andrewacashner's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
kelseyjac24's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookshelf_from_mars's review
adventurous
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
jordantanguay's review against another edition
4.0
Robert Jordan thankfully steps out of the shadow of Tolkien to reveal a more unique vision of his world in part two of this saga. Here we are able to explore a more dangerous world, not just because of Darkfriends and Trollocs etc. but because of the political machinations of its government institutions and religions. The world itself is expanded with the arrival of two new civilizations that blow the map wide open from end to end.
The tone for much of the series is set up here with different groups of our heroes thrown about disparate corners of the land, traveling from point a to point b with no shortage of adventure and intrigue in-between. This, for me, substantially quickened the pacing even though the sights we behold in this volume are somewhat less fantastical.
My second read (or listen this time) of this volume surprised me in Jordan's characterization of women. Their squabbling persists, but I found so many of their musings on men cathartic. Jordan, despite some shakily rendered conversations and blocking, has written some strong ladies with individual motivations that impact the world around them. In comparison to the men, who seem to reluctantly stumble into every situation, these women move and actively drive much of the plot.
A bone to pick: Jordan neglects to give us any insight into the Forsaken, Aginor and Balthamel, the two big baddies that literally JUST made an appearance at the end of volume 1. I think this precludes a general trouble we experience throughout the series, in that Jordan has a hard time giving us a clear picture of his villains. The laws and rules that govern their existence, how they move about the world, their motivations, how the Bore works, are Ba'alzamon and the Dark One the same entity--all of this is vaguely hinted at, shrouded in mystery, draped in secrecy, all forbidden and foreboding etc. What we are left with, that they are well... just VERY EVIL, is good enough to keep the wheel turning I guess. We wouldn't want to know too much about the big bad guys, and a lot of this information is dispensed in later volumes, but I think not being able to really grasp the villains becomes frustrating through the endless unfolding of Jordan's vast world and all of its players. This ends up becoming a problem for me too with the Children of the Light, their various plots and the characters leading them become confusing to keep ahold of in-between our heroes' exploits. For that matter we don't get any more word on Someshta, the Green Man and the Eye of the World, the grand mythical place that figured so prominently in the last adventure.
I've already hopped on the wheel for round 3/14, absolutely love the audiobooks, see you soon!
The tone for much of the series is set up here with different groups of our heroes thrown about disparate corners of the land, traveling from point a to point b with no shortage of adventure and intrigue in-between. This, for me, substantially quickened the pacing even though the sights we behold in this volume are somewhat less fantastical.
My second read (or listen this time) of this volume surprised me in Jordan's characterization of women. Their squabbling persists, but I found so many of their musings on men cathartic. Jordan, despite some shakily rendered conversations and blocking, has written some strong ladies with individual motivations that impact the world around them. In comparison to the men, who seem to reluctantly stumble into every situation, these women move and actively drive much of the plot.
A bone to pick: Jordan neglects to give us any insight into the Forsaken, Aginor and Balthamel, the two big baddies that literally JUST made an appearance at the end of volume 1. I think this precludes a general trouble we experience throughout the series, in that Jordan has a hard time giving us a clear picture of his villains. The laws and rules that govern their existence, how they move about the world, their motivations, how the Bore works, are Ba'alzamon and the Dark One the same entity--all of this is vaguely hinted at, shrouded in mystery, draped in secrecy, all forbidden and foreboding etc. What we are left with, that they are well... just VERY EVIL, is good enough to keep the wheel turning I guess. We wouldn't want to know too much about the big bad guys, and a lot of this information is dispensed in later volumes, but I think not being able to really grasp the villains becomes frustrating through the endless unfolding of Jordan's vast world and all of its players. This ends up becoming a problem for me too with the Children of the Light, their various plots and the characters leading them become confusing to keep ahold of in-between our heroes' exploits. For that matter we don't get any more word on Someshta, the Green Man and the Eye of the World, the grand mythical place that figured so prominently in the last adventure.
I've already hopped on the wheel for round 3/14, absolutely love the audiobooks, see you soon!
beata's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
allysunsun's review against another edition
5.0
I'm starting to feel bad for Rand, the last bit about all of the threads attached to him was rough.
alexhempstxck's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'm really enjoying this series and think the female characters are written really well but not every woman Rand meets needs to fall in love with him. Please Rob, no more.
pharmdad2007's review against another edition
4.0
Even better than the first book! I really enjoyed the unfolding of plot elements and introduction of some new and (I'm sure) very important characters. I just don't see how this can keep going for 13 more book?!? But I guess I will find out!
neenor's review against another edition
5.0
Torn between 4 and 5 stars but it gets 5 in the end because I feel like this book really picked up the pace! And the ending?! Everything seemed to be happening at once! The stakes have definitely been raised, so I’m excited to read The Dragon Reborn.