Re: My mostly spoiler-free review of the book (mixed-to-negative, for those who care)
Macharius Send a noteboard - 05/11/2010 11:51:48 PM
I agree that there were major structural and chronological problems with ToM, and that AMoL as a whole would've been better as a two-volume set even if it had taken longer to come out. But, I don't perceive their current structure as being deal-breakers as others seem to view them.
I was excited to read this book when I first picked it up, and it kept me excited all the way through. I enjoyed seeing some of the many plot lines come together, and the rush of events as time ticked away for the Last Battle. Many scenes had me laughing, sheering, or gasping... I don't remember the last time I was so genuinely affected emotionally as with this book. For me, that's what matters despite its admittedly serious technical flaws.
More abstractly, how can anyone expect somebody that's not RJ to step into RJ's shoes for what would've been the masterpiece of his writing career showcasing events he'd had in mind for the better part of three decades? ToM is the middle of AMoL, which as I recall was the portion least written before RJ died. Would it have been better if WoT was never finished at all? I think Brandon was as good a choice as any to get such a herculean task accomplished, and probably better than most.
I was excited to read this book when I first picked it up, and it kept me excited all the way through. I enjoyed seeing some of the many plot lines come together, and the rush of events as time ticked away for the Last Battle. Many scenes had me laughing, sheering, or gasping... I don't remember the last time I was so genuinely affected emotionally as with this book. For me, that's what matters despite its admittedly serious technical flaws.
More abstractly, how can anyone expect somebody that's not RJ to step into RJ's shoes for what would've been the masterpiece of his writing career showcasing events he'd had in mind for the better part of three decades? ToM is the middle of AMoL, which as I recall was the portion least written before RJ died. Would it have been better if WoT was never finished at all? I think Brandon was as good a choice as any to get such a herculean task accomplished, and probably better than most.
My mostly spoiler-free review of the book (mixed-to-negative, for those who care)
05/11/2010 03:21:42 PM
- 2527 Views
Eh, eh... more positive than me, it's unexpected
05/11/2010 08:38:59 PM
- 5000 Views

I agree with most of the points you both make, but blame Jordan himself far, far more.
06/11/2010 12:17:38 AM
- 1520 Views
My opinion of Jordan's success with the late series differs...
06/11/2010 03:05:50 AM
- 1709 Views
For someone so vehement about the differences between B-Sand and KJA, you reference KA a lot.
06/11/2010 02:32:33 PM
- 1830 Views
Re: My mostly spoiler-free review of the book (mixed-to-negative, for those who care)
05/11/2010 10:46:23 PM
- 1342 Views
Agreed. Lord of Chaos was the last truly exciting book in the series. *NM*
06/11/2010 12:18:13 AM
- 653 Views
I thought WH had moments of greatness too *NM*
06/11/2010 01:53:52 AM
- 584 Views
WH had moment of greatness. *NM*
06/11/2010 03:41:27 AM
- 599 Views
Yes. One moment. The Cleansing. Which the next book reflected on continuously.
06/11/2010 05:23:40 AM
- 1143 Views
Re: Yes. One moment. The Cleansing. Which the next book reflected on continuously.
06/11/2010 06:34:37 AM
- 1137 Views
Re: Yes. One moment. The Cleansing. Which the next book reflected on continuously.
06/11/2010 08:59:07 AM
- 1319 Views
Re: My mostly spoiler-free review of the book (mixed-to-negative, for those who care)
05/11/2010 11:51:48 PM
- 1645 Views
Re: My mostly spoiler-free review of the book (mixed-to-negative, for those who care)
21/11/2010 09:03:48 AM
- 1103 Views
Re: My mostly spoiler-free review of the book (mixed-to-negative, for those who care)
06/11/2010 05:02:37 PM
- 1220 Views