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mattiedancer's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Writing: 2⭐️/5
**SPOILERS**
This is a shorter book than several of the previous and yet it felt like one of the most tedious so far. Several times throughout the novel, Jordan would have paragraph-long descriptions that read like Wikipedia entries. Beyond the tedious sections, Jordan also left out most – if not all – of the most action-packed sequences in favour of revisiting them via flashback. Several times we join characters after something exciting happens, and are told about it in the character’s head, instead of just being allowed to experience the story altogether. This drew out the reading significantly. I will also never forgive RJ for not letting me see Nynaeve and Lan’s wedding.
I also, personally, felt the reluctance to say the word, “Rape” in rape scenes was a pointed choice that I don’t agree with. Also, knowing that RJ intended the Mat rape scene to be a “humourous role-reversal” really takes any unintentional realism he may have woven into that scene feel gross, unnecessary, and lacking compassion.
Characters: 2.25⭐️/5
Every RJ novel I read, I complain about how the characters never remain consistent. And, here we are again. At multiple instances, Elayne and Nynaeve’s names could have switched and it wouldn’t have mattered. In fact, the only characters who really retain their own personalities are Rand, Mat, and Perrin – though even they fluctuate to some extent.
The characters have such fantastic potential and yet they cannot seem to remain consistent long enough to meet that potential. And, though there are 2700 named characters throughout this series, several of the more minor characters feel so unimportant the only purpose they seem to serve is to make the plot more confusing and convoluted.
Plot: 3.0⭐️/5
The plot could have been more interesting, but there was no reason for anything to take as long as it did. This book – to achieve the necessary plot – could have lost a solid 100-200 pages and been a stronger, more interesting read. Some parts were definitely interesting, so elements were definitely engaging, but overall it fell kind of flat, and I spent most of the time wishing I got to see the fight between Perrin and Rand instead of two paragraphs on what a longboat is.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Those who read book one to five of The Wheel of Time and are able to overlook some misogyny
Content Warnings?
- Toxic relationships, blood, gore, abuse, domestic abuse, war, sexual assault, rape, toxic friendships, gaslighting, misogyny, sexism, death, murder, injury, injury detail, sexual harassment, emotional abuse, slavery,
Post-Reading Rating: 3.0⭐️/5
This one really didn’t have that amazing moment at the end. It was just okay.
Final Rating: 2.5⭐️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
smargopittman's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Stalking
athenathor's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, and Sexual harassment
espressoreader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
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
4.75
I loathe the Tylin. Vile creature.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and War
kisthebook's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
One of the best in the series. I have my issues with Matt’s story later in the book, but there is so much pay off to the set up of the earlier book here! I’m surprised this is considered the start of “The Slog”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Grief, and Colonisation
Minor: Fatphobia and Sexual assault
Sexual assault treated as joke because the inappropriate behavior and lack of consent is perpetrated by a woman to a man, and in the end is recontextualized as mutual consent but is not presented as that in the moment or for any discussion of the situation after until the very last interaction between the two characters. The worst part is it is all clearly supposed to be funny and it reads badly from a modern perspective.wishbea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Slavery
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Physical abuse
surdiablo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have finally entered the infamous slog phase and it wasn't as bad as I expected, although the plot does considerably slow down quite a bit, even more than previous books. While it still has some clever entertaining moments, there's definitely a lot more unnecessary meandering as well, which made it hard to push through sometimes. There's also the introduction of various new characters and while most of them are intriguing enough, it also became a bit harder in my experience to keep track of everyone and everything, especially if you are taking it slow. After the amazing ending of Lord of Chaos, this book felt like it's a step below its predecessors overall and the climax was rather anticlimactic. However Rand still remains my favorite character so far, as I look forward to read his chapters more than anyone else's. Mat is getting better each book, and others are also growing further, with the exception of Perrin who seems to be in stasis. There's also some questionable moments that might be uncomfortable to read, like what happens between Mat and Tylin .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, and Slavery
Moderate: Death and Sexual assault
katisreading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-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
4.5
The absolute ROLLER COASTER this book put me on…when I say there are major peaks and valleys in this installment of Wheel of Time, I mean it on multiple levels. Jordan once again postpones most of the action to right at the beginning and right at the end of the book. What else happens in the middle? Lots of discussion about clothes and cultures and architecture and squabbling. Nynaeve continues to annoy me, but we got soooo much Mat in this one, and I still love him to bits. There were some really sad and uncomfortable points in this book and I’m disappointed to hear that the fandom is split on how it’s portrayed in the books. BUT, the action, the twists, and the progression of all of the other storylines really made this an enjoyable book for me. All that to say…if a certain someone doesn’t come back after being squished by a wall, imma be mad. They deserve better than that! Also, Rand and his latest special someone made me squeal, love them together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Rape, Slavery, and Violence
mightyola's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Better than the previous book. Rand's storyline is still the least compelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Slavery
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
coco05's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Slavery