Wheel of Time, where to start?

[iwatt]

I am a huge WoT fan who has definitely been let down big time by the last few books. I still contend, though, that the Battle of Dumai's Wells is one of the best written battles in fantasy fiction.

"Kneel or you will be knelt."

I still get chills thinking about that scene.

Also:

"Rolling rings of Earth and Fire" is one of the most evocative spell names I've ever read.

 

[chakken98]

I have read the series....and sadly I dont think I can ever pick up those books again. when I found WoT I was like man this is awsome. I couldn't put them down...then I started to get boring and lag....so I went to the Eternal Champion series by Moorcock...yes its long but at least they are short and don't ten to make me mad cause they suck...

 

[Loincloth of Armour]

As one of my friends so elequently put it:

"Jordan has written a pretty decent fantasy trilogy. It's a pity it took him 12 books to do it in."

 

[jonesy]

I have no complaint over the number of books, but rather the pacing of the books.....The problem with WoT is there are books where the plot either crawls along or doesn't move at all.

The problem with GRRM is the same, only opposite.

By the time I had finished A Storm of Swords the thought on top of my mind was "how exactly did I read a thousand pages in one evening?". The only other book that ever did that to me was Iliad way back when. And considering the difference between how well his books flow and how slow he writes can drive anyone mad. Or maybe that's just how much time it takes for him to make them flow so well?

 

[RaceBannon42]

Well, I can't add a lot to what already has been said.

When you say try to read again I'm assuming you mean make a new attempt rather than a re-read.

As to where to start. The prequel in Novella format in Legends is better than the expanded Novel. Jordan just goes back in and adds more details, and some subplots. But A New Spring is still pretty good. There are some spoilers though. I'd start with Eye of the World, if you can't get through it, then Jordan probably isnt for you. Its not the best book in the series, I'd probably say that is Fires of Heaven, but its certainly not the worst. Book 11 was a step back in the right direction.

Personally I'm looking forward to book 12. Despites his shortcomings, I'm still a fan, and I want to see the series through. I wish the best for Mr. Rigney, and It would be a shame if he didn't get the chance to finish his defining work.