But still mostly enjoyable and alright overall, I wouldn't necessarily call them bad by any means!


What stole the show was Two things:

1. Mats arc with trying to get out- surprise meet up with the seanchan who befriended Elayne and worst female of the series (Nyenaeve)..topped off with who Tuon is!
2. Rands cleaning of the male source- a truly grand epic ending to the book!


I am at a loss for words.... except to say that this book is great mainly due to knowing who these characters are from previous books and the context needed therein, but I dont mind because that was simply amazing!

Especially after my mood was very soured by books 7 and 8 being kind of terrible.

So this is my thoughts in short, so far.

Book 1: okay
Book 2: good
Book 3: masterpiece
Book 4: garbage
Book 5: good
Book 6: great
Books 7 and 8: What an utter disappointment in every conceivable way.
Book 9: just barely shy of being a masterpiece. Close.
 
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Elania al'Manir

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I found that I enjoyed Winter's Heart a lot more on this re-read than I recall on previous reads. Mat's story in particular was the one that drew me in the most.
 
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I found that I enjoyed Winter's Heart a lot more on this re-read than I recall on previous reads. Mat's story in particular was the one that drew me in the most.
I agree, Mat's story was definitely a major highlight of this book!

On the side, I feel like doing my Wheel of time tabletop sessions is really allowing me to continue to absorb my love for this series! Almost like a re-read, but from another angle entirely which is really exciting! All of that said, I still am on my first read of the series and continuing forward! lol
 
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1/4 of Crossroads of Twilight aka book 10 almost being completed and uhm... this book has absolutely nothing happening. Not a flaming thing! I got so annoyed just now, I looked at the plot summary on wikipedia and read it...NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN THIS BOOK! (Mostly. Just a stinger at the end but big woop)

Oddly enough, I still find the Intrigue somewhat interesting enough that I have not been skimming most of it and have been mostly reading it. (Unlike books 7 and 8, the only two that I mostly skimmed) but while it's not a bad book per se, it is definitely earning this as it's title: "the nothing book". As in, nothing happens!
I already forsee that being my "in short"


Book 10: the nothing book
 

Elania al'Manir

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Based on what I've read, a lot of people agree with you. I'm a bit over halfway done, and there have been parts that I've forced myself to read through.
 

Aduiavas Ida

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Yeah, CoT is my least favourite book. So little progress towards anything...

Basically, it is a check-in on each plotline, and how they react to the cleansing :look:
 
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Yeah, CoT is my least favourite book. So little progress towards anything...

Basically, it is a check-in on each plotline, and how they react to the cleansing :look:
Basically what it is, yes. At least I'm getting close to finishing the book, I guess
 

Aduiavas Ida

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Oh, I forgot. It is also a but of setup for the next book, moving the pieces...

Small spoiler: Things actually happen in Knife of Dreams ;)
 
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Oh, I forgot. It is also a but of setup for the next book, moving the pieces...

Small spoiler: Things actually happen in Knife of Dreams ;)
I mean, it sort of moves the pieces a little but not enough to be worthy of a book unto itself
 

Juliya Karisu

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Agreed, I didn't like CoT because it took place before and during the other (cleansing of saidin). Knife of Dreams picks up a lot after this one. I think CoT is my least favourite.
 

Elania al'Manir

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I finished the book. I'm interested to see how much of the exposition from Crossroads of Twilight is necessary for Knife of Dreams, and how much is extra fluff.
 
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I finished the book. I'm interested to see how much of the exposition from Crossroads of Twilight is necessary for Knife of Dreams, and how much is extra fluff.
I finished it too, now. This book sucks and is officially the worst one I have read so far! And honestly, I guess some of it was worthy of being a few pages (not an entire book!) but yeah, probably 95% or more of it is fluff, is my bet.

I guess Tuon at the end was...interesting. Dont know why she suddenly stopped being a captive....that bugs me but I get that a lot happened with that revelation about the sul'dom.

Egwene, why did she go there? I must have forgotten a detail. Why was bode there in the first place? Egwene felt like a forced plot twist to make this book feel somehow not pointless. Too bad Author, this book was still entirely pointless! (Well, near enough to be.)
 
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Elania al'Manir

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Egwene, why did she go there? I must have forgotten a detail. Why was bode there in the first place? Egwene felt like a forced plot twist to make this book feel somehow not pointless. Too bad Author, this book was still entirely pointless! (Well, near enough to be.)
They needed the two people who could make cuendillar the fastest to each convert one of the harbor chains. That was originally Leane and Katerine (since Egwene was considered too valuable), but the latter was killed with saidin. That means someone had to replace Katerine, and initially that was going to be Bode because she was the next fastest. However, at the last minute, Egwene decided that as Amyrlin she couldn't let a novice go do something that she herself could do much better, that it was her responsibility to go instead.
 
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They needed the two people who could make cuendillar the fastest to each convert one of the harbor chains. That was originally Leane and Katerine (since Egwene was considered too valuable), but the latter was killed with saidin. That means someone had to replace Katerine, and initially that was going to be Bode because she was the next fastest. However, at the last minute, Egwene decided that as Amyrlin she couldn't let a novice go do something that she herself could do much better, that it was her responsibility to go instead.
That definitely explains it..but it seems uncharactisitically reckless of Egwene. Contrived even.


In any case, I am reading New Spring! I figured, since it was written between books 10 and 11, and also I am very hesitant to read the final four books, (I dont want the series to ever end!) so I figured now was the right time!

New Spring has me hooked! Leagues better pacing than Wheel of time has ever had in litterally all of the first 10 books!

I will attempt to complete it within a day!

So far, Lan continues to be amazing! It makes me a little disappointed that the aial seem to be retreating... I would really like to see more of Lan in that war!


I am shocked to see Elaida in such a different light, I would never think her to try to help Moraine and Siuan! I am also surprised to see Myrelle is personal friends with them! I have regained respect for Elaida!

I thought Sheriem was older than them, so I am surprised to see her as accepted too!

Hopefully, my next post will be me having completed the book!


edit: "Enemy for life" oh that explains a lot. Nevermind, there goes all the respect I had.
 
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Elania al'Manir

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I used New Spring to ease myself back into my re-read. I had paused during book nine over a year ago, so I figured the better, quicker read would be motivational. It was! The pacing felt so different, and it reminded me of how enthralling Wheel of Time books can be.
 
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I used New Spring to ease myself back into my re-read. I had paused during book nine over a year ago, so I figured the better, quicker read would be motivational. It was! The pacing felt so different, and it reminded me of how enthralling Wheel of Time books can be.
That is actually a fitting answer from you. Since I hated Crossroads of Twilight the most in the series lol.


I just finished New Spring. I am heavily glad I read it! A truly great short tale that puts the pieces together for how Lan became her warder- I loved it!
 

Aduiavas Ida

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Yes, I love New Spring as well :) It starts by showing a more "normal" time in the White Tower, instead of the special circumstances we find with Egwene, Elayne and Nynaeve...

And it shows how Moiraine became what she is at the start of Eye of the World, and how she gained Lans respect and loyalty :)
 
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Yes, I love New Spring as well :) It starts by showing a more "normal" time in the White Tower, instead of the special circumstances we find with Egwene, Elayne and Nynaeve...

And it shows how Moiraine became what she is at the start of Eye of the World, and how she gained Lans respect and loyalty :)
Yeah I definitely was wondering how a man as strong as Lan was ever going to end up a Warder. Because that is basically like a life of servitude under someone else and knowing the kind of person he is, it was very curious that he did!

And yes, it was great to see the more traditional way of gaining the shawl!
 

Almira ni'Caldazare

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I first read the series out of order! I started with Book 4 (Shadow Raising) and I loved it! So much happened! The Aelfinn, Rhuidean, Dreamwalkers, Battle for the Two Rivers, the Ways... so much was happening. I had to go back to book 1 and read in order until book 4.
So I really have to fight to say that book 4 should be out of the garbage category!
 
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