PLEASE PROGRESS

The lack of real progress in this story is driving me crazy. I'm going to have to give it up cause I just can't sit through another 41 hours of boring lack of progress.

27 people found this helpful

In depth plot and storyline but whats with the constant and petty quarreling?!

I truly love the wheel of Time series universe created by Robert Jordan. For years I have both read listen to these books the only drawback is the petty war of the sexes immature nearly constant quarreling between the primary characters.

Its quite incongruous when comparing the lifetimes of literally earth shattering import these beings represent to the high school level judgmental pithiness and childish banter they display towards each other.

Rand and Perrin seem to be the only ones evolving into capable characters matching their reality.

Already deep into Book 4 and seriously these characters should have grown out of this by now. if it doesn’t stop soon I don’t think I can continue listening. Its beyond annoying and destroys the otherworldly fantasy element i so enjoy

12 people found this helpful

Almost as great as the first book

Storylines pick up quite a bit in book four. The three main protagonists begin embracing their respective roles as Taurvanianamias (only Jordan knows how to spell that word). There's more action as well.

Note: I want to give this series one star when the story focuses on the women, Nineve in particular. I've never hated a character as much as Nineve; she's utterly obnoxious dimwit with less than zero common sense — a stupid, stupid girl.

Both narrators are truly outstanding, especially Michael Kramer. Bravo indeed.

9 people found this helpful

The BEST of the Wheel of Time

Great development of Perrin and a decent amount of Mat, this novel stands out as the most emotional and most ecstatic novel in the series. This turn in the series is the most engaging and enjoyable. I have listened to it 4 times now and each time experience a tightening in my throat when...well better not spoil it. You will not regret this one!

39 people found this helpful

Good at first, then...Meh

I stopped reading the series after this book. The tragedy of this series is that the world, the back-history, and magic system are exquisitely developed, but the plot is repetetive and the characters are hollow. The pattern of the plot (no spoiler) is a less-than-brilliant move by (insert character), which leads to an emergency, which is resolved at the last second in a maddeningly convenient manner (usually either an unlooked-for rescue or a new manifestation of magic). The characters are fantasy stereotypes. However, the books are very suspenseful, and these are common issues in all but the best fantasy. All might be forgiven except for the sheer unnecessary length of the series. There are at least two major plot lines that a good editor would have axed altogether to bring focus to a badly meandering story arc and cut the size down a bit. I would recommend this series only to die-hard fantasy aficionados who will appreciate what was done well and forgive what was done poorly.

25 people found this helpful

Best Book So Far

Now totally addicted to the pattern that Jordan has woven, I have to admit this last installment was by far my favorite. YES, critics of Jordan are right in that he can describe every detail in the most mundane scenes...and YES, his characters are a bit one dimensional in their personas...BUT with a story this complex I have to admit I appreciate characters that I know won't change on me from chapter to chapter or book to book. What I think most critics miss is that this book is about the storyline and the pattern, not just about the characters that play within it.

This past week I learned that Jordon has died and that he didn't finish his last book in the series (and rumor has it the last installment is a mammoth!). I am committed to finishing this out and seeing Rand through as the Dragon reborn, finding out what Lord Perin Golden Eyes does, and discover what's up with Matt and his flair for luck and history. 4 books down, 8 more to go!

32 people found this helpful

I'm still listening...

I am struggling with continuing this series. The overall concept is intriguing but the writing is difficult sometimes. Things happen to characters that after four books we still have no explanation for, the girls are airheads at the best of times, oh Rand this and oh Rand that and all of the sudden he and Egwayne have no feelings for each other with no lead up, Elaine writes two letters that we have no insight into, Minh is supposed to be street savvy yet she sounds like an idiot when it comes to the opposite sex and someone please shoot me when Nineavh speaks. She's mean and grouchy and how are we supposed to like her or how do the others like her? Anyways I'm still listening because it is entertaining but im hoping Mr. Jordan connects the dots and smartens up the characters in the rest of the books.

28 people found this helpful

Lots of good stuff here

Quite a variety of really good storytelling and situations. Not at all predictable. Many characters and stories. A real page turner and engrossing. Of course being in the middle of a long series many unresolved threads. Listened to this for hours at a time.

4 people found this helpful

A really boring piece of book

I have been following the series with great interest, but I reckon this book is going to be my last.
Jordan has run out of new ideas and fills the book adding characters and producing again and again detailed descriptions with the only result of enlarging de book.
You will be listening for hours to find a couple of interesting minutes.
What I really wander is how the book has that amazing rate from the readers.

4 people found this helpful

I Gave Up On This One...

Any additional comments?

I really wanted to continue on with this series but just could not take anymore of the repetitive descriptions and characters that never seem to grow. It just got very irritating to me and I had to mark this series up to just poor writing. Great narration though and more power to you if you love these books.

3 people found this helpful