Wheel of Time

[The_Universe]

It's worth plowing through 8 books, IMHO. 9 and 10 might as well not exist. I think they're a waste of paper, and I hate trees.

 

[Orius]

Another caution on the series. The Prologue of the first book, as well as maybe the first chapter, is a bit boring. Lots of good, important info, and very much worth wading through to get to the story. Just be willing to read 20-30 pages on faith.

Yeah, I forgot to mention that. The first book takes like 100 pages for the action to start. But it's not all wasted space. Jordan takes the time to introduce us to several major characters here. He also paints a pretty vivid picture of life in the Two Rivers, which also is important over the long term. But once he starts the action moving, it doesn't really stop.

 

[drothgery]

I've got serious issues with The Path of Daggers (book 8) and Crossroads of Twilight (book 10), but I'll never understand how anyone can like Lord of Chaos (book 6) and dislike the much better A Crown of Swords (book 7). And until the previous poster, I'd never even heard of anyone who liked The Path of Daggers, which featured the worst prose in the entire series, and where only Egwene's thread wasn't cringe-worthy, but didn't like Winter's Heart (book 9), which, along with the prequel novel, is the only reason I have some hope that Jordan can still write.

 

[Aesmael]

Another caution on the series. The Prologue of the first book, as well as maybe the first chapter, is a bit boring. Lots of good, important info, and very much worth wading through to get to the story. Just be willing to read 20-30 pages on faith.

Well, after reading all ten books (and the New Spring novella but not the expanded novel), the prologue is still my very favourite part of the entire series.

 

[Benben]

but didn't like Winter's Heart (book 9), which, along with the prequel novel, is the only reason I have some hope that Jordan can still write.

Yes! Book 9 salvaged everything I sat through in 7-8. Seeing a major plot element finally resolved was fantastic and the cloak and dagger scenes were excellent.

If the prequel is as good as book 9 I might pick it up after all.

Also I recommend "reading" the series by using books on tape. The readers for the series are pretty good, and being able to listen and do other things significantly lessons the time investment for the series.

 

[Starman]

I've got serious issues with The Path of Daggers (book 8) and Crossroads of Twilight (book 10), but I'll never understand how anyone can like Lord of Chaos (book 6) and dislike the much better A Crown of Swords (book 7). And until the previous poster, I'd never even heard of anyone who liked The Path of Daggers, which featured the worst prose in the entire series, and where only Egwene's thread wasn't cringe-worthy, but didn't like Winter's Heart (book 9), which, along with the prequel novel, is the only reason I have some hope that Jordan can still write.

I agree somewhat. Lord of Chaos definitely drags in places, but the stellar finale went a long way to making up for it, IMHO. I agree that A Crown of Swords often gets unfairly ragged on. It has a lot of great scenes and developments (the gholam, Nynaeve's block, Tylin & Mat, Rand and the rebels in Murkwood). The Path of Daggers is definitely one of the weakest in the series, but it also had some stuff I liked (Rand going crazy with Callandor, "A Cup of Sleep", the ambush at the end).

I've heard complaints from some that the prequel novel was an unneccessary expansion of the story in Legends. I disagree. I thought it was tightly written and did a good job of fleshing out some things in the world. I think those people critical of it are those who are upset he wrote it before the series is finished.

Starman

 

[Starman]

Well, after reading all ten books (and the New Spring novella but not the expanded novel), the prologue is still my very favourite part of the entire series.

I agree that "Dragonmount" is a fantastic chapter. I shiver every time I read the part where Lews Therin realizes that he has just killed his wife and everyone else related to him.

Starman

 

[tec-9-7]

I started this series, and it began decently well (tho Jordan has some serious issues w/ women), but I pooped out around book 5 or 6. The fact that I can't remember which says something about the series IMO. The books really struck me as the same story told over and over w/ minor script changes. I think I agree w/ the person who suggested reading the first three books as a trilogy.

 

[Aesmael]

Tylin & Mat

Wow, did not remember it started way back then.

Teehee, Murkwood.

Nothing more than a couple of just sayings. Been a while since I read the books.

 

[Jeremy Ackerman-Yost]

I started this series, and it began decently well (tho Jordan has some serious issues w/ women), ...

That pretty much sums up the books right there.

Still, he's doing something right, because despite the fact that I actually HATE his books, DESPISE him personally, honestly think his issues with women are pathological, find his lack of story cohesion and forward-moving plot to be abominable, and think that he writes some of the worst, most unrealistic characters in the genre (and the genre has issues in that regard), I'm still wanting to read the rest of the series.

Though that could be nothing more than justification for substantial time already spent...