The Knife of Dreams Book 11 of the Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
The Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan
Fantasy
Reviewing Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series is not an easy thing to do for a lot of reasons. First of all, they are huge. They probably average 800 pages or so and that makes getting through the books a battle of attrition. 2nd of all, I am biased becuase of how much I love them. This is not a universal feeling since most people either really like, or really dislike the series. It seems the most angst I have heard about the novels come from women. Not really sure there is any correlation to that, but it is worth noting. Lastly, he has passed away and the last book is being written by an author named Brandon Sanderson (I have not read anything of his yet.
I did just find out that the last novel is being split up into three novels. The first one, The Gathering Storm is coming out this November and the last two are coming out in Nov of 2011 and 2012. Hmmmm.
Anyways, on to the book!
What to say? The biggest problem with the most recent books is that they felt somewhat like filler novels. Leading you to what was going to happen, but not really doing much. This is the complaint I have heard about some of those that have read them. I agree with this up to a point.
For the things that happend in this book. There was defiantely quite a bit.
-Mat finally marries Tuon and becomes the Prince of Ravens. I have enjoyed their banter and Mat in general. He is the reluctant hero and I have always enjoyed him trying to avoid that.
-Perrin rescues Faile. You knew this would happen, but what I did not see coming (way back when) was how ruthless he can be. It should not be that shocking since he has the whole "wolf" thing. They can be very brutal when they need to be. But a deal with the Seanchan? Wow.
-Rand gets hurt and loses his left hand. He makes a "deal" with Lews Therin for cooperation and agrees to let them both die at the Last Battle.
-Ewene gets captured and is held prisoner by Elaida and the White Tower. Yet, she hs grown so much and her training with the Aiel have made her able to withstand it.
-Elayne has to fight off attempts from those trying to sieze the throne.
Overall, I really enjoyed the action of this novel. I love Rand, Perrin, AND Mat. I always have. They have grown so much and continue to do so. They are heading towards the end and I am afraid of them dying. Yes, I am a bit invested at this point. This was Robert Jordan's last novel before he died, and he did the series justice. There is so much going on, but you can feel they are leading up to the end now.
What I don't like.
Do the women in this series ever learn from anything? Elayne keeps getting in over her head and never listens to anyone. Especially her Warder Birgette. It makes my head hurt. Nynaeve has always annoyed me and I would not be upset if she fell along the wayside. That is how irritating she is. They are so arrogant because they are Aes Sedai and make the same mistakes over and over again, mostly due to pride.
Questions I have.
Will Mat run into the Golem again? How will his marriage with Tuon change things?
Will Mat be able to rescue Morraine?
What will Perrin do with the Seanchan now?
What about Mazrim Taim?
How will Rand deal with theloss of his arm? And the knowledge that his mental affliction may kill him?
Can he learn enough to find laughter or destroy everything?
What is Egwene going to do while captured by the White Tower? Can they avoid bloodshed?
Now that both sides of the Tower have bonded the Asha'man, how will that effect things?
Fantasy
Reviewing Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series is not an easy thing to do for a lot of reasons. First of all, they are huge. They probably average 800 pages or so and that makes getting through the books a battle of attrition. 2nd of all, I am biased becuase of how much I love them. This is not a universal feeling since most people either really like, or really dislike the series. It seems the most angst I have heard about the novels come from women. Not really sure there is any correlation to that, but it is worth noting. Lastly, he has passed away and the last book is being written by an author named Brandon Sanderson (I have not read anything of his yet.
I did just find out that the last novel is being split up into three novels. The first one, The Gathering Storm is coming out this November and the last two are coming out in Nov of 2011 and 2012. Hmmmm.
Anyways, on to the book!
What to say? The biggest problem with the most recent books is that they felt somewhat like filler novels. Leading you to what was going to happen, but not really doing much. This is the complaint I have heard about some of those that have read them. I agree with this up to a point.
For the things that happend in this book. There was defiantely quite a bit.
-Mat finally marries Tuon and becomes the Prince of Ravens. I have enjoyed their banter and Mat in general. He is the reluctant hero and I have always enjoyed him trying to avoid that.
-Perrin rescues Faile. You knew this would happen, but what I did not see coming (way back when) was how ruthless he can be. It should not be that shocking since he has the whole "wolf" thing. They can be very brutal when they need to be. But a deal with the Seanchan? Wow.
-Rand gets hurt and loses his left hand. He makes a "deal" with Lews Therin for cooperation and agrees to let them both die at the Last Battle.
-Ewene gets captured and is held prisoner by Elaida and the White Tower. Yet, she hs grown so much and her training with the Aiel have made her able to withstand it.
-Elayne has to fight off attempts from those trying to sieze the throne.
Overall, I really enjoyed the action of this novel. I love Rand, Perrin, AND Mat. I always have. They have grown so much and continue to do so. They are heading towards the end and I am afraid of them dying. Yes, I am a bit invested at this point. This was Robert Jordan's last novel before he died, and he did the series justice. There is so much going on, but you can feel they are leading up to the end now.
What I don't like.
Do the women in this series ever learn from anything? Elayne keeps getting in over her head and never listens to anyone. Especially her Warder Birgette. It makes my head hurt. Nynaeve has always annoyed me and I would not be upset if she fell along the wayside. That is how irritating she is. They are so arrogant because they are Aes Sedai and make the same mistakes over and over again, mostly due to pride.
Questions I have.
Will Mat run into the Golem again? How will his marriage with Tuon change things?
Will Mat be able to rescue Morraine?
What will Perrin do with the Seanchan now?
What about Mazrim Taim?
How will Rand deal with theloss of his arm? And the knowledge that his mental affliction may kill him?
Can he learn enough to find laughter or destroy everything?
What is Egwene going to do while captured by the White Tower? Can they avoid bloodshed?
Now that both sides of the Tower have bonded the Asha'man, how will that effect things?