I normally wouldn't, but...

Usually I wouldn't write a review before I had finished a book, but I just can't help myself... I'm sure that you hard core WoT fans out there won't need any further encouragement to purchase this one, but for anyone who does... Get it, now! :-) Seriously, it's good. Perhaps I'm just not as perceptive as I ought to be, but I've not yet noticed much difference from the quality that I'd expect of a book in this amazing series. So far, I think that Brandon Sanderson has stayed true to the characters that RJ created, and I think his style just works for this series. Needless to say, I am thoroughly enjoying this audiobook so far. I've already noticed quite a few plot lines moving forward and am learning answers to questions that I've really been waiting to find out about. I'd like to thank Mr. Sanderson for his wonderful work in continuing this series, Robert Jordan for caring enough about his fans to leave behind enough content for Brandon to work with, and of course, his wife Harriet for making a great choice of whom to continue his work. Very respectfully, Dominique.

53 people found this helpful

Best book since Book 1

Quite possibly the best book in the series since the opening book. Not that the other books were bad, but Jordan seemed to just drone on at times and the story seemed to stagnate at times. Sanderson does a masterful job of writing this book. It "sounds" just like Jordan wrote it, but there were very few places in this book where I felt like I was "nodding off" (as I had done several times before in previous books). Great start to the finale of this wonderful series.

19 people found this helpful

Welcome back Wheel of Time!!!

If you would have told me this was written by a different author other then Robert Jordan, I would have called you a liar. This is how the Jordan of old used to write. It's only later on in the series is when he really started go get wrapped up in meaningless crap, and made it a chore to finish a book. The only difference I could really tell were things that I thought were improvements. Gone are the annoying storyline builds ups, only to have the reader jump to a different character at the crescendo. It was so refreshing to not have to wait another 300 pages to find out how a storyline progressed. This ain't 1960's television anymore, we don't need cheesy cliffhangers to make sure we keep reading.

At no point did I ever feel like I wanted to place a gun into my mouth to end my misery from slogging through a couple of chapters on etiquette or local customs.

Sanderson touched on all the favorites, Rand, Egwene and company, Matt, Perrin, all the major Aes Sedai and Aiel. Perrin was probably the least written about it in this story, but it really didn't bother me, as he had bigger parts in the last few books. Matt is always a blast and gets into some crazy situations in this book that just made me laugh. Sanderson does such a good job putting Matt's perspective on situations that it's always just so comical, "Why does this always happen to me!"

Rand is probably the biggest triumph of this story. The writing gets more complicated as his delves deeper and deeper into what it means to be the Dragon Reborn and all the emotions that come with that.

Kate and Michael are the only voices I can ever picture reading Jordan, as they do a perfect job. At times I forget that Kate is reading the male parts because she does such a great job capturing the character's essence.

I released a huge sigh of release after I read this book. The glory that is WoT is back, and is on track for it's continued greatness. The ending of this finished perfectly.

35 people found this helpful

A Successful Transition

Many people were worried about the continuation of this epic series after the tragic loss of Robert Jordan in September of 2007.

Fans:
Fear no more!

All of our beloved characters are still there and RJ's vision is clearly still the driving force behind these books. Brandon Sanderson does an outstanding job taking our characters and adapting his style to give us a compelling read.

You can sense Brandon's voice more in some characters than others but that is not a criticism. He actually brings more depth to them while maintaining exactly who they are and who we love.

Michael Kramer & Kate Reading again deliver in this book and I'm pleased to know that they'll also be completing the series with:
Book 13 - Towers of Midnight
and
Book 14 - A Memory of Light.

You will love this book! Enjoy!

50 people found this helpful

Michael Kramer... sigh

So here's the thing... this is the 12th wheel of time book. you would think that after narrating the other 11 gigantic books he would have consistent accents and pronunciations of character names. that's totally not the case. every time he reads a couple of chapters he switches up accents and pronunciation of names so much it actually screws with the fine details of the storyline... like maybe take notes ? the whole series would be a way more enjoyable I've with some consistency.

4 people found this helpful

British accents?

Loved the story but what is up with the random British accents? They popped up out of no where this book and came to be a bit annoying.

3 people found this helpful

Upon my word!

While I respect Robert Jordan for his epic work a great deal, Brandon Sanderson's writing is so much more dynamic and balanced. So much more reasonably paced and exciting. Even Michael Kramer and Kate Reading are sounding more excited despite their usual abysmal performance (they are still horrific). I only wish Jordan and Sanderson had collaborated through the whole series so that I wouldn't have had to slog through so many ten minute redescriptions of well known characters personalities for the thirtieth time (dang it all but that was uber redundancy!) or listen to so many long-winded over descriptions of the background settings in which characters were staged (dang it all but I don't care to read about the individual grains of grit in every crack in the sidewalk!) In short, Brandon Sanderson's collaborations / interpretations of Jordan's work is even better than Jordan's singular works (yes, I did just write that). In my opinion, Brandon Sanderson brought Robert Jordan's world alive in a way that Jordan himself never could. I believe that this is because Jordan tried so very hard. Still, I appreciate them both and look forward eagerly to the last book. Thank you Brandon Sanderson for finishing this epic story in a greater than epic way! The story deserved no less.

3 people found this helpful

Slow start, but worth the wait

For the first quarter or the book, I had a sick feeling in my stomach - nothing seemed to be happening, I was losing interest. I realize that some of what was happening now was build-up for the rest of the book, but much of it still seemed overstated and contrived. (e.g. Aviendha's rise to wise one, Ituralde's part, and of course anything to do with Cadsuane - ok maybe thats too harsh but who likes Cadsuane???)

But, then the book rapidly began "happening". From Egwene's fight to survive, to Mat's battles with the pattern, and Rand's struggle to hold onto sanity, it was certainly a ride to the end. The sheer amount of action and events that were initiated AND resolved is certainly much more than any other RJ book in a long while. Though I still think RJ is the better writer (believe it or not, I am one of the few who like how he describes every detail of the world he creates), BS is obviously a passionate and deserving author to finish this series. Highly recommended, as long as you are patient at the start.

3 people found this helpful

Bloody Excellent

Thank you Brandon a most excellent job.

The Wheel of Time has been brought back to life. The life that was in the first few books.(1-4)

I really enjoyed reading this book. (Well listening to it.) Could not put it down.

Each character got some air time and it was not too long winded coverage that I felt was in the later books.

Plenty of action happening in this.

It is also great to see that same narrators
used in the story. Very well read it brings much life to the story.

Again Brandon, A Big Thank You.
I look forward to the next book soon.

14 people found this helpful

Slow writing style

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Repetitive descriptors which did not add to the story line

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Incisive editing

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

A little slow

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Possibly

Any additional comments?

Many good ideas in the story and writing, but not to my taste

2 people found this helpful