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georgiatheperson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual content
mattiedancer's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Writing: 3⭐️/5
On one hand, Jordan knows he’s writing books that are very long and people may need reminders of certain things. On the other hand, Jordan’s repetitive phrases and facts really, really exhaust me (if Nynaeve tugs on her hair one more time…). All in all, the book is serviceable to the plot, demonstrating great control at times, and at others lacking a certain something something.
Characters: 3.5⭐️/5
*Some Spoilers*
I am incredibly torn. Nynaeve and Mat continue to grow as characters, fleshing out their flaws and motives to be truly interesting characters. Rand even offers some growth – even if it is foul and unhealthy at times – with his passages becoming more unhinged, but also more interesting. However, it feels like we get a huge step back with Perrin, who reads during much of this novel like a carbon copy of Book-Two Rand. So much so that I wonder if Jordan knew how to make Perrin have an internal struggle that different from Rands. Egwene as well begins to act like a petulant child in a way that felt unnatural and unsmooth. I will say that at the end of the day, the characters are still fascinating and kept me reading.
Plot: 3.75⭐️/5
*Some Spoilers*
We have a couple illegal tropes to charge Jordan with, mainly the “Adults are Useless” trope. I found it incredibly hard to believe that the Amyrlin Seat would have encouraged three untrained Accepted Aes Sedai students to chase after the Black Ajah with little thought to how untrained they are. Other than that though, I didn’t have a huge problem with any of the overarching plot. In comparison to the previous book, I thought this felt less stuffed with fluff. I enjoyed the traveling, I enjoyed the switching perspectives, and I enjoyed the pace (mostly).
Who Should Read This Book?
- Those who read book one and two of The Wheel of Time (The Eye of the World)
Content Warnings?
- Confinement, kidnapping, toxic relationships, toxic friendships, blood, gore, abuse, war, misogyny, sexism, death, murder, injury, injury detail, fire, emotional abuse, gaslighting, mentions of slavery,
Post-Reading Rating: 4.5⭐️/5
Oh, I am worried for Faile.
Final Rating: 3.5⭐️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Slavery
tiana_king's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Slavery, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death and Torture
emtees's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.75
This is probably the weakest point of the series for me. For the third time, our main cast separates for different adventures at the beginning of the book, only to be drawn back together for a big conflict at the end. The repetitive structure of the series becomes noticeable at this point, which drives out a lot of the tension. Luckily, since this is a reread, I know that will change with the next book, but I found myself mostly wanting to rush through this one so I could get to book 4, one of my favorites.
Which isn’t to say there aren’t good elements to this book. The decision to keep Rand, our nominal protagonist, mostly off-page, was a brilliant choice that lets the other main characters come into their own and sells the idea that this is much more of an ensemble story than the blurbs would lead you to believe. The slower pace (seriously, almost nothing happens until very late in the story) allows for some strong character development. Perrin and Egwene, two of my favorites, benefit most, as you see the way the experiences and traumas they’ve undergone shape the way they’ve changed. (Well, and Mat; this is the point where Mat becomes a fan-favorite character, a development you’ll either cheer or find extremely contrived. Take your pick.). A couple of my favorite new characters are introduced, and as always, Jordan does a brilliant job introducing new settings and cultures as our characters travel all over the continent on their various quests. Also, Egwene’s Accepted test which is one of my favorite sequences in the whole series.
But overall, this one seems to mostly be there to make time until we get to the climax and the whole series finally kicks into high gear.
Which isn’t to say there aren’t good elements to this book. The decision to keep Rand, our nominal protagonist, mostly off-page, was a brilliant choice that lets the other main characters come into their own and sells the idea that this is much more of an ensemble story than the blurbs would lead you to believe. The slower pace (seriously, almost nothing happens until very late in the story) allows for some strong character development. Perrin and Egwene, two of my favorites, benefit most, as you see the way the experiences and traumas they’ve undergone shape the way they’ve changed. (Well, and Mat; this is the point where Mat becomes a fan-favorite character, a development you’ll either cheer or find extremely contrived. Take your pick.). A couple of my favorite new characters are introduced, and as always, Jordan does a brilliant job introducing new settings and cultures as our characters travel all over the continent on their various quests. Also,
But overall, this one seems to mostly be there to make time until we get to the climax and the whole series finally kicks into high gear.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror, Mental illness, and Slavery
Fantasy mental illness: Some horror elements
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