Oh, my goodness! I'm on the last book. Four chapters in. I have to say, I started my thread, "Why People SHOULD" Read the WoT", when I was on about book five, not knowing how the story progressed yet sensing it was something monumental.
Well, all these months later I stand by that. Yes, there's been low points in with the high, but I have never read anything as amazing. I'm not sure I ever will. The complex plots, the way everything's neatly been brought together towards the end... As Brandon Sanderson said: "I still think EYE is one of the greatest fantasy books ever written. It signifies an era, the culmination of the epic quest genre which had been brewing since Tolkien initiated it in the 60's". While I wouldn't say that EYE is the book, I would say the SERIES is.
Tbh, and I know this is a horrid concept for those who tried the series and gave up at the end of book one, or gave up after others, if you're wanting to write something amazing, wanting to create a fantasy world that's rich, full, with believable characters and multi-layered plots, it's vital to read this. You can't hope to understand what amazing is until you've read all of this series. It's the number one bestselling adult fantasy series of all time for a reason.. I have never known such incredible highs while reading a series. I have never trembled so much while reading the final volume in a series, never felt such anticipation and dread at the coming events.
At times the series rambles (oh yes, especially book eleven), but it's inspiring, humbling, and fulfilling. I picked up the last book with trepidation. In all honesty I didn't want to start it. I don't want it to end. And yet all the threads have come together, all the players are set for the biggest battle the world has seen. Jordan DID know what he was doing - far better than I could have with such a vast series. I've spent six months of my life with these characters - I know them like best friends. How can I say goodbye? That's something I've learned from such a long series. You really feel as if you know everything, as if you've lived there and grown up beside them. And there have been some astounding moments in my life there.
Please, don't be put off by such a vast series. Don't be put off if not every book is rip-roaring action from start to finish. Don't groan every time a character folds their arms or sniffs (though yes, women are capable of a little more than those actions
). By the end, you'll forgive Jordan his quirks, forgive the slow parts - because you've been able to sneak in extra time in his world. And by the time you get to Brandon's books, you'll be missing Jordan's style. His writing is like an old friend. I will never see him again, and that makes me sad.
I have feeling some of the Jordan fans here who've finished the series will know what I'm talking about. With such a special series, you can't help but feel connected to it - and each other - by the last book. I'm so glad I kept going. My journey has been richer for it.
Anyway, I shall end this post with another quote by Brandon Sanderson, which says everything it needs to:
"And yet, I sit here thinking that something has CHANGED. Something is missing. Some hated you, Mr. Jordan, claiming you represented all that is terrible about popular fantasy. Others revered you as the only one who got it RIGHT.
Personally, I simply feel indebted to you. You showed me what it was to have vision and scope in a fantasy series - you showed me what could be done. I still believe that without your success, many younger authors like myself would never have had a chance at publishing their dreams.
You go quietly, but leave us trembling."
Well, all these months later I stand by that. Yes, there's been low points in with the high, but I have never read anything as amazing. I'm not sure I ever will. The complex plots, the way everything's neatly been brought together towards the end... As Brandon Sanderson said: "I still think EYE is one of the greatest fantasy books ever written. It signifies an era, the culmination of the epic quest genre which had been brewing since Tolkien initiated it in the 60's". While I wouldn't say that EYE is the book, I would say the SERIES is.
Tbh, and I know this is a horrid concept for those who tried the series and gave up at the end of book one, or gave up after others, if you're wanting to write something amazing, wanting to create a fantasy world that's rich, full, with believable characters and multi-layered plots, it's vital to read this. You can't hope to understand what amazing is until you've read all of this series. It's the number one bestselling adult fantasy series of all time for a reason.. I have never known such incredible highs while reading a series. I have never trembled so much while reading the final volume in a series, never felt such anticipation and dread at the coming events.
At times the series rambles (oh yes, especially book eleven), but it's inspiring, humbling, and fulfilling. I picked up the last book with trepidation. In all honesty I didn't want to start it. I don't want it to end. And yet all the threads have come together, all the players are set for the biggest battle the world has seen. Jordan DID know what he was doing - far better than I could have with such a vast series. I've spent six months of my life with these characters - I know them like best friends. How can I say goodbye? That's something I've learned from such a long series. You really feel as if you know everything, as if you've lived there and grown up beside them. And there have been some astounding moments in my life there.
Please, don't be put off by such a vast series. Don't be put off if not every book is rip-roaring action from start to finish. Don't groan every time a character folds their arms or sniffs (though yes, women are capable of a little more than those actions
). By the end, you'll forgive Jordan his quirks, forgive the slow parts - because you've been able to sneak in extra time in his world. And by the time you get to Brandon's books, you'll be missing Jordan's style. His writing is like an old friend. I will never see him again, and that makes me sad.I have feeling some of the Jordan fans here who've finished the series will know what I'm talking about. With such a special series, you can't help but feel connected to it - and each other - by the last book. I'm so glad I kept going. My journey has been richer for it.
Anyway, I shall end this post with another quote by Brandon Sanderson, which says everything it needs to:
"And yet, I sit here thinking that something has CHANGED. Something is missing. Some hated you, Mr. Jordan, claiming you represented all that is terrible about popular fantasy. Others revered you as the only one who got it RIGHT.
Personally, I simply feel indebted to you. You showed me what it was to have vision and scope in a fantasy series - you showed me what could be done. I still believe that without your success, many younger authors like myself would never have had a chance at publishing their dreams.
You go quietly, but leave us trembling."
