Alright, so here's the thing.
Due to the fact the the last book in the series is out soon, I've decided to do what I first planned to do when the Gathering Storm release date came out.
Re-read this series from the beginning.
Alas, time was not with me then, and I never did.
But now I have the time, and read I shall.
Its been just under a decade since I started to read the series, and the last time I read any of them was 2005, when Knife of Dreams came out.
So I started the reread, and have just started on Great Hunt when I thought - I wonder what everyone else thought of these bits?
So I've decided to do... not a review, more like a commentary, highlighting plot points, what I thought of certain scenes, particular characters, whatever.
Oh, and one last thing beofre I get started. Comment if you want, I'm more than happy to disscuss my feelings on things, but Do Not Talk About Gathering Storm or Towers of Midnight Not here, not now.
I haven't read them yet, and I don't want to be spoiled.
Since I've read EotW, I'll do that bit now, though it wont be as in depth as some of my later posts, which will probably deal with blocks of chapters.
So, first thing first - Rand is the Dragon Reborn. As I read bits where lightning strikes just when needed, or Rand notices something at the same time as Egwene or Nyneave, I think to myself; How the fuck did I miss all these clues? I remember being completely shocked when I was 12, 13, when at the end, the very last line if IIRC, Moriane calls Rand the true Dragon Reborn, but reading it now, the bear minimum of clues are there as early as Baerlon.
Moving on a little, Nyneave and Lan; their romance was slightly more foreshadowed than I first thought; they almost immediately get underneath each others skin. She's always just a little too happy to outdo him, or a little too fearful of diappointing him, and its pretty obvious that she's attracted to him. That Lan returns her feelings is a bit of a shock though. Not a total one though, its just, partly due to a lack of his POV, he keeps his feelings and emotions very close to his chest, and it never shows on his face. But despite that there are one or two scenes which show he cares; and I do mean before the Blight, when it was made blindingly obvious.
Before we go any further, I just want to say that I'm trying to give my opinion based solely on Eye of the World. But since I've read up to Knife of Dreams, half remembered scences and plots may cloud my judgement. I'll try to be impartial, but I'm not entirely sure I'll succeed.
Now, the POV characters, of which we have 3. Rand, who spends much of the book frightened, Perrin, who spends his POV chapters in the midst of denial, and Nyneave who spends her POV chapters angry, a little at her self, but mostly at Moraine.
So far, Rand is a decent enough young man, just overwhelmed by the situation. Perrin is much the same, (Mat is a slightly different story, lacking somewhat in common sense, and spending a good portion of the book dying; a disticnt lack of POV doesn't help his case) but Nyneave is different.
My initial impression of her was of a arrogant bitch who bullies people into doing what she wants. Then, when we get her POV, its a different story. Yes, she's prideful, and yes, shes harsh, and yes, she is a bit forceful, but only because she cares. I get the impression she's like a mother who hasn't quite got childrearing right, but that moment when she call Ran, Perrin and Mat men, its like "Okay, maybe she is managing to take a step in the right direction."
Moraine and Lan are more of a mystery, but through hindsight a lot of the things they say and do make much more sense, especially in Moraine's case. They're alone and desperate; desperate to complete their mission, but unable to seek help because even some of their closest allies would kill them for what they are doing. In hindsight you can almost see the way Moraine's plans slip through her fingers like sand. Choosing to go to the Eye is pretty much the moment when Moraine goes "You know what; screw it. For now, let destiny take us where it may. Fucking Ta'veren."
Thom is much more grandfatherly to me now than when I first read it, but also much more human. Damn cool guy. Can't for the life of me remember when he makes his return.
And now we come to the last character; Egwene; my main impression of her is of a silly little hypocrite of a girl who knows not of which she speaks and does, and doesn't listen to reason except maybe from Nyneave or Moraine. Maybe. God help Rand, Perrin and Mat (from now on, RPM) if they try and tell her something. She spends much of the novel trying her hardest to disregard everything they say.
Oh, she cares, and she's kind and often serves as a voice of reason but in this novel there are very few things to really like about her that offset her massive lack of common sense when it comes to herself and her own limitations.
Okay, we've finished characters, now onto the plot; simple but effective. They spend most of it on the run, before finally striking back. Questions are asked and answered, and shit tons of foreshadowing is laid down on the way.
For a moment, just for a moment, I want to talk about the similarlites to LotR.
Much of the first 2/3 of the book is similar in tone, and spirit. Run away, form a group and keep on running. But afterwards they reunite, and it take a majorly different direction. And considering the entirely of the series, that fine.
Due to the fact the the last book in the series is out soon, I've decided to do what I first planned to do when the Gathering Storm release date came out.
Re-read this series from the beginning.
Alas, time was not with me then, and I never did.
But now I have the time, and read I shall.
Its been just under a decade since I started to read the series, and the last time I read any of them was 2005, when Knife of Dreams came out.
So I started the reread, and have just started on Great Hunt when I thought - I wonder what everyone else thought of these bits?
So I've decided to do... not a review, more like a commentary, highlighting plot points, what I thought of certain scenes, particular characters, whatever.
Oh, and one last thing beofre I get started. Comment if you want, I'm more than happy to disscuss my feelings on things, but Do Not Talk About Gathering Storm or Towers of Midnight Not here, not now.
I haven't read them yet, and I don't want to be spoiled.
Since I've read EotW, I'll do that bit now, though it wont be as in depth as some of my later posts, which will probably deal with blocks of chapters.
So, first thing first - Rand is the Dragon Reborn. As I read bits where lightning strikes just when needed, or Rand notices something at the same time as Egwene or Nyneave, I think to myself; How the fuck did I miss all these clues? I remember being completely shocked when I was 12, 13, when at the end, the very last line if IIRC, Moriane calls Rand the true Dragon Reborn, but reading it now, the bear minimum of clues are there as early as Baerlon.
Moving on a little, Nyneave and Lan; their romance was slightly more foreshadowed than I first thought; they almost immediately get underneath each others skin. She's always just a little too happy to outdo him, or a little too fearful of diappointing him, and its pretty obvious that she's attracted to him. That Lan returns her feelings is a bit of a shock though. Not a total one though, its just, partly due to a lack of his POV, he keeps his feelings and emotions very close to his chest, and it never shows on his face. But despite that there are one or two scenes which show he cares; and I do mean before the Blight, when it was made blindingly obvious.
Before we go any further, I just want to say that I'm trying to give my opinion based solely on Eye of the World. But since I've read up to Knife of Dreams, half remembered scences and plots may cloud my judgement. I'll try to be impartial, but I'm not entirely sure I'll succeed.
Now, the POV characters, of which we have 3. Rand, who spends much of the book frightened, Perrin, who spends his POV chapters in the midst of denial, and Nyneave who spends her POV chapters angry, a little at her self, but mostly at Moraine.
So far, Rand is a decent enough young man, just overwhelmed by the situation. Perrin is much the same, (Mat is a slightly different story, lacking somewhat in common sense, and spending a good portion of the book dying; a disticnt lack of POV doesn't help his case) but Nyneave is different.
My initial impression of her was of a arrogant bitch who bullies people into doing what she wants. Then, when we get her POV, its a different story. Yes, she's prideful, and yes, shes harsh, and yes, she is a bit forceful, but only because she cares. I get the impression she's like a mother who hasn't quite got childrearing right, but that moment when she call Ran, Perrin and Mat men, its like "Okay, maybe she is managing to take a step in the right direction."
Moraine and Lan are more of a mystery, but through hindsight a lot of the things they say and do make much more sense, especially in Moraine's case. They're alone and desperate; desperate to complete their mission, but unable to seek help because even some of their closest allies would kill them for what they are doing. In hindsight you can almost see the way Moraine's plans slip through her fingers like sand. Choosing to go to the Eye is pretty much the moment when Moraine goes "You know what; screw it. For now, let destiny take us where it may. Fucking Ta'veren."
Thom is much more grandfatherly to me now than when I first read it, but also much more human. Damn cool guy. Can't for the life of me remember when he makes his return.
And now we come to the last character; Egwene; my main impression of her is of a silly little hypocrite of a girl who knows not of which she speaks and does, and doesn't listen to reason except maybe from Nyneave or Moraine. Maybe. God help Rand, Perrin and Mat (from now on, RPM) if they try and tell her something. She spends much of the novel trying her hardest to disregard everything they say.
Oh, she cares, and she's kind and often serves as a voice of reason but in this novel there are very few things to really like about her that offset her massive lack of common sense when it comes to herself and her own limitations.
Okay, we've finished characters, now onto the plot; simple but effective. They spend most of it on the run, before finally striking back. Questions are asked and answered, and shit tons of foreshadowing is laid down on the way.
For a moment, just for a moment, I want to talk about the similarlites to LotR.
Much of the first 2/3 of the book is similar in tone, and spirit. Run away, form a group and keep on running. But afterwards they reunite, and it take a majorly different direction. And considering the entirely of the series, that fine.
