A Question about The Wheel of Time

[Jolly Co-operator]

I've been reading The Wheel of Time series, and loving it, for the most part. I'm a little less than halfway through book 7, and even before then I'd been hearing from people that at some point the series just generally hits a low point, where it's a trudge to get through. The only book in the series that I've read so far that I think falls into that category is book 6, but even that one got exciting towards the end.

What I want to know is how many more books in the series would you consider to be at a "low point", where things just seem dull? I realize that this is entirely a matter of opinion, but I'm just trying to get a general consensus (Please keep in mind that I'm only on book 7, so please avoid spoilers). May the Light shine on all who answer.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

It's been a while since I read the series, but I'm pretty sure you're already in the slow parts. The absolute nadir is book 10, in which next to nothing happens since it's just the end of the ninth book through all the other character's perspectives, and then after that it goes back to levels of quality not seen since the first couple books. 7-10 inclusive were the weak books, but from what I've heard of people who have the opportunity to read them all in one go, instead of waiting years between releases like most of us did, even they're pretty good. The problem is with the huge number of characters, each character's story only advances a small amount between books. That's a lot less of a problem when you're able to read everything in one shot, instead of having roughly a dozen multi-year long cliff hangers at the end of every book.

 

[Toaster Hunter]

No real spoilers here, but I'll spoiler them anyway, just because

Spoiler

The pace of thew series slows down around book ten, then picks up again afterwards. In Crossroads of Twilight, the entire book is a reaction of other characters to the final event of the previous book. Its a pretty significant event, but not worth an entire book just for reactions. The pace does pick up in later books, especially when Brandon Sanderson takes over after Jordan's death. Its a different style of writing, but really good anyway.

Also, Memory of Light comes out January 8, looking forward to it.

Dovie'andi se tovya sagain

 

[NeutralDrow]

I'm one of those people who actually liked Crossroads of Twilight, but I will admit it slowed the story pace quite a bit. Eh, the Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills.

...though it did involve the death of a character who'd technically been around since book 2 (though she's only important in 2, 9, and 10), and the "WTF?!" reactions were worth it.

I've been reading The Wheel of Time series, and loving it, for the most part.

Wow, you picked, like, the best time to start reading the series, since the last book is coming out next month.

From what I've heard, people place the low point anywhere from books 6-10. The only real consensus is that book 10 is the worst, and it picks back up enormously with book 11.

snip

Huh. Wow, you got over your gentling.

Spoiler

Nynaeve get to you in time? ^_^

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

I'm one of those people who actually liked Crossroads of Twilight, but I will admit it slowed the story pace quite a bit. Eh, the Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills.

...though it did involve the death of a character who'd technically been around since book 2 (though she's only important in 2, 9, and 10), and the "WTF?!" reactions were worth it.

I've been reading The Wheel of Time series, and loving it, for the most part.

Wow, you picked, like, the best time to start reading the series, since the last book is coming out next month.

From what I've heard, people place the low point anywhere from books 6-10. The only real consensus is that book 10 is the worst, and it picks back up enormously with book 11.

snip

Huh. Wow, you got over your gentling.

Spoiler

Nynaeve get to you in time? ^_^

Yeah,

Spoiler: spoiler for the first book

although my Uncle Thom still thinks I'm dead XD

For anyone reading this and not getting it: My screen name comes from the name of the nephew of one of the major characters in the book series. He doesn't actually show up in person, but what happened to him in the backstory is an important part of his uncle's motivations.

Captcha: who am i

A bit too on the nose, Captcha.

 

[WolfThomas]

You can actually get the prologue of book 14 as an ebook "For Grace and Banners Fallen" and Chapter 1 is on the internet for free.

Getting super-excited.

From what I've heard, people place the low point anywhere from books 6-10. The only real consensus is that book 10 is the worst, and it picks back up enormously with book 11.

This pretty much. If you hate the series it's five straight books, if you love the series it's only one. I thought book 8 and 10 were slow. 9 had a pretty huge plot development and 7 has some good fights and deals with the fallout of 6's epic ending.

 

[Jolly Co-operator]

It's been a while since I read the series, but I'm pretty sure you're already in the slow parts. The absolute nadir is book 10, in which next to nothing happens since it's just the end of the ninth book through all the other character's perspectives, and then after that it goes back to levels of quality not seen since the first couple books. 7-10 inclusive were the weak books, but from what I've heard of people who have the opportunity to read them all in one go, instead of waiting years between releases like most of us did, even they're pretty good. The problem is with the huge number of characters, each character's story only advances a small amount between books. That's a lot less of a problem when you're able to read everything in one shot, instead of having roughly a dozen multi-year long cliff hangers at the end of every book.

Thanks for the info, it's a relief to know that since I'm reading it in one shot, I'll be avoiding the very worst of it. Another thing to note, it was actually your recommendation on a thread that I read quite some time ago that got me started on reading The Wheel of Time, so thanks for that, too.

 

[Jolly Co-operator]

Huge thanks to all who answered, it's good information to have. From what I can tell, if I've loved the high points of the series, then most of the low shouldn't be too bad. That's a huge relief for me, considering that I'm too far in to make myself stop, and I'll be investing a lot of time into reading these books.

 

[SadisticBrownie]

*snip*

Could You elaborate (with spoilers ofc) on which character you mean? I'm on the 11th book now on my reread in prep for the 14th, and I can't for the life of me think of who you're speaking of.

 

[NeutralDrow]

*snip*

Could You elaborate (with spoilers ofc) on which character you mean? I'm on the 11th book now on my reread in prep for the 14th, and I can't for the life of me think of who you're speaking of.

Spoiler

Renna, the sul'dam who originally captured Egwene in book 2 (and the first evidence that sul'dum could channel...or maybe that was Seta), who was tapped by Egeanen and Mat to help smuggle the Aes Sedai out of Ebou Dar in book 9. She betrays the group in book 10, stabs Egeanen, and tries to escape before the Redarms shoot her down.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

Hard to say, you've basically hit the part where I stopped reading and it's been about 12 years since I read it. I know it's about there that I was starting to wish that Rand would just go blast the Dark One with Balfire or something.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

It's been a while since I read the series, but I'm pretty sure you're already in the slow parts. The absolute nadir is book 10, in which next to nothing happens since it's just the end of the ninth book through all the other character's perspectives, and then after that it goes back to levels of quality not seen since the first couple books. 7-10 inclusive were the weak books, but from what I've heard of people who have the opportunity to read them all in one go, instead of waiting years between releases like most of us did, even they're pretty good. The problem is with the huge number of characters, each character's story only advances a small amount between books. That's a lot less of a problem when you're able to read everything in one shot, instead of having roughly a dozen multi-year long cliff hangers at the end of every book.

Thanks for the info, it's a relief to know that since I'm reading it in one shot, I'll be avoiding the very worst of it. Another thing to note, it was actually your recommendation on a thread that I read quite some time ago that got me started on reading The Wheel of Time, so thanks for that, too.

You're totally welcome, I'm glad you're enjoying it