At Last

Robert Jordan has redeemed himself.

Knife of Dreams is the best book in the second half of the Wheel of Time, thus far. Winter's Heart was decent, at best, and only the last chapter or two truly had content. Crossroads of Twilight was an exercise in how to expand what should have been a chapter or two into an entire book.

But Book 11...

We get to see Rand do Randish things. Perrin is Perrin. Mat is bloody Mat again. And things get ACCOMPLISHED. I'm proud of you Mr. Jordan.

I think the problem the last couple of books have had is that people complained Jordan's characters were too flat, so he tried to let us see some more of their personalities other than constant braid-tugging, ear-thumbing, and forehead-knuckling. But it was BORING. I have spoken to one person who thought it wasn't - and I ask every single person who's read the series: "What did you think of Book 10?"

In this one, he does a decent job of balancing action, plot forwarding, depth of personality, plot twists, and even plot resolution. I mean, when was the last time THAT happened?

Not to say there is not braid-tugging, ear-thumbing, or forehead-knuckling. He focuses on fewer characters this time, people more central to the main story, so is more able to develop them. Some characters are almost given short shrift, even. But it is an excellent read, the most engaging this once brilliant series has given me in some time.

There were a few spots, however, that were odd. At one part, I very pointedly felt he had a character speak to the reader. I hate that. Nothing spoils suspension of disbelief for me like a character saying something that the other characters obviously know, but the reader probably does not; spread it out amongst more than one character.

At times he also forces cultural differences, such as colloquial sayings and customs, into odd places in the narrative. "Oh, yeah, don't forget, these people are different." We know, already. Notes about their accent being unusual is one thing, constantly throwing in odd fishing sayings we don't understand is totally another.

But read it. Good Book. :-)

And Mr. Jordan...

(warning:spoiler)

If you are going to publicly state that Mazrim Taim is not Demandred, plese, STOP giving me evidence to support that he IS!