I read the first three books when I was a kid and loved them, but due to various events didn’t keep up with the series. Decades later the TV show arrived and I absolutely loved it, so I bought the entire set of trade paperbacks and got back into it.
I’m currently on book six, Lord of Chaos. I’ve read that there’s a “slog” in the middle of the series that subjectively varies depending on the reader, but typically is somewhere around books 7-10. I have to say my personal anecdotal experience is “the slog” started earlier.
The first four books are absolutely great. I have some nitpicks, but not worth mentioning. The good far outweighs the bad in my opinion. Starting with book five, the Fires of Heaven, there was a “disturbance in the Force” (slipped in a Star Wars reference). In book six that disturbance became an alarm.
The last thing I want to do is come to a place full with fans of something and rant against that thing. I’m very familiar with that sort of behavior and despise it. However, I would like to considerately post my thoughts on a few things.
The biggest gripe is there’s just so much filler! No hyperbole, I believe these books, especially the latter ones I’ve read so far, could be almost cut down by half! There’s simply too much description and repetition. I suppose if you’re a huge fan of the world though, there could never be too much of it. I sympathize. Think of the piece of Star Wars you dislike most and know I deeply love it.
The rest are the same I’m sure you’ve heard before. The male vs female dynamic is occasionally tiresome. The romance is awkward, sometimes nothing really happens for a long time, and there are too many inconsequential characters.
It may not sound like it, but I do like Wheel of Time a lot. I definitely intend on finishing it because I have to know what happens! I just think with some editing, the story would hit so much harder. (I think the same of Peter F. Hamilton.)
I should finish book six later today and start book seven, A Crown of Swords, next week, and I am sort of worried about starting “the slog” when I’m already having some issues.
I was sad to see the TV series cancelled. I thought it was outstanding, especially season three. I’d rather Amazon renewed it and cancelled Rings of Power. Imagine how good it could have been if they swapped budgets!
Sorry for the Robert-Jordan-length post. Please don’t hit me with balefire. May the Force be with you.
I’m currently on book six, Lord of Chaos. I’ve read that there’s a “slog” in the middle of the series that subjectively varies depending on the reader, but typically is somewhere around books 7-10. I have to say my personal anecdotal experience is “the slog” started earlier.
The first four books are absolutely great. I have some nitpicks, but not worth mentioning. The good far outweighs the bad in my opinion. Starting with book five, the Fires of Heaven, there was a “disturbance in the Force” (slipped in a Star Wars reference). In book six that disturbance became an alarm.
The last thing I want to do is come to a place full with fans of something and rant against that thing. I’m very familiar with that sort of behavior and despise it. However, I would like to considerately post my thoughts on a few things.
The biggest gripe is there’s just so much filler! No hyperbole, I believe these books, especially the latter ones I’ve read so far, could be almost cut down by half! There’s simply too much description and repetition. I suppose if you’re a huge fan of the world though, there could never be too much of it. I sympathize. Think of the piece of Star Wars you dislike most and know I deeply love it.
The rest are the same I’m sure you’ve heard before. The male vs female dynamic is occasionally tiresome. The romance is awkward, sometimes nothing really happens for a long time, and there are too many inconsequential characters.
It may not sound like it, but I do like Wheel of Time a lot. I definitely intend on finishing it because I have to know what happens! I just think with some editing, the story would hit so much harder. (I think the same of Peter F. Hamilton.)
I should finish book six later today and start book seven, A Crown of Swords, next week, and I am sort of worried about starting “the slog” when I’m already having some issues.
I was sad to see the TV series cancelled. I thought it was outstanding, especially season three. I’d rather Amazon renewed it and cancelled Rings of Power. Imagine how good it could have been if they swapped budgets!
Sorry for the Robert-Jordan-length post. Please don’t hit me with balefire. May the Force be with you.
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Yeah, the wheel of time is an adventure with bumps in the road, and you never know where they will hit you. Some bumps in the road might also send you flying. It's so big, so much happens, so many characters, you can't possibly end up liking them all.
