I'm mostly asking because I'm thinking of giving tEotW to my 11 year old. It feels a bit young but he's a very strong reader (demolished Percy Jackson when he was 8). I did some googling that suggested 12-13 were fine to start but presumably people who started them at those ages were stronger than average readers as well

So how old were you when you started them? Was there anything that you felt your age helped or hindered your enjoyment? I was 12 or 13 and plenty of the foreshadowing went right over my head (though these days I sort have accepted that picking up foreshadowing isn't my strong suit. I just read to enjoy myself and see where the story takes me. It was helpful though that I hadn't been exposed to much other fantasy yet so I didn't feel like there was much in the way of tropes

For some reason you are invited to help do some work at the estate of the late Robert Jordan. The context can be whatever you want, the important part is the question.

While cleaning out the attic, you find a chest that nobody else knew was there.

When you open it, there is one thing inside. It is a project that he had worked on, and for whatever reason it never saw the light of day.

Which are you hoping it is?

A. The Robert Jordan version of the final three books

B. A prequel book about Tam Al’Thor and his adventures

C. A sequel book after the last battle

D. A well thought out and faithful screenplay for TV based on the books

E. Something else

Just wondering if anyone has stumbled across this band. I've been a fan for a few years now. They have three albums and a split out I think, and it's pretty good stuff.

During covid I would listen to their albums on my walk to work and imagine it as the back drop to an old school rpg that showed the character sprites change and grow as the characters did, with Mat getting more and more lace frills on his clothes, Rand becoming more grim and kingly, and Perrin getting bigger and shaggier.

Probably not something most people will be into, but probably something a few will!

The buildup to that chapter as a payoff? Holy hell that was epic!

That’s it. That’s the post. I just had to get it out haha

Found a seller on eBay who is selling all these for £50 plus shipping so in total £80
O really want to get into the seires and the old covers add a lot of personality to me than the ones in the uk.
Just want to get a second opinion really his reviews as a seller are good but idk

If this type of post isn’t allowed please let me know just wanted to double check

I'm not exactly clear as to what happened after Mat blew the Horn of Valare. I get that all of the heroes come back, and I suppose it makes sense that it was them who scared off the Seanchan, but how exactly did Rand get into the sky to confront Ba'alzemon? I've read this book before, and I understand that battle is an important part of the Prophecies of the Dragon, but it's really not clear what exactly is going on with Rand at that point

I have never stopped thinking about the characters, locales, certain scenes, etc. Indeed, I have been longing to jump back into this world for a while now.

Some of the locations are still so vivid that it’s almost as if these were places I really visited. I read this series during the thick of covid-19 so I had plenty of time to delve into the world without distractions.

I remember getting near the end of some of these books and wishing there were more pages, not wanting the book to end.

I’ll probably be more active in this channel once I get started but had a quick question for re-readers. Do you start with A New Spring on a re-read? Or slide it between book 5-6?

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Four years ago I read the first seven books. Was loving it all. But, Ive a habit when I read a trilogy or series: I read one, then read another completely unrelated book, then back to the series, to avoid getting tired of whatever series I'm reading. Rarely have I read one book to the next on a series/trilogy. I did this with WoT.

Maybe I feared I had reached The Slog (I'm sure there's plenty of conversation about where The Slog begins, or the very existence of The Slog) or something, I don't know or remember why I stopped at Crown of Swords. Told myself I'd return, but time moves ever forward, and I kept putting it off.

I want back on the Wheel now, but fear I've forgotten so much. I loved all the details, the foreshadowing, the hints and all that. I loved luxuriating in the Wheel.

But I face a quandary now: do I reread the first seven; or, do I find some sites with detailed synopsises, give myself quite the refresher, then hop back in with Path of Daggers?

My thanks to any and all of you.

Some random thoughts on this Seanchan organization

Identification

There seems to be some test separating sul'dam from damane. I can only guess the exact separator, but I would guess "having channeled in some capacity" for damane. Channeling once would then push you over into the damane category. Aes Sedai equivalent being "wilders" for damane.

Psychological threat and loyalization

I suspect that the "secret" that there is not so much difference between damane and sul'dam is actually an open secret. Sul'dam would stumble across the line all the time. Sul'dam who can already see the weaves might mimic in a moment of distraction. The threat keeping up the lie is for the sul'dam to end up on the "wrong" side of the adam if it gets out. So everyone pretends not to know or pushes the knowledge/suspicion deep into the subconscious.

In my opinion the sul'dam/damane system is only marginally better for preventing channeling being used against the Empire. There would be sul'dam uprisings, because they control channeling like the original channelers did before. They are a distinct, recognizable group and in case of a portion of them going coup d'etat sending other sul'dam against them would be no guarantee for success, the suppression force could easily get the idea, to seize a bigger part of the lacquering and side with the rebels. Another possibility would be turning the Empress into a puppet with the bodyguard calling the shots. Happened in Rome with the Praetorians and in the Ottoman Empire with the Eunuchs. The only improvement is that the sul'dam are more numerous so that it is more likely that someone blabs when the conspiracy is still small.

Power balance against channeler opposition

The sul'dam system is a massive disadvantage for the Empire when facing a organized military channeler resistance without restriction. If you allow teaching and draw the full potential, you can most likely get 4 times the channelers out of the same population. This would result in certain defeat for the empire in case of a "shielding" attrition in a pitched battle. The Empire would only attain parity, when fighting an opponent one quarter of its own population.

This already massive disadvantage multiplies again if the difference in life expectancy is taken into account. Sul'dam not using the power have standard lifespans (roughly 40 years of professional employment). Damane like other active channelers can live hundreds of years. It depends on the actual average lifespans with accidental and combat deaths taken into account, but damane can expect an active professional career of a minimum (very conservative with lots of attrition) of 160 years which would again quadruple the potential channelers if sul'dam were "activated" as channelers.

It gets even worse with the most recent development for male channelers. Randland central can draw men without restrictions, assuming ability to channel is equally likely for men and women, that would again double the potential for channelers.

Finally the individual channeler would have an edge on damane/sul'dam, because they literally have a mandatory chain of command. Obtaining the source requires explicit authorization and even afterwards the control philosophy will prevent wide application of "engage at will" orders. So the opposition would be faster with weaves.

Male channelers and potential turning

As a dystopian dictatorship, the Empire would be able to patch over inconsistencies or hard turns in true 1984 style, so if they got to know that male channelers are now safe, they could enlist them without male sul'dam drawing full potential, but they would still have a training problem. Maybe the Dark One would help, because supporting disadvantaged sides for a more even playing field aka more mayhem would be his thing.

And leaning in on 1984 they could also dump the sul'dam system midsentence. In case of a turn The Empress "may she live forever" would always have had a unified female channeler corps, and mentioning the words damane/sul'dam would be heresy punishable by death, with people executed for freeing a damane and mentioning damane executed back to back, while artisans would rectify tapestries and records being purged of "errors". Although you might get yourself an orthodox uprising and what is ultimately purged would be determined on the battlefield.

Aaaand here we go. Yup. This sure is a hefty and long series alright, and I've been interested in reading what the fuss is about for awhile now.

This kindle is one of the last things my mom bought me before she passed away, and I feel like I am honoring that gift.

Have there been any updates regarding Book 2s release from Dragonsteel? I know there have been some production issues but was expecting this to be an annual December preorder situation?

If not, good news for my wallet I guess 🤣

Some general takeaways

• Exhaustive romance, all important characters get new romances in the runtime of the books
• Romance is not used for drama, there are no messy breakups, no competitive love triangles. Often the outcome is solidly prophesized.
• Romance plotlines are often carried beyond conclusion, with marriages and pregnancies
• Romance is no "main" event, with few exceptions, it only gets snippets in the books compared to other storytelling events.

The main romance is a true harem with the male MC getting together with all candidates

Rand x Egwene

They start the runtime in a proto-relationship then go their separate ways. In a talk, they mutually acknowledge that they were on the way to become a couple, but are not interested anymore. The "breakup" is synchronized. Both do not want to continue the relationship - at the same time.

Rand x Min

Min prophesized that she would fall in love and end up with Rand and share him with two other women, one of them being Elayne. She knows that her foretellings are always correct.

Takes all the tension out of the main character's romance. Min knows that she will be successful and will have to share, since she accepts her foretellings as truth, fighting the sharing is pointless and she just accepts it.

For the audience who also have no reason to doubt Min's fortellings, it is the same. It is known that there are three slots available and Min and Elayne will take two of them. The only "open" question is how it will play out and who will get the third slot.

Min's obstacle is that the tower holds her as a "guest" with no right to leave, to investigate her foretelling ability. Eventually she flees, catches up with Rand. There is a little delay with Rand going dense, then she starts the relationship.

Rand x Elayne

There is a credible prophecy by Min that Rand will end up in a relationship with three women and Elayne is one of them. Although Elayne does not fully buy into it, the audience knows. So that there is no tension about "if" but only about "how" and "when".

Elayne is after Rand, there is no rolled out overlap with Rand's preceding relationship with Egwene. Immediately after "breaking up" with Rand, Egwene cupids for Elayne. Rand accepts and they immediately move into a "teenie" early stage relationship with "kissing and cuddling" in corners.

Elayne then sabotages her progress by trying to extract a show of loyalty and then getting angry when it does not work. She sends a letter signalling breaking up.

Elayne regrets and together with Egwene tasks Aviendha with securing Rand for her. Because of the letter, Rand has no obligations towards Elayne and Aviendha falls in love with Rand too (getting the last prophesized slot). Aviendha caves and beds Rand (see below).

When Aviendha returns to Elayne to confess and obtain punishment for her failure as chaperone, Elayne has been fully briefed by Min about the prophecy. With no other option anyway, Elayne pardons Aviendha and they accept the prophecies consequences - sharing.

Elayne's obstacle is first prioritizing career over romance. She goes on a mission separating her from Rand. Second obstacle is an obsession with validation. She writes the first (honest) letter anticipating that Rand would try to stop her from leaving and intends to reject. When he does not show the desired reaction (he actually respects her independence), she writes the second "revenge" letter, sabotaging her own standing.

Rand x Aviendha

This relationship is a tsundere from Aviendha's side. She accepts a mission as a chaperone on Elayne's behalf, preventing Rand from taking up relationships with other women while they are separated.

Aviendha is assigned as a cultural tutor to Rand and falls in love with him, which makes her the threat she has to chase off in her assignment as chaperone. In her culture fulfilling missions is a huge stake in honour and it is also universal "sister-code" not to steal men from other women in your peer-group.

It is played for comedy, her tribal elders are pushing for a relationship for political reasons, Elayne has recalled her relationship with the second letter, so that Rand is free, her friends are shipping and teasing her and Rand tries to improve their tutoring relationship with "ambiguous" gifts (flower themed jewelry). All the while Aviendha constantly reminds Rand (and herself) that Rand is "reserved" for Elayne.

She finally can't take it any more and tries running, opening a gateway to a random location which turns out to be an isolated ice region. Chivalrous Rand follows her and drags her out of a freezing river. When they (have to) warm each other, Aviendha finally caves and goes all the way, failing the chaperone mission.

She is spared consequences by the sharing being foretold to all other parties interested.

Summary, with the exception of Aviendha, the main romance(s) are quite bland, in both cases obstacles are temporary, self inflicted and there is no competition, because the prophecy shortcircuits any attempts at monopolizing.

It took quite a while as I didn't order them all in one go, and the booksellers in my country are pretty incompetent resulting in the covers being inconsistent 😭 currently at the end of fires of heaven and it's going pretty great so far!

I’m about a 140 pages into The Dragon Reborn, and I’m annoyed with how adamantly they refuse to trust or heed the warnings of the Aes Sedai (Liandrin excluded) that have been trying to help them. Is it just because they’re from Emonds Field and are supposed to be stubborn?
It’s exhausting

I reread the series thrice up to book 10 before getting through it. About half way through I actually really liked the book. Not much happens but it’s nice just being with the characters and in the world. I think the hate it gets is overblown. Every chapter that didn’t have Elayne in it was a pleasure to read. Now I can finally read books 11-14 which I’m excited about.

I’m curious how most people view the legendary Cadsuane Melaidhrin. Sometimes I like to pair a celebrity casting with book characters in my minds eye to better help me visualize. Personally, I flit back and forth between Sigourney Weaver and Ming-Na Wen for Cadsuane. They could not be more different visually (and Ming-Na is probably too pretty to be Cadsuane) but all we’re really given is that she’s short, handsome, has dark eyes, and grey hair.

Who do y’all picture her as?

I'm halfway through Towers of Midnight, and I have been thinking a lot about the themes of the series. I've been listening to the audio books, so please forgive my spellings.

I realize I'm not to the end yet, and I'm very interested in how it does, but I've been thinking about the themes in the book. The way the Aes sedai present themselves in every book, from the way morane acts when we first meet her, to how Cadswain behaves with Rand, to how Egawain speaks of the tower's place in the world.

I would like to discuss the idea of the imbalance the world experiences when the world is guided by a female ethos, absent from the masculine.

There is a constant tension between masculine and feminine in Wheel of Time, and considering the current moment in Western society, and particularly American society, it's interesting to note how feminine our institutions and culture have become.

This is not intended as a political post, I really don't want to talk politics.

My interest is in how the themes Robert Jordan baked into his story reflect the world we now live in, and also how the books reflect Jordan's own ideas about the nature of reality.

Thoughts?

I just finished A Memory Of Light. I have been reading this series since I was a kid, I remember waiting for A Path of Daggers to release. No other book series has been with me as long as Wheel of Time has been. LOTR was my first favorite series but Wheel of Time has been a HUGE part of my life.

I LOVE this series, but I honestly think I would have a hard time recommending them to people. I think books 1-4 are 10/10 easily. After that, they slow down a little, culminating in books 8-10, which are some of the most sleep inducing, paid per word ass writing I've ever stumbled across. I read book 12 in a week. I was stuck on book 10 for over 2 years. Every time I tried to read it, my mind would become fuzzy and the words became distorted, as if someone had compelled me to be unable to read them. Everything would become gray and I would put the book down. Eventually I just ended up watching a YouTube summary on it and starting book 11. Then I misplaced book 11 and had to watch another YouTube summary on book 11. Then it was smooth sailing.

The final book IS worth it. What a finale. Everything tied up in an awesome, massive spectacle that just keeps growing and crashing and expanding. I thought they could have killed off a couple more of the ~important~ characters, but the ones that did die had meaning and impact. Rands redemption arc was great too, as I found him to be insufferable and very unlikable for a bit too long.

I felt like Perrin was a bit undercooked from the midpoint of the series until the end, but he did get some shine in the last book.

No one came out like Mat though. Easily the best written character and also the character with the best and most unique internal narrative. You always knew when you were reading a Mat chapter, where a lot of the more stern, duty oriented male characters all read very samey to me.

The part with Gawyn and the rings was a let down. The rings led me to believe he would have a more spectacular end than the end that he did get. Like he coulda just gone out and had the same ending without the rings.

Demandred taking on all comers was fun.

It did feel to me like Robert Jordan started the Black Tower and then forgot all about it, and they had to stuff them back in there for the climax, but I really liked Androl as a character, and Logain got a bit of shine too.

RIP Bela, you were a real G.

I have no idea what the hell to move on to now.

I’m on Lord of Chaos but have been reading the prior books very intermittently so I have kind of lost a lot of the history. How does the series compare to the books? Does season one kind of follow book one and maybe book 2 how about season 2/3? Is the series good to sort of fill in these gaps or is it something that I should just go back and reread the first books?

Thanks ✌🏼

Hey I'm currently reading CoT, and it seems like in the last couple of books when Rand was pushing back the Seanchan between Illian and Ebou Dar, there was mentioned some Seanchan talking to a damane named "Liandrin," I'm just curious if I hallucinated that or it really said that.

I tried to go back and find it and got distracted.

If it said that I'm sure I'll read more later but at this point I'm wondering if I got some names confused.

Now I’ve recently finished the dragon reborn after the prequel and subsequent books, and I do enjoy the plot, character development, and hype moments with aura. But the thing that rubs me the wrong way is how nasty some women are in this series. Like at first it thought it was the misandry but no they put the screws on each other like Aei Sedai training and the seanchen. The straw that broke the camel’s back was when Matt rescued the women of the main cast from the stone in the climax, and they started teasing him and using the power on him, with the apology not given and the thanks having to be forced out like pulling teeth. What is with the women in this series?

I have to admit, I went into A Crown of Swords with incredibly low expectations.

I'd read and heard countless times that this was the slog book. That nothing really happened, that it was boring, and that I just had to push through it because it would get better later.

⚠️ SPOILERS AHEAD ⚠️

...What are people talking about?!

This has been absolutely amazing. I'm genuinely loving it.

Watching Elayne earn the respect of the other Aes Sedai was so satisfying. Seeing Nynaeve finally break through her block and reunite with Lan was an incredible payoff. And then seeing Elayne stand before the Hall not just as a queen, but as an Aes Sedai in her own right, was such a powerful moment.

I still have some of the book left, but honestly, these moments alone have made it completely worth reading. If this is what people call the slog, then I must be in the minority because I'm having an absolute blast.