Should I bother with WOT?

[Leer Baratheon]

Should I bother reading a WOT? My favorite series is "A Song of Ice an Fire," of which I'm basically a fanatic. I'm also a big fan of Erikson and Bakker.

So based upon those facts, will I like WOT? Should I even bother?

 

[Rahl Windsong]

The whole problem is the WOT story is just not that long, I mean 12 books? WOT really should have been concluded in 6 books. So if I ever re-read this series I think I would re-read 1 to 6 then skip to 11 and 12.

But really the first 5 or 6 books I thought were well worth my time to read.

Rahl

 

[Roheryn]

I really liked them, including 7-10, but I kinda like description... it helps me picture it the best.

 

[the_faery_queen]

no. that's what i've been telling most of my friends who ask. it starts off great, but i found it got really dull after 6 books in (and just a bit dull after 4) and i can't really recommend that my friends waste so much cash on a series that goes no where, that's confuising and has such awful characterisation.

but that's just my opinion, of course. so when someone asks, i tend to say no. it was good, but it gets bad, and i think that its better to not start it at all!

 

[Rosemary]

I have read and enjoyed all of WOT books...However, they are certainly nothing like reading any of Erikson's work.

WOT is a much easier reading series in my opinion...so perhaps you might not enjoy it!

 

[lflyer]

LB,

Without wanting to sound insensitive, if you've been fortunate enough to manage to not start WoT yet (unlike us unfortunate sods who've been waiting 12+ years for it to finish depending on when one started reading it), at this point it is probably worth waiting to see if RJ actually finishes the story first. RJ has said there is only one more book to go even if book 12 is so big you have to carry it home in a wheel barrow, BUT he is, as you're probably aware, very sick at the moment.

Like all WoT fans I wish RJ the best and my prayers are with him and his family, but I have to question why you would start a series that may never be finished if you can avoid it? If RJ pulls through and finishes the story then by all means go ahead and read it. The first 6 books were, IMHO, some of the best fantasy ever written (although obviously not everyone feels that way), and if the last book is as strong as the 11th, then hey, 7 out of 12 aint bad!

LF

 

[normski-88]

Of course you should bother WoT, if you are serious about Fantasy/ Sci-Fi novels this series is a must read. Amazing does little to describe it.

And if you think the later books are boring or not as good is because it is merely the breath before the plunge the last book I think will be absolutley amazing. The filler books are merely running through all the other plots, focusing on the lesser but still majorly important characters. Another reason is there is little focus on Rand because he is great and it every chapter featuring him I read with rapt attention.

I say give it ago, you may enjoy or you may not... but atleats you've given it a try.

Norman

 

[TomServo]

Well Leer, as a fellow ASoIaF fan, I can say that you won't enjoy WoT nearly as much. I have read through all of the WoT books so far even though they are getting dull for me (a trait i have that makes me have to see it through to the end). I really don't have much new to add about Jordan except for the fact that, especially later in the series, I really have no emotional attachment to his characters, which is completely contrary to Martin's work which has characters I love and love to hate. So I'd say, if you are really hurting for something to read, go ahead and start up with WoT, read the first 5 or so books, that should hold you over until ADWD comes out.

 

[Thadlerian]

Should I bother reading a WOT? My favorite series is "A Song of Ice an Fire," of which I'm basically a fanatic. I'm also a big fan of Erikson and Bakker.

So based upon those facts, will I like WOT? Should I even bother?

If you've read and liked Martin, Erikson and Bakker, I can hardly imagine Jordan will give you anything. But WoT remains a pretty big phenomenon in the SF/F world, so you should have a look, just to see what it's all about.

Try getting it from the library.

 

[chump]

I am a big fan of Martin, Bakker and Erikson as well and I have read and enjoyed the WOT series. It is not up to the same level but is still a very good read.

 

[Werthead]

Given that Robert Jordan's health is not looking good at the moment (see his latest blog) I would also hesitate before suggesting that people read it. It is a good series, comparing well to say Tad Williams or Raymond E. Feist, but the slowing down of the plot in the later volumes is rather annoying. It doesn't compare to Martin, Erikson or Bakker though.

If you are after a decent author in that vein, I would suggest Scott Lynch's The Lies of Locke Lamora or Peter F. Hamilton's enormous The Night's Dawn Trilogy (SF, but written in a style and manner I find that many SF-hating fantasy fans seem to enjoy).

 

[Sparks the Knave]

hmm, well I would honestly say that you should in fact read them, hire them in order from your Library and have at it.
Perhaps don't buy them until after you have read them, as a lot of others here seem to have reservations, but if you love them like me, then you'll collect them and be content in your choice.

I have to add, that I have yet to read GRRM (AGOT is on order for me now) but if his books leave Jordans for dead, I should be very very happy with the books!