Showing posts with label Robert Jordan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Robert Jordan. Show all posts

Friday, May 30, 2014

A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson

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Title: A Memory of Light 
Author: Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson
Series: Wheel of Time (Book #14)
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Length: 909 pages
Published: 2013
Publisher: Tor Books
Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) Since 1990, when Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time® burst on the world with its first book, The Eye of the World, readers have been anticipating the final scenes of this extraordinary saga, which has sold over forty million copies in over thirty languages.

When Robert Jordan died in 2007, all feared that these concluding scenes would never be written. But working from notes and partials left by Jordan, established fantasy writer Brandon Sanderson stepped in to complete the masterwork. With The Gathering Storm (Book 12) and Towers of Midnight (Book 13) behind him, both of which were # 1 New York Times hardcover bestsellers, Sanderson now re-creates the vision that Robert Jordan left behind. 

Edited by Jordan’s widow, who edited all of Jordan’s books, A Memory of Light will delight, enthrall, and deeply satisfy all of Jordan’s legions of readers.

The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass.
What was, what will be, and what is,
may yet fall under the Shadow.
Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time.


My Review:
I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

I have been reading the Wheel of Time since I was in high school. I think this is one of the reasons why it took me so long to get around to reading the final book. I knew I was going to cry at the end when it was over. I knew I was going to feel like there was a hole left. I know this is a series that I will re-read in its entirety again someday. I grew up reading it, so it will always hold a special place in my heart. 

And I really did cry at the end, and in a couple of other spots throughout. This book was an emotional roller-coaster. It is literally one 900 page battle. The Last Battle is here, and the armies of the world are uniting to defeat the waves of Shadowspawn which are coming to destroy them. All of the chapters are short except one: the one where Rand finally steps in to battle with the Dark One. That chapter is nearly 200 pages long and it shows every important character as they struggle throughout the battle. I won't lie: people die. And not just nameless soldiers. I won't name names because I don't want to spoil anything. Just prepare yourself. It's not even obvious as to who dies. 

Probably the only negative thing about this book is that some characters are mentioned briefly during the fight but never mentioned again so you don't know if they survived or not. The Wheel of Time wiki goes under the assumption that unless it's specifically stated that someone has died, they managed to survive the Last Battle. 

The final volume of this series is one edge of your seat battle. I could not stop reading and hated putting it down for even a minute. 

You can purchase A Memory of Light through Amazon in hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read A Memory of Light? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson

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Title: Towers of Midnight 
Author: Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson
Series: Wheel of Time (Book #13)
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Length: 863 pages
Published: 2010
Publisher: Tor Books
Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) The end draws near....

The Last Battle has started. The seals on the Dark One’s prison are crumbling. The Pattern itself is unraveling, and the armies of the Shadow have begun to boil out of the Blight.

The sun has begun to set upon the Third Age.

Perrin Aybara is now hunted by specters from his past: Whitecloaks, a slayer of wolves, and the responsibilities of leadership. All the while, an unseen foe is slowly pulling a noose tight around his neck. To prevail, he must seek answers in Tel’aran’rhiod and find a way--at long last--to master the wolf within him or lose himself to it forever.

Meanwhile, Matrim Cauthon prepares for the most difficult challenge of his life. The creatures beyond the stone gateways--the Aelfinn and the Eelfinn--have confused him, taunted him, and left him hanged, his memory stuffed with bits and pieces of other men’s lives. He had hoped that his last confrontation with them would be the end of it, but the Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills. The time is coming when he will again have to dance with the Snakes and the Foxes, playing a game that cannot be won. The Tower of Ghenjei awaits, and its secrets will reveal the fate of a friend long lost.

This penultimate novel of Robert Jordan’s #1 New York Timesbestselling series--the second of three based on materials he left behind when he died in 2007--brings dramatic and compelling developments to many threads in the Pattern. The end draws near.

Dovie’andi se tovya sagain. It’s time to toss the dice. 

My Review:
I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

There are a few things to note about this book. Much of Perrin's storyline occurs before Tam is gathered up by the Aes Sedai to confront Rand. It's a little confusing at first as Sanderson went through and interjected a lot of stuff with Rand, Mat, Egwene, etc. which happened after the events in the final chapters of The Gathering Storm. Once you realize the fact that Perrin's storyline is a little bit off from the timeline of everything else, things make a lot more sense. 

A LOT happens in this book. As everyone prepares for the Last Battle and plans start coming together, a lot of little storylines start to be closed out. Everyone is gathering on the Fields of Merrilor while Lan gathers an army of Borderlanders and Malkieri at Tarwin's Gap. At the end, it seems the Last Battle has begun.

Next up, the final volume of the Wheel of Time series: A Memory of Light. I have not read this book yet, so I'm anxious to get through it, and also saddened that something I've been reading since high school has finally come to an end. (I'm pretty sure this is why I've waited so long to finally read this book.)

You can purchase Towers of Midnight through Amazon in hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read Towers of Midnight? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Friday, May 16, 2014

The Gathering Storm by Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson

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Title: The Gathering Storm
Author: Robert Jordan & Brandon Sanderson
Series: Wheel of Time (Book #12)
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Length: 783 pages
Published: 2009
Publisher: Tor Books
Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) Tarmon Gai’don, the Last Battle, looms. And mankind is not ready.

The final volume of the Wheel of Time, A Memory of Light, was partially written by Robert Jordan before his untimely passing in 2007. Brandon Sanderson, New York Times bestselling author of the Mistborn books, was chosen by Jordan’s editor---his wife, Harriet McDougal---to complete the final book. The scope and size of the volume was such that it could not be contained in a single book, and so Tor proudly presents The Gathering Storm as the first of three novels that will make up A Memory of Light. This short sequence will complete the struggle against the Shadow, bringing to a close a journey begun almost twenty years ago and marking the conclusion of the Wheel of Time, the preeminent fantasy epic of our era. 

In this epic novel, Robert Jordan’s international bestselling series begins its dramatic conclusion. Rand al’Thor, the Dragon Reborn, struggles to unite a fractured network of kingdoms and alliances in preparation for the Last Battle. As he attempts to halt the Seanchan encroachment northward---wishing he could form at least a temporary truce with the invaders---his allies watch in terror the shadow that seems to be growing within the heart of the Dragon Reborn himself.

Egwene al’Vere, the Amyrlin Seat of the rebel Aes Sedai, is a captive of the White Tower and subject to the whims of their tyrannical leader. As days tick toward the Seanchan attack she knows is imminent, Egwene works to hold together the disparate factions of Aes Sedai while providing leadership in the face of increasing uncertainty and despair. Her fight will prove the mettle of the Aes Sedai, and her conflict will decide the future of the White Tower---and possibly the world itself.

The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.

My Review:
I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

After Robert Jordan died in 2007, fans were left wondering if the series would ever be finished. His wife and editor, Harriet, worked with the publisher to find a suitable author to finish out the series. Jordan had provided his wife all of his notes, as well as a complete outline as to how the series ended. The team found Brandon Sanderson - a fantasy author who had a few books already published. Sanderson took Jordan's already finished scenes, notes, and outlines and filled in the gaps. What Jordan had originally promised was one more novel called A Memory of Light. What Sanderson found was too much story to be contained in one volume. Therefore, the book was split into three parts: The Gathering Storm, Towers of Midnight, and A Memory of Light. 

There are definitely times within this book that you can see Sanderson's writing style, however, it doesn't really detract from the story at all and melds pretty seamlessly with the scenes that had been completed by Jordan before his death. 

A lot happens in this book, which is why it's nearly 800 pages. There was a lot of closure with some events - chiefly major events surrounding Perrin, Egwene, and even Rand. There was also a lot of foreshadowing of events to come. There were a lot of hard decisions that had to be made by everyone. 

The fact that a lot of open events were granted closure, really made this book one of my favorites. 

Next up: Towers of Midnight.

You can purchase The Gathering Storm through Amazon in hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read The Gathering Storm? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Friday, May 9, 2014

Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan

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Title: Knife of Dreams
Author: Robert Jordan
Series: Wheel of Time (Book #11)
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Length: 784 pages
Published: 2005
Publisher: Tor Books
Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) The Wheel of Time turns, and Robert Jordan gives us the eleventh volume of his extraordinary masterwork of fantasy.The dead are walking, men die impossible deaths, and it seems as though reality itself has become unstable: All are signs of the imminence of Tarmon Gai'don, the Last Battle, when Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, must confront the Dark One as humanity's only hope. But Rand dares not fight until he possesses all the surviving seals on the Dark One's prison and has dealt with the Seanchan, who threaten to overrun all nations this side of the Aryth Ocean and increasingly seem too entrenched to be fought off. But his attempt to make a truce with the Seanchan is shadowed by treachery that may cost him everything. Whatever the price, though, he must have that truce. And he faces other dangers. There are those among the Forsaken who will go to any length to see him dead--and the Black Ajah is at his side....

Unbeknownst to Rand, Perrin has made his own truce with the Seanchan. It is a deal made with the Dark One, in his eyes, but he will do whatever is needed to rescue his wife, Faile, and destroy the Shaido who captured her. Among the Shaido, Faile works to free herself while hiding a secret that might give her her freedom or cause her destruction. And at a town called Malden, the Two Rivers longbow will be matched against Shaido spears.

Fleeing Ebou Dar through Seanchan-controlled Altara with the kidnapped Daughter of the Nine Moons, Mat attempts to court the woman to whom he is half-married, knowing that she will complete that ceremony eventually. But Tuon coolly leads him on a merry chase as he learns that even a gift can have deep significance among the Seanchan Blood and what he thinks he knows of women is not enough to save him. For reasons of her own, which she will not reveal until a time of her choosing, she has pledged not to escape, but Mat still sweats whenever there are Seanchan soldiers near. Then he learns that Tuon herself is in deadly danger from those very soldiers. To get her to safety, he must do what he hates worse than work....

In Caemlyn, Elayne fights to gain the Lion Throne while trying to avert what seems a certain civil war should she win the crown....

In the White Tower, Egwene struggles to undermine the sisters loyal to Elaida from within....

The winds of time have become a storm, and things that everyone believes are fixed in place forever are changing before their eyes. Even the White Tower itself is no longer a place of safety. Now Rand, Perrin and Mat, Egwene and Elayne, Nynaeve and Lan, and even Loial, must ride those storm winds, or the Dark One will triumph.

My Review:
I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

A lot happens in this volume. We get a few glimpses of Rand as he begins to prepare his armies for Tarmon Gai'don, but the majority of the story follows Mat's wooing of Tuon, Perrin's quest to save Faile, and Elayne's quest for the Black Ajah and the crown of Andor. There are a few chapters which follow the rebel Aes Sedai following Egwene's capture, as well as Egwene herself as she begins trying to fight the Tower from within.

We even get to witness the capture of another of the Forsaken. Only three more books left in the series, and I can't wait to finish them off.

Next up: The Gathering Storm.

You can purchase Knife of Dreams through Amazon in hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read Knife of Dreams? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Friday, May 2, 2014

Crossroads of Twilight by Robert Jordan

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Title: Crossroads of Twilight
Author: Robert Jordan
Series: Wheel of Time (Book #10)
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Length: 704 pages
Published: 2003
Publisher: Tor Books
Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) Fleeing from Ebou Dar with the kidnapped Daughter of the Nine Moons, whom he is fated to marry, Mat Cauthon learns that he can neither keep her nor let her go, not in safety for either of them, for both the Shadow and the might of the Seanchan Empire are in deadly pursuit.

Perrin Aybara seeks to free his wife, Faile, a captive of the Shaido, but his only hope may be an alliance with the enemy. Can he remain true to his friend Rand and to himself? For his love of Faile, Perrin is willing to sell his soul.

At Tar Valon, Egwene al'Vere, the young Amyrlin of the rebel Aes Sedai, lays siege to the heart of Aes Sedai power, but she must win quickly, with as little bloodshed as possible, for unless the Aes Sedai are reunited, only the male Asha'man will remain to defend the world against the Dark One, and nothing can hold the Asha'man themselves back from total power except the Aes Sedai and a unified White Tower.

In Andor, Elayne Trakland fights for the Lion Throne that is hers by right, but enemies and Darkfriends surround her, plotting her destruction. If she fails, Andor may fall to the Shadow, and the Dragon Reborn with it.

Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn himself, has cleansed the Dark One's taint from the male half of the True Source, and everything has changed. Yet nothing has, for only men who can channel believe that saidin is clean again, and a man who can channel is still hated and feared-even one prophesied to save the world. Now, Rand must gamble again, with himself at stake, and he cannot be sure which of his allies are really enemies.

My Review:
I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

Jordan used this book to cover what was going on with Mat since his escape from Ebou Dar, Perrin's quest for Faile and the Shaido Aiel that took her, the siege of Caemlyn, and what was happening in both the rebel Aes Sedai camp and the White Tower. Not much is shown of Rand, except towards the end where there is quite a bit of foreshadowing of what is to come in Knife of Dreams. 

Next up: Knife of Dreams.

You can purchase Crossroads of Twilight through Amazon in hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read Crossroads of Twilight? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Friday, April 25, 2014

Winter's Heart by Robert Jordan

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Title: Winter's Heart
Author: Robert Jordan
Series: Wheel of Time (Book #9)
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Length: 668 pages
Published: 2000
Publisher: Tor Books
Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) Rand is on the run with Min, and in Cairhein, Cadsuane is trying to figure out where he is headed. Rand's destination is, in fact, one she has never considered.

Mazrim Taim, leader of the Black Tower, is revealed to be a liar. But what is he up to?

Faile, with the Aiel Maidens, Bain and Chiad, and her companions, Queen Alliandre and Morgase, is prisoner of Savanna's sept.

Perrin is desperately searching for Faile. With Elyas Machera, Berelain, the Prophet and a very mixed "army" of disparate forces, he is moving through country rife with bandits and roving Seanchan. The Forsaken are ever more present, and united, and the man called Slayer stalks Tel'aran'rhiod and the wolfdream.

In Ebou Dar, the Seanchan princess known as Daughter of the Nine Moons arrives - and Mat, who had been recuperating in the Tarasin Palace, is introduced to her. Will the marriage that has been foretold come about?

There are neither beginnings or endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it is a beginning...

My Review:
I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

This one is a bit slow to start. At first we follow Perrin for a bit, as he learns that Faile has been captured. We also follow Elayne as she struggles to make Andor hers and take the throne that is hers by birthright. We also get to see (finally!) what has happened with Mat and how he manages to escape the Seanchan and Ebou Dar. We get to learn a little bit more about the Sea Folk, and we get to watch as Elayne and Aviendha finally adopt each other as first-sisters. 

Interspersed are a few chapters with Rand and Min, telling us just what they have been up to. It all comes together at the end, though, as the action suddenly picks up in an exciting battle against the Forsaken while both Rand and Nynaeve are incapacitated. Definitely an exciting addition to the series - especially considering what Rand manages to do by the end of the final chapter. I won't give that away - you'll have to read for yourself!

Next up: Crossroads of Twilight.

You can purchase Winter's Heart through Amazon in hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read Winter's Heart? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Saturday, April 19, 2014

The Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan

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Title: The Path of Daggers
Author: Robert Jordan
Series: Wheel of Time (Book #8)
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Length: 604 pages
Published: 1998
Publisher: Tor Books
Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) The phenomenal tale that is mesmerizing a generation of readers now continues.

The Seanchan invasion force is in possession of Ebou Dar. Nynaeve, Elayne, and Aviendha head for Caemlyn and Elayne's rightful throne, but on the way they discover an enemy much worse than the Seanchan.

In Illian, Rand vows to throw the Seanchan back as he did once before. But signs of madness are appearing among the Asha'man.

In Ghealdan, Perrin faces the intrigues of Whitecloaks, Seanchan invaders, the scattered Shaido Aiel, and the Prophet himself. Perrin's beloved wife, Faile, may pay with her life, and Perrin himself may have to destroy his soul to save her.

Meanwhile the rebel Aes Sedai under their young Amyrlin, Egwene al'Vere, face an army that intends to keep them away from the White Tower. But Egwene is determined to unseat the usurper Elaida and reunite the Aes Sedai. She does not yet understand the price that others - and she herself - will pay.

My Review:
I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

Mat is the character that's most absent throughout this book. He's mentioned a few times, but the reader is still left with the question of whether he survived having a building fall on top of him. Hopefully the next book will show us what has happened to Mat in Ebou Dar.

Most of the other main characters show up in this book. The absence of Mat just brings his plight that much more to the forefront, making the reader worry about his well being. (Or at least that's how I felt throughout the book!)

Rand takes his battle to the Seanchan. But while the Seanchan damane are late to join in the battle, the Asha'man have also had serious problems working saidin this close to Ebou Dar and where the Bowl of the Winds was used. 

The ending leaves Perrin's wife, Faile, in a dangerous situation - captive to the Shaido Aiel. 

Next up: Winter's Heart.

You can purchase The Path of Daggers through Amazon in hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read The Path of Daggers? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Friday, April 11, 2014

A Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan

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Title: A Crown of Swords
Author: Robert Jordan
Series: Wheel of Time (Book #7)
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Length: 684 pages
Published: 1996
Publisher: Tor Books
Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) In this volume, Elayne, Aviendha, and Mat come ever closer to the bowl ter'angreal that may reverse the world's endless heat wave and restore natural weather. Egwene begins to gather all manner of women who can channel - Sea Folk, Windfinders, Wise Ones, and some surprising others. And above all, Rand faces the dread Forsaken Sammael, in the shadows of Shadar Logoth, where the blood-hungry mist, Mashadar, waits for prey.

My Review:
I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

Picking up in the aftermath of Dumai's Wells, this volume adds in some new characters that can only be considered important to the story through the remainder of the series. While Rand deals with the aftermath of the events in Cairhien, Elayne and Nynaeve spend their days in frustration, searching for the Bowl of the Winds. Egwene has some struggles and some victories in her quest to get the Aes Sedai to treat her as more than a child. Perrin is sent away from Rand and Cairhien along with the Two Rivers men, the Mayeners, Aiel Wise Ones, Aes Sedai, and a pair of Asha'man. Supposedly, he is sent away in disgrace after a very public fight with Rand. 

Rand leaves the Bargain with the Sea Folk in Merana's hands, and nearly gets himself killed in the process when he visits the camp of some of his sworn enemies. 

This volume moved pretty quick. There was a lot of action and enough plots to follow and keep track of that events were not confusing, as some epic fantasy series can be. 

Next up: The Path of Daggers.

You can purchase A Crown of Swords through Amazon in hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read A Crown of Swords? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan

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Title: Lord of Chaos
Author: Robert Jordan
Series: Wheel of Time (Book #6)
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Length: 720 pages
Published: 1994
Publisher: Tor Books
Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) In this sequel to the phenomenal New York Times bestseller The Fires of Heaven, we plunge again into Robert Jordan's extraordinarily rich, totally unforgettable world: 

On the slopes of Shayol Ghul, the Myrddraal swords are forged, and the sky is not the sky of this world;

In Salidar the White Tower in exile prepares an embassy to Caemlyn, where Rand Al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, holds the throne - and where an unexpected visitor may change the world....

In Emond's Field, Perrin Goldeneyes, Lord of the Two Rivers, feels the pull of ta'veren to ta'veren and prepares to march....

Morgase of Caemlyn finds a most unexpected, and quite unwelcome, ally....And south lies Illian, where Sammael holds sway...

My Review:
I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

In this installment, the reader finds themselves all over the world, following several different characters. Finally, more is heard of from Perrin, whose voice was silent in The Fires of Heaven. There is a lot of heavy foreshadowing involved as Rand meets with the two different Aes Sedai emissaries; Elayne and Nynaeve seek the Bowl of the Winds, a ter'angreal that might be able to fix the weather; and Perrin feels Rand tugging at him and makes the decision to go to him. 

We also get to meet up with Min again, as she arrives in Caemlyn with the Salidar Aes Sedai. And we finally meet Mazrim Taim, the False Dragon who managed to escape and decided to come to Caemlyn for Rand's amnesty. There are also several chapters in Egwene's point of view, as she struggles to learn dreamwalking while being banned from the Dream by the Wise Ones (following the attack from Lanfear). Everything comes to a head in the final chapters at Dumai's Wells. 

There were definitely parts in this book that felt like nothing was going to happen. But there was nothing that was included that should have been left out. The action really picks up towards the end, leaving one breathless. 

Will Elayne and Nynaeve be successful in fixing the weather? Will Rand send Min away after the events of Dumai's Wells? Hopefully we'll get the answers in the next book: A Crown of Swords.

You can purchase Lord of Chaos through Amazon in hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read Lord of Chaos? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan

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Title: The Fires of Heaven
Author: Robert Jordan
Series: Wheel of Time (Book #5)
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Length: 704 pages
Published: 1993
Publisher: Tor Books
Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) In this sequel to the phenomenal New York Times bestseller The Shadow Rising, Robert Jordan again plunges us into his extraordinarily rich, totally unforgettable world:

...Into the forbidden city of Rhuidean, where Rand al'Thor, now the Dragon Reborn, must conceal his present endeavor from all about him, even Egwene and Moiraine.

...Into the Amyrlin's study in the White Tower, where the Amyrlin, Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan, is weaving new plans.

...Into the luxurious hidden chamber where the Forsaken Rahvin is meeting with three of his fellows to ensure their ultimate victory over the Dragon.

...Into the Queen's court in Caemlyn, where Morgase is curiously in thrall to the handsome Lord Gaebril.

For once the dragon walks the land, the fires of heaven fall where they will, until all men's lives are ablaze.

And in Shayol Ghul, the Dark One stirs...

My Review:
I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

Rand strives to be harder than stone as he moves the Aiel into Cairhien. He allows Moiraine to guide him after she vows to do as he says. She has her own secrets, things learned in Rhuidean, and she knows her time to help Rand is running short. 

Meanwhile Elayne and Nynaeve spend their days running from Tanchico and Moghedien, hiding out in a menagerie when they learn the White Tower seeks Elayne and that Elaida is now Amyrlin. Finally they seek Salidar but what they find there is not exactly what they were expecting. And they both know that they need to keep some secrets extremely close once in Salidar, because otherwise they could be severely punished. 

Min rides with Siuan, Leane, and Logain to the gathering of Blue sisters in Salidar. Only it's more than the Blues gathering there. Because of Siuan, Gareth Bryne ends up following them to Salidar and gets drafted by the Aes Sedai.

A lot happens in this installment, and every last bit of it is important. 

Next up in the series: Lord of Chaos.

You can purchase The Fires of Heaven through Amazon in hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read The Fires of Heaven? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Friday, March 7, 2014

The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan

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Title: The Shadow Rising
Author: Robert Jordan
Series: Wheel of Time (Book #4)
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Length: 915 pages
Published: 1992
Publisher: Tor Books
Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) The seals of Shayol Ghul are weak now, and the Dark One reaches out. The Shadow is rising to cover humankind. 

In Tar Valon, Min sees portents of hideous doom. Will the White Tower itself be broken?

In the Two Rivers, the Whitecloaks ride in pursuit of a man with golden eyes, and in pursuit of the Dragon Reborn.

In Cantorin, among the Sea Folk, High Lady Suroth plans the return of the Seanchan armies to the mainland.

In the Stone of Tear, the Lord Dragon considers his next move. It will be something no one expects, not the Black Ajah, not Tairen nobles, not Aes Sedai, not Egwene or Elayne or Nynaeve.

Against the Shadow rising stands the Dragon Reborn...

My Review:
I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

True to the title of the book, the Shadow is rising. Danger lurks at every step as Rand tries to keep one step ahead of his enemies and do the unexpected. Elayne and Nynaeve are off to Tanchico in search of the eleven remaining Black Ajah members and something awful that will harm Rand if the Shadow gets hold of it. Egwene comes across an Aiel Dreamwalker and is told to come to the Waste for training. Mat seeks a way out of the Stone of Tear but he seems to always find an excuse to remain there. Perrin, on the other hand, is resigned to being at Rand's side, but searches for a way to send Faile away from him where she'll be safe. Moiraine must find a way to get Rand to trust her so she can guide him. And Min re-enters the White Tower as Elmindreda in order to assist the Amyrlin in hunting the Black Ajah.

Amidst bubbles of evil that strike at random, especially at the three ta'veren, putting them and their companions at risk. After an attack of Trollocs in the Stone itself, Rand decides it is time to head out of the Stone and surprise his enemies. Perrin hears rumors of Whitecloaks in the Two Rivers and heads home to see what he can do about it. After a trip through a ter'angreal doorway, Rand is decided on what his course of action must be. Mat and Moiraine also stepped through the doorway and learned things that must be as well. 

Rand definitely does the unexpected and whisks the Aiel off to Rhuidean to fulfill prophecy. Even there his enemies wait. Will he fall victim to their trap? Or will they fall victim to his?

Next up: The Fires of Heaven.

You can purchase The Shadow Rising through Amazon in hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read The Shadow Rising? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Monday, March 3, 2014

The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan

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Title: The Dragon Reborn
Author: Robert Jordan
Series: Wheel of Time (Book #3)
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Length: 596 pages
Published: 1991
Publisher: Tor Books
Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) "The Dragon Reborn"--the leader long prophesied who will save the world, but in the saving destroy it; the savior who will run mad and kill all those dearest to him--is on the run from his destiny. Able to touch the One Power, but unable to control it, and with no one to teach him how--for no man has done it in three thousand years--Rand al'Thor knows only that he must face the Dark One. But how? 

Winter has stopped the war-almost-yet men are dying, calling out for the Dragon. But where is he? 

Perrin Aybara is in pursuit with Moiraine Sedai, her Warder Lan, and the Loial the Ogier. Bedeviled by dreams, Perrin is grappling with another deadly problem--how is her to escape the loss of his own humanity. 

Egwene, Elayne and Nynaeve are approaching Tar Valon, where Mat will be healed--if he lives until they arrive. But who will tell the Amyrlin their news--that the Black Ajah, long thought only a hideous rumor, is all too real? They cannot know that in Tar Valon far worse awaits... 

Ahead, for all of them, in the Heart of the Stone, lies the next great test of the Dragon reborn...

My Review:
I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

The plots thicken in the epic fantasy world created by Robert Jordan. Rand takes off for Tear, leaving behind Moiraine, Perrin, Lan, Min, Loial, and the Shienaran soldiers who have sworn to him. Moiraine sends Min to Tar Valon, and the Shienarans to Ghealdan. Perrin, Loial, Lan, and Moiraine then start out on Rand's trail. Meanwhile, Egwene, Elayne, and Nynaeve are returning to the White Tower under Verin's watch, with a dying Mat in tow. 

Rand is hardly seen throughout this installment, except in small parts at the end of chapters or as viewed by Egwene and Perrin in the World of Dreams. Perrin starts standing up to Moiraine, much to her chagrin, and finds himself fulfilling some of Min's viewings. After the opening chapters with Min, you do not see her again in this book, so you are left wondering what happened to her. 

Don't let the lack of two major characters keep you from reading this though. Very important lessons are learned by everyone, and many events that seem minor have a huge impact on the remainder of the characters and storyline. While in some spots the action seems a little slow, you still retain a huge sense of danger throughout most of the book. 

Next up: The Shadow Rising.

You can purchase The Dragon Reborn through Amazon in hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read The Dragon Reborn? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.

Friday, February 7, 2014

The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan

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Title: The Great Hunt
Author: Robert Jordan
Series: Wheel of Time (Book #2)
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Length: 600 pages
Published: 1990
Publisher: Tor Books
Brief Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads) The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow. For centuries, gleemen have told of The Great Hunt of the Horn. Now the Horn itself is found: the Horn of Valere long thought only legend, the Horn which will raise the dead heroes of the ages.

And it is stolen.

My Review:
I give this book a 5 out of 5. 

This is the second book in the Wheel of Time series and follows The Eye of the World. The story starts out a little slow, as Rand keeps hemming and hawing over leaving Fal Dara. He spends most of his time trying to learn to use his sword, with Lan as his teacher. Just as he's about to finally leave (after being especially vicious to Mat, Perrin, and Loial), he finds that suddenly he can't. The Amyrlin Seat is on her way from Tar Valon with a host of Aes Sedai, and he can not leave Fal Dara. 

Rand's hesitation causes him and his friends to end up meeting the Amyrlin Seat and her Aes Sedai, the night after the keep is attacked by Trollocs and Darkfriends, who do murder in the night, release Padan Fain, and steal both Mat's dagger and the Horn of Valere. 

Thus begins the great hunt to retrieve the Horn and the dagger Mat has carried from Shadar Logoth - the one item needed to ensure that the taint is completely removed from Mat. Rand, Mat, Perrin, Loial, a sniffer named Hurin, and twenty Shienaran soldiers leave Fal Dara under the command of Lord Ingtar. As a sniffer, Hurin can smell the trail of people who commit murders, assaults, etc. One night, while on the trail, Rand, Hurin and Loial camp down near each other and wake up in an alternate world - one where the Trollocs defeated mankind. 

While they continue to follow the trail in the alternate world, the Shienarans, Perrin and Mat use Perrin's ability with the wolves to follow them in the real world. They are joined by Verin Mathwin, an Aes Sedai of the Brown Ajah on their hunt. Eventually they return to their world, manage to rescue the Horn and dagger, and meet up with the Shienarans in Cairhien, just after the Horn and dagger are stolen again.

Meanwhile, Egwene and Nynaeve head to Tar Valon with the Aes Sedai to begin their training. Eventually danger strikes at them there and both of their new friends (Elayne and Min) end up involved as well. 

Everything and everyone comes together on Toman Head, where Rand must meet Fain to retrieve the Horn and dagger. 

This is a great addition to the story as Rand struggles with who and what he is, and the others get swept up in his wake. There is definitely a ton more character development and the plot continues to thicken. Next up is The Dragon Reborn. 

You can purchase The Great Hunt through Amazon in hard copy or Kindle format. 

Have you read The Great Hunt? If so, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts! 

Please note: I was not compensated in any way for this review. It is strictly my opinion.