You might as well succumb to it (Wheel of Time Series - Robert Jordan in general)

Member Name: flatshandy

Product:	Wheel of Time Series - Robert Jordan in general
Date:	06/04/02 (93 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Extremely well drawn and complete world, Long, very long

Disadvantages: long, very long, not finished

Jordan is now writing book ten - you probably want to know if it's worth starting with number one. The answer is 'probably'.

I would sum up the plot for you but fanatasy fiction is by and large predictable - reluctant young hero is dragged into world events of magic and mayhem, discovering that he is the 'one' mentioned in an ancient prophesy and will save everyone. Throw in a sage, silent warrior, a couple of friends along for the ride (who also have their part to play), add a dash of evil wizardry and some evil henchmen and you've about got it.

The trick is doing this well, which Jordan certainly does, and part of the pleasure in reading this genre is to see what spin the author places on the tested and required elements - so I won't spoil it by revealing particulars. Instead I'll give a brief overview of the series as a whole, in terms of 'readability'.

The first three books are as fine a set of fantasy novels in the usual vein as you could hope to find. The pace is zippy and breathless and will keep you turning the pages until dawn. Aroud book four you'll start to wonder at the depth of Jordan's world - he spent four years planning before he put pen to paper - and this will continue through books five and six, although you'll notice that the pace slows. As the characters are split up and the story becomes more fragmented it is naturally more difficult for Jordan to keep the pace as lively as it was in the beginning.

Book seven was the last one I really enjoyed, unfortunately. Books eight and nine slowed to a snail's pace and I can only think of two things that actually happened in book nine, whereas I could rattle on for half an hour about book one.

It's a huge testament to the validity and strength of the world and the characters Jordan created that I can actually recommend the series despite the failings of the last books. I really do need to know what happ
ens, and even though I last read it a year ago the impressions I have of it are still incredibly strong.

So you may as well try it because it starts so well - my only hope is that he wraps it all up in book ten, because that's a nice round number.

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