Just finished A Crown of Swords

[algai'd'siswai]

new here, first post

Well, I just finished A Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan and now I'm a little nervous to go on to The Path of Daggers, as I have read online the next few books really start to lag.

What's everyone's thoughts on the series without spoiling much?

I've loved everything so far, although since book 5 I'm getting really annoyed with the meticulous descriptions of clothing. I enjoy most of the characters although I wish Nynaeve would get killed and Elayne is becoming more and more kill worthy as well.

However, I am excited about the return of the Seanchan and Rands decent into madness

 

[Michael01]

We've been talking about this some on the Brandon Sanderson thread, too. After about the middle of the series it does start the drag, and some readers find it difficult to get through. As for me, I still think every single book (I've only read through Knife of Dreams) is a great read. Occasionally, I found myself thinking, "I really wish he'd get on with this," but it wasn't that often.

Some people say he introduces way too many new characters, too. I can't disagree, but at least one of those characters has me on the edge of my seat. I really want to pick up the last three as soon as I have time to read them. Of course, by all accounts on the other thread, Sanderson really picks up the pace, anyway.

So I say don't give up on WoT. You might get annoyed sometimes, but it's still a great story.

EDIT: Oh...and welcome to Chronicles, Algai'd'siswai!

 

[Warren_Paul]

They are padded, but I still like the story and think they are worth reading. Things are just about wrapped up, whereas earlier in the series it seemed like it would take twice as many books to finish the story. The last book should be quite action packed, a lot happening all at once, over a short period of time.

I think the last book will be quite reminiscent of the first book.

Personally, I like the padding, it makes the world and story richer imo. Some people just prefer to get straight to the point; I don't.

 

[Grunkins]

They get pretty sloggy. I gave up after book 8 or 9 and don't feel any need to continue to the end. By the point I stopped reading them I was really sick of seeing such liberal usage of the F-bomb (Faile).

 

[Michael01]

Personally, I like the padding, it makes the world and story richer imo. Some people just prefer to get straight to the point; I don't.

I'm with you on this, WP. I guess it isn't for everyone, though.

 

[algai'd'siswai]

So, I am starting book 10: Crossroads of Twilight, and I must say, I am so annoyed with the last two books, and based upon reviews I don't know if i will make it through this book, I was thinking of just reading summaries of this one and skipping it completely and moving onto book 11. But, I'm still unsure. I'd feel like I'd be cheating, but also would it really matter though?

 

[Talysia]

I struggled with Crossroads of Twilight, too, and the first time I read the series through, I skipped a few chapters (mostly the Egwene ones) and caught up by reading some chapters summaries later. I've since been able to reread the series, and Crossroads was a lot easier to get through the second time around. That's just me, though.

 

[Clansman]

Speed read, and get to 11 as soon as you can. RJ gets better again, and then Brandon S turns up the fire and gets the series back on track in 12.

Noticeably less spanking and braid pulling by no. 13.

 

[C Of K]

So, I am starting book 10: Crossroads of Twilight, and I must say, I am so annoyed with the last two books, and based upon reviews I don't know if i will make it through this book, I was thinking of just reading summaries of this one and skipping it completely and moving onto book 11. But, I'm still unsure. I'd feel like I'd be cheating, but also would it really matter though?

If you think you won't make it through this book, I definitely wouldn't blame you for "cheating" Personally, I read those 3 books, but I can't really remember much of what happened in them because they just weren't interesting. RJ gets too far away from his plot in those 3, which makes trivial passages very difficult to remember; and those 3 were full of trivial chapters.

After reading Path of Daggers, Winter's Heart, and Crossroads of Twilight, I recall being far less than impressed. I don't even hold Knife of Dreams in very high regard. But I pressed on with the series anyway. Now, I can honestly say, I've enjoyed The Gathering Storm, and Towers of Midnight. Books 12 and 13 have been enjoyable to me despite books 8, 9, and 10, not because of them.

 

[Jake Reynolds]

I missed a chunk. When I was really into it, I got to the end of Path of Daggers and was so excited by what might happen next with the (spoilers- highlight to read) cleansing of saidin and all. Now, I might have missed something, but it seems nobody has mentioned it yet?

However, I read the last one- Brandon has really picked it up. To be honest though, I'm only really continuing because I started the series so long ago, and I can't wait to see some of them die, huffing and puffing and not speaking to each other even though a thirty second conversation would have changed everything seven novels ago...

 

[algai'd'siswai]

Decided to cheat and skip CoT, I have so many books still in queue and I took a break on WoT and started reading Dune for the first time and The Dark Tower 4. After those I plan on picking up Knife of Dreams and continuing to the final book. After reading chapter summaries of CoT, twice, there isn't a single thing that seemed to make this book remotely interesting except maybe the relationship with Mat and Tuon, but that's it really, it's unfortunate Jordan became so obsessed with trivial details he forgot about the big picture, so I have high hopes for Sanderson, having just read The Way of Kings about a month ago in less than a week, because I couldn't put it down, I am really excited that he's finishing WoT

 

[Clansman]

Decided to cheat and skip CoT, I have so many books still in queue and I took a break on WoT and started reading Dune for the first time and The Dark Tower 4. After those I plan on picking up Knife of Dreams and continuing to the final book. After reading chapter summaries of CoT, twice, there isn't a single thing that seemed to make this book remotely interesting except maybe the relationship with Mat and Tuon, but that's it really, it's unfortunate Jordan became so obsessed with trivial details he forgot about the big picture, so I have high hopes for Sanderson, having just read The Way of Kings about a month ago in less than a week, because I couldn't put it down, I am really excited that he's finishing WoT

The Way of Kings was an incredible read. Actually, I want Sanderson to drop everything else he is doing and get going with what is obviously his Magnum Opus.

 

[algai'd'siswai]

The Way of Kings was an incredible read. Actually, I want Sanderson to drop everything else he is doing and get going with what is obviously his Magnum Opus.

I know! right? I enjoy plenty of books, but it's not too often I'm impressed by a story. I definitely felt like I did something right reading, The Way of Kings.

 

[DWPetts]

They are padded, but I still like the story and think they are worth reading. Things are just about wrapped up, whereas earlier in the series it seemed like it would take twice as many books to finish the story. The last book should be quite action packed, a lot happening all at once, over a short period of time.

I think the last book will be quite reminiscent of the first book.

Personally, I like the padding, it makes the world and story richer imo. Some people just prefer to get straight to the point; I don't.

I agree and the padding really makes re-reading interesting. Somthing knew that perhaps you glazed over the first time comes to light and makes other story lines make sense.

 

[Judderman]

It's been a couple of years since I read book 6, which was very good. A lot of entertaining events there. But I stopped reading further after bad reviews of 7-10. After seeing those I had bad memories of 3-4 which were quite dull. The Aiel stuff was verging on dreadful in terms of interest. Though number 2, The Great Hunt is one of the greatest books I ever read and I am sure there is more of merit later in the series.
(I really like the parts were the Forsaken meet, that seems to happen more in 5-6).

So do you think if I jumped hugely and went all the way to 11 I would be able to make sense of the plot?

Also is A New Spring good? That at least doesn't need any other books read before.

 

[OutofThisWorld]

Loved this book.

 

[algai'd'siswai]

only two months until AMoL!

 

[Tecdavid]

only two months until AMoL!

Looking forward to it.