This book derives strength from its narrative, and unfortunately not from the quality of its writing. Lots of main plot lines are wrapping up in the big consolidation leading towards the last battle. Some of these involve emotional, moving moments for main characters - Aviendha's discovery of the fate of the Aiel , for example - that really intensify the drama. In this way, this book contains some great nuggets, being the resolution to 13 books' worth of conflict. In other ways, this book is still hampered with bad writing and unconvincing character motivations. Mat goes through an uncharacteristically unselfish rescue operation without a good personal motive. Rand continues to degrade into a bland, omniscient Jesus character. Lots of modernisms slip into the language of the narrator, breaking the mood.The one character that flourishes under Sanderson is Perrin. The wolf dream conflict comes to a satisfying conclusion despite an unsatisfying combat with Slayer, and Perrin' actions make the most sense, considering his long-standing sense of duty and loyalty.Just one more book! Well, I promised a comprehensive summary of the series at the end. I've finished the series, and wow. Because I can't really talk about too much without giving spoilers, I will mention that I loved the series - it got a little dry in the middle section of books and returned to amazing action in the final three or four. I didn't really notice a change in the authors at all, it remained the same style. I also liked how well everything seemed to be incorporated. Small decisions in the middle books all came into play in the ending. I really do recommend this series, although it is an enormous investment - probably if you're a fast reader you could get through them all in roughly 100-120 hours of reading. That's a lot! So if you want to commit to it, it's a worthy series. Also, enjoy the ride.****SPOILERS AFTER THIS POINT****OK, I don't have the ability to summarize everything I'd like to say quickly, and I don't know how much time I can dedicate to this review, so I'll hit the most important impressions that I had in bullet-list fashion.- I loved how many different threads went on during the story. In book 9 or 10, there were so many stories happening simultaneously and I loved them all. I was disappointed when a chapter would end and it would move onto a new character, but then in that chapter I was always excited to hear what was about to happen in that scene. It was incredibly engaging in that way. What I didn't enjoy was how they all seemed to wrap up at about the same time. I wish the action had been more separate. At least that's how it felt to me at the time. I realize that everyone had to be pretty much on the same page for the final battle, but I feel it could have been done differently without being as choppy and seeming forced.- The characters and their development were amazing. I really enjoyed how Rand, Perrin, and Mat changed and matured into their appropriate roles. It really provided an excellent way of showing how experience, others close to us, circumstances and pressure, and our own interior shape our persons.- I enjoyed that the author was not afraid to let someone die, even though it was incredibly depressing that it was Egwene who sacrificed herself. She went through so much strife and agony and never got to reap the rewards of her labors - a tragic story when I would have preferred hers to be uplifting. Personal preference though - I can appreciate the true sacrifice that was involved and was hers in the end.- I liked the comparison between the Forsaken and the "good guys." The small battles between the M'hael and Egwene, the duels between Demandred and the "three swordsmen," the mind games played between Demandred and Mat, and the various smaller breakdowns in the final battle. It really brought to a head all of the work that everyone did and how important each of their roles was.- Some things were dwelt upon far too much while others got little mention. Ex: Elayne's takeover of her kingdom was a long and drawn out process, as was Perrin's rescue of his wife. Whereas the Prophet's fall was swift, as was the appearance of Loial at the end and the rescue of Moiraine. Some of these happened way too fast or easily and seemed without struggle - all together too awkward for me at times.- The best part by far of the series was the lore and the world itself. The concept of two differing forces wielded by men and women and their interaction was phenomenally explained. The dream world was also well thought out and any discoveries were a huge surprise for me and seemed to be to the characters themselves as well. Notions of travelling, undoing gentling, creation of angreal, the Horn of of Valere, various things that escalated action very naturally and were also fascinating. My favorite part was the battle in the dream world where the Wise Ones were able to control their environment and eventually Egwene and Perrin learned to do the same. Absolutely great writing and an amazing notion.- The journey itself was better than the ending. I fell in love with the characters and now I wish there were more. I want to know how things end up. Does the Seanchan empire fall apart once they are forced to learn that their sul-dam's can channel? What happens with the relationship between the Kin and the White Tower now that Egwene isn't there? What about the relationship between the White and Black Towers? There is so much potential there - I am sad that it's over now.So much more to say, but I can't spend all my time writing reviews. Favorite books were the first few and the last few. I wish I could reread everything and enjoy it anew. I guess I'll either need to find other books about this world or discover a new one. Always more to read.
What do You think about Towers Of Midnight (2010)?
The entire course of reading this book I have been having a debate with myself. The debate has been over if I truly like this book, or not.From the beginning to about 51% through, I was bored and really wanted to almost quit the book. I was fully convinced that Sanderson was dragging things out just because he was having as much trouble tying things up as his predecessor did. However, once I passed that 51% marker, things got so exciting and started moving at such a blinding pace I could not stop reading!At about 78% of my way through, I was upset, the whole point of this series was to go to the last battle. This is the second to last book, and still at 78% nobody seemed close to going. Then BAM, everybody is moving their armies and using the word "tomorrow" to describe the event of the last battle. Literally. "It starts tomorrow morning" is what they were (pretty much) saying. It seems like it was all rushed. But, I also liked the characters and the stories. It just, did not feel right, and I have trouble telling myself the years of reading these books has been worth it. Even though I cannot wait to open up the final volume when I get home tonight.So, my personal rating off of how much I want the next book would be 4-5 stars.But how I feel this book went and how well it was written. 2-3 stars.How I feel this book is compared to the others in the series. 3-4 Stars.How I feel this book compares to other works of Sanderson's. 2-3 Stars.As you can see. I clearly don't know how to rate this book. Its frustrating in its set up, but when has Wheel of Time not been frustrating? So, 4 stars. Just because at the end of the book, I can say I liked reading it.
—kitty
The entire course of reading this book I have been having a debate with myself. The debate has been over if I truly like this book, or not.From the beginning to about 51% through, I was bored and really wanted to almost quit the book. I was fully convinced that Sanderson was dragging things out just because he was having as much trouble tying things up as his predecessor did. However, once I passed that 51% marker, things got so exciting and started moving at such a blinding pace I could not stop reading!At about 78% of my way through, I was upset, the whole point of this series was to go to the last battle. This is the second to last book, and still at 78% nobody seemed close to going. Then BAM, everybody is moving their armies and using the word "tomorrow" to describe the event of the last battle. Literally. "It starts tomorrow morning" is what they were (pretty much) saying. It seems like it was all rushed. But, I also liked the characters and the stories. It just, did not feel right, and I have trouble telling myself the years of reading these books has been worth it. Even though I cannot wait to open up the final volume when I get home tonight.So, my personal rating off of how much I want the next book would be 4-5 stars.But how I feel this book went and how well it was written. 2-3 stars.How I feel this book is compared to the others in the series. 3-4 Stars.How I feel this book compares to other works of Sanderson's. 2-3 Stars.As you can see. I clearly don't know how to rate this book. Its frustrating in its set up, but when has Wheel of Time not been frustrating? So, 4 stars. Just because at the end of the book, I can say I liked reading it.
—ShadowAngel96
Awesome book, finally explaining most threads of the story.
—candres1
Nice buildup and believable push towards the end-game.
—Angel
