A literature professor claimed the difference between “plot” novels and “real literature” is that plot novels cease to be enjoyable once the reader knows how the story goes, while real literature retains and even deepens in its significance and impact upon successive readings, after the reader knows “how it ends.”
A Memory of Light Review
After so many books spent preparing for the Last Battle and Rand’s climactic struggle against the Dark One, we finally witness it. We witness it for almost a thousand pages, since A Memory of Light is basically a very, very long final battle scene.
Rhythm of War Reread Reflections
They are good stories, but between my changing tastes, and the increasing salience of Cosmere trivia, I do not enjoy them as much as I once did, and that’s a sad fact to recognize.
Towers of Midnight Review
If you ask me my favorite Wheel of Time book, though, my answer is immediate and certain: book thirteen, Towers of Midnight.
The Gathering Storm Review
As I’ve mentioned a few times before, Brandon Sanderson was tapped to finish Wheel of Time after Jordan passed away before he could finish it. I can think of few tasks more difficult or daunting than stepping in to finish another author’s masterpiece.
Knife of Dreams Review
It's a fitting last outing for Jordan, highlighting his distinguishing skills: ability to manage a large cast, embrace multiple perspectives, advance intertwining plot threads, bring secondary and tertiary characters to life, provide a sense of foreboding balanced with a glimmer of hope.
Crossroads of Twilight Review
Long series aren’t for everyone, but if you’ve made it this far, I think it’s fair for an author to take advantage of the scope of the form to tell a story in a spanning way that shorter forms couldn’t support.
Winter’s Heart Review
Nine books into Wheel of Time, a series famous for its length and detail, I found myself thinking the series could really be longer.
Path of Daggers Review
One of Jordan’s strengths, which I am noticing more in this reread, is that he is able to drop in events in earlier books which seem like they may not go anywhere, which then become significant multiple books later.
The Faerie Queen Review
I almost gave up after finishing the first book, but there were enough elements that intrigued me to continue into the second, and I’m sometimes a little stubborn, so I pushed on. I’m glad I persevered.
IGC Publishing 