The Final WOT Book

[ratsy]

Leisha...did you get up the nerve to finish the book! I don't think I took a breather after that chapter....just plugged away till the end.

 

[Erin99]

Taly!!! Lovely to see you back. I noticed your absence. Yes, that chapter is AMAZING. So much went on, with sooo many unexpected things. And it was nice to see all the prophecies play out.


Ratsy, YES! I finished it this morning. At some point I will write a little round-up of my thoughts, assuming anyone wants to read it, that is.

I can't believe my WoT journey has ended.

New Spring up next, so I can cling to it a little longer!

 

[ratsy]

Well I am glad you finished it! It was hard to believe when I finished it too.

I am curious to see what you think of New Spring. I haven't read it and hadn't intended on it either but who knows, maybe some day.

 

[Talysia]

Taly!!! Lovely to see you back. I noticed your absence. Yes, that chapter is AMAZING. So much went on, with sooo many unexpected things. And it was nice to see all the prophecies play out.


Ratsy, YES! I finished it this morning. At some point I will write a little round-up of my thoughts, assuming anyone wants to read it, that is.

I can't believe my WoT journey has ended.

New Spring up next, so I can cling to it a little longer!

Thanks. I've had a few health problems, made a bit worse by the hot weather, but I'm getting back to normal now. Nothing serious, just a few things adding up.

I'd love to read your thoughts on the final book. On New Spring, I thought it was pretty good, although I may have read it at the wrong point in the series. I may have to reread it myself one of these days - it's been a while!

 

[chongjasmine]

I am reading the final WOT book and so far, I am impressed.

 

[Erin99]

Hello, chongjasmine! Glad to see you're loving it. By the end, you'll be blown away.

And Taly, I hope you're feeling much, much better. You're always missed around here.

----------------------------------------------

So, phew! Finally got time to sit down and write my thoughts. Been a busy few days! Better get my words down before I forget them - my memory's so terrible!


!!!Complete spoiler alert!!!!



Okay. The book was WOW. Especially the huuuge chapter, The Last Battle.

The huge chapter had some of the best moments in the series, and those deaths... Speaking of the deaths, though, I found - and this is going to sound weird - I found that I was happy with each one. They were great choices - sad, very sad, but somehow expected without realising it. The image of Bryne riding off in despair until he was killed...

The best death scene, personally, was Egwene's. It was so moving and dramatic, and I LOVED the "Flame of Tarvalon" bit. Such a high to go out on!!! I had hoped she would stay as the Amerlyn, because she's so awesome and is exactly what the Tower needed and needs, but, as with the other deaths, hers felt very, very right.

I also loved what Logain's "glory" turned out to be, and the fact that Jordan/Branderson played with our expectations. I think we all thought Logain would defeat Demandred or do other equally glory-ific stuff! Again, his ending felt very right.

Which is the words that sum up this book, for me. Very right. Things happened that, although unexpected, felt as if any other way would have been wrong. Sure, I'd have liked some loose ends tied up and got to see final scenes from some other stars of the series, but I can't get everything. In the main, I LOVE YOU, JORDAN!

However, as much as I LOVE the book and series, there were niggles. For one, Rand's comment at the end, on which woman would follow him - cheesy and too flippant, I thought. Also, I HATED that the Dark One called Rand ADVERSARY. It... cheapened the Dark One. Made him less divine. I would have liked a being more menacing and inscrutable. That said, his and Rand's battle was perfect. I'd pictured some sort of battle of power, and yet I knew the impossibility of that. The way it played out was right. I also loved the time distortion, so the outside battle raged on for weeks while Rand was holed away. Brilliant plotting!

So another niggle was Moraine. She'd been important in the first few books, and I loved her character, yet she barely played a part in the end. I'd have liked her to have been given a bigger role more fitting to the rest of her storyline. In a way, I'd say the same of Ny, except that again, Ny going back to her roots and NOT using the Power made sense and brought her storyline full circle. Although, I think Hoopy might have a complaint at that once she reads it! (Hoopy might also eeep at the Lan-stabbing scene!) I do wonder if Jordan had more planned for Moraine but didn't remember to write it out for Branderson - apparently that was the case with some of the story; Branderson and Jordan's wife and editor had to fill in some of the holes...

Another thing I would have loved to see was Ny Healing all the Black Tower men's minds, as she did with one in the previous book. I know that Jordan/Branderson included the scene so readers will have an idea of how things progress after the Last Battle, but I'd have liked to have seen a revelation made of Ny's Talent. Imagine if she'd died at the end - no one would have known how to fix the men!!! And I certainly want Androl Healed. I loved his and Parvara's story. They were by far the best late-comers in the series. I wanted more of their bond-bond relationship, though - there was so much to explore, and we're left imagining how it will all go in the future!!! Waaah! I can only imagine Jordan wanted to explore all this in his planned books after this series, since he said he wanted to write into the WoT universe for another 30 years! I know he said the adventures of Mat and Tuon were one of his planned books/series...

So. Lan. I LOVED his story in this book - this book really made him shine - and after reading New Spring, I'm glad he got a happy ending. (New Spring IS worth a read, btw - and not only for the cosiness of more Jordan prose. It was cool to see younger versions of Lan, Moraine, and Siuan. How did I miss that Siuan and Moraine were pillow friends, though??? LOL! That was a surprise! Such a cute couple. I almost felt bad that they end up with men in the future. Great to finally see the infamous "lake-dunking scene", too! The only issue was that it was slow in parts, and in the opening, but if you don't expect rip-roaring action and just want to see backstory of characters you love, it's brilliant and shows the dynamics of Lan/Siuan/Moraine.)

Okay. Back to the main book. I LOVED Moghidien's ending, heh. Awesome - and just! But I HATED Faile's ending. VERY contrived, Jordan. She ran off with the Horn with a pack of Trollocs following, and we're led to believe they just... didn't make sure she was dead? When they had weapons? When they thought she held the object they sought? When every other background character there was probably slaughtered? Hmmm.

And Mat. Oh, how I wish Branderson had got his characterisation right! He only seemed more "Mat" once he was so busy fighting, he didn't have time to be "clowny". Ironically, Talmanese was more Mat - incidental humour and lack of wishing to fight. And, as Talmanese ironically said, "Where's the subtlety?" That was what Branderson's Mat lacked - subtlety. So, I LOVED Talmanese in the proglogue, cos I imagined he was actually Mat, and I missed the real Mat sooo much!

Speaking of Branderson... as much of an amazing job he did (and I mean amazing - who else could have so neatly - and quickly - pulled all the series' strings together? And with so many amazing moments! Such a daunting task!), some of his word choices added a "Branderson" stamp to the books that I didn't like (sorry!). Modern words like "strike team", "command centre" and "homey" should not be in the WoT. Other books, yes; WoT, no. And Mat saying "Saidared it" as a verb, and another weird usage like that which I can't recall, was off-putting, too. All in all, fab job, though, Branderson.

Wow, this post is turning huge. Sorry!

Anyway, I'm eager to find out who this mysterious Aiel woman was that appeared to Avhienda in the other book and... I think... also to Rand at the end. Branderson is sworn to secrecy about it, so might we find out who she is in the forthcoming WoT Encyclopaedia Jordan's wife will publish? I hope so!

Also, Rand thinking the flame alight... What?! Does that mean Rand is actually the Creator, cos legend says that [MAJOR SPOILER ALERT!!!!] the Creator seals the Dark One away forever, and considering the Dark One was not properly sealed away until Rand came... And that would explain why everyone in the books said that the Creator had abandoned them - cos the Creator hadn't appeared yet.

Hmm.

All in all, lots to ponder and lots resolved. I LOVE IT! The. Best. Series. Ever.

 

[Talysia]

Thanks Leisha, and yes, I'm feeling a lot better now.

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I agree with just about everything you've said, although I rather liked Faile's ending. All I can suggest is that maybe they weren't the smartest trollocs in the pack? I don't know. I was really glad that Ny and Lan got the ending they deserved, too (I wonder if Ny's trip through the Rings during her accepted test was some sort of glimpse into her future?). Either way, it did feel like a rightful end to one of the biggest sagas in fantasy.

And I think Branderson (I'm going to use that from now on) turned several minor characters into some of my favourites, especially Talmanes. I'm glad I'm not the only one who liked Androl and Pevara, too. I really wish that plot thread had been introduced a little earlier.

Chongjasmine, I'm not sure where you're up to in the last book, but it's so full of action that you've certainly got a lot of good reading ahead.

 

[Erin99]

Glad to hear that, Taly! Why is it always the lovely people who suffer most? I hope you continue to be well.

[!!!SPOILERS!!!]


And ha! I knew you'd like Faile's ending, you romantic, you! I have to admit, while I didn't think the Faile ending worked, I was VERY happy with Ny's. I've wished her a happy ending FOREVER! And yes! Wow, yes. I kept thinking how true some aspects of those Rings were. After all, Egwene became Amerlyn AND never passed the the test to become Aes Sedai. AND she never held the oath rod at first, as the Rings predicted... And Ny saw herself and Lan...

As Seph says, though, the Rings show possible futures, so maybe those that came true were merely the strongest possibles?

Agree with you about Talmanese and Parvara and Androl. I LOVED their storylines! I too wish they'd been expanded. Heck, I could read a whole book about the adventures of Pevara and Androl!

-----------------------------


Chongjasamine, where are you at now in the book, can I ask? Are you still loving it?

 

[chongjasmine]

I am currently at the scene where Mat and Tuon meet up with each other, and the gray man was targeting Tuon's life.

And I am still enjoying the book.

 

[Erin99]

Woooo! That's a great scene - and there's still so much left to come! Can't wait to hear your thoughts at the end, if you want (no pressure!).

 

[Brian G Turner]

Modern words like "strike team", "command centre" and "homey" should not be in the WoT.

I'm really surprised these got through. Doesn't he have a team of beta-readers?

 

[Erin99]

Funny you should ask that; he's got a huuuge reader base, as far as I know. Unless he had to cut down because of the secrecy surrounding the WoT?

Either way, I was shocked those words made it through. I've noticed that Branderson has a thing for "homey" - he's used it a couple of times already in the book I'm reading, Elantris. There, it's fine to use, but in Jordan's world...


And, Brian!!! You're as bad as HB! I hope you haven't spoilered yourself out in case you ever DO read the series! I've said it a gazillion times, but it's VERY worth a read. An exercise in what to do right, and an exercise in what not to do. (But you knew that already, since I preach it until the cows turn blue in the face. )

 

[Brian G Turner]

I agree that the first 50 pages of Eye of the World are superb, and that Jordan is a master wordsmith - but I just couldn't get into his storytelling. Funnily enough I feel the same with GRRM. Maybe it's an epic epics thing?

 

[Erin99]

But - but - you're writing an epic! (Says me. I put down GRRM a long while ago, and I really should try it again. I even had some problems with Rothfuss, although I WILL pick up book two one day, cos I need to know what happens!)

I agree that the first 50 pages of Eye of the World are superb, and that Jordan is a master wordsmith - but I just couldn't get into his storytelling.

Heh, you and me both. I read to the end of Eye and took a year to pick up the next. I only did it to stop Seph from bugging me, tbh. But everything changed, plotwise and actionwise, in book two, and it quickly became one of my favourite books, shortly followed by being my favourite series while reading books three, four, and - especially - five. Even Hoopy's still reading the series!

It's great, with its mix of real-world inspirations such as kabbalah, Odin, the Green Man, etc., and there are even some locations based on real-world settings: the Stone of Tear is based on the Phoenician city of Tyre in present day Lebanon, only conquered by Alexander the Great. And some names are borrowed from Arthurian, Norse, Hindu, and Irish mythology. Even the Dark One, Shai'tan is based from the Jinn Shaitan, of Islamic religion. It's all so clever and interesting! And well-plotted, except for one slow part.

 

[Brian G Turner]

But - but - you're writing an epic!

I know, but I'm staying firmly focused on a small number of characters throughout it. I find too many epics tell a story about a world, rather than people. If I have to look online or in an index for what something means or who someone is, then I didn't care enough about it in the first place.

Shai'tan

So far as I understand it, this is from the Hebrew name for "Satan" as well. Though in that tradition, Satan is more like a prosecutor than anything else.

 

[chongjasmine]

Woooo! That's a great scene - and there's still so much left to come! Can't wait to hear your thoughts at the end, if you want (no pressure!).

I am a slow reader. It will take awhile before I finish the book.

 

[Erin99]

I know, but I'm staying firmly focused on a small number of characters throughout it. I find too many epics tell a story about a world, rather than people. If I have to look online or in an index for what something means or who someone is, then I didn't care enough about it in the first place.

Ah, I see. Yeah, for me a story is made or broken on the strength of its characters. Why would I read about people I dislike? The same is true for any genre, not just epic. It just so happens that in epic, you have an epic scope as well - lots of races, places, peoples, and battles. Saying that, I can be bored by a book that has interesting characters doing very little. Balance balance balance!

And as much as some people say that the WoT has too big a cast list, I disagree; it's focused mainly on the group you met in book one, who grow and become so much more over the series (though I suppose you could say it's a slow growth; the series is 14 books after all!). The huge cast list comes from side characters, and it's okay if you don't remember who they are. Anyway, as the primary characters meet others, occasional others will become lead POVs as well - but 9/10 of the series is about those we've grown to love. That's what makes it, for me, the closeness.

If I can stray off topic, what types of characters do you have in your series? A broad range from different countries/cities? Street urchins, noblemen, thieves, and the like, to give a broad view of society and how they interact? (That's the way I've chosen, plus an Earth girl, since there's a sort-of portal involved.)

Btw, I've been meaning to direct you to this series, since I think I remember your series involving a time portal: The Many-Coloured Land: Saga of the Exiles: Book One: Saga of the Exiles: Book One. Trade Paperback Saga of the Exiles 1: Amazon.co.uk: Julian May: Books. Each book is about humans from the future going back in time to different ages - and book two has aliens and a faction who wants to wipeout humans! Even though the books look awesome, I've not read them, but I saw the striking covers in my local Waterstones once and the synopsis made me think of yours (if I remembered correctly).

So far as I understand it, this is from the Hebrew name for "Satan" as well. Though in that tradition, Satan is more like a prosecutor than anything else.

Yep. "Shaytan" or "Shaitan" (all Arabic) is derived from Hebrew "Satan", though I think Jordan chose the Arabic one so as not to give his series such a recognisable name. "Shaytan" means "whisperer" in Arabic, which I think suits Jordan's character more than Satan's verb-meaning would.

I am a slow reader. It will take awhile before I finish the book.

There's no rush. And like I say, you don't have to. I just love hearing others' opinions about the WoT.

 

[Brian G Turner]

If I can stray off topic, what types of characters do you have in your series? A broad range from different countries/cities? Street urchins, noblemen, thieves, and the like, to give a broad view of society and how they interact?

Oh, I already have too many characters so I'm trying to keep everything in check.

 

[Erin99]

Eep! I look over my post again, and I realise it could be taken badly. Why am I never aware of that until it's too late? I hope by now you know not to take anything I say badly, cos that is never my intention. I wasn't saying "Look what Jordan did. Now, how do your characters compare?" I was genuinely interested.

(I'm sure you know that wasn't my intention, but I apologise anyway.)

Anyway, yes! Most of the time I'm absolutely daunted by my cast list over the series. I dread how I'll cope with multiple plotlines and threads as things expand. I can barely keep up with remembering Seph's friends and family's names!

Good luck with yours.


And so I'm on topic: The final WoT book was awesomeness incarnate. I wish Jordan had lived to see his creation complete.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Eep! I look over my post again, and I realise it could be taken badly.

Pfft! Wasn't at all. I will still be counted among the greats. But Jordan has two decades head start on me.