So, before anything else. First things first, YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! WE ARE OUT OF THE SLUMP!!!!!!!!PRAISE THE LORD, THE BOOK DID ITI DIDN'T KNOW IT WOULD FEEL SO GOODBUT IT FELT EVEN BETTER THAN IT WAS POSSIBLE TO IMAGINE, I HAVE COME OUTTA THE OTHER SIDE STILL ALIVE The sweetness of victory and the bitterness of defeat are alike a knife of dreams All right, let us get down to it. Take a few deep breaths before I begin and waste a few characters on how shocked I am. The feeling that can be used to described this doesn't exist, but I will say a little anecdote. Since I am now commencing the B.S Trilogy, I am also approaching the end of the series. Now, I am much closer to the internet boom times so there are plenty of videos and articles concerning the last books. One of these articles is called "A Memory of Light delivers a better ending than Robert Jordan deserves". Now, this does not relate with this installment, but it does well in summarizing how I feel concerning this specific book. I was so messed up during the Slump Saga, just look at my Crossroads of Twilight and Winter's Heart reviews. Yet, this book turned it around from page 1. Knife of Dreams has also broken my personal record on how many notes I have written, which take up 68 lines. I haven't felt this good on a book since the first five in this series, but how well do I really like this installment? So, let's begin and discover the answer to what will definitely be a long review. 1. Fast-Pacing. Do you remember the first five books? Do you remember when things occurred in the span of 600-800 pages and as you closed the book thought how it was satisfying? Because this one does too thanks to its fast pacing and the cutting of tons of fluff. Although there are 50 pages of Elayne POV that could have certainly been cut it out in the 250-300 area, but the first 250 pages, PURE GOLD. 300 onward, PURE GOLD. There is infinitely less filler than in previous books. It makes me feel as though those damn editors finally sat down and decided to advise RJ what they should advised a while back, but now decided enough was enough. There was never a point, unlike in the Slump Saga, where I felt like skipping a chapter. Always did I find myself engrossed and amused or tense and excited. So, thank jesus. 2. The Prologue was good enough to give orgasms. Yes, you did read right. A problem that occurred often enough in nearly every book before this except the first five books, since they were short, was that they were too long and too boring. It felt perfectly fine to skip a tenth of the book because all of the useless POVs would be shoved into the prologue. Here, the prologue was 97 pages and believe me, my first thoughts were "Oh great, yet again I must go through this bullshit". However, the book began with a bang with Galad VS Eamon Valda. But, don't think that immediately sold me. No, it was the fact that the POV was 13 pages, quick and cleanly written slice of greatness. For the first time ever, a Galad POV was engaging. Then, we saw an Ituralde POV and I know what that would make you think, "Oh hell no, that dude from the Crossroads of Twilight POV, why!!!?" However, again, RJ comes on with that bitch slap in the face and shows how Ituralde is an excellent and intelligent general. We are shown this in again, a quick and clean slice of greatness, where he takes out a score of Seachan. Now, Ituralde has been developed into this awesome Domani general. After, Suroth POV where we are revealed she's Darkfriend and developed on Ituralde through her perspective. Also, SEMIRHAGE! Also, THE EMPIRE IS DESTROYED! Then, Tower POVs which before would make me cringe and think "DAMMIT!" But no, development and insight into how broken the White Tower is. People are afraid of being assaulted or roaming the halls in fear of other ajahs, by other sisters . That is so messed up! Then Perrin and Egwene POVs further develop their situations which will be expanded upon in their sections. Overall, maybe the best Prologue in the series to date. 3. Quick Side notes. At this point, some thoughts were how surprised I was that Berelain is a significant part of Perrin's POV and just in general, how she is still around. She has grown much since the beginning of Shadow Rising. Next, the possibility that there won't be that many new storylines by useless characters. It's possibly safe to say that era has ended. Also, the Sea Folk commit mass suicide! WTF! When they said at the end of Winter's Heart that the age of Illusions had come to an end, I did not expect that would be the result. Finally, Tam al'Thor cameo which is always nice to see. We finally see him discover that Rand is the Dragon Reborn. 4. Elayne's POV. Now, her POV wasn't bad but neither was it particularly great. It is definitely a significant improvement since previous installments, but there is still very little to make Elayne that much of an interesting character. I mean, I don't really care what happens to her. The Civil war storyline was a good storyline to use, but it just wasn't that juicy either. That's sort of a problem with her character in general, she has very much with Aviendha and Birgitte, sort of lost significance to me personally. "Stone cracks from a hard enough blow," Cadsuane said, her face an Aes Sedai mask of calm, "Steel shatters. The oak fights the wind and breaks. The willow bends where it musts and survives.""A willow won't win Tarmon Gai'don," Rand told her. (Chapter 18, News for the Dragon) 5. Rand POV. The worst and the greatest is yet to come for Rand from what I presume and from what I have heard. His storyline doesn't close the book as was usual and neither does it lead the book. Rand is present and besides the battle at the manor, with the excellent Chapter 19 where we see Loial do....great stuff. Overall, he had a good enough presence in the book, but this certainly wasn't the Rand Book as it usually is. However, the following is a good paragraph from a Rand POV. "You must be in shock," Nynaeve said slowly. "You've just suffered a grievous injury. Rand. Maybe you'd better lie down. LordDavram, have one your men bring a saddle to put his feet up.""He's not in shock,' Min said sadly. The bond was full of sadness. She had taken hold of his arm as if to hold him up again. "He lost ahand, but there's nothing to do about it. so he's left it behind already.""Wool-headed fool.' Nynaeve muttered. Her hand, still smeared with Sandomere's blood, drifted toward the thick braid hanging overher shoulder, but she yanked it back down. "You've been hurt badly. It's all right to grieve. It's all right to feel stunned. It's normal!""I don't have time," he told her. Min's sadness threatened to overflow the bond. Light, he was all right! Why did she feel so sad?" (Chapter 27, A Plain Wooden Box) 6. Perrin POV Oh Perrin, how low you have fallen! You used to have interesting POVs, but now he is merely a step above Elayne. He just doesn't hold that much interest. Finally, he has regained custody of Faile, odd way of saying that. Takes out a lot of the Shaido, and the Shaido run away. "I'll mark you down for midday again, since I know you have no intention ofcurtsying." The faintest hint of resignation tinged her voice. 7. Egwene POV. EGWENE!!! Never before have I loved this character as much as I do now. In the span of 40 pages, in the greatest chapter of the book and one of the best in the whole series, she goes from Elayne level to Rand level. The brilliance of Chapter 24 is multiple factors. We see the White Tower on sight and how messed it is. Also, we see characters establishing their relationship with Egwene. Then the brilliance kicks in. In the span of 40 pages, we see the White Tower first-hand, Egwene is treated like shit by other novices, by Accepted and Aes Sedai, and she is taking for penance multiple times a day. Simultaneously, we see her refuse to be broken, resilient in pursuing her plans, she acts out and refuses to be treated like dog shit. Not only is Egwene a strong character in terms of sheer power in Saidar, she is a strong enough character to where her presence and demeanor is as strong if not stronger than Siuan Sanche at the beginning of the series. We see her at her prime, and the best part is seeing the rise and fall of others' hostility. By the end of the chapter, Egwene has made a traitor submit and ask for forgiveness and set her plans in motion, we see Egwene's two Aes Sedai guards gain a sort of respect for her, and the other novices hold her in awe. In fact, the other novices go to her for advice on how to go about certain things or help on how to weave something. She is winning the war, even in her own imprisonment. Comparing Elaida and herself, she spreads seeds of doubt among the tower's residents and makes herself set out more as the True Amyrlin Seat. "I think I'll keep this as a memento," he said, rolling the fat gold coin across the back of his fingers."To remind me that even the luckiest man in the world can lose." 8. Mat POV. Without a doubt, this book is Egwene and Mat's book, leaning more on Mat. He spanks Joline and he discovers that Moiraine is still alive. Also that he, Thom, and one another are the ones who will save her. Likely, in Towers of Midnight. Although I was surprised that the letter to Thom was ALL about Mat. Besides, We see his relationship with Tuon develop and by the end of the installment, Mat is officially married! Tuon reminisces on the fact that Mat is in love with her and wonders if she herself can ever be in love. So, that says that there is still a ways to go before the relationship storyline can be wholly done with them parting ways, but still as spouses. Also, funny how he is technically a noble now even though he has time and time again said how he resents them. "What do you make of him?" she asked Karede once they were away from the soldiers and beginning to canter. There was no need tosay which "he" she meant."It is not my place to make judgments, High Lady," he said gravely. His head swivelled, keeping watch on the surrounding trees. "Iserve the Empire and the Empress, may she live forever.""As do we all, Banner-General. But I ask your judgment.""A good general. High Lady," he replied without hesitation. "Brave, but not overly brave. He won't get himself killed just to show howbrave he is, I think. And he is . . . adaptable. A man of many layers. And if you will forgive me, High Lady, a man in love with you. Isaw how he looked at you."In love with her? Perhaps. She thought she might be able to come to love him. Her mother had loved her father, it was said. And aman of many layers? 9. This book does capitalize on Mat's development as a character. In fact, it capitalizes on everyone's characters. Partially, this book really serves to make one reflect on how far we have come. Rand is a stone, the Dragon Reborn, and not the boy who conflicted with Moiraine when they left the Two Rivers; hell, he isn't the boy who made Moiraine be his lap dog in The Fires of Heaven. Mat isn't the complete goofball who was in denial and acted like a complete dumbass back in the first 6 books; he has found his groove, he is the general of the Band of the Red Hand, but from duty. Mat has gained their respect as a general, not through force, but by his victories and actions and he still strives to not have to deal with war and to find peace and solace. Perrin is not the totally peaceful boy, he is a wolf in manshape, he does what he has to do, no matter what. He is suspicious, he has plans, he has goals, and he has ways of getting there, but he has also made mistakes, as with Aram. Egwene isn't the girl who left Two Rivers, she is the Amyrlin Seat, she is unbreakable and she has a vision, she is powerful in saidar and in presence. Those are some examples of how far we have come. *SIDE NOTE: Mazrim Taim. Who the hell is he really? He says that cryptic phrase "Let the Lord of Chaos Rule" which I think Demandred says. Hmmmmm....In conclusion, Knife of Dreams is a perfect way for RJ to go. Thank him for all he has done and the world he has created as well as giving me a huge bitch slap in the face yet again and proving to me, making me remember, the brilliance in his writing and the pure skill of his storytelling. RIP Robert Jordan. + Fast-Paced+ Best Prologue Yet+ Transformation of Characters+ Chapter 24+ Egwene and Mat+ Climatic Feeling- ElayneBUY/RENT/SKIP: BUYFinal Score: 8.9 / 10Favorite Books from #1 to last The Great Hunt The Fires of Heaven The Eye of the WorldKnife of DreamsThe Shadow RisingThe Path of DaggersNew SpringA Crown of SwordsLord of ChaosThe Dragon RebornWinter's HeartCrossroads of Twilight
Finally! I don't remember when I started going through this series again, but I think it was last year sometime. It's taken me forever and I partially resent Robert Jordan for being so ridiculously prolific. It was like he was afraid to let it end. At this point, I'm really looking forward to finishing the series with Brandon Sanderson, who's not afraid to end a series. On my previous read-through, I think the last Wheel of Time book I finished was Lord of Chaos. That was several years ago and it was before any of the later books were complete. I thought I would wait to read more of the series as it came out until Jordan actually finished the series. That never happened, so when Sanderson took up where Jordan left off, I thought I would give it a last hurrah, knowing that Sanderson would definitely finish it. His other books are well done. Rest assured that though I haven't reviewed all the other books in the series, I did read them. There were some low moments during this jaunt and some high moments. I've had a few bones to pick with Jordan, but for the most part, I still have to recognize that he's got a mastery that no other author does. I've already begun the first Sanderson book of the series and while I think Sanderson is quite decent, I notice occasional slips that Jordan would never make. Minuscule things like saying "he sat atop his horse on top of a hill," which is pretty minor, but you can see that it's irritatingly repetitive. Jordan never made mistakes like that. Not that it's so much of a mistake. It's just a style choice, really, but Jordan didn't do those things. All in all, I know Sanderson will do a good job and he'll pace it at a better clip (one of the irritating problems with Jordan. He struggled to handle several strands of the story and keep the pace moving and satisfying). One thing that also began to bother me in this book was the continual references to "pillow-friends." Perhaps my memory is foggy, but these relationships were hardly mentioned in the previous books, and now, suddenly, in book #11, they're like everywhere. And they're accepted as rather normal among all the women. Egwene thinks to herself that Nicola and Areina are pillow-friends and she's just non-chalant about it. But I don't remember for a second the small-town Egwene ever really acknowledging these types of relationships much. So it strikes me as sort of out of nowhere that these are such a big part of the Tower. And yeah, it makes me uncomfortable, and slightly irritated that Jordan would pander to the male part of his audience but totally neglect the opposite deviation from the established norm (in the book) and include gay-male relationships. Of course, it makes sense. He's uncomfortable with gay men, but titillated by lesbian behavior. I thought better of him until I read a quote from his personal blog about pillow-friends where he essentially sounds like a dirty old man. Something along these lines, "pillow-friends are unique to tower society and they occur between the novices due to the hardships of tower-life....of course they get all hot and sweaty in the sheets too!" Or something disgusting like that. Thanks, Robert Jordan. Thanks. My main problem with it is the dirty old man feeling of it and the inequality of it. That bugs me. As well, at this point there's something totally absurd about the names of characters. Jordan apparently has NO PROBLEM distinguishing between a Falion and a Faolain. But as a reader, it's a bit frustrating to keep them straight, especially when they're mentioned so rarely and with so much time elapsing between each mention. He does it a lot too, with names. Often there will only be a letter placed differently or it will vary only slightly. And the glossary at the back of the book doesn't help much. For some reason, Jordan uses this glossary to explain things no one reading the series would ever need help with, like Aes Sedai or the Pattern. So it's comical in a way.BUT, all that said. It's still a masterpiece. It will just take a couple years of your life to complete, unless you're like my younger sister who devours books at an impossible pace.
What do You think about Knife Of Dreams (2006)?
I read the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan because both my husband and best friend had read them. The best friend highly encouraged me to read the books - my husband warned me off.The warning is not because the books are bad. The first few, actually, are very good. Great character development, interesting universe for those who love fantasy novels.The warning is because these books never, ever, ever are going to end. Ever.There are so far 12 books (including a prequel that came out somewhere between books 10 and 11). Each book is close to 1000 pages. I think the last six books have taken place over the book plot timeline of about a month. Seriously. One or two books may have only covered a day or two. No lie.The books start off with just 4-5 main characters...but over time I think there become closer to 20. And everyone rates their own storyline. As the books stand now, I think almost everyone is in a completely different country on a different mission. It can get confusing for those not quite looking for that sort of depth.Nonetheless...once you get far enough in the series you'll keep going. If for no other reason than you feel obligated. At this point, all those of us who've kept us are just praying that Robert Jordan doesn't die before finishing the series because there are so many plot lines left untied. For those serious about fantasy fiction, these books are somewhat of a right of passage. A necessary evil.
—Nicole
First of all, I'd like to clear up the misconception that the series is meant to be read all at once and even the terrible books are decent if you're not waiting a couple years for each one. I started reading the Wheel of Time in 2003, and for the first six books I ran out to get the sequel as soon as I finished the one before it. Well, then the books started to slow down, and I lost interest... finally, I realized I could skip #9-10 entirely, read online summaries, and continue to Knife of Dreams. While I re-engaged enough to continue for a bit, my experience is proof that having them all (well, the first 10 anyway) available at once doesn't solve Jordan's problems. Of course the wait time contributes to the irritation readers feel, but it doesn't cloud their judgment; the bad books are bad, whether you have to wait in between or not. Unfortunately, I would put Knife of Dreams into that category, although it is an improvement over, say, Path of Daggers. It is mildly entertaining. It's certainly readable. Occasionally things happen, although of course the book is divided between five major subplots (Rand, Mat, Perrin, Egwene, and Elayne, or six if you count Faile), interspersed with some minor ones as well, and so while they may resolve their private conflicts, it remains unclear why, say, Faile's capture and rescue or Elayne's gaining the Lion Throne is important in the great scheme of the series. Like in the previous tomes, scenes containing action are countered by the continuing focus on irrelevant power struggles between irrelevant female characters, complete with skirt-smoothing (elevated by Jordan to an infallible barometer of female agitation), arm-crossing (always "beneath her breasts" as if we were confused about where these crossed arms were going, above her head maybe) and spanking, of all things. The sad truth is that Jordan can't write political intrigue no matter how hard he tries. His strength is in action-adventure, which drew all of us in to the series in the first place but is sadly lacking here. Now let me add my voice to the chorus expressing disgust for Jordan's portrayal of women. They are all the same person, and not a likeable one at that. All she (meaning every woman in the book) seems to care about is garnering power and deference from others, and therefore every woman in the book spends most of her time trying to one-up every other woman in the book. Healthy relationships, among women or between men and women, are nonexistent (Elayne and Aviendha are as close as it gets, so of course Jordan separates them); instead we get "I care about this person, but he/she is so hard to deal with!" Endlessly. I'm beginning to suspect that Jordan actually created a matriarchal-type society to express his views on why (in his opinion) women are catty and incompetent and men should rule all. Not that his men do much better, of course, but at least they don't smooth their skirts. Then there is the continuing shallowness of all scenes featuring our supposed villains. I've come to dread these, because they boil down to one of two scenes: A) A baddie kowtows to a higher-ranking baddie, who in turn kowtows to an even higher-ranking one, and so forth up the line, with all conversations consisting of "Obey me or else!" "Y-y-yes, Master/Mistress. . . ." or B) A group of baddies gets together, apparently to plot or give progress reports, but it boils down to abovementioned one-upmanship, without having any effect on the plot. And the circus that seems to be going on inside the main characters' heads. I've read a fair bit of fantasy, and am used to telepathic communication and the like. But Jordan overdoes it. Let's take a look at Rand's head, for instance. First there's the insane Lews Therin (and another guy). Then there's the matter with seeing Mat and Perrin whenever he thinks about them (all three try to push these visions away rather than using them for anything useful). And then he's formed a partial mind-meld with FOUR different women. He and Min are now having bizarre interactions in which they don't say or do anything, just sort of toss emotions back and forth. Then of course there's Mat with his dice and other people's memories, and Perrin and his wolves and his constant, irritating "sniffing" of people's emotions. Any one of these elements would be standard for fantasy; ALL of them is overdone. We can't relate. Despite that whole mess, though (and numerous other weaknesses other reviewers have remarked on, and I will refrain from repeating), the book is worth reading if you're planning to see this epic through. Do what I did--skip #10 (maybe #8 or #9 as well), and get #11 from the library. In the meanwhile, read some GRR Martin and find out what REAL political intrigue looks like.
—Emma Deplores Goodreads Censorship
This book was not bad; I really liked some parts of it, and it gave me a bit more hope for the series in general. Some of my usual complaints are still valid in this book (as they have been in all previous, such as the nonsensical sexism, the schmaltzy middle-school romanticism, the completely unbelievable gestures/habits of characters, etc), but overall it is getting back on track. I really loved Egwene's storyline in this book; it was lovely seeing her character development in the face of huge challenges, and I liked her in this book more than I ever have before.I also really liked most of the storyline with Mat and Tuon, though there were parts of that which were eye-roll-inducing as well. Overall I rate this novel highly!
—Joey
