62. New Spring

New Spring. (Wheel of Time Prequel) Robert Jordan. 2004. 334 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: A cold wind gusted through the night, across the snow-covered land where men had been killing one another for the past three days.

Premise/plot: New Spring is a prequel to the Wheel of Time. It was published after the tenth book Crossroads of Twilight. It provides readers with an origin story--or back story--of Lan, Moiraine, and Siuan. Lan is a soldier without a country--a soldier-king. But the without a country bit matters. Moiraine and Siuan are Accepted and studying at Tar Valon (or the White Tower). They are on their way to becoming Aes Sedai. When we first catch a glimpse of them, we witness a foretelling and a death--a CHILD has just been born who will be the Dragon Reborn. Gitara, the Aes Sedai who prophesied his birth, promptly dies. Only a few witnessed this. It is super top secret classified. But Siuan and Moiriane are among the few--and most likely the youngest--who have seen and heard. Both think that the baby should be found, taken, brought up, raised, guided. Surely this matter is of the utmost importance, right?! But not all the Ajahs are the same. The two fear that the rumors of Black Ajah are true...

My thoughts: When trying to decide WHEN to read this prequel I researched a lot of opinions on the internet. Essentially no one recommends reading this book first. I'd agree with that. A few mentioned that it would be good any time after The Dragon Reborn (book three). A few suggested after The Shadow Rising (book four). Daniel Greene (author and YouTuber) at one point (he may have changed his mind since then) suggested reading it after book five (The Fires of Heaven). I remember one review mentioned that it would be a good fit after The Lord of Chaos (book six). But most fell into one of two camps: read it after Crossroads of Twilight (book ten) OR read it after all fourteen books in the series the last being Memory of Light. I chose to read it after book five. 

I wish they'd been a glossary like his other books. Sometimes he'd use his fancy fantasy made up words and I'd be like am I supposed to remember what this means or is it new to this story. I didn't realize how often I flip to the glossary until there wasn't one. 

There were a handful of scenes that were EXCELLENT. They truly fit into the series and added depth. It was a joy to discover these bits. BUT. I got to say that most of the book stays in the nice-but-not-particularly-wonderful category. It was nice to read about Moiraine and Siuan training in the White Tower, catch a glimpse of their deep friendship. It was more than nice to spend some time with Lan. 

What was good was really good. What wasn't so good was so skimmable/skippable. (Some parts were just CREEPY/GROSS/NASTY.) But I didn't really feel that this Moiraine was *the* Moiraine I had come to know through the other books in the series. She was super immature and petty. I don't know how anyone put up with her really.

© 2021 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

56. The Fires of Heaven

The Fires of Heaven. (The Wheel of Time #5) Robert Jordan. 1993. 704 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again. In one Age, called the Third Age by some, an Age yet to come, an Age long past, a wind rose in the great forest called Braem Wood. The wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning.

If I had to review this one in just three words: WHERE IS PERRIN???????

The fifth book of the series mainly focuses on Rand and his continuing challenges as the Dragon Reborn. Mainly. Those still close to Rand include Moraine, Lan, Egwene, and Mat. But the one that literally gets up, close, and personal with Rand is Aviendha, whom we first met in book four.

The book focuses on the "real" world and the "dream" world. Often bad guys and good guys face off in both. It can occasionally be tricky to try to keep up of where these showdowns happen since dreams have the potential to have real world consequences.

Those not (literally) in Rand's camp (or fellowship?) are Elayne and Nynaeve (and company). They have gone from being the hunters to being hunted. Since the Tower fell--well--it makes things even more dangerous. Of course, they had plenty of enemies before the Tower fell. And they've just got a few more now. 

Readers also spend time with Siuan Sanche (the former Amyrlin Seat) and Leane (former Keeper of the Chronicles) as they run for their lives. Min is among their company....

Is it strange that as busy as this book is--and it is VERY VERY BUSY--that I could spend so much time missing Perrin?????

Also there is the matter of Morgase (Elayne's mother, the Queen). We get like one chapter and one page towards the end of the book and the rest of the time she's missing in action. I was like GET BACK TO HER STORY, PLEASE, THANK YOU.

So perhaps I would have had a couple of words for Robert Jordan about this one. I didn't enjoy it quite as much as previous books in the series. But perhaps it makes up for it in body counts of the Forsaken???? Yet part of me is skeptical. Sometimes showdowns seem to be THE FINAL SHOWDOWN only to turn out to be a dress rehearsal.

 Quote: It would be easier if this was a story, he thought. In stories, there were only so many surprises before the hero knew everything he needed; he himself never seemed to know a quarter of everything. (518)

© 2021 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

53. The Shadow Rising

The Shadow Rising. (The Wheel of Time #4) Robert Jordan. 1992. 672 pages. [Source: Bought]

First sentence: The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again. In one Age, called the Third Age by some, an Age yet to come, an Age long past, a wind rose on the great plain called the Caralain Grass. The wind was not the beginning. There are neither beginnings nor endings to the turning of the Wheel of Time. But it was a beginning.

Premise/plot: The Shadow Rising is the fourth book in the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. The series has grown more complex--in my opinion--with each book. The cast of characters and the amount of side stories increases.

There are four-ish main stories unfolding all at once. Not all chapters are narrated by the good guys. Occasionally (for whatever reason, for better or worse) Jordan gives us sections--sometimes entire chapters--from the point of view of the villains. Usually these are super tricksy and confusing to piece together. (It could be because readers are trying to keep up with a thousand plus named characters. According to Wikipedia the entire series has over 2,700 named characters). Darkfriends including the "Forsaken." Seanchan. Children of the Light.

So the main stories:

Rand is out to fulfill more prophecy and be recognized by the Aiel as He Who Comes With the Dawn. It won't be easy. I won't say it's more difficult than any other or every other obstacle he's faced in previous books. But he's always in danger--with a target on his back, if you will--plenty want to turn him, use him, destroy him, etc.

Mat and Egwene travel with Rand for very different reasons. It has been revealed to Mat that his life depends on him going to Rhuidean. The two go into the abandoned city--VERY SPOOKY ABANDONED CITY--together and have very different experiences. Egwene is there to learn from the Wise Ones how to dreamwalk or better dreamwalk.

Moraine (and presumably Lan) are along for this adventure as well. Though as more characters come into the stories, they seem to fade into the background and be less significant.

Aviendha is introduced I believe in this book. She seems to play a major role in the story. She watches over Rand, and it seems to be a case of hate at first sight. (But is this hate love in disguise????)

Nynaeve and Elayne are still in search of the Black Ajah. Their mission takes them to Tanchico. Along for the ride are Thom (the former gleeman) and Juilin Sandar (whom we met briefly in a previous book). It is tricky business looking for the Black Ajah because they are hunting hunters. If they channel, they risk alerting the bad guys to their presence. Yet sometimes it seems so necessary to channel in self defense as they face risks and dangers.

Perrin and Faile (along with Loial, whom I adore) return to Two Rivers. But all is not well--far from it--at home. In the two years (roughly) he's been gone, a LOT has changed. And the lives of those he cares about (and those he's just grown up with) are in danger. He will have to be ever vigilant and ready to fight, fight, fight if he wants to protect his people/country. MEANWHILE, PERRIN AND FAILE GET MARRIED. *Squeal*

Min--for whatever reason, convenience to the story really--is at the White Tower. And she's there just in time to possibly save some lives. All is not well at Tar Valon. And it seems the Black Ajah have a few tricks.

The stories are told unevenly. That is they don't receive equal attention and weight. You might go twenty chapters without hearing from a character only then to have them pop up again.

My thoughts: I have thoughts. I do. I wish I had a paperback copy of this one. The hardback was cumbersome to read from. But the last third was truly EXCITING and ACTION-PACKED. I might compare the first third being like standing in line to ride a roller coaster. Your feet start hurting. You seem to barely be moving. It might be hot. You are just ready for the thrills. The second third is like getting on the roller coaster, getting ready to hold on, and perhaps going up that first big hill. The last third--as I mentioned--is ALL THRILLS AND EXCITEMENT. In the end it makes it worth it.

I am so thankful there is a glossary. It is super handy. I can't imagine listening to this on audio book without a glossary to turn to whenever you need it. I also can't imagine loving an e-book as much for the same reasons. (Though probably an e-book would have a table of contents so maybe it wouldn't be impossible.)

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews