Part 7 - Canned RandThis is a reread of the entire Wheel of Time so there’ll be spoilers for the whole series ahead.Well that was a real slog. If Fires of Heaven was brightened by the warm glow of nostalgia and affection I’d retained all these long years, Lord of Chaos increased the glow to a harsh and grating fluorescent flicker. Sure, Dumai Wells is a great sequence, possibly the high point of the series itself and I’ll go into more pointless detail on that later, but there is a TON of bullshit before that. Rereading this, as opposed to reading it for the first time, feels like several hundred pages of characters kicking their heels and wasting time before the Awesome Stuff starts happening in the last quarter. At least three quarters of this book feels like filler and silly nonsense.It starts off badly with a longass prologue. I actually lost my place about halfway through it. I was trying to remember where I was, chapter 2 or chapter 3, then I turned the page (or clicked the ‘next’ arrow anyway) and it said ‘Chapter One’ and I’m not going to lie, my heart sank a little bit. But, this is the life I chose.Then a lot of stuff happens without much actually happening. In my review for Fires of Heaven I said that the bloat was a part of Wheel of Time’s charm in a weird way, but man did that sentiment didn’t come back to bite me on the ass. Rand flits back and forth between Caemlyn and Cairhien about a dozen times for no discernible reason. Elayne and Nynaeve are keeping Moghedien as a prisoner - well, a slave, to be more accurate - for reasons that are unconvincing at best, and then get dispatched to Ebou Dar to search for a bowl - a storyline that will take multiple books to resolve. Strap yourselves in for that.. Mat is marching, involved in some intricate plan against Sammael that gets aborted on the flimsiest of pretexts, thereby ensuring that all the buildup to it is a complete waste of time. Mazrim Taim shows up and commences trying so hard to convince the reader that he is Demandred in disguise that there is absolutely no way he is actually Demandred in disguise. Egwene’s storyline is pretty cool - both her coming clean to the Wise Ones finally, and her rise to the Amyrlin Seat - but she also hooks up with Gawyn, who I remember liking back in the day, but this time around find extremely dumb and tiresome. Perrin and Faile reappear because, taveren I guess, and launch the absolute nonsense that is the Perrin-Faile-Berelain love triangle, a sub-plot that achieves the impossible in that it actually makes Faile WORSE. The Forsaken continue to hold their Bad Guy meetings where they snark back and forth at each other and don’t achieve a hell of a lot. Oh, and some of the dead Forsaken get resurrected. Because why wouldn’t you want to give Balthamel, who got killed by a TREE, another chance?I’m finding all the major characters borderline unlikeable at this point. They’re all just so petty and childish. The Perrin-Faile-Berelain “love triangle” (I don’t want to call it that because it isn’t a love triangle - Perrin shows absolutely zero interest in Berelain whatsoever) is the prime example of this, but all the other characters engage in similarly silly behaviour that usually doesn’t even come close to how actual human beings would behave. Some of this is a cumulative effect, I know, but I’m not trying to rate these books objectively and individually, and Lord of Chaos can’t really be looked at on it’s own anyway, as the majority of the storylines and subplots simple end arbitrarily, to be continued in the next instalment. It wasn’t all bad though. I always enjoy Pedron Niall, for example. Between him, the Shaido, the Elaida-led White Tower and the Seanchan, I wonder if the series might have been better served if the whole Shadow aspect was removed. The Forsaken are one dimensional, though entertaining in a Bond villain way, and the Trollocs, Myrdraal and so on very quickly ceased to be any sort of credible threat. The ‘normal’ human opponents that Rand faces are so much more interesting to me. I don’t know if Wheel of Time really would have worked without the looming threat of Tarmon Gaidon, but I’m weary enough of the Dark One and his cronies at this point to wonder. And to his credit, Jordan does abandon his tried-and-tested formula in Lord of Chaos. Not only are there no random Trolloc attacks, the book also doesn’t end with Rand smacking around one of the Forsaken. Instead, we get Dumai Wells, which is easily the best climax of the series to date, and almost saves the entire novel. Ashaman, Kill still sends a bit of a shiver down my spine. I just wish I didn’t have to wade through 800 pages of crap to get there.
Lord of Chaos is my sixth stop in the thirteen book re-read before January 8th's release of A Memory of Light. I really have little to say about the book at the moment because let's be honest, if you're up to this book and need a review to figure out if you should continue, you either don't have the heart to continue (it doesn't appeal to you) or you want to know whether you should skip this and move onto book seven. Because each of the books is more of the same, only when you've read one Wheel of Time book you haven't read them all, with each book varying slightly in readability, pacing and plotlines. However each book does have similar characters, tone and ideas so if you appreciate one book you should find yourself wanting to read through the series at least.What I will say is that Lord of Chaos is one of my preferred books in The Wheel of Time. A lot of ideas of great importance are introduced in the previous Fires of Heaven however that book has a lot less happening within it, proving to be more patchy. This novel takes the ideas in Fires of Heaven and does something crucial with them. Not only that but the pacing is perfect for the novel. I don't know many 1000 page novels that I've read in 24 hours (even if it was due to necessity that I finished this so quickly). If you've been reading up to here and liking it this is my encouragement to continue for more good things. Only be prepared that books 8,9 and 10 are around the corner... Two things about the World of the Wheel of Time that I find interesting:1. It really is a very matriarchal society in many ways. Yes there are patriarchal lands but most of the power seems to lie in the hands of women. Which I find interesting indeed. It's not your typical fantasy novel which are set in mostly patriarchal worlds (think Tolkien or G.R.R Martin). The hint exists that the world was once very much balanced between men and women but since the male power became tainted women gained the upper hand in terms of power. And in this novel in particular you see a lot of associated themes rise to the surface. Particularly the struggle for men to gain power in this world and for women to maintain power. I see this series as Jordan subtly suggesting that the ideal world would be one of balance and I certainly agree. I hear a lot of people suggesting (implied suggesting at least) that patriarchy should revert to matriarchy. I don't agree. I think we need a society which is more in equality for perfection. And I don't think we can gain it in this solid mortal environment since equality cannot be really grasped easily.2. The theme of reincarnation. I don't believe in reincarnation, however I find the use of it in fiction fascinating. I particularly like how it's tied to the concept of a wheel of time which goes round and round. This series suggests to me through its use of such concepts an idea I do believe in. That things which 'die' never truly die. Of course I believe human spirits pass on to an afterlife but what I'm talking about here is ideas. I believe old ideas and old concepts rise again and go in a kind of circle. I think many Roman civilisation concepts which we believe died have risen again within our current society. The idea of living lives of gluttony and excess for instance...
What do You think about Lord Of Chaos (1995)?
"The lions sing and the hills take flight. The moon by day, and the sun by night. Blind woman, deaf man, jackdaw fool. Let the Lord of Chaos rule."There is no going back. The Wheel of Time is now officially one of my favourite series of all time. At times while reading I got this weird, amazing feeling that only two other works of fantasy have given me before. There was something this sixth book had that took me over the edge and far down the other side. Or more specifically, something this book did not have.This series has in my eyes had two huge problems barring it from a place among the very best fantasy epics out there. First, that the plot development is so slow it sometimes feels like watching the grass grow. Second, that the protagonists are the most frustrating, stupid, stubborn, arrogant idiots you’ll ever find in any series. And thanks be to some miracle, that second issue seems to have evaporated into thin air. While reading this book I found myself loving Mat and Egwene, feeling positively indifferent towards most of the others, and actually starting to like even Rand himself.And when you have an absodamnlutely amazing series and take away its single biggest problem, you’re left with… well, an absodamnlutely amazing series. Slow plot development or no, without the horrible characters that sometimes made me want to throw these books in the closest wall, I am truly able to appreciate the epic work of a man whom I would now describe as the best fantasy writer and world-builder since Tolkien himself.This was not the best Wheel of Time book so far, but it deserves all the stars simply for turning me into an adoring fan. And sure… tons of political intrigue, Forsaken point-of-view chapters, a Whitecloak actually being bloody awesome, and a return to the eerily wonderful Shadar Logoth; it all did help.Damn, I love this.
—Markus
What can I say? I see that many people who have read some of the books in this 'Wheel of Time' series, and even those who have read them all, hate many of the books, particularly after Book Five, 'The Fires of Heaven'. However, I am not only thrilled by how this book ended, in fact, the entire novel entertained me; but then, I enjoy the characters and their heroic (and admittedly drawn-out) adventures and their fantasy world, but the ending was HUGE (also a pattern for each book). Plus, there are a lot of interesting threads dangling, cliffhangers all.Whatever I say in particular about the plot of this one book in the series will either be confusing or maybe, disagreeable. 'Lord of Chaos' is Book six. It absolutely cannot be read as standalone. The previous five books MUST be read first. I will make a few comments....The plots of each book remind me a great deal of how both 'The Iliad' and 'The Odyssey' by Homer are constructed, except the prose is modernized and the myths are mashed up and revised (recycling repeatedly in each book) per Robert Jordon's requirements for his continuing and linked novels. Jordon also throws in the kitchen sink along with every stick of furniture that is behind every real world religious or hero myth which he manages to reference obliquely in his Wheel world. The good guys are fighting for the freedom of the small folk to live ordinary (and cramped village or aristocratic) lives, while the bad guys are struggling to free the Dark One from his chains, imprisoned by the Creator. If this sounds like some theological premise, it truly is not so much 'The Book' religiosity as it is Norse or Greek mythology (currently Marvel's 'The Avengers' comic heroes actually come closest), with Buddhist seasonings - except 'the Creator' (whether he was a Zeus, Buddha or God) does not seem to put in any kind of appearance or advice, while the Dark One and his minions, 'The Forsaken' are running loose and spreading corruption, sadism, enslavement and death wherever they take over a town or city or country by whatever sneaky means available to them. Some of the good guys and the bad guys are able to 'channel' the Power (kind of a Star Wars-like universal Force) which the strongest channelers can wield as if it were a laser weapon on their good days (or simply a way to wash dishes). There are all kinds of arcane and dumb rules which if not followed can hurt or kill the channeler, but every book with magic involved I've ever read usually means the good magicians seem to live short dramatic lives of warfare protecting the ordinary citizens who either plow the fields or live in castles. This WOT world embraces all of the rules about the glory and agony of having inborn magical glands.Honestly, I wonder if we ordinary folk are worth the sacrifice, but maybe that is just me being antisocial again...Ever present are operatic-soap slapstick as well as Grand Opera moments, with humor and pathos and drama and war and love (actually, if there is a grievous fault running throughout the writing of every book, it is the extremely unbelievable and silly scenes of childish sexual love between the many various heterosexual pairs and bondings).
—aPriL does feral sometimes
This book contains much more different point of views than the first five; we even get to see the inner thoughts of some of the Forsaken. Each POV usually contributes to a different plot, subplot, or thread which makes a really complex overall story, so if you thought the one in the first five books was way too simple (I am kidding), this book really makes matters much more complex. This is also the point where the number of named characters became too great for all of them to be in the glossary at the end.As usual to avoid the spoilers I will give the analysis of the character development and my thoughts about them. Any mention of the plot at this time would be a spoiler.The Dragon Reborn himself is an interesting study about his true identity. Is he really reborn, reincarnated or his own person completely independent from Lews Therin? Do not expect an easy answer to this question.Rand spends most of his time jumping between Caemlin and Caerhien while trying to hold the throne of the first until Elaine comes back, but she is not a big hurry to do it; I will comment on her later.Perrin finally shows up, but I am sorry to say he is reduced from a person to a rug by Faile who firmly guides him. He has his brief moment of glory by the end of the book, but even then the scene is stolen by other characters.Mat is interesting, as usual. His plot line makes an interesting and unexpected turn by the middle of the book. The way he gets treated by Wonder Girls (Nynaeve, Elaine, and Egwene) is inexcusable. Rand uses him as well, but at least he realizes it and feels regret doing this; most of the time he really does not have a choice. The Wonder Girls (ab)use his without a second thought.Nynaeve at least has decency to avoid Mat most of the time. She also begins to shine as a healer who can hold on her own even compared to the great healers from the Age of Legends. She is directly responsible for one of the most emotional part of the book.Anybody with the last name Trankand should be shot with belfire - simple as that with Galad being one possible exception: his is not in this book. Morgaise betrayed her kingdom - yes, what she did was a betrayal regardless of what her motivations were. Elaine does not care about her kingdom much as well: she prefers Aes Sedai intrigues to going back to her throne which Rand has real troubles holding for her. Do not even let me start on Gawyn, he moved to bad guys' camp in my book and firmly rooted in there.The book is interesting and good enough to warrant easy 4 stars. The reason for 5 star rating? Two words: Dumai's Wells. This has got to be one of the most memorable battles in fantasy literature with even more exciting and interesting aftermath. This also happens to be the last book of the series which deserves five stars before the infamous slowdown; a must-read. This review is a copy/paste of my BoolLikes one: http://gene.booklikes.com/post/753100...
—Evgeny
