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fairhairedwarrior's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Holy cow that ending…Robert Jordan does it again!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Gore
mattiedancer's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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
3.25
Writing: 3.5⭐️/5
Jordan has a vision for this novel, but this vision feels like it’s a bit surrounded by repetitive phrases and scenes. The writing itself is serviceable. It gets the job done, and is easy to read when it needs to be. But the overall impression of the writing is a bit unsubstantial. Apart from a few moments of truly good writing, the novel doesn’t shine in its prose. That being said, it also isn’t held back by its prose. It’s served by its prose: nothing more, nothing less.
Characters: 3.25⭐️/5
*Some Spoilers*
Where the first book truly drew me into the characters, this book offered a number of reasons to question their characterization. Min, for one, has a moment that seems completely out of character for her. Not to mention a lack of any growth towards many of the characters we grew to love in the first book. Plus, and I can’t emphasize this enough, we have the fridging of a minor character solely for the purpose of advancing Thom’s plot, which I must (and truly do) consider a cardinal writing sin. If I’m being honest, the only character who retained growth from my perspective was Nynaeve.
Plot: 3.25⭐️/5
I feel the plot of this book will be entirely necessary to the plot of the series. And yet, it left me with the same taste in my mouth as a filler episode of a sitcom. Much of the plot felt pulled at – lengthened where it wasn’t necessary – and padded with fluff. The truly adventurous or intriguing parts of the plot were quickly (and sometimes far too easily) resolved in order to advance the next section. Of course, all that being said, it’s not an unenjoyable read at all and did keep my interest, whether deserved or not.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Those who read book one of The Wheel of Time (The Eye of the World)
Content Warnings?
- Slavery, confinement, kidnapping, toxic relationships, toxic friendships, blood, gore, torture, abuse, child death, war, misogyny, sexism, death, murder, injury, injury detail, fire, emotional abuse, gaslighting,
Post-Reading Rating: 4.5⭐️/5
As much as parts of this book IRRITATED ME (hi, Rand), I am very excited to start the third one.
Final Rating: 3.25⭐️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Stalking
wogslandwriter's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? No
4.0
I love Matt Cauthon so much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore and Blood
Minor: Alcohol
pagesonfire's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Slavery, Violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Body horror and Torture
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
shlowee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Rand al'Thor!!!! Most favorite Average Guy of all time ❤️❤️❤️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Slavery, and Violence
Minor: Vomit and War
bluejay21's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Slavery
Moderate: Physical abuse, Torture, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
surdiablo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
I..
Flicker.
loved..
Flicker.
this..
Flicker.
book.
I was completely hooked from the beginning to the very end.(might be a slow start for some but I loved the anticipation).Turn of events in this book were much more intriguing than in the first. World building is amazing as usual, immersion is top-notch and the last couple of chapters brought me consistent goosebumps, especially the one named 'What Might Be'. Characters are still pretty much the same being obstinate or suspicious about everyone however, so if you were expecting them to change compared to how they were in the first, it won't happen, especially since the events take place soon after the first book. I didn't feel much drag except for a little in the middle where Rand gets (view spoiler) but we don't talk about that :D I just loved those final chapters so much that I don't care about any issues it had, but I have no doubt that this one improves upon the first book nonetheless.
Flicker.
loved..
Flicker.
this..
Flicker.
book.
I was completely hooked from the beginning to the very end.(might be a slow start for some but I loved the anticipation).Turn of events in this book were much more intriguing than in the first. World building is amazing as usual, immersion is top-notch and the last couple of chapters brought me consistent goosebumps, especially the one named 'What Might Be'. Characters are still pretty much the same being obstinate or suspicious about everyone however, so if you were expecting them to change compared to how they were in the first, it won't happen, especially since the events take place soon after the first book. I didn't feel much drag except for a little in the middle where Rand gets (view spoiler) but we don't talk about that :D I just loved those final chapters so much that I don't care about any issues it had, but I have no doubt that this one improves upon the first book nonetheless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Slavery, and Torture
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and War
shamciar's review against another edition
adventurous
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
Old review below. This book introduces the Seanchan, a large reason why I am DNFing this franchise. While I have seen many takes explaining their purpose, I personally cannot stomach them or bring myself to see "purpose" in why RJ wrote them in that way. I have also been spoiled on numerous things that I do not wish to RAFO just to see if there is any "proper" resolution on.
Again, much like the first book, I like the active subversion of the call to adventure with many of the main heroes rejecting or denying their role in things and many of their fears of being forced into those roles coming out. While it does use common fantasy tropes (dualities of light/dark, man/woman), I do like the consistent theme of happenstance that isn't actually happenstance and the inspiration drawn from various religion, mythology, and real-world events.
Again, much like the first book, I like the active subversion of the call to adventure with many of the main heroes rejecting or denying their role in things and many of their fears of being forced into those roles coming out. While it does use common fantasy tropes (dualities of light/dark, man/woman), I do like the consistent theme of happenstance that isn't actually happenstance and the inspiration drawn from various religion, mythology, and real-world events.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Slavery, Torture, and Trafficking
ariread's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The book really felt like a quest! There were so many events that were interesting and made me curious as to how it would result in the finale. The ending was really thrilling and made me excited for what is to come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Gore
Moderate: Slavery and Torture
razzberry_pi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Slavery, Violence, and Trafficking