Wheel of Time, The by Robert Jordan

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Submitted by Ben 
(Jul 27, 2010)

I persevered halfway through the wheel of time series because my friends were reading it. However, I hated every minute of it. There are a lot of quality parts to the books but these glimpses of quality are overwhelmed by the incredibly annoying female characters. Giving up on the series is the best decision I ever made.

The book started out promising. It created an interesting place and time. But then the descriptions kept on going and going into the kind of detail that seems way overdone. The pace is very slow. I don't think the structure of the story is anywhere close to some of the other great epic novels at least as far as I can tell from the first 200 pages. I'am afraid I don't have the patience to find out. I cannot recommend this book.

I started readind the WoT series in December and I am now on book 11. After reading the first book I was hooked. The range of characters, twists in the story and the overall plot combines to make a book of unbelievable quality,in my eyes. There are characters I love and love to hate... If a book can make you feel passionate about it, then it is well worth reading. RJ was a genius and I would recommend everybody read it!

This is a GREAT series for anyone; especially those with time. The plot develops slowly, but I like to think it takes that it does so because such an epic story/fight between people (good) and the ultimate evil would not have only about 10 or so major players (on either side). Most other series do this, and I think that RJ's writing in detail makes the series better when compared to other fantasy series.
A lot of people compare Moraine to some character in Dune (a series I've never read; but will read soon :) and I think a lot of authors take the great things about other great books/etc and add it to their stories; its called inspiration. Great works inspire others to greatness. Shakespeare did this, so did the hunchback writer (I forget his name....he was a great latin writer/poet) and authors will continue to do this forever. Romeo/Juilet was shakespeare's work, but it was inspired by previous latin works...so many of his works had hints of previous writers; but his (shakespeare's) books were great and I would think his works were better for it. If a person reads two books, and one of the authors was inspired by something in the other; the reference would be clear to the reader.
If you have read terry goodking's Sword Of Truth series, the Aes Sedai in RJ's WOT series may remind you of the Mord Sith in the SOT series. I think RJ's attention to detail, politics and a sense of reality has made his Aes Sedai better than TG's Mord Sith.

The real question we should ask ourselves as readers is: "is the WOT series better for RJ's apparent inoriginality?"

I would say yes. Sometimes the women's actions and need to tame their men seem out of this/any world. But it does remind me of guys who feel they have to 'tame' their women. I do not mean "sit" "stand" "make me dinner", etc. I mean everyday/your neighbour kinda guys who feel that girls for the most part are.....(my interpretation of their words) delicate and need to be controlled; girls are a lot of times unsure of their wants/needs/true feelings and need a firm hand in guiding their decisions/etc....I mean guys who for some reason or the other think girls need to be controlled (most guys will not use that word, but their actions and words amount to it). I stress "need to be controlled" because RJ took this feeling of both sexes needing/wanting to control the other, to a whole new level. Sometimes, it makes you laugh, snort/sniff in disbelief, and all sorts of other things...it may also make you stop reading this series (doubtful, but common).
Ps. I would need to read Dune first, re-read LOTR series, and try to find the origin of trollocs. But what I do know is that the series as a whole is a great read.
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Books 1/2 are a bit slow and tell so much about the journey/running/escape from evil (people)...but it also gives so much detail. Now if you are looking for a fast/action paced series, these first two books may disappoint you.
Books 3-6/7/8 are great reads. There is a lot of fast paced action, a couple bad guys are killed off, you get to learn more about the 'legendary' aes sedai, the one power, how it works, the things that run through a man's (Rand's) head when he learns all these prophesies saying that he is the dragon reborn, he is doomed to fight the ultimate evil and die. Most other fantasy books I have read (and I have read a lot), do not go into detail as much as RJ. As far as putting a lot of detail into a fantasy series. RJ did his best works here (books 3-6/7/8)
Books 7/8-10 are a bit slow moving, not so much action; but focus on the detail. You get to read about the other characters, new ones get put into play....and through it all, you get a sense of foreboding, impending doom. Everyone is preparing for it, some believe it is not of their concern, but would like to profit from it. Others are simply in too remote a location to care about a 'possible' end of the world; they have more pressing issues at hand: war, starvation, etc. You get to read about all these types of people and how they are affected (not literally, but the books give you a sense of the magnitude of the last battle's effects and the preparation for the last battle.) Imagine our world today. If one man had to save it, there would be a whole lot of politics involved, people everywhere wanting power without risking their lives for it, people who would not believe, different cultures with different beliefs....a lot would go on....while these books may seem 'long' and perhaps boring; I feel they make this series tower over others. In my opinion these books make this series an epic saga. While the series may have previously made you fantasize about escaping there, perhaps with saidin or saidar; after reading these books, you - in a sense - mature. You suddenly are in this land with your powers and you feel responsible for the people: not just your friends, etc. A lot of other fantasy books are peachy/rosy/nice in comparison to these. These are books of struggle: a struggle to get things ready for something bigger than the individual, a struggle with people who are more concerned with their needs/wants than the enormity of the impending doom. But by and by, you may still feel these books are tiresome. But they help you understand more about the characters' personalities, lives, individual struggles and obstacles to overcome....

The remaining books are faster-moving, but still not so fast paced as say...The great hunt, dragon reborn, etc.

The last two/three books though are a combo of action: Rand gets in trouble with the Forsaken and later, the Seanchean, Egwene gets in trouble with the Amyrilyn....and the consequences of those actions. The books leave you begging for more.

Given how long the series has been though, I am thankful the series is almost at and end. Not because of the plots, but because I am simply dying to know what is going to happen at the last battle. But with so many characters and plots within plots, I know the 2 remaining books would have to be encyclopedias to do full justice to ALL the characters and plots.
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All in all, this is a wonderful read. One of the greatest fantasy stories ever written. If you are looking for a series with depth, this is it. If you do have time on your hands, grab and copy of book 1; you will not be disappointed.

I just started reading the WoT series and I'm not sure I understand why it is considered to be such a phenomenal series. The main characters, those who came from Emonds Field specifically, come accross as dumb and annoying. How many times am I going to have to listen to Rand repeat that he's "Rand al'thor of the Two rivers, blah blah blah."

I get that the world created by Jordan is vast and populated by a wide variety of characters but the story just feels so simple and bland.

In the first two books, Jordan builds and builds only to have the climax come off almost easy for the characters.

And if the "Wheel weaves as the wheel wills", then what is the point of reading the book. Rand is destined to win. Right? Can someone point me in the direction of a reason to keep reading because right now, I can't find a good reason to. For that matter I can't understand why anyone would keep reading.

If I've insulted any fans of the series, I apologize. Maybe its just not my cup of tea. I did like the Sword of Truth series and I know there are many people out there who hated it. To be fair though I share most of their complaints about much preaching went into the series, and the endless repetition too.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks.